the perfect show vehicle

updated mon 25 oct 04

David Hendley on thu 21 oct 04

Here is how I have managed to have a fuel-efficient car and
still drag all the stuff I need to art fairs. I think this is by far
the cheapest, most ecological solution.

I have a Honda CR-V. It is a 4-cylinder car that gets 25-30
MPG. I installed a trailer hitch, but the car is rated to tow only
1000 pounds, not much when you figure in the weight of a trailer.
Well, I found a PLASTIC, yes plastic, trailer that weighs only
400 pounds. Of course, the "guts" are steel, and the floor is
plywood, but the sides and top are a big red (to match the
CR-V) plastic house. Even the wheel fenders are plastic.
It has about 4' X 7' of floor space, 5 feet high. It cost $850.
Are you sure a Jetta cannot be fitted with a hitch? It seems
like it is substantial enough.
My little red trailer will be at the Texas Clay Festival in Gruene
(New Braunfels) this weekend, if you'd like so see it!

Now, if you are really doing 10 fairs a year across the country,
I say quit fooling around and buy a full-size van. It will be so
much easier on you, and cheaper in the long run than leasing
or constantly renting.

David Hendley
Working hard to make sure there is no mug left behind
david@farmpots.com
http://www.farmpots.com





----- Original Message -----

This is my first post to ClayArt, so allow me a quick introduction. I
am a clay artist living in Austin, TX. I have been exhibiting and
selling my work for the past two years through a few local galleries
and the occasional art fair. I've enjoyed doing art fairs and have
had enough success with them that I plan to do 8-10 of them across the
country in 2005. Applications are already going out the door.

One big obstacle in front of me is figuring out HOW I'm going to get
all my work, display, tent, etc, to all these shows. Thus far I've
managed to get by with the help of others for local shows, and rentals
for distant shows. Friends are great, but I've already discovered
that I have to be self sufficient in the event that a friend with a
pickup truck isn't available. For example, for my most recent show, a
friend helped me get everything to the show, but I was on my own for
the break down and had to make several trips to get it all home.
Rentals seem like a good option, but can be expensive, especially if
traveling out of state; out of state rentals usually do not include
unlimited miles.

Todd Van Duren on thu 21 oct 04

This is my first post to ClayArt, so allow me a quick introduction. I
am a clay artist living in Austin, TX. I have been exhibiting and
selling my work for the past two years through a few local galleries
and the occasional art fair. I've enjoyed doing art fairs and have
had enough success with them that I plan to do 8-10 of them across the
country in 2005. Applications are already going out the door.

One big obstacle in front of me is figuring out HOW I'm going to get
all my work, display, tent, etc, to all these shows. Thus far I've
managed to get by with the help of others for local shows, and rentals
for distant shows. Friends are great, but I've already discovered
that I have to be self sufficient in the event that a friend with a
pickup truck isn't available. For example, for my most recent show, a
friend helped me get everything to the show, but I was on my own for
the break down and had to make several trips to get it all home.=20
Rentals seem like a good option, but can be expensive, especially if
traveling out of state; out of state rentals usually do not include
unlimited miles.

I currently own a VW Jetta. Wonderful driving car that meets my day
to day needs brilliantly. The car is paid for. Good gas mileage. I
can do just about everything I need to do with my Jetta EXCEPT haul
all my work to an art fair. Seems a shame, even wasteful to sell my
day to day car just to acquire a vehicle that will meet the sporadic,
(though important), need of hauling my work.

As I see it, I have several options:

1.=09Sell Jetta, buy more suitable vehicle. This might be anything,
from a pickup to a minivan to small driver's car that will take a
hitch, like a Subaru. (Sadly, my Jetta is not suitable for towing.).
Downside =E2=80=93 Loss of practical driving car, replaced with 'large'
vehicle to be used for all driving needs.
Upside =E2=80=93 Have a show vehicle that I own.

