Secure parking lots?

[Soundguy]

OK... So I'm not really an expediter, but I do most of what you all do. That is, I'll drive a Sprinter van with 3,000 pounds of gear some 500 to 700 miles in a day, unload all 3,000 lbs of crated gear to a dock or driveway somewhere, layover for a day, reload 3,000 lbs of gear, then drive those 700 miles back home. However, instead of freight for someone else, what I'm delivering is my own teaching gear as well as myself to a seminar site. Last year I drove 50,000 miles and flew another 100,000 miles teaching sound classes in 36 cities from California to Maryland and Florida to Seattle. So I qualify as an expediter just for seat time, I guess.

But I've now run out of cargo space and weight capcity in my Sprinter, and considering either an expediter truck or a toyhauler trailer pulled by a 4400LP or Sportchassis. Either should have a Living Quarters area to help reduce the cost of 100 nights I spent in hotel rooms last year. Yikes!!!! Plus there have been many late drives where I couldn't find a hotel room at 11PM so I end up sleeping in the unheated Sprinter in a sleeping bag. A nice warm 96" sleeper cab or cargo trailer with an LQ area looks pretty sweet.

But there are complications that come with a bigger truck. Right now I can put my Sprinter in most any secured airport parking lots for the tours where I leave it for several days at a time while I fly back home. However, I can't see these same airport lots accepting a straight truck with a 24' box or a 34' toyhauler cargo trailer.

So how do I find secured parking lots near major airports that will accept an expediter boxtruck or gooseneck trailer and Sportchassis? I'm not too concerned about the parking cost per day since that's a small part of the equation, especially compared to the flight costs. What's most important is a lot that I can drop off my rig early Sunday mornings and have it still be there Friday afternoon when I fly back. However, since I'll visit dozens of different cities every year, I rarely visit the same place twice so it's not like I can strike up a deal with the local trucking company.

What are the weekly parking/storage policies at big chain stops like Pilot, Loves, TA, etc...? Would it be resonable to find a trucking company like Forward Air and make a deal to park in their lots whenever I fly out of their airports? Again, I'm not looking for cheap. I'm looking for security where they won't let someone cut the side out of my trailer with a torch or break off the kingpin lock and drag it out of there.

Any ideas or suggestions on how to proceed? Thanks for your help.

 

[greg334]

Well I know here in this nice area of Detroit we have little in the way of drop and go airport parking for trucks. I also know two lot owners and they would most likely work something out with you but be prepared to pay.

As for the truck, when you get into this as a truck, there is a problem, you now are running it for a commercial venture and will have to get insurance and such, and have to log. That last thing limits your ability to move around like you do in the sprinter.


SO here is my suggestion, as painful as it is to make; get a pickup truck, get a pickup camper and get a small trailer. Many places will allow that if you work with them ahead of time and avoid using them during the holiday rush. Getting something like a Lance 915 that offers all kinds of nice comfortabilities.

 

[Tennesseahawk]

Careful on doing that. There was a post about a man using his motorhome to haul art to art fairs. He was ticketted for not having a cdl to haul commercial products in an oversized vehicle.

 

[x06col]

Maybe you could consider contracting with an expediter such as myself to move your things. I'd be interested in exploring the possibilities.

 

[Soundguy]

Careful on doing that. There was a post about a man using his motorhome to haul art to art fairs. He was ticketted for not having a cdl to haul commercial products in an oversized vehicle.

So, I'm going to take this thread a little OT and present the following questions:

I can get a CDL, or at least a non-commercial class A license without any problems. And I currently have commercial insurance on all the seminar gear with a vehicle transport rider. My commercial insurer says they'll write a policy for any truck, trailer or RV I can legally drive. Now, I'm not hauling for hire and not making any commercial deliveries. What I'll have in the back of the truck or trailer is tables, video screens, speakers, microphones, and all the things needed to teach a seminar.

I know that some RV'ers are taking commercial class-8 trucks, pulling out a rear axle, putting in a microwave and porta-pottie, and registering them as RVs to pull their 40 ft fifth-wheel trailer. What scares me a bit is that many of these RV drivers have no formal training on commercial vehicles, no air-brake knowledge or endorsement, and no need to stop at weigh stations or keep a drivers log. And like the above quote states, some of them use their over 26,000# RVs to haul and sell products at art shows, craft fairs, dog shows, etc... I also know that many states such as California are in the process of cracking down on these RV users.

