What Vehicle hauls you to the Field?
12-08-2006, 10:59 AM
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What Vehicle hauls you to the Field?
I would like to read some opinions about what kind of vehicle you use to haul your airplanes to the field. I had a 96 Ranger with a cap until someone pulled out from a parking spot and crossed 2 lanes in front of me. 
Anyway, I am looking for a new vehicle
I have a trailer I need to tow and I would prefer 4 WD, and $25k new, other than that, I am open to anything. (You know you are into your hobby when your vehicle choice hinges around you hanger.) My 15 yo son and I were always able to bring 2 60 size and 2 40 size planes along with a foamie or 3, and 3 tool/flight boxes to the field in the ranger. My son is a master packer.
We’ll tow the trailer some of the time, but on occasion; I want to put a few planes in the back.
I apologize if this has been covered before, but if it was, I’m not savvy enough to find it.
Thanks
Lew Heifner
Anyway, I am looking for a new vehicle I have a trailer I need to tow and I would prefer 4 WD, and $25k new, other than that, I am open to anything. (You know you are into your hobby when your vehicle choice hinges around you hanger.) My 15 yo son and I were always able to bring 2 60 size and 2 40 size planes along with a foamie or 3, and 3 tool/flight boxes to the field in the ranger. My son is a master packer.
We’ll tow the trailer some of the time, but on occasion; I want to put a few planes in the back.
I apologize if this has been covered before, but if it was, I’m not savvy enough to find it.
Thanks
Lew Heifner
12-08-2006, 11:35 AM
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RE: What Vehicle hauls you to the Field?
I wouldn't go with a truck (as nice as that one is). I'd say an SUV of some type with fold down rear seats. I have an Explorer Sport and with the seats down have tons of space. Plus, the best protection for your planes will be inside the vehicle. But you prefer 4WD. Cool. Maybe look around at Carmax for something to fit your price range. Used yes, but well screened vehicles and I'm sure you could find what you like for under 25K.
12-08-2006, 12:16 PM
#4
RE: What Vehicle hauls you to the Field?
VW Jetta 1.8L Turbo Sport Wagon.
Why wait 'till you get to the field to fly?
With the back seat folded down I have enough room for a 72" biplane and a 60" monoplane with field gear and one passenger . . . barely.
Why wait 'till you get to the field to fly?
With the back seat folded down I have enough room for a 72" biplane and a 60" monoplane with field gear and one passenger . . . barely.
12-08-2006, 12:40 PM
#5
RE: What Vehicle hauls you to the Field?
ORIGINAL: vicman
99 Ram Quad Cab 4X4 with an opening toneau cover.
99 Ram Quad Cab 4X4 with an opening toneau cover.
I have a '97 Ram and used it with a tonneau cover for 9 years. It was a tough fit for model airplanes. I just converted to one of those tall wedge shape caps. Model airplanes are soooooooo much easier now.
If I were to buy a dedicated "airplane hauler", I would take a look at those new super tall Dodge Sprinter vans:
http://www.dodgesprinter.com/
12-08-2006, 12:57 PM
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RE: What Vehicle hauls you to the Field?
Heres mine....
Keep in mind I am a "Neck".... :-)
http://www.hibrass.com/Pictures/4wheeler/Van-003.jpg
And this is what we take if we plan to stay awhile....
Hibrass
Keep in mind I am a "Neck".... :-)
http://www.hibrass.com/Pictures/4wheeler/Van-003.jpg
And this is what we take if we plan to stay awhile....
Hibrass
12-08-2006, 01:52 PM
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RE: What Vehicle hauls you to the Field?
semi-offical plane hauler here (there are now 5 of them in my club): Toyota Siennea minivan. Has more cargo space than any SUV out there. I have the middle seats out of mine most of the time, and the rear seats fold in to the floor. That gives me 4'x8' of cargo floor with a roof that is over 4' high. I've seen some pattern guys get 3 2meter pattern jobs plus support gear in there no problem.
12-08-2006, 02:04 PM
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RE: What Vehicle hauls you to the Field?
ORIGINAL: n0kjf
I would like to read some opinions about what kind of vehicle you use to haul your airplanes to the field. I had a 96 Ranger with a cap until someone pulled out from a parking spot and crossed 2 lanes in front of me. Anyway, I am looking for a new vehicle
I have a trailer I need to tow and I would prefer 4 WD, and $25k new, other than that, I am open to anything. (You know you are into your hobby when your vehicle choice hinges around you hanger.) My 15 yo son and I were always able to bring 2 60 size and 2 40 size planes along with a foamie or 3, and 3 tool/flight boxes to the field in the ranger. My son is a master packer.
We’ll tow the trailer some of the time, but on occasion; I want to put a few planes in the back.
I apologize if this has been covered before, but if it was, I’m not savvy enough to find it.
Thanks
Lew Heifner
I would like to read some opinions about what kind of vehicle you use to haul your airplanes to the field. I had a 96 Ranger with a cap until someone pulled out from a parking spot and crossed 2 lanes in front of me.