2.=09Keep Jetta, rent larger vehicle when need.
Downside =E2=80=93 Rentals are expensive. Liability of using a rental.
Upside =E2=80=93 Get to keep driving car. Rental company eats the
depreciation of the show vehicle.

3.=09Keep Jetta, lease larger vehicle.
Downside =E2=80=93 Do not own show vehicle, no equity gained. However, cos=
t
of lease may be on par with renting a vehicle.
Upside =E2=80=93 Get to keep driving car. Large vehicle is always on hand,
thus more flexible than rental.

I realize there are several other variations. I could keep my car AND
buy another, but can't justify the cost. If I choose to buy a new
vehicle, the equity in my current car will greatly cushion the price
tag. A lease should hopefully not be as costly, though it may still
require that I sell my car in order to afford the lease.

Any thoughts, opinions, vehicle suggestions? Anyone else ever face
this dilemma? Am I just being silly for not wanting to exchange a
fuel efficient, fun-to-drive car for an inefficient boat?


=20
Cheers,
Todd A. Van Duren

Mayssan Shora Farra on thu 21 oct 04

My vote, if you care about it is for option 2 because no matter how
expensive, it is still cheaper than buying/leasing another car, and this
way you can figure it, in the expense of the show to see if the show was a
profitable one.

I am trying to cut down on shows and turning more to Galleries, direct
sales and wholesale.

Good Luck
Mayssan, in nicely cool Charleston WV, USA

http://www.clayvillepottery.com

Roly Beevor on fri 22 oct 04

Todd Van Duren wrote: (Sadly, my Jetta is not suitable for towing.).

Todd

Why not? OK it may not be the ideal vehicle to tow a 40' caravan. What
weight of material do you move? I would guess that it is the bulk of the
display materials that cause the problem, not the weight. Would they fit
into a (single) horse box? Are you just being duped by big-vehicle
advertisers into thinking that the Jetta can't be used for towing, it may
not be something you see too much in the States? Of course you will knock
the second hand value of the car by fitting a tow bar.

Roly Beevor

Steve Slatin on fri 22 oct 04

Phil et. al. --

One issue with homemade trailers is the effect on
braking characteristics for the towing vehicle.
Some modern vehicles are poorly designed in this
regard -- the power braking system works fine on
the car and driver plus maybe 400 lbs. additional
passengers or cargo; but the brakes can overheat
and fail if towing a trailer without active braking.

Where I live old horse trailers with braking are
cheap, and tend to be light and have the capacity to
carry lots of cargo.

The issue with modern vs. older vehicle repair is
possibly even worse than Phil suggests. I replaced
the voltage regulator on a modern van (1993 Mercury),
tested a few voltages, and some were off. Checked
the alternator, it was spot on. Started testing
circuits and found one was way off -- the one that
carried the wholly ornamental light bar at the front
grill. Some of the sockets were partially melted,
had to be replaced, all of the bulbs had to be
replaced, some of the wires were feeling crinkly so
I replaced them, and when I was done I'd spent 4-5
hours and over $60. When I was done, the voltages
were all on target again. The voltage regulator
(which is realistically speaking serious business)
took much less time and cost than the light bar. And
I didn't even care if it worked.

Phil's approach regarding older vehicles makes sense,
but more so if you can do at least some of the work
yourself and especially so if you live near a good
junkyard.

-- Steve Slatin


--- pdp1@EARTHLINK.NET wrote:

>
> Delete brake drums...find a light, thin, Rim and
> Tire
> option...
>
> And a 4 x 7 foot Trailer with two foot sides could
> likely be
> assembled which could weigh 300 ish...put 700 into
> it and
> you reach your 1000 lb tow limit for the Car...
>


=====
Steve Slatin -- Lies told, whiskey hauled, widows tended.
Sequim, Washington, USA



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Todd Van Duren on fri 22 oct 04

I'll stop by in Gruene to check out the trailer. Do you have the name
of the manufacturer?

