I,ve seen guys use the cradle on there flight boxes and bungie cord the planes in the back of there trucks. I have also seen 1/4 scale planes just placed in the box with nothing to tie them down.
but I have only heard of one incident where a guy was transporting his plane in the back of his SUV with half the plane hanging out. The guy got rear ended and did over $4000.00 damage to the SUV not to mention totaling his plane.
I use to have a Toyota 4 Runner and it transported large planes great. Just had to move the passenger seat forward and fold the back seats down. I ended up selling in because insurense was too high in it.
Now I have a Ranger pick up, with a fiberglass lid on the box. I built a cradle out of PCV pipe on a sheet of plywood. I can take the cradle out when I need to and fold the craddle down and hang it on the wall of my garage. I have transported planes with over 80 inch wing spane, and part of the fuse sticking out the back with the tail gate open up to 65 MPH and haven't lose a plane yet.
I still miss my 4 Runner because I could lock all the doors, and the plane would be secure somewhat. But locks only keep the honest people out. if they want it bad enough they will get it.
I can lock the lid on my truck but thats only with a plane w/ a 73 inch wig span and the tail gate is up.
I do miss coming out of a store or resturant and watching all the people standing around my 4 Runner gocking at the plane inside. Then when you walk up to the vehicle they look at you really strange. Then they ask "Is that one of those RC airplanes" then your ego sets in and you get to brag your plane up.
I even got stopped by a State Trooper so he could look at the plane. With me being in the same line of work found out that the Trooper was a RC pilot too. After going over the usual license, registration & inshurense check. We spent most of the time talking RC when I left I
didnt even know why the Trooper stopped me. The Trooper didnt even ask what department I was on.
NEDYOB