This highly motivates me into saving up for a van instead of a small trailer. Youre reasoning on finding a parkingspot made me realise that it's more efficient to van-up than trailer-up. Thanks for your insights on this! My audio-setup is smaller than what you have in your van. So this video fits my needs!
Here's a cool idea idea I did whenever I had to stack cases by myself. Either a sturdy hang point in the ceiling or two crank stands and a piece of truss. Rig up a manual chain hoist with two slings/spansets and you should be good for some effortless rigging. May be a little investment, but you'll save your back doing more solo gigs.
And if you use the crank stands and truss idea, it'll be something you can take to gigs where you'll need to stack and unstack cases. Biggest con? It's an extra thing to set up haha
At the last company I worked at, we had an electric winch on the ceiling, that we used to stack cases, up to 3 high. And it makes love so much easier. The things are actually quite inexpensive, around 100-200 bucks.
Nice video man, I’m a mobile DJ & I haul all my gear in my Toyota RAV4. I gotta lift & load my 2 18” subs each time myself so a van + ramp definitely would be a game changer. I be tired as hell before I even perform lol.
I relate to this on a spiritual level...mobile DJ myself. I currently pack my Subaru Forester to the BRIM. On the van hunt now. Looking for a throwback 04-06 Sprinter
i have the same type of van Sprinter 2500 4x4 144 High roof, and we also installed a 3 person seating as a divider to bring more people to help with loading and downloading, we also have the same t-bars on the floor and on the walls, when we load all the equipment we use less tide raps, and started to go up on the cases, we have only 1 case for XLR and Power cables, and 1 rack case for all the wireless mics with a 3 size drawer to hold the mics and accessories, we also bring 2 18" inch subwoofers, 2 15" speakers, and 2 12" speakers, TV's, Spot ligths, totems, cold sparks case and dance on the clouds machine case and everything fits! we got our ramp on harbor freights for less than 200 and it fits vertical at the end of the truck.
That's awesome man! The van (and ramp) has been the smartest investment we've made. I couldn't imagine going back to a van. Glad yours is working out for you too!
I just ordered some of the Ratchet Tie Down Straps. Mine were old-school and a huge pain. A friend sent me a link to some similar to the ones you use, but I like the look of yours. Yay affiliate links!
Love the videos, your job seems super fun. Would you ever do a full gear breakdown, and/or a full cost breakdown and earnings, if you wouldn't mind sharing that?
Only thing left from the Sound Town caster board was the platform. Those home depot casters look awesome. I might make my own caster board out of something stiff and light.
I've been using Penn-Elcom 4" blue casters for my builds. VERY nice casters! They come in a bunch of sizes and features (e.g. locking, auto-swivel, etc)
Thank you for sharing this video very inspiring. I hope nothing but good beginning and good outcomes and thank you for sharing your process for loading your equipment one day. I hope I do the same as what you’re doing but for right now I’m using my truck.
I used cheap xlr cables that I wouldn't recommend. Try something like Canare. I made the cables myself with Southwire 12ga SOOW cable from Home Depot. Thanks for watching!
@@SilverCreekAudio I highly recommend Elite Core Audio for cables. I get mine customized (it's free) with my logo on heat-shrink! Their CSM2 cables use heavier-gauge wire for stage use, and of course all Neutrik connectors. Great customer service, too! If you choose to buy stuff from them, create a free account and you'll get a small discount on everything. (I have no affiliation with this company; I'm just a customer!)
Nice van, but for reference the only difference in SOOW and SJOOW is the 600v rating, the jacket is thicker and more oil resistant. SJOOW is a less thick jacket rated at 300 volts. SJOOW is much easier to gaff tape down when needed.
@@the1version422 I made my own cables with southwire 12ga bulk cable from Home Depot. A company called OA Windsor built my quad boxes for me. Not cheap, but worth every penny. Hope that helps.
Temp goes to Lo and fan speed to high. Unfortunately, it takes quite a while to cool down the van when the temp gets above 100 degrees, but in the winter it's perfect! Thanks for watching man!
What are the total dimensions of the van? Would love to throw something together in SketchUp to see if I can't make something like this work for myself. Would have to get creative with my lighting setup.
