Go to Post I do know a lot of teams need to be saved from themselves. - Karthik [more]
Home
Go Back   Chief Delphi > FIRST > General Forum
CD-Media   CD-Spy  
portal register members calendar search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read FAQ rules

 
Reply
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
  #1   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 13-03-2012, 12:42
DELurker DELurker is offline
Former Engineering Mentor
AKA: William Lydick
no team (n/a)
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Rookie Year: 2011
Location: Delaware, US
Posts: 268
DELurker has a brilliant futureDELurker has a brilliant futureDELurker has a brilliant futureDELurker has a brilliant futureDELurker has a brilliant futureDELurker has a brilliant futureDELurker has a brilliant futureDELurker has a brilliant futureDELurker has a brilliant futureDELurker has a brilliant futureDELurker has a brilliant future
Trailers, trucks, and cars, oh my!

This past weekend was the first bag-and-tag that 1370 has attended in a very long time. We ended up renting a 10' UHaul and transporting our stuff up to Rutgers in it. However, based on the price, I'm not sure that we can continue doing that as a long-term viable plan.

How do other teams transport their equipment? What are the pros and cons?

We've bounced around getting a trailer, but the main objection is that we would still have to get a mentor or parent with a trailer hitch to drag the trailer to our events. Given where we are (Delaware), most events are 1-3 hours away without traffic.
Reply With Quote
  #2   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 13-03-2012, 12:48
Akash Rastogi Akash Rastogi is offline
Jim Zondag is my Spirit Animal
FRC #2170 (Titanium Tomahawks)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Rookie Year: 2006
Location: Manchester, Connecticut
Posts: 7,005
Akash Rastogi has a reputation beyond reputeAkash Rastogi has a reputation beyond reputeAkash Rastogi has a reputation beyond reputeAkash Rastogi has a reputation beyond reputeAkash Rastogi has a reputation beyond reputeAkash Rastogi has a reputation beyond reputeAkash Rastogi has a reputation beyond reputeAkash Rastogi has a reputation beyond reputeAkash Rastogi has a reputation beyond reputeAkash Rastogi has a reputation beyond reputeAkash Rastogi has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Trailers, trucks, and cars, oh my!

Quote:
Originally Posted by DELurker View Post
This past weekend was the first bag-and-tag that 1370 has attended in a very long time. We ended up renting a 10' UHaul and transporting our stuff up to Rutgers in it. However, based on the price, I'm not sure that we can continue doing that as a long-term viable plan.

How do other teams transport their equipment? What are the pros and cons?

We've bounced around getting a trailer, but the main objection is that we would still have to get a mentor or parent with a trailer hitch to drag the trailer to our events. Given where we are (Delaware), most events are 1-3 hours away without traffic.

We actually asked for sponsorships from local storage companies, FlexBox and 1-800-HAUL-OUT and their awesome employees helped us load up our equipment and unload at Chestnut Hill. I would suggest asking local companies in your area to help out like we did!

__________________
My posts and opinions do not necessarily reflect those of my affiliated team.
['16-'xx]: Mentor FRC 2170 | ['11-'13]: Co-Founder/Mentor FRC 3929 | ['06-'10]: Student FRC 11 - MORT | ['08-'12]: Founder - EWCP (OG)
Reply With Quote
  #3   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 13-03-2012, 12:49
MrForbes's Avatar
MrForbes MrForbes is offline
Registered User
AKA: Jim
FRC #1726 (N.E.R.D.S.)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Rookie Year: 2006
Location: Sierra Vista AZ
Posts: 6,031
MrForbes has a reputation beyond reputeMrForbes has a reputation beyond reputeMrForbes has a reputation beyond reputeMrForbes has a reputation beyond reputeMrForbes has a reputation beyond reputeMrForbes has a reputation beyond reputeMrForbes has a reputation beyond reputeMrForbes has a reputation beyond reputeMrForbes has a reputation beyond reputeMrForbes has a reputation beyond reputeMrForbes has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Trailers, trucks, and cars, oh my!

