COOKIES.. nam nam nam nam nam....

Pathology Chairman just dropped off a batch of seven layer cookie bars. The job does have it's perks

 

Working on a Stage Trailer Idea for doing festival performances.

In traveling mode the trailer is 56" wide by about 48" high and 12' long including the tongue. In performance mode the stage area is 8' deep by 12' wide and about 2' 6" off the ground.



I'm still working out details on hinging the 2 side wings and leveling jacks.

I'm also going to dress the side wing bottoms with signage that can be read on the road, but is under the stage during performance; and unseen.

One concern is stability on the road... I don't want this to become a lifting surface (wing).

Any ideas or thoughts on this idea?

 

Box in the front part where the tongue meets the 'stage'. Have the stage sides lock to the box front. Add a ramp in the back that closes the whole thing into a cargo carrier. Add tarp hooks so a tarp can be attached to the top to keep rain out of the interior. That's all I've got.

 

You've got a lot to figure out- leveling for one thing. You've got to level it side-to-side as well as front-to-rear. Screw jacks seem mandatory for fine adjustment. You'll have to have some on each corner of the trailer, which it where you would start your leveling.

What do you do about a 'boundary' for your performers? Don't want anybody falling off......

I seem to recall there being 'portable' stage platforms. Why wouldn't you just use these and transport them in a box trailer, along with your other items? The way you have your folding platform design minimizes the amount of extra stuff you can haul.

I've seen portable stages that have been mounted on a large tandem-axle flatbed. The left side has a fixed wall that acts as the stage backdrop. The front and back panels open out to maybe 45 degrees, with flooring dropping in to the opening created by the angle. A secondary 'portable' stage structure is added onto the 'floor' of the trailer on the right side, extending the stage area. It might also have a roof that hinges up, hinge being along the top of the left wall.


Marshall

 

I know about the leveling... just trying to figure out what will work best for what I have in mind. Something that will attach and detach easily. I plan on pop in rails side and back with a gap middle back for curtain entrance.

As for performers... minimal. Myself, a comedy musician and maybe a one other person

An old time Medicine/Snake oil pitch show. A little story telling "history", a little magic, little mind reading, some silly songs, a lot of fun and BS.

 

Weight, weight, weight....Doc. That's going to be your biggest hurdle, even fabricated out of aluminum, that's going to be a heavy trailer for its size. Figure on 3/4" marine plywood decking for durability, a box section frame made out of probably 2" x 3"(minimum)members, the axle/spring assembly, tongue with dolly wheel/jack, and the leveling jacks. You'll be pushing the 1,000lb tow limit of the HHR in no time, plus you need to remember that tow rating will be seriously affected by the cargo load of props, signage, and your assistant.

It might be better to think of the HHR as the lead or star vehicle in your shows, use it as a backdrop with all the Victorian Era graphics you have planned, then size the trailer to be towed by your balloon chase/transport van or truck.

Most folding stage trailers are towed behind 1 ton pickups because in order to stand up to the rigors of the "circuit", they are overbuilt....way overbuilt.

 

Plan is to build the stage trailer get the weight once completed.... If I have to use the truck... time for a little body work and paint...It's the hunting, fishing blooning, gravel hauling, Lowes going work beasty.

 

Found this while searching Count by picture



1949 Chevrolet Panel Truck
US Army Medical Service Ambulance

This would be a cool HHR Panel Project.

 

Yeah that would be cool, maybe one of our Military members will work up something like that.

 

Grandpa, HHR, ... That's way too cool.