So it's the sprinter hightop 144" wheelbase. You can get some dimensions on google images that are very accurate. I did the did the same thing except I mapped it out in my garage with gaff tape lol. Thanks for watching!
Get a cargo barrier between front seats are storage area. Having nothing between the front seats and the equipment could be really dangerous in the event of a crash.
Love you videos man, thinking about getting my speakers and start doing small gigs, how do the Zlx handle things? Was thinking getting the qsc Cp12 but lookin at your channel maybe I’ll go the EV route
I bought a custom canopy from EZ-Up with my name/logo on it for this purpose! It actually got me a gig because people saw that it was a sound company doing the mix, and not just the band!
Nice van - no questions. However I think you’re still wasting a lot of usable space. You definitely need to get a wall between the storage area and driver/passenger seat. Some other people would load a full line-array system for 5000 people in such a van 😅
Great video. I always wonder that you work with only EV ZLX tops. I do also all my gigs with EV but with the ETX tops and subs. Never tried out the ZLX but they seem to do a perfect job.
You need a pop socket to stick to the back of your Ipad to carry it safely and get your thumb off the corners. i feel worried holding the ipad that way. otherwise you are rocking it ...
Man, if you think this is easy, just wait till you have your partition in, and you can just truck pack, and throw a couple straps at the back, rather than having to screw around strapping each case to the floor 👍🏼
@@jessecoonen7881 I don't man, sorry. But they're made by kangaroo case in Dallas. They're called the "Joey" cases on their website I believe. Hope that helps!
Great setup with the van but I gotta be honest, that setup scares me. No divider would be a no go. I had an Astro maybe 15yrs ago, almost got in a wreck, light bars flew right into the front seat. I felt the weight of the stuff behind me on my seat. Even strapped down things can shift. I’m using a GMC Savana 1500, road cases and speakers go on their backs, wheels on the side.i don’t even bother with straps. With the box truck I only strap things that can move, cases and subs are off their wheels so no straps. Great setup otherwise, be safe
This highly motivates me into saving up for a van instead of a small trailer. Youre reasoning on finding a parkingspot made me realise that it's more efficient to van-up than trailer-up. Thanks for your insights on this! My audio-setup is smaller than what you have in your van. So this video fits my needs!
So stoked to hear that you found the video helpful! A work van is calling your name dude!
Ugh. . .Now I'm shopping for a van.
@@thestubbornrock I’m dealing with the same “problem” 😂 But hey, we love our jobs. So if it needs a van, we should buy one when possible 🤪😇
Man! I've been waiting for this one! Thanks for the blood, SWEAT, and tears here haha.
Thanks for waiting dude! Blood, sweat, and tear for real!
Here's a cool idea idea I did whenever I had to stack cases by myself. Either a sturdy hang point in the ceiling or two crank stands and a piece of truss. Rig up a manual chain hoist with two slings/spansets and you should be good for some effortless rigging. May be a little investment, but you'll save your back doing more solo gigs.
And if you use the crank stands and truss idea, it'll be something you can take to gigs where you'll need to stack and unstack cases.
Biggest con? It's an extra thing to set up haha
That's gold! Sounds like fun to just try out and see. Thanks for watching man!
@@SilverCreekAudio Anytime man! Love your content and your work 🔥
At the last company I worked at, we had an electric winch on the ceiling, that we used to stack cases, up to 3 high. And it makes love so much easier. The things are actually quite inexpensive, around 100-200 bucks.
@@tim_mueller Same here! I just know that the chain motors can get pricey
Goals. Epic gig vehicle, thanks for posting!
Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching
Nice video man, I’m a mobile DJ & I haul all my gear in my Toyota RAV4. I gotta lift & load my 2 18” subs each time myself so a van + ramp definitely would be a game changer. I be tired as hell before I even perform lol.
Complete game changer. The van and ramp make it possible to do this alone. Thanks for watching man!
I relate to this on a spiritual level...mobile DJ myself. I currently pack my Subaru Forester to the BRIM. On the van hunt now. Looking for a throwback 04-06 Sprinter
Great job, I love the van, you are a great inspiration and I learn a lot from your videos. Keep up the great work.