In the past we usually hauled our tools and parts in the back of a school van or two or three. Now that we're in the new world of bag-n-tag, the robot won't fit in the back of a van, and lucky me gets to haul it in the back of a pickup. Fortunately we have a few pickup trucks in our family (5 at last count) so it's not too much of a problem. And just yesterday we let one of our sons borrow the newest pickup to haul the Bit Buckets rookie robot up to Utah.
Reply With Quote
  #4   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 13-03-2012, 12:55
jspatz1's Avatar
jspatz1 jspatz1 is offline
Registered User
AKA: Jeff
FRC #1986 (Team Titanium)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Rookie Year: 2007
Location: Lee's Summit, MO
Posts: 836
jspatz1 has a reputation beyond reputejspatz1 has a reputation beyond reputejspatz1 has a reputation beyond reputejspatz1 has a reputation beyond reputejspatz1 has a reputation beyond reputejspatz1 has a reputation beyond reputejspatz1 has a reputation beyond reputejspatz1 has a reputation beyond reputejspatz1 has a reputation beyond reputejspatz1 has a reputation beyond reputejspatz1 has a reputation beyond repute
Send a message via AIM to jspatz1
Re: Trailers, trucks, and cars, oh my!

Our team trailer was the best investment we have ever made. If you are like our team, you take your robot and accessories to many other events and places besides just competitions. Having an enclosed trailer to haul things in, protect things from the weather, load ahead of time, unload when you wish, store things in, and avoid using mentors and parents pickups and vehicles is a great thing. We have our trailer parked inside our build site, and while there it is a great storage closet and a giant lockbox. On paper it takes a long time to recover the cost vs. renting, but there are many other intangible benefits to having a trailer whenever you need it. If you can swing the cost and have a place where it could be parked/stored, I highly recommend owning one.
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #5   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 13-03-2012, 13:12
Ryan Caldwell's Avatar
Ryan Caldwell Ryan Caldwell is offline
217 Alum, 2851 Founder, 469 Mentor
FRC #0469
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Rookie Year: 2002
Location: West Bloomfield
Posts: 99
Ryan Caldwell has a brilliant futureRyan Caldwell has a brilliant futureRyan Caldwell has a brilliant futureRyan Caldwell has a brilliant futureRyan Caldwell has a brilliant futureRyan Caldwell has a brilliant futureRyan Caldwell has a brilliant futureRyan Caldwell has a brilliant futureRyan Caldwell has a brilliant futureRyan Caldwell has a brilliant futureRyan Caldwell has a brilliant future
Send a message via AIM to Ryan Caldwell
Re: Trailers, trucks, and cars, oh my!



We Bought a retired school bus for ~1K and insured it for about the same. The hard part was getting a driver so i went an got a CDL.

We took out the 3 back seats and put in a safety cage.
This summer we want to paint the bumpers red and put our # on them. I believe there is talk of upgrading the sound system as well.
__________________
Insane and Insight are just about the same thing if you squint and turn your head ever so slightly


Last edited by Ryan Caldwell : 13-03-2012 at 13:21.
Reply With Quote
  #6   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 13-03-2012, 13:23
akoscielski3's Avatar
akoscielski3 akoscielski3 is offline
Mentor (1114), Alumni (772)
AKA: Aaron Koscielski
FRC #1114 (Simbotics)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Rookie Year: 2006
Location: LaSalle, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,066
akoscielski3 has a reputation beyond reputeakoscielski3 has a reputation beyond reputeakoscielski3 has a reputation beyond reputeakoscielski3 has a reputation beyond reputeakoscielski3 has a reputation beyond reputeakoscielski3 has a reputation beyond reputeakoscielski3 has a reputation beyond reputeakoscielski3 has a reputation beyond reputeakoscielski3 has a reputation beyond reputeakoscielski3 has a reputation beyond reputeakoscielski3 has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Trailers, trucks, and cars, oh my!

Quote:
Originally Posted by DELurker View Post
This past weekend was the first bag-and-tag that 1370 has attended in a very long time. We ended up renting a 10' UHaul and transporting our stuff up to Rutgers in it. However, based on the price, I'm not sure that we can continue doing that as a long-term viable plan.

