If you're not storing your kit in a temperature controlled environment (like a garage or heated carport), it's like storing them inside your freezer. Wood doesn't respond well to that kind of environment.

No, they're not in cases. I mean, they really aren't the greatest drums ever, so I'm not too worried if they do get kinda messed up, but I don't know the firs thing about "tuning" them or whatever.

I read this thread and gathered that it wouldn't be all that big of a deal, but maybe that's just in the instance of moving them quickly from the cold to warm, not storing them in the cold for 24 hours or so.

I have my drums (Pearl Session Maple) in the back of our band van all the time... They're in cases, but they basically live back there year round...  I haven't noticed any problems -- I do usually let them warm up to room temp in the winter months before setting up for the gig.

I worry about them more in the summer months when they're baking in the heat -- if it's going to be really scorching, I'll sometimes bring them in the house...

That being said, I haven't had any problems  - I usually do a quick tune-up of the heads before every gig and they've never been grossly out of tune.   

I think you'll be OK for a day or two -- worry more about someone breaking into your car!!!

Mike
Nate Myers & The Aces
www.natemyers.com

A decently made drum should be able to withstand those temperatures. My stuff lived in band trucks for years, and was subjected to major extremes in temperature with no apparent problems, as our travels took us from Canada to Florida and everywhere in between. I wouldn't leave priceless vintage gear out in the cold (or heat), but average drums should be fine.

Yeah - I'd definitely be more cautious with VG...I am sure my bandmate won't do the same with his stuff, but I figure my lousy drums will be fine.

Is it fine to leave my drums in the garage where it probably gets to around 50F each night? I'm gonna assume yes but it seems my drums are always out of tune for no real reason...

I know of 2 drummers who have had their kits stolen from cars or vans. Another problem you might consider.

Or you could just not leave it in the car. Insurance is a wonderful thing, but I would rather HAVE my bass than REPLACE my bass.

Leaving stuff in the car is a real good way to have your stuff become Someone Else's stuff.

I've been leaving my drums in my unheated, uncooled garage for the last five years.  They're in bags and sitting on shelves.  I've had no problems with tuning, wraps, or roundness of shells.

Schedule problems have also required me to leave them in the back of the minivan for fairly extended periods recently.  The windows around the drums are heavily tinted, but temps get pretty high.  It's Dallas, after all.  Again, I'm not seeing any problems.

In my younger days, while playing on the road a lot, my drums stayed in metal storage buildings when not traveling, and in the back of a box truck for days at a time on the road.  That involved a temperature range of -10 F to +110 F (outside.  I'm sure it was much hotter inside the truck).  Those drums were as round 25 years later when I sold them as the day I bought them, and the lacquer finish also held up well.

Fear of theft is possibly well founded, and leaving uncased drums in full sunlight would also be a bad idea, but otherwise your drums should survive a few days in the car just fine.

Not a good idea in either extreme. Cold causes contraction, heat expansion. Different materials expand and contract at different rates. I would be worried about the drum wrap and the multi ply shells the glue can become soft or hard and can move faster or slower than the other matrials it is in contact with. If I am hauling my gear, I always pull the drums and take them inside and leave the cymbals and hardware in the vehicle until morning.

p.s The wife is complaining there isn't enough room in the bed for her and the drums. Guess who slept on the couch.......