Friends,

I'd like your advice, please...

Please post photos, video & advice re: your systems for transporting RC aircraft in minivans or SUVs

My family has both a minivan, and an SUV, and I'd like to be able to transport as many of my RC airplane models as possible... safely, securely, and conveniently...

My SUV has room for a shelf that would be 5 foot (i.e., 60 inch, 150 cm) wide by 3 foot (i.e., 36 inch or 90 cm) long (from front of vehicle to back).

I have thought about various materials for shelves, and how to secure the models to the shelves... shelves made of plywood, clear plastic plexiglas, blucorefoam with wooden support, lattice made of wood or plastic...

How do you secure your models in your vehicle? bungee cords, rubber bands, velcro straps, or other... ?

I like the idea of clear shelves, or lattice, to let light reach the lower areas under the shelving...

Please post photos and advice, of what works for you, and what other folks should consider for RC airplane storage systems in minivans and SUVs.

Thanks!!!

Kevin


PS - I searched a lot and couldn't find a thread on this topic... if there is such a thread, please post a link to it.

Never done it. But unless the models are one piece, i.e. the wings don't come off, I would transport models vertically in cardboard boxes, (sized for the specific model). Just a 3/4 height box would do, not full length, so the the tail sticks out.

The boxes can have simple foam packing to stop the model moving about. The boxes can be stood vertical against a 'wall', and a simple bungee could be used to hold them there.

The additional advantage as I see it, would be that removing just one box gives you that complete model, easy to carry to a flying site, and you don't leave something important behind, (been there done that ), and the others don't have to be moved out of the way etc if stacked on shelves, (plus no shelves to make, or get in the way when not needed).

But then I don't have an SUV, minivan, etc, just silly big planes that I have to squeeze into a Honda Civic

Originally Posted by eflightray

Never done it. But unless the models are one piece, i.e. the wings don't come off, I would transport models vertically in cardboard boxes, (sized for the specific model). Just a 3/4 height box would do, not full length, so the the tail sticks out.

The boxes can have simple foam packing to stop the model moving about. The boxes can be stood vertical against a 'wall', and a simple bungee could be used to hold them there.

The additional advantage as I see it, would be that removing just one box gives you that complete model, easy to carry to a flying site, and you don't leave something important behind, (been there done that ), and the others don't have to be moved out of the way etc if stacked on shelves, (plus no shelves to make, or get in the way when not needed).

But then I don't have an SUV, minivan, etc, just silly big planes that I have to squeeze into a Honda Civic

Hi Eflightray,

Thanks! That's a cool idea I hadn't thought of!

Most of my models are 3 to 4 foot wingspans, with removable wings... so a box like you described could work...

Thanks!

Kevin

A board with dowel rods and foam for the wings vertically, another with wheel chaulks for the fuselages.
Or even the same board for both but that would be a bit of a hassel to remove for other uses of the vehicle SHOULD the need arise, but then what is more important than hauling planes? ;<)


Joe

Well I've tried all sorts of contraptions ( PVC, custom cut foam stands, etc). I keep going back to not using anything. For the larger stuff I have a trailer, but when I want to go out with the smaller planes (including an 8' sail plane, SIg Kougar, EFlight E-stick25, Formosa, Sunrise, EZstar,) I can fit them neatly in the back of my mid-sized SUV with no problems. I find it easier to not fold down the rear seats. I don't really have time to fly any more than those on an outing, which is usually all day.
I've also transported the lot in a Camery Hybrid (Hybrid has less trunk space than a non-hybrid sedan due to the battery pack) with no problems. A little tighter, but do-able on the rare occasion my wife needs my SUV on the weekends.
I find I can fit more, it is no more difficult ( or easier ) to load/unload and so far no hangar rash from the ride. Other sources, yes. But not the ride to/from the field.

FWIW, if you check at the bottom of this thread, there are a few threads on transporting planes in a minivan, or SUV.

The wings are what take room... PVC stand with vertical slats with foam pipe insulation on bottom and sides. Can fit 4 wings in about 20" wide space For fuses, I alternate nose, tail, nose, tail.

My buddy and I strung a cargo net in the center of the truck topper. Gives us two layers to put stuff in. The fragile planes go in the net and are cushioned by the "spring" action of the net. The heavy transmitter cases,tool boxws, batteriesm etc... go on the bottom

Originally Posted by Thermaler

A board with dowel rods and foam for the wings vertically, another with wheel chaulks for the fuselages.
Or even the same board for both but that would be a bit of a hassel to remove for other uses of the vehicle SHOULD the need arise, but then what is more important than hauling planes? ;<)

Joe

Thanks, Joe! Excellent points!

Originally Posted by rcav8r2

Well I've tried all sorts of contraptions ( PVC, custom cut foam stands, etc). I keep going back to not using anything. For the larger stuff I have a trailer, but when I want to go out with the smaller planes (including an 8' sail plane, SIg Kougar, EFlight E-stick25, Formosa, Sunrise, EZstar,) I can fit them neatly in the back of my mid-sized SUV with no problems. I find it easier to not fold down the rear seats. I don't really have time to fly any more than those on an outing, which is usually all day.
I've also transported the lot in a Camery Hybrid (Hybrid has less trunk space than a non-hybrid sedan due to the battery pack) with no problems. A little tighter, but do-able on the rare occasion my wife needs my SUV on the weekends.
I find I can fit more, it is no more difficult ( or easier ) to load/unload and so far no hangar rash from the ride. Other sources, yes. But not the ride to/from the field.

FWIW, if you check at the bottom of this thread, there are a few threads on transporting planes in a minivan, or SUV.

Thanks, rcav8r2!

I've now read the threads at the bottom of the page... some good info there!

Originally Posted by Thermalin

The wings are what take room... PVC stand with vertical slats with foam pipe insulation on bottom and sides. Can fit 4 wings in about 20" wide space For fuses, I alternate nose, tail, nose, tail.

Thanks, Thermalin! Cool idea.

Originally Posted by topher

My buddy and I strung a cargo net in the center of the truck topper. Gives us two layers to put stuff in. The fragile planes go in the net and are cushioned by the "spring" action of the net. The heavy transmitter cases,tool boxws, batteriesm etc... go on the bottom

Hey, topher, Cool idea! I'll have to look for a cargo net to hang...

Thanks, guys!!!

I appreciate the advice,

Kevin