Transportation

Getting the stock, setup and people to the venue can be a challenge, especially in a modern SUV. I understand the sport part of the description but when it comes to utility, well, lets just say we have had more than a few laughs watching people try to load them up at the hardware supply.

It usually does not make sense for the casual crafter to maintain a dedicated "show" vehicle and most people end up making some kind of compromise.

Tow behind trailers are a very common solution to the not enough space for everything problem. Tow behinds can range from around $150.00 for an uncovered 4' by 8' to many thousands of dollars for a covered trailer. In most cases size of the tow vehicle will dictate the size of the trailer. A standard pickup truck will tow most of the small to medium size trailers with ease.

If the trailer is larger it may have electric breaks and the tow vehicle will need to be equipped with an electronic break control. Check your vehicle handbook to see what size trailer you can tow. You may be surprised to know that even some of the smallest vehicles can pull a trailer.

We custom built a trailer for our 1996 Hyundai Elantra station wagon. With some careful packing we were able to pull that trailer at highway speeds safely and with no damage to the car. If fact we sold that car with over 250,000 miles and it was still going strong. Maintenance is the key to longevity but it is especially important when towing.

Some shows will allow you to keep your trailer at your space. There are a number of benefits to having the trailer on site including having something heavy to tie the canopy to. When the wind begins to blow there is a lot to be said about the security of a 750 pound canopy weight.

Second, there is plenty of space for overstock and you don't have to worry about fetching things in the middle of the day or humping it all back after the show. Needless to say unpacking and packing are way easier not to mention that an onsite trailer also provides a warm private place to take a catnap. All you need is a sleeping bag, pillow and a few minutes alone. Lastly it makes it easy to keep the booth neat and clean. Any extra stuff can be kept out of sight but at the ready.

Keep all your transpiration equipment in top shape to avoid problems. Trailer wheel bearings are notorious for failing under load and especially when you are 200 miles from home. We like to take the tow vehicle in for a lube job just to make sure all the simple stuff is taken care of and don't forget the tire pressure.

Whatever your transportation it makes sense to look into a roadside assistance plan, especially if you are traveling hundreds of miles away from home. Nothing can spoil the day more than a breakdown on a highway in a strange place with no towing package. If you are pulling a trailer make sure it is covered by the plan. Don't assume you're policy covers you under all circumstances. How many times have we seen broken down trailers or tow vehicles on the side of the road? It pays to keep coverage for the trailer as well as the truck!

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