But I'm prepared to be commercially trained, commercially insured, and if needed, maintain a drivers log stop at weigh stations.

So assume I get a straight box truck with sleeper cab under 26,000# with hydraulic brakes. Would that eliminate the logging and weigh station requriements? Does putting a "Not For Hire" sign on the side of this truck change anything, or is it a smokescreen to keep RVs out of weigh stations?

The other possibility is to use a class-6 truck such as an FL60 or 4400LP with a sportchassis hauler bed and a 34 ft gooseneck toyhauler, just like every horse farm and race-car driver uses. This will look like an RV or cargo trailer with a living quarters in the front and garage area in the rear. Now, since this trailer would have a GVW of around 15,000# while the truck would be under 26,000#, I'm guessing that anyone with a standard license could drive the truck by itself, but once a trailer over 10,000# GVW is hooked up it will require a class A license (non commercial, at the least). Again, what are the special insurance, license, logging, and driving hour limitations with such a rig?

I don't mind paying to do this legally. And I certainly don't mind getting the right truck and/or trailer to do this safely. But I don't want any more paperwork or expense than necessary. My local MVA office seems clueless. Any suggestions?

 

[Moot]

Greetings Soundguy...1 2 3 greetings...1 2 3 test...test

Before I add to the confusion; of the 100 nights in a motel how many of those nights did you drive your Sprinter? Do you qualify for per diem under IRS rules? What type of venue do you present your seminars? Do you really want to pull a trailer? If you get a straight truck will you need a liftgate for loading and unloading?

If you get a vehicle that requires you to run a log and you want to log legal be prepared to log all loading time, unloading time and seminar presentation time as on duty not driving. Will this allow you to legally get to your next gig?

You mention "toy hauler" trailers. Have you looked at "toy hauler" motorhomes? These are motorhomes with living space in front and cargo area and ramp in the rear. I don't know what the payload of one of these is, but it might work.

Most airports have privately run off site parking that run shuttle buses to and from the airport. For long term parking these are generally cheaper than on site.

 

[Soundguy]

Greetings Soundguy...1 2 3 greetings...1 2 3 test...test
Before I add to the confusion; of the 100 nights in a motel how many of those nights did you drive your Sprinter? Do you qualify for per diem under IRS rules?

We run this as an LLC business and have an accountant do all appropriate IRS write-offs for rooms, meals, fuel, flights, etc... But since this is a small business there's no magic accounts to pull from. If I can save money from not using hotel rooms, then that's bucks in my own pocket.

What type of venue do you present your seminars? Do you really want to pull a trailer? If you get a straight truck will you need a liftgate for loading and unloading?

These workshops are taught at churches and schools. Sometimes the parking lots are less than ideal. No, I would really rather just drive the Sprinter rather than fool with a trailer, but the happy problem is that I have way more sponsors than last year, and thus way more gear to drag around with me. I'm busting at the seams right now and we just keep growing. Like I said, it's a happy problem, but one that needs to be dealt with soon. Most of my gear is in wheeled cases under 400 lbs., so I use an 8 ft ramp on the Sprinter and that works fine.

If you get a vehicle that requires you to run a log and you want to log legal be prepared to log all loading time, unloading time and seminar presentation time as on duty not driving. Will this allow you to legally get to your next gig?

That's my primary concern. Sometimes I've gotta push to make up for lost time, and since these are scheduled gigs it's not like I can just pull over and get 10 hours rest. If I can avoid a log then it will be much simpler.

You mention "toy hauler" trailers. Have you looked at "toy hauler" motorhomes? These are motorhomes with living space in front and cargo area and ramp in the rear. I don't know what the payload of one of these is, but it might work.

Yes, also looking at those. However, I would rather have a separate tow vehicle if possible so I can park the trailer and go to a restaurant if need be, or get another truck quick if there's mechanical problems. And since I currently have about 3,500 lbs of load and want to expand, unless I get a Motorhome toyhauler with tandem rear axles, then I'll be overloaded as soon as I buy it.

