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Author Topic: Transporting planes to the field? I want to see your rack  (Read 3833 times)

Offline Steve Riebe

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Transporting planes to the field? I want to see your rack
« on: January 18, 2013, 03:30:39 PM »
 I've got some ideas in mind for a rack to hold multiple planes in my pick up truck, but would like to see your ideas to see if i'm on the right track.  Thanks in advance

Offline Fred Cronenwett

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Re: Transporting planes to the field? I want to see your rack
« Reply #1 on: January 18, 2013, 04:26:18 PM »
Since I have a camper shell I put a dividing board between the top and bottom. The board is supported by steel beams and span the full width of the truck. I can tie down any model to the boards by the tailwheels.

Fred C.
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Offline Cliff Henke

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Re: Transporting planes to the field? I want to see your rack
« Reply #2 on: January 18, 2013, 04:33:36 PM »
I cut the 5/8" plywood base the length of the bed so there is no shifting during travel. The planes are tied down with leather boot straps via holes drilled in plywood where each aircraft is located. To keep the planes stable at 70 miles per hour I cut a piece of foam to wedge under the profile to snug it up. Works great.
If the rain comes, I have a new 6'x6' shower curtain to cover the planes.
Wasting away the moments that make up a dull day...................

Offline Steve Helmick

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Re: Transporting planes to the field? I want to see your rack
« Reply #3 on: January 18, 2013, 06:36:27 PM »
First picture is Mike Haverly's first rack, for his Ranger P'up with raised canopy. It was made from 1" PVC pipe (smaller?), and worked very well for .40 sized planes. The rack was a little flexible, but was bungeed to the side of the truck, which stiffened it up ok. I may make something similar to fit my '06 Tacoma. A raised roof canopy sure would help, but the nominal 6' box is ok for .60 sized planes with the wing lengthwise.  Mike's latest pvc rack locks into chocks on a plywood base in his Chevy 4-door Colorado...the planes fit diagonally, 'cause it's a pretty short box.   

The next pictures are of the rack I made for my full sized GMC, with a cab height canopy. I wish I still had that truck. The rack will hold 3 .60 sized planes, as long as the spans fit within the pickup box width, which is ok for most designs. A smaller plane can fit under the other 3...Ringmaster or a Barnstormer, limit being distance between the wheel wells (4' plus a tad bit). I put a cargo bar across behind the planes and could put an ice chest and field box behind that. Note that the thing sorta collapses to store in the garage, and the two handles are only used to put the rack in and take it out, both with the planes. The planes did have to be slipped into the rack just ahead of the tailgate, but it worked very well. I had Rhinoliner on the pickup bed, and the rack didn't slide around, but it might be good to key it in place on the wheelwells, while you're at it.  H^^ Steve   
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Offline Mike Keville

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Re: Transporting planes to the field? I want to see your rack
« Reply #4 on: January 18, 2013, 06:42:28 PM »
Steve:

(You knew this was coming, didn't you?)

Never thought I'd say this to another guy, but . . .

Nice rack!
FORMER member, "Academy of Multi-rotors & ARFs".

Offline Steve Scott

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Re: Transporting planes to the field? I want to see your rack
« Reply #5 on: January 18, 2013, 07:27:44 PM »
Wayne Willey's rack transport system:


Offline Randy Cuberly

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Re: Transporting planes to the field? I want to see your rack
« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2013, 07:35:52 PM »
My simple rack for carrying two stunters back and forth to the field.  Easy to make and very serviceable.  Held in front of bed by two bungee cords around the uprights.  Airplanes held in place by large rubber bands tied together.
The rack could be easily made to hold up to 3 stunters with gear as these two are, or up to 5 if the gear is removed...I don't want to do that just for a 6 mile trip to the flying field.  But would use the larger one with gear removed for going to a contest.
Could be a lot fancier but then I'm lazy!!
Only note of caution is to glue it together.  I was convinced that wasn't necessary when I built the first one because of the difficulty forcing the pieces together.  Vivration is a funny thing...it'll take almost anything apart...it did!
All tightly glued now and very solid.

Randy Cuberly
Randy Cuberly
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Re: Transporting planes to the field? I want to see your rack
« Reply #7 on: January 18, 2013, 07:50:28 PM »
My simple rack

  Vivration is a funny thing...it'll take almost anything apart...it did!

Randy Cuberly

"Vivration".  A new energy source in the universe.

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Offline wwwarbird

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Offline Randy Cuberly

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Re: Transporting planes to the field? I want to see your rack
« Reply #9 on: January 18, 2013, 08:27:58 PM »
"Vivration".  A new energy source in the universe.

