Car-top cargo boxes

[Thomas Erickson]

Well, clearly extra caution would be in order in parking garages and the like, but I think things would be perfectly safe in a nice water tight hard shell cargo box. I mean, people put expensive road racing bikes, kayaks and the like up there all the time. With just a soft case I can see there being some danger of stray tree branches or something though. Clearly the taller the vehicle the more risk.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Thomas Erickson

Well, clearly extra caution would be in order in parking garages and the like, but I think things would be perfectly safe in a nice water tight hard shell cargo box. I mean, people put expensive road racing bikes, kayaks and the like up there all the time. With just a soft case I can see there being some danger of stray tree branches or something though. Clearly the taller the vehicle the more risk.

Well, racing bikes and kayaks don't crack from weather and humidity swings like basses do. Do as you wish with your bass but that's my advice.

[Thomas Erickson]

I tend to think that walking across town with a bass, putting it in a cargo box or just putting it into a hot/cold car are all going to pose the same unavoidable temp/humidity shift, which in a decent bag shouldn't be a problem. I mean, if just transporting an instrument to a gig is going to cause damage, that's not a very serviceable instrument. It's not like were talking about how to transport a bass coast-to-coast or from BC to Mexico after all - rather, just how to get around town with a bass or two and not have to drive an SUV.

Anyway, I think I'll stop by the "rack shop" with a bass and see about that Yakima box, unless somebody's tried it already... hopefully whatever bass I take won't explode on the way over there.

[Adam Linz]

Someone should design a double bass transport case for roofs. If the whole band is coming along I would rather it in a secure box on the roof than getting a drum hardware case shoved into the top. If someone made one that was sturdy and safe I would definitely use it. If they made it user friendly that it could be switched between different types of vehicles that would help people in larger cities that do a lot of renting of cars for small tours. I'm in! Someone please make this so we can bring the bass more places!

[Ken Smith]

After thinking and looking at profiles I see that you guys are talking about basses that cost less or even a fraction of the car you are driving unless maybe it's not a normal mid-class car. The basses I take out rarely cost less than a car so the care I consider for them is relative.

In buying a car, I never get a car that I can't fit at least one bass in if not two. If you play bass, it's you job to provide a proper vehicle for it. I have seen basses put into small compact cars as well. I don't think putting a bass on the roof is a good thing, period.

[Thomas Erickson]

Sorry Ken, I tend to forget that a small minority of us aren't able to afford basses that we're afraid to take out of the house, or buy vehicles just to transport them.

[Arnold Schnitzer]

Ken is the 1%

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Thomas Erickson

Sorry Ken, I tend to forget that a small minority of us aren't able to afford basses that we're afraid to take out of the house, or buy vehicles just to transport them.

I take them all out and drive them around. Just INSIDE the Car where people go, NOT up on the Roof!