Hauling planes?

fit90 Sat Aug 04, 2012 11:34 am

Does anybody have any experience hauling model planes in the back of a pick up? I have never put a plane in the back of an uncovered pick up and do not know if the planes will be safe back there; but, since I am now driving a pick up that would be really conveniant if it would work.

Any input is appreciated because I am not willing to experiment with this one.

Bob

**RknRusty** Sat Aug 04, 2012 12:16 pm

The air flows along the bed from the tailgate to the cab. I think I would pad the back of the cab and nose the first row of planes up against it, and if there are more behind them, interlace them, all pointed forward. Then maybe cover them with a plastic painter's drop-cloth anchored with bricks. Maybe a weight in the center to keep it from flapping.

EDIT: Oh yeah... no, I don't have any experience doing this. Huh...

ahrma_581 Sat Aug 04, 2012 12:31 pm

Try and find a cheap used shell (or bed cover) on Craigslist.

fit90 Sat Aug 04, 2012 12:50 pm

ahrma_581 wrote:Try and find a cheap used shell (or bed cover) on Craigslist.

I just started looking for one but this truck has tool boxes built into the side of the bed (Ram Boxes on a Dodge) so I do not even know if there are any that will work with this truck. Thanks for the good idea, though.

Bob

PV Pilot Sat Aug 04, 2012 1:47 pm

The air pressure will suck a plane out of a open bed on the freeway,,ask me how I know. It pulled the hold down blanket and plane right out. Mini sandbags made from old socks wrapped around the landing gear works good. you can lay them across the fuselage and such,,using good judgment. I also made a mount board that latches the landing gear to the board with little latchable wheel chocks.

The verdict is neutral as far as tail forward or nose forward to the cab,,just make sure they are weighted down well and your tote/tool box can't slde.

Kim Sat Aug 04, 2012 1:53 pm

Yeah, you GOT to secure them back there because, as the air spills over the cab, it will grab and launch your little creations! My Uncle Wayne once saw one of his planes "following" him when he looked in the rear-view mirror of his truck !

I drive a Cargo Van or HHR, and secure my planes with rubber bands to a piece of pegboard (being a shameless Dumpster Diver, I scored a BUNCH of it during a remodel of our airport utility room!) You can use #33 rubber bands, looped through the holes, and slipped over the planes' wheels to lock them down. This way, you end up with a "Board of Planes". Combat planes and other gearless types can be held down with bit of foam laid under them, and extensions made from multiple bands "daisy chained" together, then wrapped around their engines or wings.

One of mine also doubles as my launching stooge.

To keep them from sliding around on my van's carpeted cargo box, I glue the "Hook-Side" velcro strips the backside, but you could add weights or otherwise secure the boards to keep them from moving in the pick-up bed.

PV Pilot Sat Aug 04, 2012 2:04 pm

I was looking out the rear view to see a perfect blanket encased wingover,,GULP! Luckily I was in the slow lane and it peeled over to the right shoulder grass on the side of the freeway, blanket helped on the impact, but I still dorked the rudder a bit.

The little 6" mini bungies that you can get at a truckstop or outddoor store work nice also for a board setup.

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