transporting large scale models
 

Hello,

I transport my giant scale models in my minivan. The family has shrunk and I need to replace the minivan with something else. I am looking for an alternative vehicle (tired of driving the minivan). At the moment I need to be able to transport a 1/4 scale model that is about 68 inches long with a one piece 84 inch wing. Things could get a bit larger or smaller but I need a vehicle that can transport something in that range. I am moving to an apartment that has no place to stash a trailer so that route is out of the question. I would like to hear what sort of vehicles others use to transport their large scale models. By the way the wife does not like the idea of a pickup, the obvious solution. What are you guys using to haul around your models?

thanks,
Dave

Minivan . All of the rear seats removed equals lots of room,removable shelf installed for wings, good gas mileage and comfortable to drive. On my second one now.

I used to transport my models between 80 and 102 inch span in a small Mitsubishi pickup with a topper on the back. Laid down a piece of plywood with carpet, and that had eyebolts in it for securing the planes. Some of the wings were one-piece and I would have to leave the tailgate down to accommodate those. Am looking at the same issue now if our place sells, as I have a runway here. Has anyone found a method of carrying a large scale plane and wing on a roof rack? Seems the wing would have to be in its own box if so.

Or you could start building your models different and buy a Corolla ! ;) 1/4 Balsa USA Neiuport 11 breaks down and fits in the trunk. I don't even have to put a single part in the seating area.
:)

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nice foodstick, that is a solution I had never even thought of. Nice looking Nieuport.

Keep the minivan for the models, buy a car your wife likes for every day.

+1

Keep the minivan. Fewer kids just means more room for models! And as Foodstick suggests, building with an eye to portability is a good idea when dealing with large models.

Hi Dave,
Before trailers I had a Suburban, which could haul several large airplanes. But, at the time, I had a family, and taking the seats in and out was a pain. If you could leave the seats out it would be ideal. Plus women like driving the Suburban. It's big and powerful, they set up high.

steve p

Pickups suck! :-) You are tired of your mini van, not minivans:-) I love my Odyssey truck! Something like a Honda Element? Don't be a stranger (than you already are) Dah Ha Ha

Love and Kisses,Dave

I find that having an Express 1500 cargo van works best for me to haul toys with...http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2053585http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2053586

Bob

Using "creative packaging" I've squeezed both my BUSA 1/4 scale DRI and Nieuport 11 in my Ford Focus station wagon. Those along with support equipment, a small suitcase and a popup shelter on the roof. I did this when I attended Rhinebeck a few years ago. I had to drive alone, of course. The planes are not modified with removable tails or two piece upper wings. I'm able to fit up to a 100" one piece wing in it.

A Subaru Outback would do the same and it drives better and gets better mileage than a van.

I'm working on a 1/3 scale NII now and have no idea how I'm going to transport it! I'll probably need a small utility trailer and/or build it to break down to fit the wagon.

I will add two things TOYOTA, make a Corolla station wagon !, and I do miss my dear departed 1989 long wheel base commercial Dodge caravan... Some people have a favorite muscle car in their lives.. I sure miss that old white box ! hahahah at least it was a 5 speed manual ..so I GUESS it was sorta sporty.

I will probably build more models that are sub assemblies. I like to build and it slows me down filling up my house !

Well.. I don't have any suggestions as I use a truck and that's out for ya.. so may as well say if I ever run into some serious coin, this would fit my bill nicely. With the proper mods... very nice indeed!

I can put a 1/3 Hanger Nine Pawnee in my like new 1976 Chevy Estate station wagon. I've had it since new when wife use to use it for boy scout troops and church kids.
I took it over as a plane huller and built wing racks above and goodness only knows what all is under the seats.
Keep your mini Van....your plane likes to ride in AC comfort instead of being beat to death in a darn hot trailer.

I have a Chevy Traverse , carry a 37% edge 540 and a giant Stinger [84" one piece wing] at the same time. This thing drives like a car. Gets 24 mpg on the highway and super comfy. Also will pull my 12' enclosed trailer with no problems.

Definitely a van (or mini van).. I (usually) do more damage transporting than flying. I have one of these (badged Vauxhall in the UK which is really GM but built in France by Renault).. I doubt they're available in the US but it has everything I need, very comfy seats, a huge stereo and 50+ mpg on a long drive....

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This would be my choose if I didn't already have a good full size pickup with a topper. The ideas are ending what you could do with this vehicle.


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Scott, 50 mpg .....DROOL... OK ! So I am CHEAP!

Yes those would be the ultimate in planes transportation. I drove(rented) a few and they are nice.
For now I will keep using the dixie cups !

There is no way the idiots that think they are in charge in the USA would allow a useful vehicle that got 50 mpg in this country, it would cut into the gas tax revenue . A suburban works very well as a airplane transporter. I think if I had to disassemble assemble like foodstick does I would leave that plane at home. All the new mini vans are very nice as we have a few new ones in our club. After one of our members does a demo on his new van it makes you want to go buy one. The sprinter van has to be one of the best haulers around and good mileage but does it fit you.

If you want something that is cool, muscular, and can carry some cargo, without looking like a "Soccer Dad" anymore, take a look at the Dodge Magnum.. Carries a load, while still looking cool!!

Craig.

Foodstick/Karl... they get back at us with what they charge for petrol/diesel here. Diesel here is currently £1.22/litre which works out about $1.96, normal petrol a few cents cheaper but still stupidly expensive.. half of it is tax. So we pay the equivalent of nearly $9 a gallon.