Most airports have privately run off site parking that run shuttle buses to and from the airport. For long term parking these are generally cheaper than on site.

I've found that virtally all the airport private lots will take my Sprinter, and I typically find ones with 24-hour security and a shuttle to the airport. That makes me feel a lot better than parking in an unsecured lot. But can I park my Sportchassis in one of these lots? How about a 34' gooseneck/FW trailer?
=======================

So.... I know the race-car boys use a Toterhome to pull a long trailer with a car inside, and they avoid CDL and logbook issues by slapping a "Not For Hire" sign on the truck/trailer and telling the cops it's a non-paying hobby. We all know that's a bunch of bunk, but that's what they do. Same for horse farms.

If I get an expediter style truck just under 26,000 lbs, I'm sure to be a cop magnet unless it's done completely commercial and I've got a CDL and drivers log. But what if I get a non-commercial Class A license, register a class-6 non-CDL Sportchassis under the business name as a pickup truck (that's what my insurance guy said is possible) and get standard plates on a goosneck 34 ft trailer. Will Not-For-Hire signs keep me out of the weigh stations and not require a drivers log? My insurance guy says I'm covered as long as everything's legal but he really can't define what's legal and says "talk to the MVA". My local MVA office really can't define if this is legal as described or needs full commercial status with a CDL and divers log. I've even written letters to the Maryland state MVA offices without getting any answers. I have a feeling they would figure it out pretty quick if I had a cop chase me down and try to impound my rig.

And yes, I need to drive this around all 48 states. So where do I look for answers? Any input or suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks

 

[Moot]

Soundguy, I'm becoming more confused. How about I play the role of Lightdude and shine the bright white on you and ask some more questions.

You said that you load up, drive 500 to 700 miles do your thing and drive the 700 miles back home. You also mentioned flying and 100 nights a year in a hotel. So once again I ask, of those 100 nights how many required driving the Sprinter and how many involved air travel.

Your next post states you need a vehicle to drive all 48 states. Where's da plane? You also mention "we". Do you travel with somebody?

When and if you do fly I assume your gear isn't traveling 1st class commercial with you. Are you hauling it to an airfreight outfit? If so ask them if you can park your vehicle out of the way in their lot for a few days and catch a cab to the airport.

Do you really need or want to pull a 34' trailer around.

Here is one scenario. Is this at all close to your situation?

I'm a traveling magician. Moot The Magnificent! I do shows in all 48 states and travel alone. I am afraid to fly so I drive. I own a small motorhome, the van type or possibly a Sprinter platform. This motorhome has dual wheels and is capable of hauling my 16' tandem cargo trailer. Typically I am on the road 1 to 2 weeks at a time. My props, sound system and other gear weighs about 4000 pounds.

I can live comfortably in this set up and the trailer is more than adequate for my gear. I do not log or stop at scales.

If you really want to be a truck driver then by all means go for it. But you will be taking on unnecessary and unwanted restrictions. How about a Hino complete with shower?

Want to see me pull a chinchilla out of my hat?

POOOOF!

 

[Soundguy]

Sorry for the confusion but here's the gig, crazy as it seems...

About half of my gigs are day-drives, that is within 700 miles from home in Maryland. On those I drive out on a Friday, teach my class on a Saturday, and drive back on Sunday. The other classes are too far for a day-drive, so I'll arrange them in a regional tour. For the first gig I drive out on a Friday, teach a class on Saturday, get up early on Sunday and pre-drive it 300 to 500 miles to the next city, park in a secure lot then fly home Sunday afternoon. The following Friday I get up at 3AM to catch a 6AM flight to the second city, pick up the Sprinter Friday afternoon, do my gig on Saturday, pre-drive on Sunday to the third city, then park in a lot and fly home. That way I sort of leap frog across the country in 500 miles hops, all the way from Maryland to Seattle, down through 4 cities in California and Phoenix, then back doing seminars in perhaps 10 or 12 cities about 300 to 500 miles apart. In 2007 I did a MD to CA tour, a MD to Texas tour, and a MD to Florida tour. Each of them leap frogged to the next city with me flying home every Sunday and flying back every Friday.

