How do you transport?

[Al E]

I am doing quite a few installations and some deliveries. I expect this to increase. Does anyone use any particular type of vehicle (pickup,SUV,minivan) to transport the work? Is there any special way to set up the interior? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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Al E

[jerryervin]

I have a long bed full size Chevrolet truck with a shell on the bed. I wrap the frames in stretch wrap, use cardboard corner protectors, and plenty of old quilts. It is better to have a way to stand your work up, instead of laying flat and stacked. I made a rack out of 2 x 4s and covered with carpent. The same truck hauls molding as well. I hope this helps.

[Mel]

Al E

I use a GMC Suburban. Small pieces sit upright on the back seat, never on the floor. Large pieces that have to lie down in ht e back have pillows spaced under the edges to absorb bumps. The pieces are always covered in kraft paper but rarely have corner protectors, so the sides of the artwork are padded with pillows, as well.

[Frank]

I use a full sized cargo van with a 4x6' piece of plywood leaning at a slight angle and screwed at the top on the left side of the van. The art has cardboard corners held on with stretch wrap and is stood on edge leaning against the plywood. The art is all placed face to face, back to back with cardboard interleaved about every 4th piece for extra padding. The floor of the van has foam antifatigue mat on it (like you would have on the shop floor) for padding and to prevent sliding. The art is tied upright with rope. So far this has worked pretty well for me. The largest piece I've hauled in this van is 5'x9'. It fit but just barely. The most quantity I've hauled is about 150 pieces. In that case I actually had them leaning to the right too.

I helped a guy once that had a large enclosed trailer 6' wide by 10' long by 6' tall that he could pull behind his pickup. It seemed to work very well too but kind of a hassle for small loads or for big city traffic. Just try to find a parking spot for it!

[curly]

We also use a full size cargo van but no rack inside. We've stacked upto 175-200 pieces face to face and back to back with corrugated cardboard between every two layers and corrugated corners on each piece. We can also carry up to a 60" x 120" piece or pieces this way. Been doing this for over 20 years with only 2 maybe 3 broken glass and 1 or 2 damaged frames. I just did the math... At least 100 pieces a week x 52 weeks x 20+ years is over 100,000 framed pieces of art, with only 5 damaged. Works for us.

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curlyframer, CPF

[Jim Miller]

I know minivans are old news, but my Chrysler Town & Country is the best business vehicle I've ever had. It's luxurious enough to transport customers, but the back seats pull out in seconds and then it's as good as a truck. It will hold 4'x 8' sheet goods (plexi, plywood, Coroplast, etc.), even with the seats in place, but folded down.

For transportation of frames up to about 36"x48", I stand them up between the seats, face-to-face and back-to-back. It's amazing how many frames can be safely carried that way.

It's a very versatile vehicle. Adequate power, good fuel efficiency, and comfort.



[This message has been edited by Jim Miller (edited August 22, 2001).]

[R Markoff]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned "e-track". We fully carpeted the interior of our Econoline-150, (walls and ceiling) and had 2 x 6 's installed behind plywood which was covered in automotive carpet, and then had e-track installed on the full length of the driver's side and the rear half of the passenger's side. (Bolted through the thin plywoor to the 2 x 6's). Artwork is stacked along the wall and secured with webs that hook onto the adjustable track. We can do several stacks, each securred individually, or a large piece, securred, and then smaller stacks infront. We also have moving blankets that we purchase through Louis and Co. They are padded and durable.

Almost any van conversion store should know about e-track, or a truck body shop. It is really inexpensive and quick to install/use.

Clients who see the inside of our truck are impressed as well because it looks like we care.

[JFEIG]

We have for over 15 years used the same stacking method as most of you have mentioned.

In my last 3 vehicles I have installed the strongest mirror hangers (one hole)one in front and one in back of each side of the cargo area. The screws must be through the metal frame of the truck if there is a plastic cover as with my F150 passanger version. I then use 15' cargo straps to tie down the art from shifting. This was I can deliver a single large frame to a client or a entire load of framed art for several model homes at a time.

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Jerome Feig CPF ISA
Field Art Studio
Pleasant Ridge, MI
248-399-1320
248-399-7018 fax

[Bob Carter]

We have negotiated great rates with a local delivery firm. It allows all of us to stay in the store, to do what we do best.

[Al E]

Thanks to all for the advice. It is very helpful and will help me to make an informed decision when purchasing a vehicle for this purpose.

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Al E