Transporting planes in an open bed truck (The Trick)  
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Transporting planes in an open bed truck (The Trick) - 5/16/2002 7:08:51 PM   
Jazzy



Posts: 1106
Joined: 1/8/2002
From: Erie, PA, USA
Status: offline 		Hmmm. Lets clarify. Lay terms differ.

A bed top or Toneau, (sp?), cover is no higher than the bed rails.

A cap or shell is about the same heighth as the cab. Looking more like a Suburban or Super Exploder... I mean Excursion!.

A camper turns your pickup into a mini motorhome/Winnebago.

Someday I'll get a scanner or digital camera so I can share my stuff!

INorris, I keep a sleeping bag and change of clothes in mine for just such occasions!

< Message edited by Jazzy -- May 17 2002 3:39AM >

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Transporting planes in an open bed truck (The Trick) - 5/16/2002 7:29:47 PM   
Blackie



Posts: 1896
Joined: 2/10/2002
From: Austin, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Camper versus Trailer.

It stands to reason a camper would be better for your planes and equipment then an open bed.

Myself I prefer to save my knees, hence crawling around under the camper. I have owned them so I know. A trailer by far is the best way to go.

I long for the day when I no longer have to carry items from the truck back into the house. Not to mention the bed of my truck stays open so I can stand up in it.

One other thing I would like to mention, anything can be broken into if someone wants in bad enough but why make their job easy. A camper is one of the most easiest things to break into, a trailer on the other hand with the proper lock well its not quite as easy not to mention nothing is viewable.

My two cents

Randy

< Message edited by Blackie -- May 16 2002 3:18PM >


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Transporting planes in an open bed truck (The Trick) - 5/16/2002 8:27:09 PM   
Jazzy



Posts: 1106
Joined: 1/8/2002
From: Erie, PA, USA
Status: offline 		Randy, I sympathize with your knees. Mine aren't so good either and I'm only 32!

RE: Breaking and Entering. If you build your trailer box out of wood I could be in it in the same, if not less, amount of time it would take someone to break into my double locked, heavily tinted window, F/G cap.
I do agree that if someone wants in bad enough nothing will stop them short of a high voltage electric shock. But, that's illegal and/or the liability would be cost prohibitive.

As I chose to limit the loading possibilities of my truck you chose the same for your trailer. Just a trade-off I guess.

Everyone's needs and prefferences are different. If you're happy that is all that counts!

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Transporting planes in an open bed truck (The Trick) - 5/16/2002 9:18:15 PM   
Blackie



Posts: 1896
Joined: 2/10/2002
From: Austin, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Jazzy,

A sledge hammer will go through just about anything.

To tell you the truth yes the trailer will be made out of wood 5/8" ply secured at all seams by 2" X 2" angle iron, glued with liquid nail, bolted with 1/4" bolts every 8" apart, and 2"X 4" layered ever 3' on the inside also bolted to the angle iron. The door will also be wrapped with angle using heavy duty barn door henge's and the lock, I will be using a cam lock. Now I would be willing to bet that a hammer would go through glass or fiberglass for that matter a lot quicker then it would go through my wood trailer. The cam lock, well lets just say its a heck of a lot stronger then a camper lock. I plan on welding plate on each side of the lock so it can't be cut.

Cam lock, its the kind you see on the back of those 18 wheeler trailers, long shaft from top to the bottom of the door with a handle that swings over the top of the half that you lock, at the top and bottom of the door, it has hooks that latch into welded eyes.

< Message edited by Blackie -- May 16 2002 8:07PM >


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Transporting planes in an open bed truck (The Trick) - 5/16/2002 9:53:48 PM   
Blackie



Posts: 1896
Joined: 2/10/2002
From: Austin, TX, USA
Status: offline 		There is one other way to transport planes, not sure if I had already mentioned it yet but for you large scale and smaller craft owners. I have seen custom built ply board box's built to enclose the planes. We have a member that has constructed a box that houses his 33% extra. The box keeps all weather elements out and also conceals the plane so that no one really knows whats inside. The box and the plane or both lifted into the back on the truck with tail gate down since the box is to large on that particular plane he then ties the box into the bed. Eye bolts could also be fitted to the box frame for better tie down.

Randy


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Transporting planes in an open bed truck (The Trick) - 5/16/2002 11:18:39 PM   
Blackwuf


 

Posts: 12
Joined: 3/18/2002
From: Tomah, WI, USA
Status: offline 		Blackie,

"Do you know off the bat what these Velcro and loop lock systems cost" - The one place online that I found one was about $400. I was going to check with the place I had my Line-X bedliner installed and see what they know.

For $400 you could almost buy a small trailer, so I am not sure if it would be worth it or not. Might be though for the people that don't have room for a trailer and don't want to put a cap on their truck.

Blackwuf

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Transporting planes in an open bed truck (The Trick) - 5/17/2002 8:33:49 AM   
Jazzy



Posts: 1106
Joined: 1/8/2002
From: Erie, PA, USA
Status: offline 		Good Grief Blackie!

Might want to consider getting a tongue jack with a castoring wheel. Moving that thing by hand is gonna be a bear. Putting a lock through the hole in the hitch lock will prevent someone from driving away with it when you're not around.
Are you going to use a swinging door(s)? A gang plank door would provide a handy access ramp and reduce the possibility of hinge tampering. Why use wood when .125" steel plate is thinner and stronger? Much harder to cut through with a Sawzall and you wouldn't need the internal 2X4s taking up space or all those nuts, bolts and washers.

