What's in your truck?

[Run 'n' Get 'em]

...and how do you keep it organized?

I've got all the basics crammed into a Ford Escape... dvcpro cam/kata case, bogen tripod, mics and cables of varying lengths, 2-omni light kit, rain jacket, run bag (with trimpac "oh s###" batt, dvc tape, couple of pads and pens), moving mic stand on rare occasions, etc...

I'm trying to figure out a way to keep all the little stuff organized in-between the big stuff...batteries, tapes, windscreens, pads/pens, etc... Anyone using rubbermaid drawers or those trunk organizers or anything else in their units? Recommendations welcome and sought...

It's a take home vehicle only if I've got something early the next day. My schedule is what I'd call "flex as needed." However, I'm the only one in the building with keys to the unit, so it is mine as long as I'm here and I've got permission to set it up how I want so long as I don't damage it.

[INLANDNEWS]

I use a Craftsman Toolbox...plenty of drawers to keep everything organized. It's tougher than the rubbermaid stuff... Plus you can find things in hurry.

[Cletus918]

In a small market, I'm not so lucky to have a take-home car... let alone being guaranteed that I'm going to get the same car everyday. So when I load up everyday, I have my camera, and 3 batteries, Miller Arrow 50 tripod, however many tapes as I can find that are longer than 12 minutes, I keep all my audio stuff (hardwire, wireless, mics, M-M and F-F changers, 9v batteries etc.) in a fanny pack that way when I have a shoot at the Mayo Clinic I can venture to the 20th floor with all my audio equipment in 1 bag, and still have room to throw a trimpac in for good measure. I usually clip the fanny pack to the camera bag that way I don't need to worry about forgetting it at base. It's worked pretty well. I highly recommend the fanny pack.

Depending on what I shoot and where in SE Minnesota, I also carry a power inverter and the laptop editor, so my reporter (or I) can edit on the drive back. Since we only have 1 really good light kit, I only carry it with me if I'm going to have an abundance of time to set up some nice lighting (like live shots). I know I should always have a light in my car being that I'm the nightside guy, but it's tough when you're shooting outside and there are no battery powered lights or outlets along the side of the highway.

As far as organizing what little I actually do carry around, I just make sure it all gets put in the same place at the end of each shoot. I make sure reporters either put the mic away or they give it to me to put away when I get them their tape. I also try to keep an extra tape in the counsel of all of the cars for weird emergencies. I've been pretty lucky overall.

[code20photog]

Question: Do you have a box or anything in the back of the escape or is all your stuff on the floor just piled in there?

At my old station, my boss simply built custom racks for the back of our trucks, Explorers, Trailblazers and Pontiac Vibes (Yeah, I know). If you're handy around a saw and hammer, it's easy to measure out the back of the truck, design your own box with areas for all your stuff and build one.

[SeattleShooter]

Its all unmarked and tinted windows. Damn good truck. 04 with about 72k miles. I carry everything from winter/fire boots, hand warmers, SOCKS!!!, Umbrella, emergency tapes, inverter, scanners, radios, Sirius Satellite radio, TOMTOM GPS, Map books, cables, cloths, socks, socks, cell phone chargers, books, mags, flashlight, camera power supply box, 2 portable tvs, emergency vests for use on roads, two hard hats, ferry schedule, gas cards for every gas station in the state, emergency cash (hidden well), DC powered lights, useless DC bats for lights, and all the other useful gadgets and gizmos you can think of.


http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/8725/truckzx4.jpg

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/9490/dscn2339mg9.jpg

[Shooter in the Ville]

Nice setup SeattleShooter! Did you buy that or make it yourself?

[Rad]

http://www.wral.com/rs/blogpost/1103139/

http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/2006/12/12/1103135/my_20car-382x312.JPG


While I was loading up and heading to work the other morning, one of my neighbors asked me what the heck is all that stuff in my Chevy Trail Blazer. I’ve got to admit, I do jam the car full as if I was going on a two-week family vacation.



You see, the average TV News Photographer never really knows what he or she is getting into, and you have to be ready for nearly everything. So while most of the gear sits unused many days, when you gotta have it, you gotta have it.

Beyond the camera, tripod and basic microphone, I carry a set of lights, sun reflector, alternative microphones, extra batteries, audio / video cables and various accessories to make TV happen.