That's why when I come to the US or Canada I can rent an Explorer or similar, drive it like I stole it and be happy when I fill it. :D Last time I was over there I met a guy that heard my accent at a gas station. When he heard how much we pay here he said his would be at the bottom of a lake if it was that expensive there :D

I drive my FORD Flex. Seats fold down as necessary. You can just get 2 large (1/5) scale planes in there if you are creative with loading an or using shelveshttp://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2053997http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2053998

Scott, it's getting cheaper every day here, I filled up yesterday and diesel was $3.21 us gallon and gas is about $2.50. We were up to $4.25 for gas earlier in the year , it was costing me $10 to go flying. I think we have a .38 cent a gallon tax here in Washington state. It is interesting about all the different cars, trucks and vans around the world or options for transporting model airplanes.

I used the a 2013 Ford Exsplore with the 4 clyinder with twin turbos, it was great, 22mph in town, and 28 or so in long family trips. I was able to get about the same size and amount of planes as I do now in my 2014 Chrysler Town and Country.

Gas is 158 yen per liter here in Japan. That's down from about 170 yen earlier in the year and works out to something like $5 a gallon. My flying field is an hour and a half drive away (one way) so I figure I'm probably spending a minimum of $20 in gas each time I fly. (Also a 4-liter can of nitro fuel runs about $35.)

On the plus side, it's one heck of a nice drive this time of year! The first photo shows the road to the field. The second shows my model sitting on the nice grass strip. The third photo shows the view of the mountains as seen from the field (with a telephoto). The fourth photo shows my van...just shortly before I got stuck in all that lovely snow. And the last photo shows the vehicle I'm considering getting next! :D

I got by with Suburbans for years .Now I have a Denali XL. The older 1995-1999 Suburbans are pretty much bullet proof and will go for as long as you maintain them. Both of mine were well over 200K when I replaced them and still going strong. The operating costs ( Gas ) are high but the purchase, insurance and maintenance costs are very low. When I ran the numbers as to cost per year of the Suburban Vs cost per year on a like year mini van the Suburban was less expensive.

Hi Ron, I had been looking at a Traverse. A buddy has one and we examined the back. The rear seats fold down but I still can't imagine a 37% edge in there. Does the front passenger seat fold down? How do you get that 84 inch wing in there? Got a picture of it all loaded up?

I did get a chance to drive a grand caravan (rental) the other day. I like the stow-and-go seats that fold flat into the floor. It is not all that comfortable to ride in though.

Ford Expedition. I have a 2003 that holds planes well. the seats fold down. I made two racks that hang on the mid and rear coat hanger hooks that can hold an 84in wing easily.

Ford Edge 2013. 2L ECO Boost 24 mpg FWD. Delightfull ride. Am able to slide in one piece 80" wing as well as a broken down:

1/4 J-3 Hangar 9
or a 1/4 Tiger Moth Hangar 9

You and your wife will love it. You can get it in several configurations and price range.
Enjoy

Rafeek

I have a 4X4 Suburban, 96" floor length, 37" high at the doors and 48" wide at the floor wheel wells, second seat folds to level with the floor, 3 seat is removed, with the added width ahead of wheel wells you can get two large planes in it easy. I built a plywood floor that when done it will slide out 4' and the two rear side doors allow easy access to what's up front, and it's all under cover and secure when locked up. It's possible to put a second deck on it for smaller planes, wings or whatever. I'm liking mine.

Older ones are cheep and 15 to 18 MPG is not bad for it's size, I also pull a camp trailer. try that with a PU and a 6' box.

Leroy

Yes, when gas was $1.80-2.00/gal I loved my full sized Grand Wagoneers. Comfortable, cavernous inside,unstoppable, 13mpg on a good day, 10 when towing. Finally had to retire them because of fuel costs and switched to the minivans.

I drove a 92 Caravan and then a 94 Town & Country until just recently. It was amazing how much you could fit into one of them. Just bought a 04 Town & Country, and while it's still the same length and width on the floor, the sides taper in at the top and make for a good bit less room for my wing rack. :confused:

I second the idea of staying with a mini van. Good interior volume, everything is is protected from the weather, easy access via the large back door, pleanty of tie down locations. If you get a Dodge caravan or the Chrystler Town and Country, the seats are stow and go so you dont have to remove them, just fold them into the floor.
If your worried about image, phoey! This is where function outshines any image issues.

Just finished setting up my '04 T&C.
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After beating the snot out of my airplanes, I went with the Mercedes Sprinter. No trailers in the driveway, no extra registrations and gas for another vehicle that sits in the drive most of the year. 23 around town and 25-26 on long haul. Best part is 3 Ziroli size airplanes inside. If you are looking at a nice pickup you will spend about the same amount with the trailer.

[QUOTE=Ram-bro;11935433]I drive my FORD Flex. Seats fold down as necessary. You can just get 2 large (1/5) scale planes in there if you are creative with loading an or using shelveshttp://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2053997http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2053998[/Q

+++1

The sprinter is a very good airplane hauler ,they might even be a little cheaper than a newer suburban.

And thank goodness they screwed up and let gasoline get back down to 2 bucks a gallon ! If I had a 5000 gallon tank I would be filling it up as we speak ;)

On the topic of large models, how do you all store these beasts? Bear in mind that not everyone has a large American-style garage.