MARS Mobile

[Brian Prestwood]

I originally sent this e-mail to the board members. However, since it will likely be a large purchase (approx $3K) I decided to solicit input from all members...

I think we should consider purchasing an enclosed trailor to store and haul all of our gear in. I believe this would greatly simplify our general meetings and make MARS events at remote locatons so easy we would hardly have to thing twice about doing them.

Here's what I'm thinking.

Our current gear consists of...
Projector
PA System
Raffle Barrell & Tickets
Banners
Books
Club T-Shirts & Hats
Donated Drygoods
Water Testing Workstation
Club Records

We could store all of our gear in the trailor. We can install a fold up water testing workstation so the testing can be done in the trailor. We can install book shelves in the trailor so the books can stay in the trailor. Yes, Karen, if you still want to carry them in you want to

Worse case scenario, we would pay to store the trailor near the general meeting location. We can even establish a Seargent at Arms board member position whose only job is transport and secure the MARS mobile.

We can get a very nice one for under $3K...

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/car/511672028.html
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/car/509671168.html
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/rvs/509390858.html
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/mcy/508094947.html

Thinking outside our current box. We could...

Attach our banner to the outside and use it for advertising at remote locations.

Store our bulk purchases in the MARS mobile so we always have it with us: carbon, calcium, magnesium, DI resin, salt, sand, etc.

If our club grows and the quantities get too big we can pay for a storage room at the same storage facility we store the MARS mobile. That will make it easy to stock the MARS mobile from the storage area.

 

[KMP]

i'm a trailer dude - go for it!

 

[kevin95695]

Dude, the only thing better would be a retired o-s-c-a-r-m-a-y-e-r wienermobile.

I love it. How can I help?

 

[dots]

If I have heard correctly, this is a small portion of the total funds available, correct? Considering, the possibilies of such an investment, I think it would be a good idea.

Have these items been considered?

1. Storage, where and how much?
2. Maintence and upkeep
3. Insurance for both the trailer and the items inside in case of vandalism, theft, or total loss.
4. Costs of any modifications prior to "ready for go"

What would the total yearly cost of such an investment be with these items considered? After all, we all thought it was just a glass box and some saltwater and we were good to go right?

Thank you for including us!!!

 

[jtarmitage]

Sounds like a great idea to me, as long as the storage cost has been evaluated and someone doesn't mind picking up and hauling the trailer every month.

 

[Brian Prestwood]

Doug & Jeremy

The original cost, including fit out by MARS DIYers, can easily be capped at $3K. $200 for 2X4s and plywood should do it.

I'm guestimating the ongoing costs would be not exceed $1K/year. If they become a problem we'll sell it.

If my guestimates are correct, would you still recommend doing it?

 

[MandM]

I think it's a great idea, the full costs need to be researched but I think the club has enough equipment to justify it.

 

[CaptiveReefSystems]

I am not sure I would recommend storing some of the items in a trailer. Exposer to the heat and cold and damp would take its toll on the projector, PA and test kits. I would look into the insurance first.

It could end up like the P.O. Box. It's never convenient for the person that has to go get it.

 

[JJ4417]

How easy would it be to remove everything to allow trips to foriegn lands to pick up tanks, stands, and fishy stuff? It could be invaluable to those that don't have a truck. I thought I saw something about a run down south recently.

Could also generate some positive relations (or income or serious raffle prizes) with LFSs on their runs down south.

Just a thought...

 

[pbetito]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11416019#post11416019 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JJ4417
How easy would it be to remove everything to allow trips to foriegn lands to pick up tanks, stands, and fishy stuff? It could be invaluable to those that don't have a truck. I thought I saw something about a run down south recently.

Could also generate some positive relations (or income or serious raffle prizes) with LFSs on their runs down south.

Just a thought...

If ever there was a bad idea :lol:
That run down south ended with the vehicle taken being stolen.

I am pretty sure this would be the holds MARS stuff only variety. There is no way to insure all of MARS and we couldn't simply lend out the trailer. If we had to unload it every time we used it...then we really wouldn't need the trailer, we could just use the trucks we use now.

 

[robertloop]

I think it's a good idea. Also we've only scratched the surface in finding possible uses for a trailer that would benefit the club. (at least in this thread so far) I'm not a board member, but I can speculate on how much time being a board member takes out of your lives. If this idea can help facilitate your tasks and ultimate goals.........

