Okay all you smarter-than-me people...

[Pastor Gary]

We have been renting a storage space for REUNION since January. Every Sunday morning, very early, a team of 3 or 4 volunteers heads to the warehouse, loads all the sound equipment, drums, childrens' church set-up, hospitality (coffee makers, table, etc.) cleaning supplies and pretty much the entire portable church into a full-size pickup... stacked and packed.

They haul it a few miles to the school where we meet, off-load it all, and set up church at 8:00 AM for the 10:00 AM service. As soon as the service ends, the process is reversed.

The school is less-than-willing to allow us to park a storage container on site, so we are exploring the second-best alternative; a box truck, preferably with a lift-gate. That way, the stuff could get loaded in the truck, stay in the truck all week, and eliminate some double work.



Anybody have experience with those trucks? Have any idea how expensive a used one might be? I assume they get horrendously bad gas mileage, but HOW bad? Any suggestions about size, etc.? They seem to start at 12-foot boxes, which would suffice... but a 14' would be better. Where does one even go to start looking for one?

We do not have the funds for this, but we are pretty consistent about praying in what we need, when we need it!

[Faith rider]

Anybody have experience with those trucks? Have any idea how expensive a used one might be? I assume they get horrendously bad gas mileage, but HOW bad? Any suggestions about size, etc.? They seem to start at 12-foot boxes, which would suffice... but a 14' would be better. Where does one even go to start looking for one?

Check with Rider or U haul, they sell their vehicles usally after they are 3 years old, or 40-50,000 miles.

[free]

A pull behind trailer would be much cheaper and could be parked more easily on someones property. I've got a band in my church and that's what they use...They keep all of the equipment (lights, mics, speakers, etc) locked in it all of the time.

[Pastor Gary]

A pull behind trailer would be much cheaper and could be parked more easily on someones property. I've got a band in my church and that's what they use...They keep all of the equipment (lights, mics, speakers, etc) locked in it all of the time.

We had a local ministry here who had their pull-behind trailer stolen in the middle of the day, right outside their office window. On a 45-mile wide island they never recovered the trailer of the tens of thousands of dollars worth of gear inside.

I guess that's why the trailer idea is scary to me...

[free]

I understand...Is there any way you could secure the portable trialer so it would be more difficult to steal? I suppose we need a smarter person than me to figure that out.

I saw a 7 x 16 trailer on Lowes site for $5,000.00.

[pastorables]

Pastor Gary,

There is a place in Memphis, TN that specializes in these used trucks and was selling them last year in the $12,000 - $14,000 range. Of course, those figures could be much different plus/minus now. I would check www.trucktrader.com. for ideas.

pa

[Pianoman]

Pastor Gary -

Wanted to throw in from a convenience standpoint - I've
traveled using a bus, trailer & U-haul - and the trailer is
in my opinion the easist & quickest to load & unload.
If you get one with a side door - folks can be loading &
unloading from the front & rear at the same time. Lift
gates are SLOW & if you ever have one break down - it
gets all the more fun. (Crawling in the bays under a
bus is a lot of fun as well!).

The group I'm traveling in now downsized to a van &
trailer and truly enjoy being able to just step in the trailer
with the equipment (no lifting or grunting). If you get the
right setup - you may even be able to roll everything out & in
(wheels were another luxury we found when moving lots
of heavy equipment). You can buy a special lock that will
fit over the trailer hitch which helps some with the security
issue. In that regards - someone can't just hook up & drive
off with everything. (I also don't suggest painting your
church/group info all over the side of the trailer advertising
that you've got a bunch of equipment stored in it).

Also - truck breaks down - you're stuck. With the trailer -
if you have a mechanical issue - possibly a better chance
of having someone else with a trailer hitch to bail you out.