Thanks man!
i have the same type of van Sprinter 2500 4x4 144 High roof, and we also installed a 3 person seating as a divider to bring more people to help with loading and downloading, we also have the same t-bars on the floor and on the walls, when we load all the equipment we use less tide raps, and started to go up on the cases, we have only 1 case for XLR and Power cables, and 1 rack case for all the wireless mics with a 3 size drawer to hold the mics and accessories, we also bring 2 18" inch subwoofers, 2 15" speakers, and 2 12" speakers, TV's, Spot ligths, totems, cold sparks case and dance on the clouds machine case and everything fits! we got our ramp on harbor freights for less than 200 and it fits vertical at the end of the truck.
That's awesome man! The van (and ramp) has been the smartest investment we've made. I couldn't imagine going back to a van. Glad yours is working out for you too!
I like the the van things inside you set it up safely
Thank you so much, I have been waiting for this video. Now, I have an idea of how to organize my sprinter van
That's awesome man! Glad it helped and have fun with your van!
I just ordered some of the Ratchet Tie Down Straps. Mine were old-school and a huge pain. A friend sent me a link to some similar to the ones you use, but I like the look of yours. Yay affiliate links!
lol you're gonna love how much easier they make everything! Thanks for watching the channel dude!
You are amazing, I’m buying a van because of you 😊
That's awesome! I hope you find a great one!
Love the videos, your job seems super fun. Would you ever do a full gear breakdown, and/or a full cost breakdown and earnings, if you wouldn't mind sharing that?
That's a great idea for another video. Something to look for in the future!
Only thing left from the Sound Town caster board was the platform. Those home depot casters look awesome. I might make my own caster board out of something stiff and light.
I've been using Penn-Elcom 4" blue casters for my builds. VERY nice casters! They come in a bunch of sizes and features (e.g. locking, auto-swivel, etc)
learnt a lots here, thanks
Could you post a link to where you buy your extension cord stuff? I need to invest in some more heavy duty cords like that.
I made them myself. I bought around 200ft of Southwire 12/3 SOOW cable and the Nema male and female connectors at Home Depot.
How do you clean your equipment cause it's always clean?
Cool tour man
Thanks!
Thank you for sharing this video very inspiring. I hope nothing but good beginning and good outcomes and thank you for sharing your process for loading your equipment one day. I hope I do the same as what you’re doing but for right now I’m using my truck.
Thanks for the kind words man! keep it rolling!
Amazing video, what brand of XLRs do you use? Also, could you post the link for your electricity extension chords?
I used cheap xlr cables that I wouldn't recommend. Try something like Canare. I made the cables myself with Southwire 12ga SOOW cable from Home Depot. Thanks for watching!
@ amazing and congrats again!!!
@@SilverCreekAudio I highly recommend Elite Core Audio for cables. I get mine customized (it's free) with my logo on heat-shrink! Their CSM2 cables use heavier-gauge wire for stage use, and of course all Neutrik connectors. Great customer service, too! If you choose to buy stuff from them, create a free account and you'll get a small discount on everything. (I have no affiliation with this company; I'm just a customer!)
Nice van, but for reference the only difference in SOOW and SJOOW is the 600v rating, the jacket is thicker and more oil resistant. SJOOW is a less thick jacket rated at 300 volts. SJOOW is much easier to gaff tape down when needed.
Spot on about the rating and jacket. SO cable it my preferred choice! Thanks for watching!
@@the1version422 I made my own cables with southwire 12ga bulk cable from Home Depot. A company called OA Windsor built my quad boxes for me. Not cheap, but worth every penny. Hope that helps.
Whats the go to AC temp in the van during a Texas summer? Once I did the Fahrenheit to Celsius conversion I see why this hurt to make. Great video
Temp goes to Lo and fan speed to high. Unfortunately, it takes quite a while to cool down the van when the temp gets above 100 degrees, but in the winter it's perfect! Thanks for watching man!
Nice van. I am in California. Where can i het the ramp you are using for the van. Any link? How much? Love your setup and gears
Totally Awesome System Bro👍👍
Thanks man! Thanks for watching
What are the total dimensions of the van? Would love to throw something together in SketchUp to see if I can't make something like this work for myself. Would have to get creative with my lighting setup.
So it's the sprinter hightop 144" wheelbase. You can get some dimensions on google images that are very accurate.
