Find answers to frequently asked questions about Village Transport’s tour trucking, trade show shipping, live event logistics and general freight trucking services.
Is the driver included when arranging tour trucking?
Yes, we provide professional drivers who hold a current Commercial Driver’s License and are qualified with Village Transport.
What are the driver’s legal hours of service per day?
Our drivers adhere to strict DOT Hours of Service regulations. Trips over 550 miles may require a co-driver or scheduled breaks to ensure compliance. Drivers are allowed a maximum of 11 hours of drive time before a mandatory 10-hour rest break. To learn more about hours of service, visit the FMCSA website.
Do the drivers need hotel accommodations every night while on tour?
No, our trucks are equipped with everything our drivers need for comfortable overnight stays besides restroom facilities, including auxiliary power units, smart TVs and Wi-Fi.
Can we provide our own truck driver, or do we need to use one of your drivers?
For safety and insurance reasons, Village Transport can only provide tour trucking with our own employed drivers.
What types of trucks and trailers do you use?
We use top-tier 53′ x 102″ tour trailers designed for the entertainment industry. They’re equipped with interior lighting, ramps for easy loading and vertical logistic posts for securement. Our trailers are less than five years old and our semi-tractors are less than three years old.
How often are your trucks inspected and maintained?
Our team of in-house mechanics meticulously inspects and maintains our trucks at regular intervals to ensure your equipment remains dry and secure throughout your tour.
What parts of the country does Village Transport service?
We offer nationwide service within the United States and Canada. We have experienced agents to handle border crossings and ensure all necessary documentation is in order.
How much lead time should customers try to give you for tour trucking?
For tours, ideally six months or more in advance notice is preferred, but three months is generally sufficient. Anything under three months may be possible depending on the season.
How much lead time do you need for trade show shipping?
For trade show shipping or other trucking needs, we ideally request 2-3 weeks’ notice but we can often accommodate requests with as little as 36-48 hours’ notice.
How do you handle load-in and load-out at each venue?
We can provide a crew to assist with teardown, loading, and unloading at each venue. We can also provide blanket wrap services for added protection during transit. Our drivers work behind the scenes, resting during the show and then driving to the next venue overnight after load-out is done. Once they get the truck staged up at the next venue, they unstrap container cases, back up the trailer and pull the ramp out so it’s ready for load-in.
Do you have specialized equipment for handling delicate or valuable gear?
Yes, our trailers are equipped with:
- Vertical logistic posts every 16 inches for securement
- LED lights for night load-in/load-out
- Heavy-duty straps and load bars
- A convenient loading ramp
Do you have any restrictions on the types of equipment you transport?
We specialize in enclosed trailer transport and can handle irregular shapes and odd sizes. However, we do not transport open-deck cargo or items requiring temperature control.
Are you able to accommodate international tours or tours with multiple legs?
Yes, we can handle international tours in the U.S and Canada as well as multi-leg tours, ensuring your equipment is transported directly to each venue without warehousing or delays.
How can I track my shipment?
All our trucks are equipped with satellite tracking. We provide each customer with a link to track their shipment in real-time.
What documentation do I need to provide for shipping?
We will prepare the Bill of Lading (BOL) or Material Handling Agreement (MHA). You will need to provide a list of the materials being shipped, including descriptions and weights.
Do you have experience working with bands or performing groups of our size and genre?
At Village Transport, we have extensive experience providing live event logistics and tour trucking for bands and performing groups of all sizes and genres, including performances at major venues and concert halls across the U.S.
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Contact our team today!