Euph in trunk or on back seat?

[RickF]

Where in the car do folks put their horns when traveling to gigs?

I used to put my horn (in its gig bag) in the trunk of my car when traveling to gigs. About 7 or 8 years ago I switched to putting the horn on the back seat. I started this after hearing some horror stories of horn damage getting the horn in and out of the trunk. One friend of mine was rear-ended in his car and his Willson was damaged. He added that if it was on the back seat it probably wouldn’t have received any damage. Plus the temperature inside the car is more constant. If I go out for refreshments after a concert or rehearsal, I put the horn in the trunk so it’s out of sight.

i know that a lot of folks car pool to rehearsals or concerts so the back seat isn’t always an option.

[DaveBj]

I drive a 4-door pickup with a flat tonneau cover. I put my horn in the back seat because it's more convenient, but avoiding the damage in a possible rear-ender is also a consideration.

[jkircoff]

I put my instruments in the back seat whenever I can, and if I have to put it in the trunk I try to make sure my instrument is the only thing there.

[John Morgan]

Depends. I drive a Honda Accord, and is has a huge back trunk. If I do put it in the trunk, it is put as far in as I can. In a really bad rear ender, my horn would probably be toast, but in a less severe rear ender, it would probably be okay. On really cold days or when it is convenient, I put my horn in the back seat. So, guess I really don't have a set place every time. Back seat and strapped in with a seat belt would probably be safer in most all scenarios. I do have full coverage replacement insurance on my horn for ANY loss whatsoever, no matter what happens. I also always carry my Adams horn in the Marcus Bonna hard case, not a gig bag. However, I am using an Altieri gig bag right now with my Wessex Dolce euphonium while my Adams is at Lee Stofer's shop getting some TLC done. Probably because the Wessex case is so HHUUGGEE!!! So, I am a little consistently inconsistent I suppose when it comes to cases and travel arrangements.

[daruby]

I have found that if I have a back seat, my euph will sit in the gig bag on the floor behind the driver's seat with the bell nearest the left side passenger door. This means that the horn is cradled between the front and back seat cushions and is held in securely. I have carried it this way in a 2000 VW Passatt, 2005 GMC Canyon, 2011 Toyota Camry, 2012 Toyota Yaris, and 2018 Toyota Rav-4. In my sports car (Scion FR-S), there is no room behind driver's seat, but it fits nicely in the trunk and doesn't slide around, though it is severe danger if I am rear-ended.

Doug

[JP]

I also transport my horn on the floor behind the driver's seat, where it is nicely captured between the seats. But I haul it in its original case. I have had bad experiences with gig bags and won't run the risk any more of damaging the horn.

JP

[ametropia]

I drive a Smart Car, there is only Trunk or Passenger's Seat

Mine goes in the 'trunk', my engine is also in the trunk so if I get rear-ended, I have more problems than my horn.

[ghmerrill]

In the SUV (Honda Pilot), any instrument goes in the rear cargo compartment. In the Chevy Silverado pickup (extended cab) it goes in the back seat. Part of the reason for this is that I like to load/unload everything at one point in the vehicle. And I always have at least the instrument (tuba, trombone, euph) and my gear bag (and sometimes a Manhasset stand). Very occasionally I may put the trombone in the back seat. But never the euph or the tuba.

[Euph Loosh]

Interesting thread. I drive a large SUV. My horn is placed on its side in the back seat for two reasons: in -30C temps, I don't want my horn to freeze on the long journey to rehearsal, and I don't want the horn to bounce around in the back while driving on roads heaved by frost. So, to those of you who live in warm climes - enjoy!

[dsurkin]

I drive a Prius, which is a hatchback. I put the horn in the trunk, but since it's not divided from the passenger compartment it receives the benefit of heat in the winter and AC in the summer. If I have to leave the horn unattended in the car for any reason, I pull closed the hatch cover, a sliding screen over the trunk that hides it from view.

If a ten-ton truck were to rear-end me, horn damage would be the least of my worries.