Bretd123

I have recently had the problem that my planes are shuffling around in my expedition no matter how i position them. I thought a pvc rack would be no problem to build until i thought about getting giant scale planes. I am getting a giant super sportster sunday and after that i want to get into 50cc aerobatic planes, all of which will need to be able to fit in my suv (hopefully on the rack). so anyway, i have a bunch of pvc and no clue how i am going to make it where it will accomidate all of the different size planes. I dont have the money to get a trailer right now. Any suggestions? Id like to see what you guys have done.[X(]

jkovar

Bret I have no way of posting pictures... but what I did was simple and coast about 15 bucks at home depot... I used 1 inch pvc pipes. I made a square base that is about 2 1/2 feet by 2 1/2 feet I used 4 90 degree elbows and four sections of pvc. about 3 inches from each corner I put a "T" that ran up on all four sides and then I put what looks like a field goal post on each one of the "t's".. I have four of theses one on each corner... then I added some rubber foam hoze that I zipped tied down. like I said.. sorry I have no way pf posting pictures.. but I hope this helps you get an idea.

the field goal is made up of one "t" feeting and 2 90 degree bends each... I made four of these.... all in all I used 2 8ft sections of pvc.... 12 90 degree elbows.. and 8 "t" sections of pvc..



When you go to make your brakets just make them wide enough for your plane fusalage and tall enough for the ones that will support your wings... ( I place the wings on the leading edge and slide them in)....

Also make sure that you have enough distance width wise to keep your elevator from bumping your wings... good luck..

Bretd123

About how many planes can you fit on that?

jkovar

I have one plane on there now.. But I can remove one of the edges on the upright add a another t to both ends and add another plane...


also I made sure that the "T's" where tall enough for my plane to rest on the rack and not touch the ground.. It does not look like it hear.. but my mains do not touch the ground

here is a crude picture of it... [img][/img]

Bretd123

looks great I am gonna make mine a little bigger. Ya think theres any way to make a double-decker?[X(]

ChuckW

When you build it, hold off on the glue at first. Dry fit everything since you'll likely make several changes before you decide on what you finally want. If you don't want to disassemble it all and use PVC glue, thin CA will work. Just wick it into each joint of the completed assembly.

Qld Flyer

I used self tapping screws on mine instead of glue. You can then change it so suit different planes without having to start from scratch.

mclina

This may not work for your larger planes, but I just use a shower curtain rod covered in foam pipe insulation. I have fit three planes across the top and an assembled biplane underneath. All 40 size planes. I use little bungee cords to hold the rod in place, rather than letting the spring tension push on the windows.

jkovar

great point!!!!! I was building mine and was about to start slinging glue when I hit the breaks and did a dry fit... glad I did.. lol....

I like the idea of screwing it together as well... gives you room to expand without using a hack saw....

speaking of.. get a pvc pipe cutter....well worth the 10 dollars at HD.

Bretd123

does the curtain rack scratch anything in the car? ours is new and my mom would freak out

mclina

No. The ends of the rods are rubber, and the rest is wrapped in foam.

-pkh-

My Feedback: (2)

I use shower curtain rods with foam insulation over them as well. I have a Subaru Outback station wagon, and one rod rests on the window sills of the back side windows (cargo area) and the other rod rests on the top of the rear door window sills AND it is suspended by string from the handles/hooks on the ceiling. This keeps the front rod from falling down when I open up the back doors. Wings rest on top of the rods, and the plane fuses go down below.

A picture is worth a thousand words, so here are a couple of photos:

Safebet

My Feedback: (12)

Here's mine. Holds four planes, longest wingspan I can fit into the van is 86". Very compact.

Made for me by a fellow in Ione, Oregon. Got an ad on RCU. Cost shipped $95.00. All pieces
cut, including foam, drew me a beautiful diagram on how to asseble with all pieces
marked. Love it. Don't have to unload planes. They go where I go.

Bretd123

Alright i finally built one but i don't know if i am going to like it

cruzomatic

My Feedback: (17)

Don't forget the foam pipe insulation. It's cheap and it'll protect your planes during transport.

The Juice

My Feedback: (1)

I just built one today based of jkovar's design(thanks), quick and simple. It took lest than an hour and probably cost less than 10 dollars. Safebet's is a great step up for when you get more planes.

carrellh

My carrier holds one plane. It's slightly shorter than 6.5 feet. It is longer than the wingspan of my plane so there is no way the plane can be damaged if the rack slides forward or back in the bed of the truck. It also leans against the garage wall for fairly convenient storage and battery charging.

cruzomatic

My Feedback: (17)

Here's mine.