I did the did the same thing except I mapped it out in my garage with gaff tape lol.
Thanks for watching!
I saw the ratchet straps but curious whether to pick the S hock kind or just buy those without the hooks? What is the difference?
Get a cargo barrier between front seats are storage area. Having nothing between the front seats and the equipment could be really dangerous in the event of a crash.
Nice Van! Great Video!
Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!
Love you videos man, thinking about getting my speakers and start doing small gigs, how do the Zlx handle things? Was thinking getting the qsc Cp12 but lookin at your channel maybe I’ll go the EV route
13:24 You can bring is tent to stay out of the sun/rain. 😃👍
I bought a custom canopy from EZ-Up with my name/logo on it for this purpose! It actually got me a gig because people saw that it was a sound company doing the mix, and not just the band!
@soundman1402 That’s super smart! More people should use canopies for marketing!
Love it.....great video
Thanks for watching man!
I’m in Texas and just got a cargo van for my sound engineering ventures…who do you go through for van insurance?
This was awesome, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for checking it out, glad you enjoyed it!
Nice van - no questions. However I think you’re still wasting a lot of usable space. You definitely need to get a wall between the storage area and driver/passenger seat. Some other people would load a full line-array system for 5000 people in such a van 😅
Spot on about the partition and I guess I have room to grow into it! Fan of your channel and thanks for watching!
Since I started following you. I'm ready to do live sound. About I put my fear aside...
That's awesome to hear man!
Your videos are inspiring, could you make one showing what you carry in your blue pelican, thanks and greetings from Durango Mexico
Absolutely! I'm about to start working on one. Thanks for watching!
Great video. I always wonder that you work with only EV ZLX tops. I do also all my gigs with EV but with the ETX tops and subs. Never tried out the ZLX but they seem to do a perfect job.
I like them for the price! When I was starting to build my inventory, these were the boxes I could afford to buy plenty of! Thanks for watching man!
Would your back safer storing cables in crates instead of these heavy road cases?
no
You need a pop socket to stick to the back of your Ipad to carry it safely and get your thumb off the corners. i feel worried holding the ipad that way. otherwise you are rocking it ...
lol good call! Thanks for watching man!
Nice dudes 👍
So nice brother!! I love is ❤
Thanks dude! Glad you liked it!
Nice setup!
Thanks man!
Great video!
Thanks for watching!
Those rhino straps are amazing!
Less headaches for sure at the end of the night!
Man, if you think this is easy, just wait till you have your partition in, and you can just truck pack, and throw a couple straps at the back, rather than having to screw around strapping each case to the floor 👍🏼
Ah, the joys of strapping cases to the floor! Thanks for watching man!
what's the speaker cloth cover is that waterproof uv ray proot?
I don't think they're either lol. They're more to keep them from getting too scuffed up.
What sizes are your XLR & Power cases they look a great size!
Inside Dimensions: 18.5″H x 22.75″W x 17.5″D and Outside Dimensions: 19.75″H (25″H including casters) x 24.25″W x 19.25″D. Love em!
@@SilverCreekAudiodo you have a link to the road cases you use?
@@jessecoonen7881 I don't man, sorry. But they're made by kangaroo case in Dallas. They're called the "Joey" cases on their website I believe. Hope that helps!
Great setup with the van but I gotta be honest, that setup scares me. No divider would be a no go. I had an Astro maybe 15yrs ago, almost got in a wreck, light bars flew right into the front seat. I felt the weight of the stuff behind me on my seat. Even strapped down things can shift. I’m using a GMC Savana 1500, road cases and speakers go on their backs, wheels on the side.i don’t even bother with straps. With the box truck I only strap things that can move, cases and subs are off their wheels so no straps. Great setup otherwise, be safe
Totally agree. Got a partition installed in October. Absolutely love it!
you are the forklift buddy
Purchase links for the straps please
ratchet straps are linked in the description
What the meassures of your kangoro cases?
Inside Dimensions: 18.5″H x 22.75″W x 17.5″D
Outside Dimensions: 19.75″H (25″H including casters) x 24.25″W x 19.25″D
Awesome
Thanks for watching man!
Aweosme! lets be friends
Saw your rig. What a great idea! Keep up the good work man!
@@SilverCreekAudio thanks bud