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Title: Really, So somebody would SURVIVE on this stage?
Post by: Michael Lage on June 09, 2014, 06:58:02 AM
I was up early this morning and saw this one before coffee...

http://www.ehow.com/how_7879959_build-stage-flat-bed-trailer.html

Concrete blocks, are you kidding?

Title: Re: Really, So somebody would SURVIVE on this stage?
Post by: Jason Raboin on June 09, 2014, 09:48:04 AM
ehowtogetsued.com
ehowtokillsomeone.com
Title: Re: Really, So somebody would SURVIVE on this stage?
Post by: Spenser Hamilton on June 09, 2014, 10:19:21 AM
Terrifying.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Really, So somebody would SURVIVE on this stage?
Post by: Jonathan Johnson on June 09, 2014, 12:12:16 PM
How to write an ehow article:

1. Pick a subject you know nothing about and have no experience doing.

2. Imagine in your mind the things that need to be done.

3. List the things at a high level. Provide absolutely no detail for each step, unless it's painfully obvious (i.e., "The portable stands have three legs that unfold into a tripod shape. Unfold the legs.").

4. ? ? ?

5. Profit!
Title: Re: Really, So somebody would SURVIVE on this stage?
Post by: Jonathan Johnson on June 09, 2014, 12:19:19 PM
The "stage" is probably the most stable part of this setup. If using a typical semi trailer, the air brakes and landing gear will probably be sufficient to keep it from rolling; the concrete blocks against the wheels are just for looks.

Loosely stacked concrete blocks for steps? Really?

At least they aren't placing the trailer ON concrete blocks.
Title: Re: Really, So somebody would SURVIVE on this stage?
Post by: Russ Davis on June 09, 2014, 12:35:12 PM
"The portable stands have three legs that unfold into a tripod shape. Unfold the legs."

Dang.  I KNEW I was overlooking something... No wonder my lights kept falling over!
Title: Re: Really, So somebody would SURVIVE on this stage?
Post by: Michael Brennan on June 09, 2014, 12:45:51 PM
After the stage done, time for the PA!

http://www.ehow.com/how_4870563_set-up-pa-system-band.html (http://www.ehow.com/how_4870563_set-up-pa-system-band.html)

And the lights!

http://www.ehow.com/how_7769516_stage-lighting-bands.html (http://www.ehow.com/how_7769516_stage-lighting-bands.html)

Title: Re: Really, So somebody would SURVIVE on this stage?
Post by: Steve M Smith on June 09, 2014, 04:18:44 PM
No wonder my lights kept falling over!

Those bipods aren't very stable!


Steve.
Title: Re: Really, So somebody would SURVIVE on this stage?
Post by: Lester Seidenberg on June 09, 2014, 05:57:35 PM
To be fair, I have done many gigs from the back of a flatbed.   For smaller gigs it is not bad if it is on level ground and chocked.  Think about it a bit, many flatbed trailers are designed to carry load the weigh several tons.   Now the Village of Pinehurst   home of the US Opens used to use the manure wagons from the harness track for portable staging up until @ 5 years ago. It gave a nice down home feel to things.   
Title: Re: Really, So somebody would SURVIVE on this stage?
Post by: Steve M Smith on June 10, 2014, 06:20:23 AM
To be fair, I have done many gigs from the back of a flatbed.

So have I.  Proper truck trailers, not silly little trailers you might tow with a pickup truck.

The best type are not flat bed but curtain side with the curtains open.  That way you get a roof too.


Steve.
Title: Re: Really, So somebody would SURVIVE on this stage?
Post by: Michael Lage on June 10, 2014, 07:07:51 AM
So have I.  Proper truck trailers, not silly little trailers you might tow with a pickup truck.

The best type are not flat bed but curtain side with the curtains open.  That way you get a roof too.


The Semi Trailers are ok if they are flatbeds (or Curtainsides) in good shape.  The last one that we provided sound on for a band was not good.  The floor was uneven and in poor shape.  The guys that provided it cobbled a cover out of 2x4s and a blue tarp.  Bad.

My original comment was more about the concrete blocks stacked up as steps. More than one layer of blocks used as a step is scary in my opinion.
Title: Re: Really, So somebody would SURVIVE on this stage?
Post by: Ivan Beaver on June 10, 2014, 07:31:31 AM
After the stage done, time for the PA!

http://www.ehow.com/how_4870563_set-up-pa-system-band.html (http://www.ehow.com/how_4870563_set-up-pa-system-band.html)

And the lights!

http://www.ehow.com/how_7769516_stage-lighting-bands.html (http://www.ehow.com/how_7769516_stage-lighting-bands.html)
DAMN-I did not know it was that easy.

What have I been doing all these years--------------------
Title: Re: Really, So somebody would SURVIVE on this stage?
Post by: Steve M Smith on June 10, 2014, 07:58:17 AM
The Semi Trailers are ok if they are flatbeds (or Curtainsides) in good shape.

The best plan is to use one which is currently used to haul goods rather than an old one in the corner of a yard or one in a farmer's field.


Steve.
Title: Re: Really, So somebody would SURVIVE on this stage?
Post by: Rob Spence on June 10, 2014, 09:31:50 AM
I went to a local festival a while back and they had parked two flats side by each and then screwed a plywood floor down which covered the gap and gave them a nice big stage. They had a fork truck ramp at the rear for band access. With a 40x16 surface, they put up a big tent on top for the weather/sun.