As far as the Jetta goes, I know that after market hitches are
available from Uhaul and
others. However, I talked to quite a few individuals, VW staff,
mechanics, car buffs and
the like, and the general consensus is that the Jetta was not designed
as a towing
vehicle. I might get away with it from time to time, but doing it on
a regular basis will
put a lot of stress on the transmission and rear end that the car was
never designed to
bear.

I looked at Subarus last night. I Like the fact that they're all
wheel drive and most are
rated to tow 2-3000lbs. Pity they only come with a 3 yr warranty.
Need to go look
at the Hyundai SUV thingee.

And, yes, you may very well be right about a van in the long run. The
little voice in my
head keeps telling me that I'll need a cargo van eventually. Trouble
is, little voice is
arguing with bigger voice that says a cargo van is a gas hog and not
fun to drive.
Arguement is all the more fierce after meeting the Austin electric car
club last weekend.
LOL.

Todd


On Thu, 21 Oct 2004 23:01:09 -0500, David Hendley wrote:
> Here is how I have managed to have a fuel-efficient car and
> still drag all the stuff I need to art fairs. I think this is by far
> the cheapest, most ecological solution.
>
> I have a Honda CR-V. It is a 4-cylinder car that gets 25-30
> MPG. I installed a trailer hitch, but the car is rated to tow only
> 1000 pounds, not much when you figure in the weight of a trailer.
> Well, I found a PLASTIC, yes plastic, trailer that weighs only
> 400 pounds. Of course, the "guts" are steel, and the floor is
> plywood, but the sides and top are a big red (to match the
> CR-V) plastic house. Even the wheel fenders are plastic.
> It has about 4' X 7' of floor space, 5 feet high. It cost $850.
> Are you sure a Jetta cannot be fitted with a hitch? It seems
> like it is substantial enough.
> My little red trailer will be at the Texas Clay Festival in Gruene
> (New Braunfels) this weekend, if you'd like so see it!
>
> Now, if you are really doing 10 fairs a year across the country,
> I say quit fooling around and buy a full-size van. It will be so
> much easier on you, and cheaper in the long run than leasing
> or constantly renting.
>
> David Hendley
> Working hard to make sure there is no mug left behind
> david@farmpots.com
> http://www.farmpots.com
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
> This is my first post to ClayArt, so allow me a quick introduction. I
> am a clay artist living in Austin, TX. I have been exhibiting and
> selling my work for the past two years through a few local galleries
> and the occasional art fair. I've enjoyed doing art fairs and have
> had enough success with them that I plan to do 8-10 of them across the
> country in 2005. Applications are already going out the door.
>
> One big obstacle in front of me is figuring out HOW I'm going to get
> all my work, display, tent, etc, to all these shows. Thus far I've
> managed to get by with the help of others for local shows, and rentals
> for distant shows. Friends are great, but I've already discovered
> that I have to be self sufficient in the event that a friend with a
> pickup truck isn't available. For example, for my most recent show, a
> friend helped me get everything to the show, but I was on my own for
> the break down and had to make several trips to get it all home.
> Rentals seem like a good option, but can be expensive, especially if
> traveling out of state; out of state rentals usually do not include
> unlimited miles.
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
>
>
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
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> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
>

Dorie Mickelson on fri 22 oct 04

I am dealing with the same challenge. Started doing shows about a year
and a half ago. My day to day car is a small 12 year old four door
Honda Accord. My partner's car is an even smaller two door Rav4.
Neither vehicle is big enough to tow anything. First show I borrowed a
friend's Suburu Outback. Loaded it up so full with shelves, bins full
of pots, table, chair, etc., I could hardly see out the windows and
barely had enough room for me in the car, but drove four hours and back
to do a three day show. Sold lots of pots. Very exciting! Realized I
needed a bigger vehicle. Next show (also about four hours away) I
borrowed my sister-in-law's huge Suburban. It was great except that I
had to drive an hour to get it, another hour to get it back home, take
out the rear seats, load it up with all my stuff, drive to the show,
unload it, set up, do the show, tear down, load the Suburban back up,
drive home, unload everything into my garage, put the seats back in,
drive an hour to return it, drive another hour home. Talk about
exhausting! Not to mention the cost of gas for all the driving back and
forth...