And then there is the stuff I pack for me… I keep a shirt/coat/tie in the car for the legislature. I have an overnight bag pack for at least two days on the road. I keep rain gear in the car, along with sun block, bug spray, poison ivy block and handi-wipes.

And because my job sometimes takes me out on the water, (swimming and dancing take far too much body coordination for me to do) I keep a life vest right behind the driver’s seat. Under the seat, a pair of all weather boots and a set of old shoes. Some days you literally don’t know what you’re stepping in to.

Under both front seats…. Safety vests for covering News on the side of the highway.

And finally maps… you can never have enough maps. I keep several behind the passenger’s front seat so I can easily grab them.

You see, being a TV News Photographer is about way more than looking cool with a camera on your shoulder, its about being ready, being prepared, knowing what's about to happen and being ready when it does.

[SeattleShooter]

Nice setup SeattleShooter! Did you buy that or make it yourself?

Came with the car. Well...with the job. So...I wish it was all mine...but its my works. Most of all the rigs are real nice...but a few have seen better years.

[6shooter]

WOW!

Only thing I else I can add, is to not go with rubbermaid drawers. To much of a pain. You can't keep them closed, typically not enough space. But a small container you'd think would do the trick, just don't stack drawers.

[SeattleShooter]

There is a guy in Alaska that builds kickass truck gear. Whats his name? I know he has a website.

[1911A1]

Scott Jensen (http://www.newscrewcabinets.com/)

[Necktie Boy]

I don't know how much space you have left over, but a tool bag? The ones that have pockets on the outside. Lots of pockets, zipper main compartment, built to last. And at night, you can take it in.

[Run 'n' Get 'em]

code20photog... Right now it's all sort of strewn around in the back of the escape. I keep the run bag in the back seat behind mine and under the passenger seat are a few coloring books and crayons for little kids that I run into sometimes on stuff. (Got that idea from someone on here, actually)

I'd rather not build anything too permanent, Supposedly I'm getting a new truck next year... so I'm checking out the tool box/bag ideas...

I'll see if I can snap some pics of how I've got things right now. The truck is coming home this weekend (ah, joys of "on call.")

[SeattleShooter]

Check out this gear for normal trucks.

http://www.amazon.com/Back-Seat-Organizer-Black-Design/dp/B000209X3S/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1197545293&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Center-Console-Black/dp/B0001VOPL8/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1197545293&sr=8-2

I like this one
http://www.amazon.com/Trunk-Caddy-Tool-Utility-Bag/dp/B000P24MOI/ref=sr_1_24?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1197545370&sr=8-24

http://www.amazon.com/Lewis-Clark-Trunk-Organizer-Color/dp/B000NPI89C/ref=sr_1_48?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1197545410&sr=8-48

Now if this worked...this would be sweet!
http://www.amazon.com/Rubbermaid-Seat-Cooler-Organizer-Warmer/dp/B000BWR24E/ref=sr_1_52?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1197545653&sr=1-52

[News Active]

Here is my setup from last year. I've made some changes after that.

http://www.breakingnews.fi/kuvia/equipment01.jpg

It's a Chevy Tahoe.

[Shooter in the Ville]

The Escapes that we drive just don't have enough room in the back. I had to put down the 2/3rds part of my back seat. Usually no one sits back there though.

[Ecks76]

Its all unmarked and tinted windows. Damn good truck. 04 with about 72k miles. I carry everything from winter/fire boots, hand warmers, SOCKS!!!, Umbrella, emergency tapes, inverter, scanners, radios, Sirius Satellite radio, TOMTOM GPS, Map books, cables, cloths, socks, socks, cell phone chargers, books, mags, flashlight, camera power supply box, 2 portable tvs, emergency vests for use on roads, two hard hats, ferry schedule, gas cards for every gas station in the state, emergency cash (hidden well), DC powered lights, useless DC bats for lights, and all the other useful gadgets and gizmos you can think of.

Damn... I would love this setup in my truck... having to organize my gear in such a way that it doesn't go sliding all over the place is a pain in the a$$... not to mention my light kit wedged between the right side of the truck and my porta-brace quickdraw case pinches the case to the point I can't just drop it in...