We’ve had people comment things like, “Just use spacial awareness,” or “Why not just try packing the truck?” I get it. Maybe they’ve only had flat packs? Maybe their rigs fit perfectly every time?
What a dream.
But that’s not the reality for most of us. When production costs are rising and company revenue is unpredictable, you can’t afford to send a 26ft when the gear fits in a 16ft. You need a plan. And for me, the breaking point was always the trailer tours. I’ve never done a bus trailer tour where it wasn’t 2+ layers tall and where it didn’t take the first week of shows to figure out the best version of the pack.
That’s when the idea started creeping in: there’s got to be a better way. It really started in 2021, right before the Colony House: Back Before You Know It tour. We were wrapping rehearsal and standing in a nervous little circle around what was clearly way more gear than the trailer could take. So we did what we knew best. Masking tape. Drew it out on the ground and tried to “load” it right there on the floor.
Truck Packer would’ve saved us hours. Maybe days. I’m honestly so glad someone filmed that moment. It was the start of all this.
Here’s the clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f155ht_Dmow
by Michael Keith Lewis