How do other teams transport their equipment? What are the pros and cons?

We've bounced around getting a trailer, but the main objection is that we would still have to get a mentor or parent with a trailer hitch to drag the trailer to our events. Given where we are (Delaware), most events are 1-3 hours away without traffic.
Oh wow. You really shouldnt be complaining about 1-3 hours. My team traveled 10 hours to Smoky Mountains, travelling 4 hours to GTR West, 4.5 Hours to Queen City, and 11 Hours to St.Louis. I would love to only have to travel 1-3 hours.

Our Biggest sponsor Centerline Lends us 4 Vehicles (2 mini vans, 1 pick-up truck, and an impala), along with a 12 foot trailer. But wait, there's more. They also pay for all the Gas! So we don't have any problem with travels costs. If you could find a sponsor willing to do this much for a team that would be the best thing for your team.

Try to find parents that can get you a sponsorship from the company they work with. Getting the Owner/Boss of that company on board with FIRST is a great way to do it. My dad's Boss is always trying to help us out more, even if we don't need anything. They paid for all our new pits last year, donate all the sheet metal parts for our robot, pay for traveling costs, and even donate Money at the beginning of the year.

Hope you can find a sponsor like this.
Good Luck this season!
__________________
Hall of Fame Team 1114 Simbotics
2013-Present
Host of Simbot Solidworks Series
Team 772 Sabre Bytes
2010-2013

Dean's List Finalist 2013 Waterloo Regional
Reply With Quote
  #7   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 13-03-2012, 13:51
Phyrxes's Avatar
Phyrxes Phyrxes is offline
Has done the math, have you?
AKA: Dave Button
no team (No Team, Changed Schools)
Team Role: Teacher
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Rookie Year: 2007
Location: Gainesville VA
Posts: 489
Phyrxes has a brilliant futurePhyrxes has a brilliant futurePhyrxes has a brilliant futurePhyrxes has a brilliant futurePhyrxes has a brilliant futurePhyrxes has a brilliant futurePhyrxes has a brilliant futurePhyrxes has a brilliant futurePhyrxes has a brilliant futurePhyrxes has a brilliant futurePhyrxes has a brilliant future
Re: Trailers, trucks, and cars, oh my!

Our team (through the school) just purchased a 6' by 10' trailer that has ramp and an opening that is 6' tall (this makes the total trailer height about 7'4"). The trailer is registered to the school division (it has local government plates) and is covered by the school division's insurance.

Total cost of the trailer was about $2500, but now we have it and don't have to deal with the hassle of renting a box truck or organizing a fleet of mentors and/or parents.
__________________
Dave Button
Physics and Mathematics Teacher
Wakefield School
The Plains, VA

“Simplify and add lightness.”
― Colin Chapman, Team Lotus
Reply With Quote
  #8   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 13-03-2012, 14:53
Mr V's Avatar
Mr V Mr V is offline
FIRST Senior Mentor Washington
FRC #5588 (Reign)
Team Role: Coach
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Rookie Year: 2009
Location: Maple Valley Wa
Posts: 997
Mr V has a reputation beyond reputeMr V has a reputation beyond reputeMr V has a reputation beyond reputeMr V has a reputation beyond reputeMr V has a reputation beyond reputeMr V has a reputation beyond reputeMr V has a reputation beyond reputeMr V has a reputation beyond reputeMr V has a reputation beyond reputeMr V has a reputation beyond reputeMr V has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Trailers, trucks, and cars, oh my!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan Caldwell View Post


We Bought a retired school bus for ~1K and insured it for about the same. The hard part was getting a driver so i went an got a CDL.