After borrowing the Suburban a few times, I realized I just could not do
it anymore. Very generous of my sister-in-law but took up way too much
time and energy. So now I generally only do local shows (within an hour
of home) and my partner and I load up our two tiny little cars and get
as much of my stuff to the show to set up as possible and I take any
remaining bins of pots in my car the next morning before the show opens.
Still, this means that both cars have to be loaded and unloaded for each
and every show, and neither one of us are in our 20's anymore, and it is
too much.

So I am now looking for a vehicle that I can put all my show stuff in
and leave it there -- my outdoor canopy, my pvc weights, my indoor
frame/drapes, my track lighting, my carpeting, my shelves, my table,
chair, bins full of pots, dolly, step stool, etc., etc., etc. Leave all
the stuff in the vehicle all the time and when it is time for a show,
just hop in and drive off. Then when I come home from a show exhausted,
just pull into my driveway and leave all the stuff where it is, without
having to unload anything. That rules out borrowing or renting a
vehicle. So I am considering one of two options: (1) Buying a used
cargo van or some other sort of van big enough for all my stuff and
keeping my old Honda for day to day driving; (2) Getting rid of my old
Honda and buying a used SUV that can pull a trailer as well as buying a
used trailer. And of course I am looking for something "affordable", as
I am not exactly getting rich as a potter and am still trying to save up
my pennies so that I might go to NCECA next year...

I know that some of you don't believe in doing shows unless it is in
your own home or you only sell through galleries or only do wholesale or
whatever, but please do not tell me to stop doing shows. It is simply
where I am currently at in my journey as a potter and as such, I am
determined to either buy a van of some sort or to buy a SUV/trailer to
accommodate my needs. What I want to know is what are the
advantages/disadvantage of either of these options? I am concerned that
if I buy a trailer I will have nowhere to put it...can these stay parked
in front of one's house or do neighbors/city ordinances prevent that? I
have been leaning toward a van but yesterday I went and test drove a
used Ford E150 cargo van for the first time and thought, man, how does
anyone see well enough to drive these huge honkin things? No windows on
the side, dark windows way way way in back...maybe it's just because
I've only driven compact cars my entire life, but just backing this
thing up out of a parking space was truly frightening! So now I am
thinking maybe a regular van with windows that I take all the seats out
of for good would be better...or does one just get used to having a ten
foot long blind spot...or maybe the SUV/trailer deal would be better
afterall??

Any personal experiences/preferences and information regarding
plusses/minuses of a van vs. a SUV/trailer approach would be greatly
appreciated. Thanks!

Dorie in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where I am fighting off a cold and must go
finish packing up my pots as I have a show tomorrow and still need to
load up our two tiny little cars this afternoon and go get everything
set up tonight. Ah, the joys of being a potter !

From: Todd Van Duren

Subject: The perfect show vehicle

Snip get all my work, display, tent, etc, to all these shows. Thus far I've
managed to get by with the help of others for local shows, and rentals
for distant shows. Friends are great, but I've already discovered that I
have to be self sufficient in the event that a friend with a pickup
truck isn't available. For example, for my most recent show, a friend
helped me get everything to the show, but I was on my own for the break
down and had to make several trips to get it all home. Rentals seem
like a good option, but can be expensive, especially if traveling out of
state; out of state rentals usually do not include unlimited miles. Any
thoughts, opinions, vehicle suggestions? Anyone else ever face this
dilemma? Am I just being silly for not wanting to exchange a fuel
efficient, fun-to-drive car for an inefficient boat?>