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Title: Re: Really, So somebody would SURVIVE on this stage?
Post by: Tim Weaver on June 10, 2014, 10:31:56 AM
I've done many a show from a flatbed trailer. In Texas many farmers have a "hay trailer" that is not as big as a semi trailer, but still about 25-30 foot long and 8 foot wide with a gooseneck. These would be pulled by a (dually) pickup truck.

Plenty of private party events have used this setup. Usually without the concrete blocks.
Title: Re: Really, So somebody would SURVIVE on this stage?
Post by: Bob Leonard on June 11, 2014, 09:16:16 AM
The blocks are for throwing at water bags during that little known game of "Hit the water bag with the block."
Title: Re: Really, So somebody would SURVIVE on this stage?
Post by: Steve M Smith on June 11, 2014, 10:14:45 AM
These would be pulled by a (dually) pickup truck.

Is this for trailers with a swan neck?  We don't see those over here (UK) but it's a better option for towing a trailer than a hook bolted to the chassis/body.

Do they apply weight directly to the back axle like a proper truck's fifth wheel coupling are are they just bolted to the bed?

EDIT:  Dually as in dual rear wheels.  I get it now.


Stevce.
Title: Re: Really, So somebody would SURVIVE on this stage?
Post by: Jamin Lynch on June 11, 2014, 10:42:01 AM
I remember many times making drum risers out of plastic buckets and a couple sheets of plywood.


Title: Re: Really, So somebody would SURVIVE on this stage?
Post by: Rob Gow on June 11, 2014, 11:06:06 AM
The weather is too iffy here for flatbed shows. I turn them down, others have done them. There's usually a good chance of showers, so I take a pass.
Title: Re: Really, So somebody would SURVIVE on this stage?
Post by: Jamin Lynch on June 11, 2014, 11:16:36 AM
We get trailer stages down here all the time. All sizes.  It's pretty common.

Here's a "stage" that I walked up to by surprise one day. I was told I would have a nice covered stage. It was all of the worst possible conditions. Real close to the beach, in the sand, wind blowing about 25mph, rain in the area, loud generator too close to the stage, needed lights. I was originally told no lights required.

We did it anyway.
Title: Re: Really, So somebody would SURVIVE on this stage?
Post by: Steve M Smith on June 11, 2014, 02:22:26 PM
Apart from trailer stages, I have also done quite a few gigs on stages made from scaffolding.  Some of them have been quite impressive constructions.


Steve.
Title: Re: Really, So somebody would SURVIVE on this stage?
Post by: Jonathan Johnson on June 11, 2014, 02:26:13 PM
Is this for trailers with a swan neck?  We don't see those over here (UK) but it's a better option for towing a trailer than a hook bolted to the chassis/body.

Do they apply weight directly to the back axle like a proper truck's fifth wheel coupling are are they just bolted to the bed?

EDIT:  Dually as in dual rear wheels.  I get it now.
Stevce.

Just like a lorry (or, as we call them in the States, a semi*), but smaller and without the air brakes. Usually the trailer brakes are electric. The brake controller is activated by a tap from the brake/stop light circuit and an inertial sensor is used to adjust the braking force.

There are typically two different attachment methods: a "5th wheel" hitch where a vertical pin on the tongue of the trailer slides into the side of a disc and is locked in place (just like a lorry), or a "ball" style hitch -- both in the bed of the pickup over the rear axle.


*"Semi" is short for "semi-tractor trailer rig." Attached image shamelessly stolen from trucktrend.com
Title: Re: Really, So somebody would SURVIVE on this stage?
Post by: Tim Weaver on June 11, 2014, 04:54:51 PM
Just like a lorry (or, as we call them in the States, a semi*), but smaller and without the air brakes. Usually the trailer brakes are electric. The brake controller is activated by a tap from the brake/stop light circuit and an inertial sensor is used to adjust the braking force.

There are typically two different attachment methods: a "5th wheel" hitch where a vertical pin on the tongue of the trailer slides into the side of a disc and is locked in place (just like a lorry), or a "ball" style hitch -- both in the bed of the pickup over the rear axle.


*"Semi" is short for "semi-tractor trailer rig." Attached image shamelessly stolen from trucktrend.com


Yup that's the ticket. The weight of the tongue is centered directly over the rear axle, but otherwise not directly attached to the axle or suspension. The hitch is bolted to the bed of the truck.


And I have many gigs under my belt played on a trailer just like that one in the picture....
Title: Re: Really, So somebody would SURVIVE on this stage?
Post by: Richard Turner on June 11, 2014, 09:55:42 PM
The brake controller is supposed to be actuated by the brake pedal, It is powered directly from the battery with an auto resetting circut breaker (not a fuse) and a sense line which attaches to the back side of the brake light switch so you have brakes automatically with your foot pedal and in case of ignition failure. The older ones have 2 adustments max force and application speed. most of the new and cheap ones only have max force adjustment and speed is not adjustable, I like the older ones better as you can actually turn them fully off for light trailers and when reversing

Also there is the manual apply button which is supposed to be for emergency and testing only.


So if you are driving a rig that does not work off foot pedal I would guess it was installed in a hurry at a you yank or RV centre on a sunny afternoon in a hurry.

Source? I've installed quite a few of them over the years.
Title: Re: Really, So somebody would SURVIVE on this stage?
Post by: Jeff Bankston on June 15, 2014, 03:46:48 AM
i like simi flatbeds like this. Jackyl did this in the early 90's in Merietta Georgia. they have the generator on a seperate truck. K-Mart would not sell their cd so they did this. totally awsome totally ! < oops ! i dont know where that came from. i do live in san fernando valley. its totally awsome !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCm6re-RTdc