Couple other items to consider - you'll most likely have to
have insurance & tags on the truck. You might instead consider
getting the trailer & using that money to purchase insurance
on the trailer & it's contents so if it is stolen you wouldn't
be totally up a creek. Depending on the size of the truck -
may want to check on not only the licensing requirements -
but also any special driver's license requirements that may
be required.

As far as mileage - depending on the size & age of the
truck - most likely in the 6 to 10 mile a gallon range when
loaded. If it's a diesel - make sure you've got a station
close by with a diesel pump that's easy to get in & out of
(wasn't sure how available diesel would be on the island?)
That's one thing I hated with a bus - stations close by were
smaller & hard to navigate through & I usually drove to a
truck stop just for convenience. I believe some of the smaller
trucks are gasoline.

[Poimen]

We had a local ministry here who had their pull-behind trailer stolen in the middle of the day, right outside their office window. On a 45-mile wide island they never recovered the trailer of the tens of thousands of dollars worth of gear inside.

I guess that's why the trailer idea is scary to me...

I agree with free. It would not be very difficult to secure a trailer. Besides if somebody really wants to steal it they can steal or break in the truck just as easily.

One way to secure it would be to concrete a heavy pipe or such into the ground where it will be parked, bore a whole, and then put a chain and padlock on it. There are other similar things you could try.

Or back it up into an enclosed drive and park in front of it.
It could also be parked in a garage.

Besides, not only would it be cheaper than purchasing a truck, it would be a lot cheaper to maintain.

BTW, you guys do have an insurance policy on the church "contents" don't ya?

Here's a guy I found near you with several enclosed trailer options.

[Pastor Gary]

Here's a guy I found near you with several enclosed trailer options.

I appreciate the lead and the advice. If, however, by "near you" you mean somewhere on the island chain, you are right. He is in Kealakekua, which is a few islands and a few hundred miles away... but that's closer than the mainland!

[Poimen]

I searched for companies near Kaneohe, I promise.

[pastorables]

Here's a guy I found near you with several enclosed trailer options.

I appreciate the lead and the advice. If, however, by "near you" you mean somewhere on the island chain, you are right. He is in Kealakekua, which is a few islands and a few hundred miles away... but that's closer than the mainland!

So you don't visit every island daily?

[one love]

I was going to suggest a trailer as well. One of our local churches does that for bringing some equipment to state functions. I understand the stealing thing, if you could secure it that is going to be the cheapest route and it is pretty easy as well.
Otherwise try checking the local U-HAUL and see which ones they are selling off. Sorry I am no more help...


I do think that you are making a good investment either way, that has got to be a lot f work...Some faithful people....

[MacUser]

Either way truck or trailer.. go the extra expense with extreme loud graphic designed side panels.. that way they will see it coming and going (if stolen). A rolling billboard ministry for Christ!

This is an example of one similar idea I did for a company years ago that wanted it for large delivery and private Billboard in front of business.

[Dr. Ron]

Okay....

You name it and I have used it.

1. Do not buy a truck....been there done that DON'T DO IT! You will never imagine the headaches you will have.

2. A trailer is a far better idea and can be secured very easily. It would be cheaper for you to put all your gear in a trailer and back it into a storage building and lock the door than to own the truck.

3. My last temporary situation was a school. We negotiated with the principle to allow us to build a portable storage unit outside the gym door and pour a concrete sidewalk to it. Then when we left the school, we donated it all to the school and they now use it for storage,....and all schools need extra storage. This is by far the best possible answer. If the school will allow you this privilege, you can save yourself a great deal of time, effort, and finance.

Finally, I applaud whoever it is you have conned into doing all this work.



Seriously, it is some of the hardest work you will do, but the result will be so beneficial to your people. God speed.....and forget the truck!!!!!

[Billy n NC]

Pastor Gary,

trailor would be my first choice also.
the other suggestions would be good also.
No logo on the side etc.

Also check out this lock install it and then chain it up to concrete anchor in the ground. Insure contents.

http://www.etrailer.com/pc-CL~UTL100KA.htm