It's only me doing the driving and teaching, but I do hire a college intern at most cities to help drag in and set up the gear. And I have support personnel in the office to do all the advance work and promotion for the next city. I'm too busy driving and teaching on the road to do much else.

I've tried doing the west coast gigs a few times paying an expediter to move the gear from city to city, but finding someone that can pick up 4k# of gear on a Satuday at 8PM after the gig is an issue. And the few times I've left my gear in an unsecured classroom for a Monday AM pickup the kids helped themselves to my microphones. Plus the cost of shipping 4,000 lbs of gear from school to school and church to church without a loading dock is pretty spendy. Then once I'm at the airport I would still have to rent a car for 3 days I'm in town for a gig. So, I'm far better off doing this gig myself, sort of like a mini rock-concert with me as the driver, crew, and lead guitarist... I've done about 500 gigs like this over the last 8 years, but now running out of room after starting out with first a pickup truck, getting a Savanna 3500, and now upgraded to a long/tall Sprinter.

I really don't like the idea of a Sprinter MH towing a trailer as I do lots of gigs where I cross the Rockies and shoot across Texas. The hills and speedy drivers would be an issue with something with 155 HP and weighing that much. Plus the wind factor in a Sprinter is a little too much fun for me in windstorms. I have in fact looked at the idea of a Toterhome with built-in 12' to 14' LQ, a 300HP/6SP Automatic and towing a short trailer for the gear. But still my parking and security issues remain.

I've spent countless hours on the road wondering if there's a better way to do this that won't break the bank, but the solo driver/teacher gig still works the best. I just need a bigger vehicle to move it all and a way to park it securely.

 

[Moot]

Soundguy, I've got the picture now. This last post cleared things up. Also I checked out your website. Looks like an interesting and fun job! I could be available to handle your February schedule should you need some time off. Florida in February, the right place at the right time.

Back to your problem. A light duty straight truck with sleeper and small cargo box would offer the best in maneuverability and security but I think Hours of Service regulations could put you in a bind.

I think I should bow out of this one. I'm in over my head. But now that your situation is more clearly defined someone on E.O. should be able to help. Hang in there!

My offer still stands for February.

 

[greg334]

Dude,
If you make that much money that you can fly home, why don't you just get a nice setup and stay on the road and use camp grounds and such. Make a life like that where you can relax, it is something I would do.

But with that said, I know a charity that runs around the country helping out animals in disasters and they have to have to have a driver with a CDL drive their motor homes when they travel out of the state and have IFTA stickers, track fuel and mileage and even have DOT numbers.

You are a business, which means that of course you are registered in each state where you provide the services and have to file taxes on the services for states that require that, right?

If so, then you can not think that a motor home is not a commercial vehicle which means that if it is over 10K, you will have to have a CDL and log and scale. The state's commercial vehicle codes do not always specify the type of vehicle that is not considered a commercial vehicle. The lawyers and advisers of the charity did all the home work needed to convince the charity to play by the most strict law to avoid any problems.

If you get an MH over 26K lbs, you now have to deal with fuel taxes, even though you are not hauling anything, the laws does not say a word about purpose, just weight.

Then if you are hauling a trailer, you now need a class A CDL.

On top of all of this, you are doing this interstate, which means that you need a DOT/MC number (forget which one) not because you are 'for hire' but because you are crossing into other states to provide a service with equipment. This is not a federal thing as much as it is a state thing because many states are looking at using the feds to register CMVs. In order for you to get the DOT number, you have to have insurance to cover things, the amount I am not sure.

Remember that some DOT officers will say no biggie with this but then you get that one who is not amused by the motor home commercial vehicle and wants to play it by the book. These are the guys you worry about.

 

[Soundguy]

Dude,
If you make that much money that you can fly home, why don't you just get a nice setup and stay on the road and use camp grounds and such. Make a life like that where you can relax, it is something I would do.

If I was single I would certainly just hang out in La Jolla or Miami for a week at a time, but since I have a wife and three teenage boys, I need to be home as much as possible. That's why I devised this Friday thru Sunday gig. I'm basically home Mondays thru Thursdays, then off on a mad dash for the weekend. However, I do get to pick the time of year for each part of the country which ain't too bad.

