1. Always Hook Up The Trailer. It’s a really good idea to secure the trailer tongue to the ball on the van. In addition, make sure to cross the chains and hook those to the van too.
That way when you don’t secure the tongue to the ball properly and the trailer falls off the van while you’re going 65mph on a four lane highway, the chains will help steady the trailer as it scrapes and sparks along the asphalt and you’re honking and absolutely losing your mind trying to get the now dubbed “death box” to the shoulder.
2. Always Close The Trailer Door. Closing the trailer door once it’s all packed up is super professional. And applying the lock to the door is an even more professional move. Go ahead and do both.
All of this supports the idea that having the trailer door fly open during rush hour traffic in the middle of a big city is neither beneficial nor enjoyable. And not even humorous until many months later.
3. Pack The Trailer Well. This rule really could be dubbed rule 2a, but I didn’t want to mess with sub bullet points. Pack the trailer well, with nothing pressing super hard against the door of the trailer.
That way when the door flies open because the guitar player thought the singer checked it, the singer thought the bass player checked it, the bass player thought the drummer checked it…and the drummer definitely didn’t check it, nor will he ever be the one to check it…less stuff will fly out of the trailer and into traffic.
Food for thought anyway.
4. Always Employ A Shotgun Rider. Have someone sitting shotgun at all times. Also, as a part of signing on to the position, they have to remain awake.
Some might call this rule old-fashioned. I call it shotgun-rider-saves-van-full-of-people-when-he-sees-the-van-driver-is-sleeping-at-wheel-and-wakes-driver-up-before-driver-veers-van/trailer-into-ditch-at-70mph.
5. For goodness sakes, step up and buy a garbage can for the van.
p.s. To answer your question, yes, I have experienced what it looks, feels, smells, sounds and tastes like to break all of these rules. May you learn from my past blood pressure spikes and clenched butt cheeks.
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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com