KT

Keith,
You must have a PhD in mechanics to understand this energy.  Unfortunately spelling and typing isn't part of that regimen.
Of course now I have to leave it that way... LL~ LL~ LL~

Randy Cuberly
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Offline Balsa Butcher

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Re: Transporting planes to the field? I want to see your rack
« Reply #10 on: January 18, 2013, 09:24:01 PM »
Slightly diferent take on the rack issue. Vehicle is a Ford Explorer. By using spacers this design can accomodate anywhere from 1 to 4 models. If there is any further interest I will post additional photos.  8)
Pete Cunha
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Offline Doug Moon

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Re: Transporting planes to the field? I want to see your rack
« Reply #11 on: January 18, 2013, 09:24:06 PM »
Here's how I carry mine in my truck.

It had a bed cover on it when I got it.   (only 6 payments to go!!)  The cover is really cool but it does hamper the ability to carry bigger stuff.  It is awesome for airplanes.  I am certain I could make it for more than one big plane but one is enough for right now.  And I can carry the kids smaller planes up front and them in the back seat.

The holder is made of 2lbs foam so its pretty solid.  It is mounted a piece of plywood that is mounted to a larger piece of plywood that fits the footprint of the bed so it cant slide around.  If I am out and need to use the bed for something else loosen 4 wing nuts and the holder comes off the foot print and can go in the back seat.  This has happened on several occasions.  I am glad I made it removable.  There are wood 1.5x1.5 frames at the back attached to the large footprint board that hold the flight box and fuel box in place tight up against the tail gate, plus a strap across them just in case.  
Doug Moon
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Offline Phil Hawkins

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Re: Transporting planes to the field? I want to see your rack
« Reply #12 on: January 19, 2013, 12:49:01 AM »
I almost posted a picture of myself with my shirt off, but quickly surmised my man-boobs are not the rack you are wishing to see...  LL~

Offline Perry Rose

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Re: Transporting planes to the field? I want to see your rack
« Reply #13 on: January 19, 2013, 07:01:27 AM »
I have a Dodge 2500 with 8 foot bed and no cover. I can put two planes in the bed and they are held in position with a bungee cargo net. In the El Camino with a cover I put two planes on the bed floor and bungee a third up under the cover. Never had a problem with the two methods. I can put a third in the cab of the Dodge benind the seat.
I may be wrong but I doubt it.
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Offline Allen Brickhaus

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Re: Transporting planes to the field? I want to see your rack
« Reply #14 on: January 19, 2013, 07:58:27 AM »
Stole this idea from Bob Hunt.  I have safely moved seven models from the VSC to the midwest with this foam rack.  I put rolled up bubble wrap between models and soft foam on the floor to protect the wingtips.

Offline Doug Moon

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Re: Transporting planes to the field? I want to see your rack
« Reply #15 on: January 19, 2013, 09:23:55 AM »
Allan,

What is that yellow one with N88M on the side? 

It looks cool.

Doug Moon
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Offline john e. holliday

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Re: Transporting planes to the field? I want to see your rack
« Reply #16 on: January 19, 2013, 09:42:03 AM »
When I was playing with radio planes I had a rack to carry the fuse and wings.   Triedmaking one for control lin and it took up too much room.   So I load the boxes and support stuff first.   Then stack the planes with the heavy ones on the bottom  lighter ones on top.  Use old blankets and pads between them while stacking.   One trip years ago in the old Crysler wagon, there was JJ, Melvin and  myself.  Had 19 airplanes and support equipment in it.   
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Offline Allen Brickhaus

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Re: Transporting planes to the field? I want to see your rack
« Reply #17 on: January 19, 2013, 01:23:12 PM »
Allan,

What is that yellow one with N88M on the side?  

It looks cool.



It is the Miss Dara as published in Flying Models around the early '80's.  I used the foam wing from the Buccaneer II crash (now a RSM kit) to build the Miss Dara.  A Jack Sheeks trick.

Allen

Offline Steve Riebe

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Re: Transporting planes to the field? I want to see your rack
« Reply #18 on: January 19, 2013, 09:47:06 PM »
It is the Miss Dara as published in Flying Models around the early '80's.  I used the foam wing from the Buccaneer II crash (now a RSM kit) to build the Miss Dara.  A Jack Sheeks trick.

Allen

 Allen, that is a great looking plane. Is that a Rabe's rudder or simply an adjustable rudder?

Offline Steve Riebe

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Re: Transporting planes to the field? I want to see your rack
« Reply #19 on: January 19, 2013, 09:48:37 PM »
There's some really great ideas here, thankyou very much to all who have posted

Offline Allen Brickhaus

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Re: Transporting planes to the field? I want to see your rack
« Reply #20 on: January 20, 2013, 06:54:16 AM »
Allen, that is a great looking plane. Is that a Rabe's rudder or simply an adjustable rudder?

The rudder is adjustable but can be made "Rabe" ready.

Allen

Offline Randy Ryan

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Re: Transporting planes to the field? I want to see your rack
« Reply #21 on: January 21, 2013, 12:56:55 PM »
Since I have a camper shell I put a dividing board between the top and bottom. The board is supported by steel beams and span the full width of the truck. I can tie down any model to the boards by the tailwheels.

Fred C.


I've done it like this myself for years, a throwback to my Free Flight transport. Works well.
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