That being said, I know several seminar instructors who do basically what I do using a motorhome/RV/bus to transport their gear and themselves around the country. They may have a class-A non-commercial license, but none of them have a CDL or hire a CDL diver. I suspect they just leave all their gear in the storage bins and act like an RV'er.

However, last year I did get a quote from a mobile marketing company to provide everything for me with a turn-key lease, providing a pair a drivers bringing a semi-truck full of my own gear and following me all over the country. Turn-key price included fuel, taxes, insurance, hotels for the drivers, maintenance on the truck, and vehicle lease, all wrapped up into a single monthly payment of $90,000 with a 5-year contract. Yes, that's a million bucks per year with a 5 year lease and all I would have to do is get the limo ride from the airport. I of course do it for a lot less zeors than that, so that's why it's important to me to find out what's legal, what's sorta legal, and what's downright illegal.

Nobody bothers me in my Sprinter, and I've been stopped dozens of times while being checked for illegals in Texas or wanting to know if I was hauling fruit into California. I just need to stretch it out a bit.

 

[dabluzman1]

Having been a musician,traveling with equipment for over 10 years in my youth, I sympathize
with your situation.
Being older and resistant to being a roadie again, I would make arrangements with an audio/visual company and have them set-up the equipment. They can handle all types of seminars from a large auditorium to multiple room/site on wi-fi.

dabluzman

Linda n Dave
DR4426
Fedex Cc WG

 

[Soundguy]

Having been a musician,traveling with equipment for over 10 years in my youth, I sympathize
with your situation. Being older and resistant to being a roadie again, I would make arrangements with an audio/visual company and have them set-up the equipment.

Actually, I teach sound system setup and operation in my workshops. So paying someone else to deliver and setup my presentation would be sorta cheating, don't you think??? Also in all seriousness, my gear is way too specialized and the setup is one of a kind. So unless I build it and bring it, it's not happening. Boy do I wish I could just walk into a room already setup for me, but that's not gonna happen.

 

[greg334]

Sooooo not to change the subject, but how much does the seminar cast?

 

[Soundguy]

Sooooo not to change the subject, but how much does the seminar cast?

Not to promote myself or sell anything here, but since you ask it costs $119 per person (at least 14 days in advance). For a link of where I'm gonna be go to http://www.fitsandstarts.com/registration-howto.htm

 

[dabluzman1]

Hi,
Are you Mike or Hector?
I took a look at you web site, my we have come a long way from the days when the Sure Vocal Master ruled the stage.
I'll pass your name and web page on to some friends, maybe they'll have an interest.
Good Luck with you trucking situation and continued success in teaching us how to sound better especially if we are talking to God.
Linda n Dave
DR4426
Fedex cc WG

 

[Soundguy]

Hi,
Are you Mike or Hector?

I would be Mike....

And yes, sound systems today are getting really complicated especially the ones in churches. As you've seen my primary gig is to teach church volunteers how to run their own sound systems. I've basically designed this seminar tour like a mini rock-concert tour. But instead of a big tour bus and support staff, I myself am the driver, road crew, and lead singer. Hector is essentially the dispatch office and does all the advance work and promotion of the tours. So all I have to do is drive and teach...

With careful planning I'm home with my family every Monday thru Thursday, but 36 weekends out of the year I do some pretty long drives, flights, and seminars. As I'm sure you'll all agree, being on the road is a lot of work and can be pretty lonely. But being home every week with your family is a great thing.

 

[theoldprof]

Soundguy. You might consider using an expediter with a straight truck to haul your stuff and eliminate your truck equipment. Fly to wherever and rent a car. I believe you mentioned about not getting your stuff delivered at the proper time. That's what expediting is about. Pick up and delivery at YOUR time. Some of the straight truck drivers might give you a ball park figure on cost.

 

[Soundguy]

Soundguy. You might consider using an expediter with a straight truck to haul your stuff and eliminate your truck equipment.

Believe me, I've thought about it. And there's that dream of renting an appropriate sports car in each city. But alas, that wouldn't solve the issue of paying nearly $15,000 for 100 hotel rooms and road meals last year. That's some pretty serious money I could keep in my own pocket if I had a transportation system with Living Quarters on board. That's one of reasons I want to upgrade from a Sprinter. No room for an LQ in there with all my gear.