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Old 06-13-2005, 08:39 PM   #1
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Piano in a Landyacht 31' or other?

I have a small upright piano, a Young Chang E-101, that wieghs 450 lbs and measures 56"x42"x19". I realize I'd probably have to loose the sofa to wedge this thing into an Airstream. My real question is if the Airstream could take the load?
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Old 06-13-2005, 08:54 PM   #2
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It's been done before!

Well, sort of...

From the December 1985 Smithsonian magazine...

Shari
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Old 06-13-2005, 09:21 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ugly
.... My real question is if the Airstream could take the load?
I would be as concerned about the piano.

All that jiggling going down the road is gonna play havoc with the tuning and mechanism. Have you considered going to a digital keyboard? You would save a lot of weight and hassle. Several companies make full size 88 weighted touch sensitive key units. I have a yamaha that weighs around 60 lbs.... it sounds almost as good as my Steinway (awaiting flames) and is way more portable.

Would the piano fit through the door?
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Old 06-13-2005, 09:34 PM   #4
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Piano in a Landyacht 31' or other?

Greetings!

Welcome to the Forums!

Quote:
Originally Posted by ugly
I have a small upright piano, a Young Chang E-101, that wieghs 450 lbs and measures 56"x42"x19". I realize I'd probably have to loose the sofa to wedge this thing into an Airstream. My real question is if the Airstream could take the load?
The answer is that it depends on several factors including:

1.) Can the piano be added without violating the maximum gross weight rating of the prospective coach? For many coaches, the 450 pounds could represent from 20% to as much as 50% of the coach's available carrying capacity.

2.) Your proposed location in the front lounge area would place a large portion of the additional weight on the tongue -- this could pose issues for your tow vehicle -- many tow vehicle's limit the maximum hitch weight either specifically or via the rear axle carrying capacity on the tow vehicle.

3.) Probably a less difficult to address issue would be devising a method to secure the piano so that it couldn't "walk" about the coach when in-transit as well as provide insurance against "tipping" should violent evasive maneuvers become necessary while in-transit.

Something else to consider is that with a piano, you are facing the potential for a number of problems. First, the non-temperature/humidity controlled environment encountered while in-transit can be detrimental to the instrument's tune. Second, the constant vibration while in-transit is likely to make keeping the instrument in-tune quite difficult. I own both a Howard Spinet Piano as well as a Lowrey Holiday electronic organ -- the electronic organ would be far less temperamental in an RV installation (IMHO) than (my Lowrey Holiday organ also weighs about half as much as the Howard spinet piano) a piano (I battle the tuning on my Howard Spinet in its spot where the temperature and humidity is under near constant control).

Good luck with your investigations!

Kevin
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Old 06-13-2005, 10:13 PM   #5
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Too much, too heavy.

After working on my 1971 Airstream as well as my 1963 Airstream's frames extensively, I'd have to say that 450 lbs in a concentrated area is not a good idea for most any Airstream trailer.
450lbs are fine when they're distributed inside the trailer in the form of fresh water, clothing and supplies, but not additionally, in a specific spot.
The only spot where this might be ok is right on top of the axles, where most Airstreams have beds or bathrooms.....
Securing such a weight from shifting under braking or swaying is another challenge. It would have to be somehow bolted to the frame to not damage the structure of the Airstream, imho.
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Old 06-14-2005, 06:05 AM   #6
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Piano vs. electonic keyboard

With the state of the art keyboards what they are have you considered going to a full 88 key electronic keyboard? You could save both weight and space. Aside from the weight issue you have to consider the changes in environment and what it does to a regular piano regarding tune. Unless you like to play discordant music you'll soon be seeking a tuner for a regular piano.
The action of the newer keyboards is great and as a bonus they offer you the ability to change voices too.
You could make a hinged ... swing down shelf above the unit to add storage/cover when not playing.
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Old 06-14-2005, 08:32 AM   #7
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Well, if it is a 60s or 70s trailer the most vintage-appropriate keyboard to install would be a Hammond B-3. Add a black light, some op-art posters, paisley curtains and it would be far out, man.
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Old 06-14-2005, 08:36 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Janet
.... it sounds almost as good as my Steinway (awaiting flames) .....
here you go:


oh, it does NOT!!

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Old 06-14-2005, 08:33 PM   #9
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Hammond B-3 makes anything sound good. Get the 88 key digital, you can make awesome music.

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