The company I work for uses semi trailers and storage boxes about 3/4 the size of the semi trailers on job sites. Believe it or not they do get broken into from time to time. I don't think you'll have anything to worry about.

If someone takes a sledge to my truck they'll feel empty handed when they see me coming with my three friends Remington, Ruger, and Taurus.

This IS only RC stuff.

I'll stick with my cap - or shell - if you prefer.

Blackwuf,
How do you like your Line- X? I've been thinkin' 'bout it but haven't committed yet. Aren't they around $400?


Jeff

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Transporting planes in an open bed truck (The Trick) - 5/17/2002 8:44:12 AM   
Blackie



Posts: 1896
Joined: 2/10/2002
From: Austin, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Now you tell me, 125" steel plate I sure wish I had done more research. I have already put the walls up.

Thanks for the info, I still might investage it further.

OH! and where would I get plate like that at? cost?

< Message edited by Blackie -- May 17 2002 3:49AM >


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transporting planes in pick up..... - 5/17/2002 10:24:49 AM   
flipflopman


 

Posts: 2
Joined: 2/16/2002
From:
Status: offline 		ok, guys...it might be too late but here is what i do. I don't have a digital cam so i will just try to explain. My method is similar to those velcro thingies but instead buying one of those $400 + thinga majigs i rigged something similar. I live on the border with mexico so i have access to a small factory that makes tarps. They deal with the extra thick tarps, i'm not sure what "Mil" thickness it is, but it is similar to the kind of tarps circus' use. It's pretty thick, but not so thick that it is too heavy. What i did was have the factory custom make me one an inch short of the inside width of my truck bed and a few inches short in legth. The edges of the tarp are folded and sewn and have holes with grommets on the corners and also a set of grommet holes 5 inches behind the center sqauare hole on the top of my bed. The purpose of being 5 inches behind this hole is so that i can attach one end of a bungy cord to the grommet and the other to the bed this keeps a good deal of tension on the tarp. the tarp is tied down to the bed closest to the cab with rigid cords, while the center and farthest grommets are tied with bungy cords. (the black, heavy duty ones) Once the cords are all set up and tight the tarp sags ever so slighty in the middle. But not enough that i have worried about running something across the middle to correct this.

My planes are placed on a system almost exactly like the one Blackie uses. ( i use truck cargo holders, covered with pipe insulation ) When i get to the flying field all i do is unhook the tarp in the back and middle and roll it forward.

And thats it... i've used this for almost a yr now, and works great. And cheap compared to the shells, and trailers. I also get to use my truck for my motorcycle, etc, etc......

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Transporting planes in an open bed truck (The Trick) - 5/17/2002 10:35:37 PM   
Blackwuf


 

Posts: 12
Joined: 3/18/2002
From: Tomah, WI, USA
Status: offline 		Jazzy,

Yep the Line-X bedliner was about $400, but it was the best money I have ever spent. Do to some "yard work" last year, I ended up hauling close to 20 tons of Sand, Gravel and Black Dirt. The bedliner still looks brand new and there isn't a scratch on the bed anywhere . Unlike my dad's truck where he only had a bed mat and had scratchs and surface rust from hauling things.

It also wasn't that much more in price than the dealer wanted for the full bed inserts that they make. Nice thing is the sprayin liners are firmly attached to the truck unlike the inserts.

Blackwuf

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Transporting planes in an open bed truck (The Trick) - 5/17/2002 11:40:14 PM   
Jazzy



Posts: 1106
Joined: 1/8/2002
From: Erie, PA, USA
Status: offline 		Randy,
After further thought, Aluminium might be a better choice. That much 1/8" steel plate would surely overload the weight limitations of your trailer. (To tell you the truth I was only joking ) You could check at sheet metal shops in the area.
Thinner Aluminium won't rust and will weigh about the same if not less than 5/8" plywood.
Did you consider vents? Heat will surely build up in the Texas sun.
You also might want to check with a local Notary to see if you have to change your registration since you've permanently(?) altered your trailer.

Blackwuf, when I bought my truck it had a standard bed liner. I put it on the front curb after about a year. Good riddens POS!

Flipflopman, great tarp idea!

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Transporting planes in an open bed truck (The Trick) - 5/18/2002 12:05:57 AM   
Blackie



Posts: 1896
Joined: 2/10/2002
From: Austin, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Hey! Jazzy,
thanks for all the info yes after investigating I realized that plate was not an option and that thin sheet metal was better, hence: I had no idea you were kidding . however I have elected to stay with what I have since I already have the walls and floor up and over $100 invested in the wood. If later I want to make the changes I will then but for now I am going to leave it as it is.

Vents; Yes I am going to place one exhaust fan on one side and a plain vent on the other with an roof roll out vent.

Notary; I already have it notarized. We just so happen to have a notary here where I work. I am going down next week to get it registered.

Thanks! again
Randy


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Transporting planes in an open bed truck (The Trick) - 5/18/2002 9:46:19 PM   
Jazzy



Posts: 1106
Joined: 1/8/2002
From: Erie, PA, USA
Status: offline 		Randy,
Sounds like you've got most if not all the bases covered. Hope it hits a homerun for ya!

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