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First Look At The New,
Improved Crown Truck
By Keith Clark,
Editorial Director
ProSoundWeb
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(Editor's note: This article originally posted on PSW in Summer
2001.)
After nearly a decade of trailblazing service, the iconic Crown
Truck is being replaced by a new, improved model expected to debut
around AES time this year.
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Rick Modjeska (left) and Joe Wisler outside the current truck.
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Rick Modjeska, mobile facilities manager
for Crown, and Joe Wisler, consultant to TPC
Technologies of Niles, MI, took time recently to give
us a tour as the new truck continues to take shape just down
the road from Crown headquarters in Elkhart, IN.
Wisler originated the truck concept nearly a decade ago while
working with Crown.
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His idea addressed two objectives: taking education
to customers as flexibly as possible, while also cutting the budget
required for transporting trade show structures and materials around
the U.S..
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A distinctive graphical look for the new truck.
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“The truck has allowed Crown to come
and meet people where they work and live, and let them be
hands-on with the technology in a comfortable environment,
and without distraction,” Wisler says. “When we
first started, the IQ System was new and seen as quite complex,
and the capabilities of the truck were invaluable in helping
to introduce and teach the concept.”
Close to a million miles later (literally), Modjeska, who
manages and drives the truck, notes that the original objectives
have been met, and then some.
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“Now we even host DJ’s and dance system
techs, and they can see and work with the gear while listening to
the types of music for their particular audience,” he notes.
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A 30kW generator built into the front of the new facility.
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While the current truck remains in immaculate
condition and will still play a yet-to-be-determined role,
the new truck features several improvements. A built-in 30kW,
single-phase generator already built into the front of the
trailer makes this later version more self-sufficient. The
current truck must be powered via the tractor.
In addition, the new model offers a higher ceiling, courtesy
of a lower floor that also makes entering and exiting easier,
and it’s three feet longer.
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A conference/meeting room, built behind the
demo area and with a door that seals tightly, will comfortably accommodate
10 people.
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The demo area, with conduit in place. The conference room,
a new feature, is accessed via the door.
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And, all systems will be linked to a sophisticated
master control system, likely AMX or Crestron. Programmed
presets on the control system will allow quick system configuration,
even lighting adjustment, at the touch of a panel.
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TPC Technologies, led by Ken Kuespert, is working
with Modjeska and Wisler on system design and installation. The
exterior paint and detailing are already complete, and the basic
interior structure has been framed and conduit put into place, largely
the work of Paul Angel of Elkhart. (His automotive shop currently
hosts the truck.)
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Spray-on foam insulation helps keep things very quiet.
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Acoustical treatment is the next phase.
Already, the walls, floor and ceiling have been treated with
spray-on foam insulation. Perdue
Acoustics of Amarillo, TX, will finish the considerable
acoustical treatment, leaving a two-inch gap between interior
and exterior walls.
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Isolation will be quite good – the demo
room will be virtually silent with the main door closed.
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Paul Angel, who’s been hard at work on the infrastructure.
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On the road for at least 250 days each
year, the Crown Truck has brought education to thousands of
systems professionals throughout North America, a process
certain to be enhanced by the new, improved truck.
As we close our visit in the current truck, enjoying air conditioned
comfort on a steamy Midwest summer day, Wisler reflects on
other benefits not really considered at the genesis of the
project.
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“The name recognition for Crown has been
huge. It doesn’t matter where you go anymore, folks know the
Crown Truck. It’s become almost an icon,” he concludes.
“Others have imitated it, and that’s a good thing. The
primary goal is education, and however you accomplish that must
be seen as a big positive. Plus, imitation is a great form of flattery.”
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Demo room of the current truck. All of this and more in the
new version.
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Crown Truck itinerary for the next two
months:
July 20-22: Nashville, TN (Summer NAMM )
August 7: Louisville, KY
August 8: Lexington, KY
August 9: Indianapolis, IN
(Contact Sound Marketing East for details: 219-255-2400)
August 21-22: Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN
(Contact Network Sales & Marketing for details: 612-941-9800)
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