Forget the horror stories. Here’s what actually matters: checking your ground before the truck arrives. Thirty minutes with the right approach prevents 90% of mobile stage problems.
Ground Slope Reality Check
Pull out your smartphone level app. Walk the setup area in a grid pattern. Anything over 2 degrees slope? You need compensation.
Professional crews carry laser levels and mark the four corner points. If one corner is 6 inches lower, they know exactly how much cribbing to place. Simple math, solved before unloading begins.
The fix is straightforward: plywood sheets for soft ground, steel plates for extra load distribution, adjustable feet or cribbing for slope compensation. But you need to know the problem exists before the stage deploys.
Compaction Testing in 5 Minutes
Push a 1-inch metal rod into the ground. If it penetrates more than 3 inches with hand pressure, your ground is too soft for standard outrigger loads.
Solution: larger footprint pads. A 2×2 foot plywood square distributes load over 4 square feet instead of the outrigger’s 36 square inches. That’s 16x more surface area, drastically reducing ground pressure.
Rain yesterday? Ground is softer than it looks. Recent construction nearby? Possible fill dirt that hasn’t compacted. These aren’t disasters—they’re known variables you plan for.
The Overhead Clearance Scan
Mobile stage roofs deploy upward to 25-30 feet. Look up. Power lines? Tree branches? Building overhangs?
Measure with a rangefinder or use the truck driver’s CB antenna as a height gauge (they’re usually 13.5 feet, so double that gives you deployment clearance check).
Overhead conflicts aren’t show-stoppers if caught early. Relocate 20 feet, trim branches, or coordinate power line de-energization. All solvable with advance notice.
Wind Forecasting That Actually Helps
Check hourly wind forecast, not daily average. You need to know: sustained winds and gust predictions for your actual setup window.
Above 25 mph sustained during deployment? Delay if possible. Above 40 mph? Mandatory delay. Between 15-25 mph? Deploy with extra crew on guide ropes and slower hydraulic speeds.
Wind apps like Windy.com show animated wind patterns. Watch for frontal passages or thunderstorm systems in your timeframe. This isn’t paranoia—it’s smart logistics.
Utility Location Before You Dig
Call 811 or your local utility locate service 2-3 days before. They mark underground lines free. Stakes go into ground for anchoring or ballast. You need to know what’s underneath.
Found utilities in your setup zone? Adjust position or use surface ballast (water barrels, concrete blocks) instead of ground stakes. Problem solved without drama.
Access Path Confirmation
Measure gate widths, turn radiuses, overhead clearance on the access route. Mobile stage trucks need 10-foot width minimum, often 14 feet for comfortable maneuvering.
That “plenty of room” driveway? Measure it. Tree branches that “might” clear the truck roof? Measure them. Loading dock height that “should” align with trailer bed? Measure it.
Five minutes with a tape measure prevents the embarrassment of a truck that can’t reach the setup location.
Power Drop Location Planning
Where’s the power coming from? How far is that from your stage position? You need to know before rigging crew arrives.
400 feet from power source to stage? You need voltage drop compensation or larger cable gauge. Calculate it beforehand. Power company providing a temporary drop? Confirm exact location and connector type.
Concrete Surface Inspection
Asphalt or concrete looks perfect until you deploy outriggers creating point loads that crack surfaces. Old parking lots or deteriorated concrete can fail under 10,000+ pound point loads.
Walk the area looking for existing cracks, spalling, or patches. These indicate weakness. Place outriggers on intact concrete or use larger load-distribution plates.
The Grade Crossing Count
How many curbs, speed bumps, or grade changes exist on the access route? Each one is a potential obstacle for a 53-foot trailer with limited ground clearance.
Severe grade transitions might require approach ramps or alternate routes. Better to know this before the truck arrives and gets high-centered on a curb.
Local Noise Ordinance Quick Check
What time can you legally deploy (hydraulic pumps are loud)? What time must show sound end? These aren’t suggestions—they’re legal limits with fine consequences.
Noise-sensitive neighbors? Hospital nearby? Residential area? Plan accordingly. Sometimes that means earlier load-in or sound level monitoring throughout the event.
Simple Pre-Site Checklist
- Ground slope measured
- Soil compaction tested
- Overhead clearances confirmed
- Utilities marked
- Access path verified
- Power location confirmed
- Surface integrity checked
- Wind forecast reviewed
- Noise restrictions noted
- Anchor points identified
Thirty minutes with this checklist saves hours of problem-solving during deployment. You’re not preventing disasters—you’re eliminating surprises.
Professional crews run this check before bidding jobs. They know exactly what challenges exist and price accordingly. Amateur crews skip this step and discover problems when it’s expensive and stressful to fix them.