We took out the 3 back seats and put in a safety cage.
This summer we want to paint the bumpers red and put our # on them. I believe there is talk of upgrading the sound system as well.
Ok that is crazy......crazy cool!
__________________
All statements made on Chief Delphi by me are my own opinions and are not official FIRST rulings or opinions and should not be construed as such.




https://www.facebook.com/pages/Team-...77508782410839
Reply With Quote
  #9   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 13-03-2012, 15:30
Rosiebotboss's Avatar
Rosiebotboss Rosiebotboss is offline
2015-16 Divisional LRI - Archimedes
AKA: Dana P. Henry
FRC #0839 (Rosie Robotics)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Rookie Year: 2002
Location: Agawam, MA
Posts: 855
Rosiebotboss has a reputation beyond reputeRosiebotboss has a reputation beyond reputeRosiebotboss has a reputation beyond reputeRosiebotboss has a reputation beyond reputeRosiebotboss has a reputation beyond reputeRosiebotboss has a reputation beyond reputeRosiebotboss has a reputation beyond reputeRosiebotboss has a reputation beyond reputeRosiebotboss has a reputation beyond reputeRosiebotboss has a reputation beyond reputeRosiebotboss has a reputation beyond repute
Send a message via AIM to Rosiebotboss
Re: Trailers, trucks, and cars, oh my!

I LIKE IT!

I used to own a school bus years ago with some friends. We had a lot of good times in that 'magic bus'.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan Caldwell View Post


We Bought a retired school bus for ~1K and insured it for about the same. The hard part was getting a driver so i went an got a CDL.

We took out the 3 back seats and put in a safety cage.
This summer we want to paint the bumpers red and put our # on them. I believe there is talk of upgrading the sound system as well.
__________________
Co-Founder/Mentor FRC Team 839 / JrFLL Team 137/Rosie Robotics/Agawam HS
Winner NEF District WPI 2016
Regional CA-08 Boston, 12 WPI, Eng'g Excellence, 12-15 UL Safety, 15 Motorola Quality
KPCB Entrepreneurship 04, 05, 06, 07, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16
Rookie All Star and Top Rookie Seed 2002
Paul Harris Fellow, CMP Inspector 05-16, Head LRI NE FIRST JTB 1944-2008 "What did you do with your dash?"
Reply With Quote
  #10   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 13-03-2012, 16:07
pfreivald's Avatar
pfreivald pfreivald is offline
Registered User
AKA: Patrick Freivald
FRC #1551 (The Grapes of Wrath)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Rookie Year: 2001
Location: Naples, NY
Posts: 2,303
pfreivald has a reputation beyond reputepfreivald has a reputation beyond reputepfreivald has a reputation beyond reputepfreivald has a reputation beyond reputepfreivald has a reputation beyond reputepfreivald has a reputation beyond reputepfreivald has a reputation beyond reputepfreivald has a reputation beyond reputepfreivald has a reputation beyond reputepfreivald has a reputation beyond reputepfreivald has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Trailers, trucks, and cars, oh my!

We bought a small trailer for under $1000; the school covers insurance and registration. It is a fantastic investment I wish we'd made years ago!
__________________
Patrick Freivald -- Mentor
Team 1551
"The Grapes of Wrath"
Bausch & Lomb, PTC Corporation, and Naples High School

I write books, too!
Reply With Quote
  #11   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 13-03-2012, 16:21
Dancin103 Dancin103 is offline
The Crazy Blonde
AKA: Cassie
FRC #0103 (Cybersonics)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Rookie Year: 1997
Location: Kintnersville, PA
Posts: 856
Dancin103 has a reputation beyond reputeDancin103 has a reputation beyond reputeDancin103 has a reputation beyond reputeDancin103 has a reputation beyond reputeDancin103 has a reputation beyond reputeDancin103 has a reputation beyond reputeDancin103 has a reputation beyond reputeDancin103 has a reputation beyond reputeDancin103 has a reputation beyond reputeDancin103 has a reputation beyond reputeDancin103 has a reputation beyond repute
Send a message via AIM to Dancin103
Re: Trailers, trucks, and cars, oh my!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan Caldwell View Post


We Bought a retired school bus for ~1K and insured it for about the same. The hard part was getting a driver so i went an got a CDL.

