You just don't know how bothered I was

I picked up a 'cargo net' from WalMart - really a bunch of bungee cords tied together. I drive ~35 miles to our field (65+ MPH) and with just that laying on the planes, they stay put.

Most of my wings get wrapped in a blanket so the aileron servos don't mess up the other wings.

Driv'n a '97 Dodge Ram 1500 (short bed).

Jerry

I will be purchasing the angle iron for the frame hopefully tomorrow. The trailer will be 4' X 8' X 5' 4".

Randy

Good luck with the trailer project!
I think I could start one of those, but when I've tucked the Mustang, Explorer, boat on trailer and travel trailer away there's no more room in the garage and the developer doesn't want trailers in the yard. Hmmm, let's see there is room under the garage where I work on the models. The door down there just isn't big enough. I wonder if I can build a path down to that area that isn't too steep for the trailer and enlarge the door???

I too used the same type of bungee cord cargo net that tailskid uses. I now have a 4-runner, but I wish I had my old pickup back. I had two nylon cords tied to the cargo hooks in the front of the bed. The cords were attached to the back of the bed with dog leash clips. The bungee cargo net has hooks that slid down the nylon cord. It put just enough tension on the models to keep them in place and not damage them. Very versatile, worked with everything from .40 sized trainers up to 100" warbirds. I did have to slide the wings into an old sleeping bag to keep them from sliding around some.

I've neve used a racking system or net. I just get a tow chain out of my tool box and lay it across the nose, tail, maybe the wing. I usually hook one of the end hooks around the gear. Works great. I have driven 85MPH on the interstate for 20 minutes on end before with no problems. A 10' chain will restrain two .40 size aircraft. It works by making the plane too heavy to fly out of the bed, yet doesn't harm your plane. You could also just wrap it around the landing gear, and I'm sure that would be sufficient too. Cheap and easy!

April Fool right??????

My thoughts exactly.

I think that should be listed as how not to transport planes.

Why? It works great. I've never had a problem with it for several years now. Gotta see through that paradigm my friend.

I've heard of people doing something similar.

Basically taking old socks and filling them 3/4 full of sand. Basically making heavy bean bags. They put them over the wheel and tail to weigh it down just like you use your chain.

Although I have a shell, I was thinking of doing this for my planes so they don't roll around.

Tommygun, I guess a picture would have made things clear. I will take your word for.

Huh? I did add a picture. Is it not showing up when you load the page?

OOPs you sure did I must have missed it.

After looking at that pic it looks kinda of scary, that chain looks quite heavy for that light balsa.

It won't be long and I will no longer have to worry about planes flying out of the bed. Trailer is coming along nicely.

Randy

heh I have a tow chain to try that out with... although I'm positive it would crush the model... as each *link* weights a few pounds (found it at a old constuction site after the crew was finished so im sure its for bulldozers and such)

heh I'll stick with packing them in the cab until I get a cover/box made up

I really like the idea of the expandable rods in the bed of the truck.I've been trying to think up ways also,and dont really want to buy a cap.I was concerned about buffeting also,but I figure if I can find a way to secure the control surfaces it should be ok.I would think the tails of these planes would be strong enough to handle the buffeting.

What if it rains?

I had the 'open-bed-dilema' too. Sandbags, rags, chocks, chains, blankets, hold-downs, tie-downs, tools, and just about anything else worked OK for me.

I got tired of it and splurged a whole $600 on a used fiberglass cap that happens to match my CHEVY TRUCK perfectly. No more problems.

Ask yourself how much all that time it takes to secure your stuff to all the do-dads you had to make or buy is worth to you. Caps are great and for the stuff that won't fit under it the utility trailer works just fine. Especially for my new four-wheeler!


Good ideas thogh guys!

Rain is a factor but can be solved with a tarp tied across the top of the bed, pain yes! it is a pain but not every one can find a reasonable deal for a $600 camper. If I were going to invest that kind of money on something to transport planes with, then why not splurge and purchase a closed trailer for a few $100 more? for that matter you can purchase a 4 X 8 from harbor freight for under $300 and convert it to a closed trailer form around $600.

Randy

I'd love to have a trailer but don't have a place to put it. A shell or cap doesn't have that drawback.

Inorrios,

What kind of living arrangements do you have that would not allow you to store a trailer anywhere?

Randy

I'm married...

Seriously though, I live in a neighborhood. The ONLY place to put it would be in the garage or driveway. There is NO way I'm leaving it in my driveway and going in the garage would mean the driveway for my wife's car, my truck, or the workshop would have to go.

We get hail here a lot so I'd rather have the vehicles in the garage.

Just easier to get a shell or cap for the truck. I don't know what I'd do if I had a car...

Ah! OK

We get occasional hail but not real bad. I plan on leaving my trailer in the driveway and I don't have a garage any longer as it was converted over to an entertainment center, this was done before I ever knew I was getting into the hobby, or it would have became my workshop. As far as the hail, all vehicles stay out in the driveway to get beat up :rainfro:

A side note my truck never fit in the garage so that as not an option anyway. Married? been engaged for 3 years now

Randy

Another option:

http://www.truxedo.com/

or

http://www.truckhyde.com/

Truck bed covers that would protect your aircraft without limiting the "other" things you might want to haul.

Nice web sites Blackwuf,

Do you know off the bat what these Velcro and loop lock systems cost?

Maybe its me but I can't seem to find a price on either of these covers.

One thing about Truxedo covers is that the Velcro looses its stick over time. Each time you strap both ends together and then pull them apart it breaks down and losses its grip. The reason I say this is from experience. I have had many items that used it and over time of sticking them together and then pulling them apart it got to the point to where it just did not want to stick anymore.

Randy

I do not regret getting my cap at all. I just got back from a vacation to Cape Hatteras, NC. It rained when we got there and we got pummeled on the way home. Without the cap the contents in the bed would have been soaked and not at all safe from sticky fingers and the elements sun and wind.
I keep my Knack gangbox and assorted other stuff in the truck at all times. I rigged up two dome lights in the cap and a constant 12V power supply at the rear. The lights are on 3-way switches. One switch at the rear, (next to the power supply), and the other just inside the sliding front window. Having a sliding rear window on my truck's cab is something I would not want to be without.
I just picked up a 6 X 8' steel bed trailer with removable wooden sides from a bud for $75, (including hitch and ball). After the title transfer and repairs/additions, (another 75-$100), I'm as happy as could be.

I'm curious, what does one haul that the cap would not allow you to? How often does one haul these things? I considered these questions before I bought the cap and dismissed them due to my personal answers.

Do the math and factor in convenience. Remember: Work/live smarter - not harder!

All I have to do now is finnish working on my planes and find the number for Mother Nature so I can request she ease up on the wind and rain.

BTW, since I can be pedantic at times, I checked on the actual price of my used cap. $541.50.

I find myself hauling things that are higher than the sides of my truck quite often so I got a shell. Very rarely do I haul anything taller than the truck. But just in case I got it clamped on. 30 minutes and it's off.

Examples? Lawnmower, trees, couch, computer racks, etc.. But that's me. I thought long and hard about just getting a cap but I also wanted to be able to sleep in the truck bed when I went fishing.

I also rigged up a 12v power adapter near the tailgate, off of the shell's light. It's an "alway on" source. I would recommend this for anyone as you have an easy charging station.