Ok Guys, here is one for ya. I have limited myself to planes that are no larger than, say 80" long due to the fact that my Explorer can not fit a longer fuselage.

Well, the time has come to venture into new territory and I am looking at a H9 Sukhoi as well as a couple other LARGE planes. But I am still stuck with how I transport them. Getting a new SUV is out of the question as is a trailer.

I did have a thought, but I wanted to see if anyone else has tried it.

THE ROOF RACK

I wonder if it is possible to make a cradle for the roof rack to hold the plane and I could use straps to hold it down?

Considering the fastest that I will drive to get to my field is 45 mph and the plane will easily exceed that in the air, I was thinking that it might be OK. However, If the rear of the fuse is resting on the tail wheel and the front on the mains, that would put the stab at a positive angle of attack. With the fuse held down, I am concerned that it would cause undo stress on the tail of the plane while in motion.

I suppose I could make a mount that would raise the tail so the stab is on the same plane as the top of the truck.

I am really not sure wether this is a good idea or not, so before I go putting a $2500 aircraft on the top of my SUV, I thought I would put it out for discussion.

Here is your chance to tell me "You are nuts" or "Great idea"

Thanks
Erick

If you have a 4 door explorer you should transport it without a problem just move back your front seat as well as the back seats.

Here you can see how I transport my 33% extra and my 27% cap.

Hope this helps.


epc.

That thing looks full. So much for taking the wife along to watch you fly. LOL

Why not put a felt wrapped block under the tail that levels out the fuse? I have seen it done before without any undue stress put on the plane. Although there could be an accident on the way to the field from the attention drawn by a 90" long plane on top of an Explorer.....

ps. Eric, partially based on your review, I bought a Zen 50 two weeks ago. I had been thinking about a pattern style 40, and the Zen showed up used at the right time my wallet needed to be lightened. It's got a ST61 with pipe and all the servos installed, I just need to fit arms and linkages. Thanks for your insights in the review.

Steve

Hi Steve

So you are the one who reads my reviews?

Seriously, Thanks for your comments, I am sure you will like the plane. Keep the control throws to the specs in the manual for the initial flights and you should not have a problem.

Let me know if I can be of any help!

As far as the plane on the roof, I think it would be OK, I just hope that someone chimes in and says that they actually tried it with success :-)

Thanks
Erick

An IMAC buddy fits a 40% Carden Extra in his four door Explorer. You shouldn't have a problem with just about any 33% project. Just build it with removable rudder and elevators and you're set. I transport my 33% Composite ARF Extra in a Jeep Cherokee, which is a bit smaller than an Explorer.

I am not sure about the removable Rudder. I do not think this plane can be made that way.

Erick

All you need are the Klett pinned hinges (take out the pins) and some piano wire and you can build a removable rudder - works quite well and installs quickly.

Some time ago I witnessed a 1/4 scale waco,fuly assembled riding on the rooftop of a medium car.The owner said the incidence was set to be neutral at cruising speed in his car,seems kinda risky for me though.

I saw a guy take one of the tail gate guards and put one on his suv so that he could drive with the gate up but the stuff can't slide out. I would expect the exhaust to get into the car but that is what he did.

You can make a cradle out of 3/4 PVC pipe insulated with foam pipe insulation to protect the plane, to sit in your luggage rack, then use bungee cords or ratchet straps to secure it to the vehicle. With the cradle, the plane will be perfectly horizontal and straight, just as if it were flying through the air. Then drive about 90 MPH down the road to test the covering before putting her in the air............LOL


P.S.

Forgot to mention that you can make this for less than $5 (minus the ratchet straps) in less than 30 minutes.

Erick:

I also have a Explorer. I haven't tried the roof yet but have thought of it. As long as the wings aren't on I don't see a problem with it. But, here's some options. One is to take out the front passenger seat. A 96 inch fuselage will then fit fine in there. Another option is (if you have a newer Explorer) the tailgate opens two ways. Either the whole tailgate or just the top half opens (the window part). Put the plane in nose first with just the top half opened (you'll need help). Then put a blanket over the bottom half of the tailgate that's still in the closed position so as not to hanger rash the bottom of the fuse, then tie it down good. The stabilizer sticks out of the back window and you can lock the window so it doesn't accidentally come down on the fuse with a stick of wood. Don't laugh, it works! Mine's a 2002 model, so I don't know if earlier Explorers have the split tailgate or not. Hope this helped...