Oh yeah. Did I mention that a sweet MARS logo on the side of a trailer would look extremely neato? Those printed vinyl auto signs have come a long way and are cheap. Perhaps our club can vote on what our most favorite sponsors are and throw a logo of thiers on the trailer too.

Robert

 

[GreshamH]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11416261#post11416261 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by robertloop
I think it's a good idea. Also we've only scratched the surface in finding possible uses for a trailer that would benefit the club. (at least in this thread so far) I'm not a board member, but I can speculate on how much time being a board member takes out of your lives. If this idea can help facilitate your tasks and ultimate goals.........

Oh yeah. Did I mention that a sweet MARS logo on the side of a trailer would look extremely neato? Those printed vinyl auto signs have come a long way and are cheap. Perhaps our club can vote on what our most favorite sponsors are and throw a logo of thiers on the trailer too.

Robert

I get INSANE deals in printed vinyl, I have the supplies to apply them (and the know how) and I bet we'd sponsor a MARS logo for the 3 sides Of course I have to put it passed the bosses, but I see no reason why we wouldn't.

 

[airinhere]

I would have to throw my support behind something like this. We would all benefit from having a centralized location for our library, our testing facility and a convenient means of moving everything else we use for the club.

This trailer should be used only for official club functions. There should be no collaborations with LFS or individuals for any "fish runs". My personal small part of the trailer (we would all be paying for it together) would have to be left behind for any activity like this.
(My part is all the lugnuts that keep the tires from falling off). LOL. Seriously.

Frag swaps, BACFM, Reefapalooza, MACNA (yeah right) would all be good places to take the trailer. (Anywhere that is open to the general public)

Just my $0.02

 

[Justin74]

I think it could be a good idea. But if the trailor was used even once for personal use by ANYONE, I would be totally disgusted with the idea. But if it is a true MARS mobile and nothing but, then it's a very good idea, considering the monthly rent on storage isnt to dampening. But nothing would urk me more to be up in the sierra and happen upon the MARS mobile just campin out for the weekend.

-Justin

 

[MrMikeB]

What is the problem we are trying to solve? Is the current solution no longer adequate? I am not necessarily opposed to the idea of a trailer - but in efforts to keep it fair, I would like to put the problem out there and see what other alternatives can be found.

My understanding is that not all the gear/stuff is one place because different board members need it during the month. Is this accurate? From the list I do not see much in the way of space needed, so would a trailer be overkill?

3k plus ongoing expenses is a ton of $$$, and all operating expense, so I for one would really like to see a justification. If we just need more space to store things, I can help there. If we need a to truck it in to the meetings, I have a truck I could donate the use of. I am sure other MARS members could also help out if asked.

 

[Reefugee]

No offense, but I don't like the idea. $3K is a lot of money to spend - and that doesn't include insurance, upkeep, and so on. Then you assume that someone with a car/truck with a hitch will pick it up each time. I think there are better solutions:

1. buy a smaller PA and projector. Our PA and projector are large, and should be replaced with a smaller system.

2. Maybe we should make an online book request system. If you want to see a book, then request it so Karen only has to bring some of the books. Maybe other members can also help Karen out by taking some of the books home so she doesn't have too much to carry.

3. Water test kit - Is this causing a problem? Bruce seems to have this well under control. And as Bruce pointed out - you don't want to keep test kits in extreme heat or cold.

I can go on. But I really don't think this is a good idea - at least not at this time.

Minh

 

[MandM]

How much is it to rent a trailer for the one day a month we need to transport? Using it as a storage container seems to be risky for theft or environmental damage. We may be able to build some insulated cabinets or use ice chests to store test equipment.

I also have a truck and a car with a huge trunk, I could help with transport and storage of equipment.

 

[rockwyld]

I've got an enclosed 5x8 trailer that the club can use for those special occasions . Spend fifty bucks and get magnetic signs to put on the sides. Trailer is about 2 years old, VERY clean and has been sprayed on the inside with truck bed liner material. I have RV access and storage right at my house in Lincoln. Now for the bad, I work nights and cant attend meetings, but someone with a truck could pickup any time of the day on such special days. just a thought.....

 

[MrMikeB]

This is great! Keep the ideas and thoughts coming! I love it when the club can come together like this to solve a problem.

 

[kevin95695]

Some deep thinkers around these parts. My eyes are open to some points I hadn't pondered. Good to see this stay an active, yet civil discussion.