transporting racks on their backs

[nathanvacha]

i'm hoping some of the more seasoned guys may chime in here, is there any potential risk to gear in a rack case if you maybe had casters on the back lid and just tiped it to roll around that way? basically sit on it's back during transport?

i know this would run the risk of cables coming loose, but i'm thinking more about bumps along the way where things get shaken in another direction than what they normally sit in.

[John Suitcase]

I don't see why it would cause any problems. I usually put my racks into my van on their backs, for similar reasons. I can't be sure, but it seems like it would put less stress on the rack and rack ears this way.

[valleysound]

I've done that with some bad results!! I put my amp rack on its back a few times and even though they were relatively light weight, QSC PLX, 23lbs or so, the ears bent from the weight and it only happened on one trip. Now I have front and rear rails for mounting the amps and they stay upright. Some gear which is lighter may take the ride.

[Jim vanBergen]

From amplifiers to hard disk recorders to preamps to splitters, some stuff just can't handle the weight. I've seen stuff get ripped apart, but you can usually tell. I always truck racks on their back, gear face up/connectors down in my Subaru wagons, and have not had any problems-knock wood. But if I had the opportunity, I'd ship them on their wheels as I used to when I owned a remote truck and could strap everything to the walls in their own shock racks.

If your gear FEELS like its well made and has robust metalwork, don't fear, just be careful with it. I have more than ONE multitrack recorder that has a permamnent bend in the metal from either a bump whiule trucking or UPS shipping in an SKB or shock rack.

It's your gear, you have to trust or risk it...my gear is all pretty decent stuff, but I have some pieces with bent rack ears from sitting on their backs. Another MAJOR issue is if you have a remote PSU, like I have in my racks for my Chandler gear and Presonus M80s. Those can break off a connector if they hit, so make sure everything is tie-wrapped or velcro'd in well. I do the same with the cable & connectors, so once I get to the venue and de-lid the rack, a quick hand over every connector is a must to insure properly seated D-subs, XLR, and TRS connectors.

Hope this helps!

JvB

[bishopthomas]

I don't usually flip amp racks, but other rack gear rides on its back all the time. If it's light enough then the rack ears should be able to support the weight of the unit. Just be gentle instead of letting the rack fall when you flip it over.

[Barnabas]

A long time ago (about 30 years), I loaded an amplifier on its back one time because it fit better in the truck pack. When I got to the gig, the amp's fuse blew. I replaced it, and then the amp smoked. What happened is that a metal heat sink that was pressed around a transistor fell off and landed in a bad place.

With modern equipment, you shouldn't have this kind of problem.

If an amplifier is heavy enough to bend the rack rails, then it should really be fastened to the case at the rear of the amp as well. That should keep the rails from bending.