Vans

[kalmatthew]

I need to move the following

• 8 * Mac 250's
  
• 4 * Mac 600's
  
• 4 * VR8's
  
• 2 * Mac 250's
  
• 3 * Strobes
  
• 2 * UV's
  
• 1 * Avo Pearl
  

Plus a fairly substantial PA. I was thinking that I would probably need a Luton Box van and was wandering if any one new where I could get one? Just in case it means we could get it cheaper, we are a school and running a charitable event, any suggestions would be much appreciated.

[dominicgross]

can't you 'borrow' a school mini bus??

[peter]

You could try Gullivers Truck and Van Hire - I think they're a national company, but I'm not sure.

 

For theatrical "specialists", try Paul Matthews, or ask the hire company directly - a lot will deliver, often for cheaper than the price of hiring a van for the day. For reference, I pay around £25 for a 150 mile round trip (making it £50 for delivery, including drop off and pick up)... although this will vary from company to company.

[Ben]

where are you based and how old are you? most places wont hire to under 21 and alot will not go under 25 years old. for a luton box van I think IIRC you need to be over 25 with at least 3 (might be 5) years driving experance, this does vary slightly from place to place but not much.

 

location has alot to do with it, in london it costs more than in the country for instance.

 

a good way to go I found is ask a man with a van, they often work out cheaper,

they are insured and they will do the loadign and unloading

 

hope this helps in some way,

 

Ben

[gareth]

in london it costs more than in the country for instance.

Errr ... eh?! Is London not in this country, then? Has someone moved it without telling us?

 

Or maybe you're trying to say that everywhere outside of London is the countryside? Hmm, yes, I do so love getting my wellies and Barbour jacket on, and taking the dog for a ramble through that beautiful little hamlet called Birmingham - such interesting wildlife ... ;)

 

And just so that this post is not completely bitter and twisted ... :blink: Kal, you might get that lot into a LWB Transit (or similar - might need to be a high-top, though), if you were particular about loading (tip all the Mac boxes, stack the 250's, that sort of thing. But err on the safe side and get a Luton - apart from anything else, you can get a taillift and that makes life a bit easier. If this is a school event, can the van hire be arranged through the school? Might save some money.

 

Smaller companies might be a bit more amenable to hiring to a young driver than some of the big nationals. Or maybe you could get a teacher to do the driving.

[Tom]

Now now Gareth. Warm and friendly.

 

Assuming that little lot is flight cased and depending on the size of the PA, you may be close to the weight limit on a Luton (about 1,500Kg).

 

I'd agree with Ben that a man and van may be a better bet though. I'd expect to pay between £20 and £30 per hour in London. (Stage Logistics are fantastic 0800 028 2394)

 

For hire in London I always use Barns (020 7275 7778) in E8. They are not the cheapest but are reliable. (oh - and they are just down the road from me).

 

Pick up your local yellow pages and try giving some people a call. You'll soon get an idea of what rates are like around you. But remember - pay the extra for the Collision Damage Waver. It's normally only a few quid and it will massively reduce any excess you'll have to pay in the event of a prang.

[Ben]

in london it costs more than in the country for instance.

Errr ... eh?! Is London not in this country, then? Has someone moved it without telling us?

 

Or maybe you're trying to say that everywhere outside of London is the countryside? Hmm, yes, I do so love getting my wellies and Barbour jacket on, and taking the dog for a ramble through that beautiful little hamlet called Birmingham - such interesting wildlife ... :blink:

Gareth,

 

I didn't say that everywhere outside london is like this hence the "for instance" at the end of it. also to say in the country is considered perfectly fine english when referring to the countryside or anywhere out of the city, for example "I'm spending the weekend in the country" you would not say that it is likely this person is spending the weekend at home even thought it is almost certainly in the country.

 

I didn't say or imply in any way that london is the only place not in the countryside nor did I mention any other citys. the reason I used london as the example is three fold, firstly that it is where I live and therefore normally the first city that comes to mind secondly that it is the capitol city of the country (assuming you are in england) and thirdly and in this case most importantly I'm sure you know that things are more expensive in london so on this issue it has a great bearing.

[Big Dave]

Only thing your need to be careful of is weight! Most Lutons etc will only take approx 1500Kg in load which isn't much when your talking lights & PA. You may need to consider 7.5T truck.

[Tom]

Ben - chill :blink:

 

Big Dave - isn't that what I said?

[Big Dave]

Sorry Tom, was half asleep when I was reading through....need more coffee

[bigjohn]

You didn't mention any cables or rigging, so assuming that you are just bringing cables, thats a lot of stuff to fit into a luton van.

 

Mac 250=10 @ 25kg and 5 Cases @ 30kg= 400kg

Mac 600x2 and case = 120kg = 240kg

4x VR8s in case approx = 70kg

3x Strobes in cases = 45kg

Avo Pearl in Tour Case = 45kg

2x UV Cannons in case = 20kg

2x Cable Trunks = 250kg

Lighting total before rigging = 1020kg

 

It'll be a bit tight in a van, with only half a ton for sound rubbish? Looking at an average Allen and Heath 36 way mixing desk, boxed it ways 100kg. Then the monitor desk, the speakers and amp racks. Dunno how much they way, I do lighting!!

 

If you download LD Calculator from

 

http://www.paul-pelletier.com/LDCalculator...culatorPage.htm

 

You can put all your box sizes into it, then put in your van size and it will tell you the final space required and the total weight.

 

Hope this helps

 

Bigjohn

[Dazzler]

It does sound to me like you need a 7 and half ton truck to me unless you want to do it in several journeys. Don't overload your van as it can cause problems - trust me on that one. If you decide upon a 7 1/2 ton truck you will need to find a driver with an operators license. Without wanting to sound really dull you can't hire a 7 1/2 ton truck to move equipment unless it is for personal use. You could risk it but I wouldn't recomend it. Stage Logistics are great and you should give them a call but I'm unsure whether there van would be able to carry that weight in one go. You could try a guy called charlie Villers on 07880796307. He has a 16 ton truck and is a good bloke. If you decide to hire a luto van then I suggest ryder van hire.

 

Let us all know what you go for!!

 

Dazza

[kalmatthew]

Well we are getting a 40 year old teacher to drive it. So age is not an issue. We are hiring and more importantly borrowing of people and so cant get them to deliver it. But thanks to every one for the ideas, I quite like the Idea of a man and a Van but figured it would be more expensive, and since budget is an issue. So the consensus seems to be a 7.5 toner. Thanks a lot

 

Matthew

[Paul J Need]

Where about are you , if in London - we may be able to lend you a hand. Would need two trips in our Sprinter 311 however. let me know. If it ties in with one of our runs we'll do you a favour.

 

Paul

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[peter]

Paul

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Kalmatthew, you've pulled!!!