You are nuts.

Think about all the grit, grime, and God knows what else swirling above and around a public roadway. And every bit of that gunk will find your model.

An 18-wheel cockroach barreling past you at 70mph could create enough turbulence (a "wall" of air pressure; go past one in the opposite direction with your window down) to wreck the model, or at least damage it. Worse, create damage that you don't notice on the pre-flight.

I could go on, but I think you see that I, for one, consider this a real bad idea...

Steve

Steve:

Thanks...I already knew that! (The nuts part [sm=bananahead.gif].) But seriously, the only reason I've thought about putting it up on the luggage rack is because like Erick I can't go over 45mph while going to the field and it's not that far away. As you pointed out, if I would have to carry it like that on the thruway or any open road that goes over 55mph (we're very speed limited in N.Y. not that anyone ever follows it) I would never consider doing it. Only on a short, slow run, under 5 miles.


And I agree with you 100%, on a Thruway going fast for any amount of distance I could just image all the crap that would not only get into the fuselage and just the little dents in the covering from flying debris would be a major headache. Not to mention the turbulance as you pointed out. Well, I guess I'm not that nuts after all! (Shhh! Yes, I am!)

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

Believe it or not, I was flying out at Camp Pendleton (for those San Diego flyers) and in comes driving a Ford Escort with a blue 60 size or so Biplane on the ROOF!

His name was "The Colonel". He's probably about 65 years old and no one argued with him about it as he has been doing it for quite some time. He drives down the freeway (!) with this thing strapped to his roof but says he only goes about 35mph. He's says he's sure to wave back at all of the people giving him the one finger salute for going slow.

why is the trailer not an idea? seems like the most sensible alternative, and MUCH cheaper than loosing one plane due to any of the above mentioned methods...

Do as Flyfalcons suggested and do the removeable rudder.
Best of all the suggestions thus far.

I simply do not have the room to store a trailer. As it is my garage is full of planes, my shed is full of cars and boats. My wife thinks I am a little obsessed... NAW!

I guess I will just wait to see when the plane arrives :-)

Thanks for the input guys!

I am waiting though, as I think there will be a picture of someone who has done just what I was asking soon!

Erick

Here you go >

Erik, I have an '01 Explorer and it fits fine inside. Take the stabs off sit the tail on the center console, spinner fits just above the tailgate, little cushion so it leaves no marks, passenger in front seat starting box in the back, all works out very well. No removable rudder, no taking seat out, really simple. Wings in bags setting on other side of fuse. No moving, no hanger rash, just take it kind of easy on big bumps. My sukhoi has been riding in my explorer for a week now wainting on its maiden flight tomorrow. Good luck with yours.

Erick, do like Flyfalcons says and just buy new hinges for the rudder that have a long pin through them. I put them on a DP extra and its pretty neat...

Or do this

14th_Reaper:

Got to ask, when you leave your plane in your SUV (even over night) doesn't the covering start to bubble up in spots? Every time I leave a fuse or wings in the SUV for more than 8 hours the covering starts to bubble, no matter how tight it was. Any secrets? (Other than leaving a window opened...have to keep locked around here.)

Mhawker;
The Colonel is COL Thacker and he's a little more than 65!!!!!

I had a buddy that transported his 80" on top of his Caravan. He made a cradle from pipe like the one above and it worked like a charm!!!!!

Erick,

I have a 97 Explorer. I am able to put my GP PW 300 and H9 Super Cub in the back with no problems. Also, A guy at my field took his H9 Sukhoi with him to the Ford Deal when he bought his Explorer. As someone said, take the elevator off and slide the tail down the middle between the two front seats. He now has the H9 33% Cap and it fits nicely too. Hope this helps!

Lee

PS A guy at our field has the Explorer Sports Track (the one that looks like a pickup truck. He is hating life with the small bed. Wishes he can get a different one.