Anyway, I am looking for a new vehicle I have a trailer I need to tow and I would prefer 4 WD, and $25k new, other than that, I am open to anything. (You know you are into your hobby when your vehicle choice hinges around you hanger.) My 15 yo son and I were always able to bring 2 60 size and 2 40 size planes along with a foamie or 3, and 3 tool/flight boxes to the field in the ranger. My son is a master packer.
We’ll tow the trailer some of the time, but on occasion; I want to put a few planes in the back.
I apologize if this has been covered before, but if it was, I’m not savvy enough to find it.
Thanks
Lew Heifner
For master packer, I once had someone help me load an old escort at university, is quote after I got all of my stuff was, I don't now how you got all that stuff in there, and he had watched me do it.
J
12-08-2006, 03:15 PM
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RE: What Vehicle hauls you to the Field?
I use the Dodge Dakota mid-size truck w the long bed and a shell. 74" wings fit strait and longer wings just stick through the sliding rear cab window and with boards put across the rails I can have two layers. two 60 size warbirds fit easily all put together. 2 small size jets fit in one piece too. with four wheel drive I can get up to the hardest slope gliding places. with a trailer hitch almost anything can be towed. and it has been paid for for many years some times I look for a newer replacement for better gas mileage but have not found one yet.
12-08-2006, 06:54 PM
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RE: What Vehicle hauls you to the Field?
Must be a foamie flier.... or Helis
Couldn't you afford a real plane hauler??
Looks like there is some variety to what folks are using, thanks for the input and keep the comments comming.
Lew
or HelisCouldn't you afford a real plane hauler??
Looks like there is some variety to what folks are using, thanks for the input and keep the comments comming.
Lew
12-08-2006, 07:25 PM
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RE: What Vehicle hauls you to the Field?
My aircraft carrier is a Chevvy AstroVan. Unbeatable for reliability and interior volume, and it'll tow a large airplane trailer easily. I have removed all of the seats aft of the driver, and laid a 4X8 sheet of plywood down. Then cover that plywood with any acceptable carpet remnant. There you have it... an instant aircraft carrier.
Then you can mess with PVC wing racks suspended from the ceiling, or supported on PVC pipes secured onto the plywood floor with standard pipe flanges.
There's a million things you can do with that much room...limited only by your imagination. Been running this one for years...I love it!
Oh yeah...when visitors come to town...20 minutes to remove the plywood and stick all those passenger seats back in... and there you go...instant bus!
Try it...you'll like it.
Then you can mess with PVC wing racks suspended from the ceiling, or supported on PVC pipes secured onto the plywood floor with standard pipe flanges.
There's a million things you can do with that much room...limited only by your imagination. Been running this one for years...I love it!
Oh yeah...when visitors come to town...20 minutes to remove the plywood and stick all those passenger seats back in... and there you go...instant bus!
Try it...you'll like it.
12-08-2006, 07:37 PM
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RE: What Vehicle hauls you to the Field?
Hello; I use my good ol' Volkswagen Vanagon, no pictures, it's been my family's workhorse for 360,000kms. I can put a third scale pup in it without removing the wings, I doubt many others could say that. I usually bring 3 planes to the field of my own and I used to bring along 2 or 3 planes of another flyer as well as all the field equipment two people can use.
I often use my wifes PT Cruiser, with the back seats flopped forward, I can get my big Bingo on Floats in there, or my 1/4 spacewalker. Any passengers have to ride behind me though, as I have to flop the other front seat forward to fit it all in.
I often use my wifes PT Cruiser, with the back seats flopped forward, I can get my big Bingo on Floats in there, or my 1/4 spacewalker. Any passengers have to ride behind me though, as I have to flop the other front seat forward to fit it all in.
12-08-2006, 11:17 PM
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RE: What Vehicle hauls you to the Field?
ORIGINAL: n0kjf
Must be a foamie flier.... or Helis
Couldn't you afford a real plane hauler??
Lew
Must be a foamie flier....
or HelisCouldn't you afford a real plane hauler??
Lew
12-08-2006, 11:59 PM
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RE: What Vehicle hauls you to the Field?
2005 Ford Explorer. With the seats down (easy to do), I can haul my Goldberg Bucker Bipe to the field in one piece, ready to fly. Same with my Ultimate Bipe, and other monoplanes that I have in my fleet. I did the same thing with my '95 Explorer too.
Clair
Clair
12-09-2006, 12:50 AM
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RE: What Vehicle hauls you to the Field?
I use a Chevy Colorado 4X4 extended cab with a tonneau cover. It has plenty of room for the planes I want to bring to the field, and I put my flight gear in the extended cab area, with access to this by the suicide doors.
12-09-2006, 05:30 AM
#23
RE: What Vehicle hauls you to the Field?
If you want to come to Florida to buy one, give me a PM. I'll sell you any Chevrolet product that you want.
Bill, AMA 4720
WACO Brotherhood #1
Bill, AMA 4720
WACO Brotherhood #1
12-09-2006, 05:46 AM
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RE: What Vehicle hauls you to the Field?
A '94 Ford Falcon XR6 ute. I guess you don't get these over there The white 1 is a newer model & how all utes should come from the factory [:-]
Tony
The white 1 is a newer model & how all utes should come from the factory [:-]Tony