Airplane holder for open pickup bed

[Steven Kientz]

Just purchased a new truck. I need ideas (pictures would be nice) of ideas for a carrier. I only have to travel 15 miles round trip to the field, so it doesn't have to be  elaborate. Oh, profile and full fuselage planes.

Thanks
Steve

[Curare]

One of the guys I used to fly with carted big models, 170cc aerobats in his van,  and set up a few custom mount points on the bottom of his van.

This was fine for everyday flying but if he wanted to do a competition in another city, he had a problem whenever he wanted to shift the mounts.

After some head scratching he just plopped a chunk of 'dog mesh' fencing (3/16" Wire with about 4" squares) on the bottom of the van.

VOILA! A hundred different tie points and each square chocks the wheel in every direction.

EASY!

[Perry Rose]

 I used an elastic cargo net. It's made up from bungee cord.

[Phil Krankowski]

Here's my answer to this and a number of other things I need an enclosed bed for.

http://www.extang.com/solid-fold-folding-tonneau-covers2.html

It comes off real easy, 2 nuts.  It fold ups nice and it is waterproof (can take a car wash)  It is "lockable" since my tailgate is lockable and the gate has to open to access the releases.  Fairly lightweight too.

However at the price of almost $1k if you don't need the space protected most of the time then it might be a little too much.

Phil

[Steven Kientz]

I'm going to install a soft cover, just might take some time to scrounge up the $$. I like the  fence idea, will look into that.

thanks
Steve

[John Rist]

Here's my answer to this and a number of other things I need an enclosed bed for.

http://www.extang.com/solid-fold-folding-tonneau-covers2.html

It comes off real easy, 2 nuts.  It fold ups nice and it is waterproof (can take a car wash)  It is "lockable" since my tailgate is lockable and the gate has to open to access the releases.  Fairly lightweight too.

However at the price of almost $1k if you don't need the space protected most of the time then it might be a little too much.

Phil

I had one of these folding covers.  It was great.  Much better than the one piece clam shell covers.  It worked well with a 5th wheel hitch.  I did not have to remove the cover to install the hitch.  In the folded back mode you could hall most anything.  Don't think I ever has to remove it to do a job.  Not sure what mine cost - it was part of the deal when I bought the truck used from the Honda dealership in Huntsville Alabama.

[Phil Krankowski]

I had one of these folding covers.  It was great.  Much better than the one piece clam shell covers.  It worked well with a 5th wheel hitch.  I did not have to remove the cover to install the hitch.  In the folded back mode you could hall most anything.  Don't think I ever has to remove it to do a job.  Not sure what mine cost - it was part of the deal when I bought the truck used from the Honda dealership in Huntsville Alabama.

I got mine with the truck too.  We wanted a one-piece color matched fiberglass tonneau because of the locking capability.  I am SO glad that the salesperson steered me this way.  I was surprised at first to find that it is available just about anywhere... but knowing what to look for is a big part of the problem.

Phil

[Glenn (Gravitywell) Reach]

Hi Steve.  I transport mine in the back of a truck as well.  My solution was to grab some of my old tube socks and fill them about 3/4 full of sand and tie off the end.  I put the plane wherever it fit and throw a sock over each wheel.  Never goes anywhere.  Hope this helps.

[Russell Shaffer]

Just be sure to secure it well.  Meeting a truck in a cross wind can really buffet things in the back.  It might be a good idea to put one of those cargo nets over the bed for insurance.

[Fredvon4]

Also double check before leaving the site

Our parking was a bit away for the site. One day I took the plane to my truck bed and was wiping it down getting ready to secure it in the bed. A fellow hollered and asked if I was leaving..I said in a little bit. Next thing I know he had toted my flight box out to my truck. So I stopped doing my routine and he handed it to me to go in back seat. WE got BSing and went back to the pavilion to watch a plane fly and BS some more

We had a great time and  it was time to leave...I swear I don't remember putting the tail gate up before securing the 60 sized high wing RC trainer....

You all know what happened when I got out on the highway

[Steve Thompson]

I have a "Truxedo" brand bed cover that works nice.  It is a rollup style and isn't lockable.  Wind protection is the key.  I like the tie down ideas presented.

[Steven Kientz]

Thanks everyone


Steve

[Glenn (Gravitywell) Reach]

Hi Steve, sorry I forgot to mention that I do have a cover on my truck bed.  But the sand filled socks have never failed me.

[Fred Cronenwett]

If you have a camper shell cover you can do this. I still use a plywood board with tie down spots and wing racks to take the models to the flying field. I have since sold my truck but use a similar board in the back of the SUV to hold the wings and fuselage. The bungee cords are quick tie downs that hold the model from moving around

The Tigercat has a single bungee cord that holds the nose wheel from moving around, that is all it needed. The board was loaded then pushed into the truck bed. but you want carpeting on the truck bed to allow the plywood board to slide.

You might want to secure the board to the truck bed if it was open to the wind while you drive.

Fred