We took out the 3 back seats and put in a safety cage.
This summer we want to paint the bumpers red and put our # on them. I believe there is talk of upgrading the sound system as well.
First off, the bus is really awesome! And secondly, we ended up buying a trailer to haul everything around.
__________________
Cybersonics Technology Team 103
2003 Championship Chairman's Award Winners

NEED CHAIRMAN'S HELP?? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel, we answer your questions daily!
Reply With Quote
  #12   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 13-03-2012, 16:28
Brian Ha's Avatar
Brian Ha Brian Ha is offline
Teh Ha Kid
FRC #0302 (Team 302)
Team Role: Driver
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Rookie Year: 2009
Location: Oxford
Posts: 151
Brian Ha has a spectacular aura aboutBrian Ha has a spectacular aura aboutBrian Ha has a spectacular aura about
Re: Trailers, trucks, and cars, oh my!

Just gotta say, that bus was one of the coolest things i saw.

Cooler thing?

When our team rode in it.

Thanks crev for letting us borrow it!
__________________
Starcraft 2 Hit me up Cheese 972, or join the FRC chat room ingame
Reply With Quote
  #13   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 13-03-2012, 23:24
DonRotolo's Avatar
DonRotolo DonRotolo is offline
Back to humble
FRC #0832
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Rookie Year: 2005
Location: Atlanta GA
Posts: 7,019
DonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Trailers, trucks, and cars, oh my!

Quote:
Originally Posted by squirrel View Post
lucky me gets to haul it in the back of a pickup.
Get much snow and rain out there in Arizona??
Quote:
Originally Posted by akoscielski3 View Post
(2 mini vans, 1 pick-up truck, and an impala)
A live impala? I heard they run very fast.

We were very fortunate to have a trailer donated to us several years ago, and another sponsor donated the vinyl wrap that makes it look so cool.

For our travel to Atlanta 2 years ago, and Virginia last year, we rented a Sprinter Van from a local rental agency. We convinced them to give us a break on the mileage charge as sponsors of the team - they were very nice about it.

The Sprinter gets about 27 MPG on Diesel at 65 MPH, can easily carry 3 or 4 teams' worth of stuff, has a high roof (over 7') and really wide doors. I think for Virgina it cost us a few hundred dollars, most of that being mileage costs, so for a closer competition it may be quite reasonable.
__________________

I am N2IRZ - What's your callsign?
Reply With Quote
  #14   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 13-03-2012, 23:39
treffk's Avatar
treffk treffk is offline
botgirl
AKA: Kelli
FRC #1802 (Stealth)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Rookie Year: 2005
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 301
treffk has much to be proud oftreffk has much to be proud oftreffk has much to be proud oftreffk has much to be proud oftreffk has much to be proud oftreffk has much to be proud oftreffk has much to be proud oftreffk has much to be proud oftreffk has much to be proud oftreffk has much to be proud of
Re: Trailers, trucks, and cars, oh my!

We generally haul everything in the back of parents vehicles. When we went to Atlanta one of our sponsors allowed us to borrow their 16 foot trailer that we had a parent drive down with all of our luggage.

Past few years to haul everything back from competition my dad has been bringing us a trailer to make it simpler.
__________________
"If you always says yes, what are your yeses worth?"

Alumna of FRC Team 1802
Reply With Quote
  #15   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 14-03-2012, 00:08
kgzak's Avatar
kgzak kgzak is offline
Registered User
AKA: Kris
FRC #4392 (Decievers) FRC #2075 (Enigma)
Team Role: College Student
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Rookie Year: 2008
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Posts: 418
kgzak is a splendid one to beholdkgzak is a splendid one to beholdkgzak is a splendid one to beholdkgzak is a splendid one to beholdkgzak is a splendid one to beholdkgzak is a splendid one to beholdkgzak is a splendid one to behold
Re: Trailers, trucks, and cars, oh my!

My mom (The coach of the team 2075) knows many people who have trailers so we always find someone to let us borrow one and take that to our competitions, My dad (a mentor) usually tows it.

As for 4392, we have attended one event and we rented a UHaul Trailer.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:24.

The Chief Delphi Forums are sponsored by Innovation First International, Inc.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2017, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © Chief Delphi