Survey: Best TUBAmobile

[ASTuba]

I have a Subaru Outback. Great gas mileage, excellent car, and tons of room for tubas. Highly recommend it to anyone.

[KevinMadden]

I can fit two tubas - my Frankenhorn and a Yamaha 641 - two bass bones, and a euph with two people in my 2011 Kia Soul. Both bones are in hard cases, euph is in a hard case, and tubas are in gig bags. Plenty of room.

I've got a 2009 Honda Fit and moved out to Nebraska with my York Master, York Monster (gig bags both), two trombones, several bags of stuff, my mother, and her suitcase with no problems. And still got 30+mpg for 1900 miles. Before the fit I had a station wagons, a Saturn and a Subaru Legacy, they had lots of room too. When I test-drove the Fit I insisted that I drive it to my house to load horns in the back.

[Tubadork]

Prius.
Seriously, amazing gas mileage and with the seats down, I fit TONS of stuff in there.
I've fit a PCK, 822, a sousaphone (in a hard case) and an electric bass (with a small amp) with room to spare for bags, stands and whatnot.

There are also 4 anchors in the car, which I put bike locks in. I lock up everything all the time.

I've had my windows busted out a few times and even had someone break off parts of my gig bag trying to pull out my tuba (and even unzipped it to try to pull it out). Haven't lost anything yet.

B

[Tubajug]

Ford Flex for me, which would have to be classified as a station wagon.

I tend to catch bell edges on door jambs with sedans. Plus, it's nice to be able to transport more than just my wife when carrying the tuba.

Rick "20.5 mpg average for the last 153,000 miles" Denney

We have looked a Ford Flex, but I guess they don't come in an eight seat configuration. We're planning for down the road when we have all of our kids in the car. Options are limited for 8-seat vehicles it seems.

On topic though, my King 2341/Holton frankentuba fits in the trunk of my Ford Taurus (in gig bag), but I usually drive with it in the backseat, but can put it in the trunk if I need to lock it up.

[michael_glenn]

I drive a Honda Element. It is pretty easy to haul both my tubas and four people. It gets the job done.

[PaulMaybery]

Before the Grand Caravan was a Sebring Convertible. Sporty and fun. I could get the F tuba in the trunk, the BAT in the back seat if I first put down the top, craned it in, and then zipped up the roof. The BAT would also fit in the front seat, but then no passengers. Cimbasso could go in the back seat only. (Big case - rather clumsy.) I think we use what we have. But I did pop for a used Caravan last year as my Schlepmobile. I really don't miss the contravertable.
.

[dmmorris]

If it fits, it ships! I wouldn't own a vehicle that doesn't have room for tuba, amp, stand, and associated sundries.

Current stable of fully capable tubamobiles:
1991 BMW e30
2003 Jeep WJ


...also recommend using seat belts and tie-down-straps to reduce the fear of slippage-n-slidage.

[Kevin_Iaquinto]

2011 Subaru Outback fit's everything I've thrown at it so far

[aqualung]

One of my old Grand Marquis, with a 4-tuba trunk:

[southtubist]

I drive a standard crew cab Chevy. I can fit 2-3 tubas in soft cases in my back seat, four if I put one in the front seat. Under no circumstances will I put a horn in the bed- that's just asking for a horrible accident.

Sidenote- I live a fairly minimalist lifestyle. I can fit everything I own (minus a table and chairs) into my truck and be on the road in under 24 hours.

[roweenie]

One of my old Grand Marquis, with a 4-tuba trunk:

[roweenie]

I'd second Paul's vote for the Dodge Grand Caravan.

I had a 1987, and the space inside was cavernous, and doubled on many occasions as my "personal hotel".

As a side bar, I almost bought one last week. The transmission went kablooey on my 2006 RAV4, and I was put in the unenviable position of deciding what to do (I decided to get it repaired, and I just picked it up from the shop today, to the tune of $2200). Actually, with the back seat down, I can fit 3 horns back in there comfortably, so I guess it works OK for me....

[darth2ba]

I drive a 2010 Scion xB. If I keep the back seats up, I can fit two tubas (CC tuba on the back seat, F tuba in the back). If I put the back seats down, it can hold four or more tubas (if stacked). A couple summers ago, a bass-bone friend and I drove from Boston to Ohio, and my xB fit my two tubas/CC tuba mute/luggage, my friend's bass-bone/mute bag/his luggage, and a friend's F tuba that I dropped off in Cleveland. It can definitely hold a lot if need be. Besides it being capable of holding a lot of heavy metal, it gets good gas milage and is comfortable to drive. Plus it has a sport option which is nice every once in a while.

[arpthark]

Again,

In Memphis, I would be afraid to park a car
- with an automatic tranmission
- worth more than $1500
much of anywhere.

At Ole Miss, if I take the license plate off, they can ticket me for not having a hang-tag, but the kampus-kop nazi's would also realize that - if they tow it - it may not be worth paying the money to redeem it out of the impound lot.

YET, it gets 40mpg highway (44 if non-alcohol gas...but - due to economic fascism - there is little of that to be found).

What do you drive that gets 40mpg? I'm lucky if I get 35 highway in my Ford Fusion.

[Three Valves]

In Memphis, I would be afraid to park a car
- with an automatic tranmission
- worth more than $1500
much of anywhere.

Your rims cost more than $1500!!

[hup_d_dup]

Chrysler Town & Country (same as Grand Caravan). If I'm going to Dillon for repairs or adjustments I can carry every instrument I own (including two tubas) and still have room for passengers.

Hup

[cjk]

So will a 5/4 Rudolf Meinl cc in a gig bag fit in the back of a Volkswagen Golf without folding the back seats?

[roweenie]

Z-Tuba Dude, you've witnessed me putting your 6/4 Walt Johnson case on the back seat of my RAV4 (and even my old Corolla, too....)

Thank you again!

[Davy]

Pontiac Vibe, partly because it's my only option, but I did choose it for space (and MPG) purposes. I've fit 2 4/4 size CC tubas and a Bass trombone, and 3 music stands, with 2 passengers & myself (also a fan and user of the manual transmission).

[ken k]

my B&H Eb fits neatly in the front passenger seat of my Miata!!!!

so does my Dr. Seussaphone, but my helicon I have to put the top down....

kk