vatechguy3

My Feedback: (11)

i would like to hear everyone opinions of how best to haul a 40% around, both locally and on the road to different contests and events.

i did drive a minivan, but unfortunately the transmission decided to stop transmitting power to the wheels for the second time. so i need to buy a new vehicle.

right now i am thinking about three options:

1) a chevy surburban
2) another mini van
3) a smaller truck (toyota tacoma 6cyl, or similar) and trailer.

please let me know what you guys think about each option and their pros and cons, because until i make a decision, theres no flying for me!!!

thanks
tony

HarryJ

My Feedback: (98)

A trailer. You always have a storage space and less chance of getting hanger rash. Build your racks to fit your plane and leave them in place. You can keep all esentials with plane and don't forget half of them at home. The newer trailers are light, aerodynamic, and can be pulled even with a compact car.






Harry

flyinrazrback

My Feedback: (69)

I have a trailer, but I still find myself most of the time just taking the stabs off and throwing it in the explorer tail first, fits fine, and no hangar rash.

rmh

Get a Surbaru Loyale cheap - reliable and
a conversation piece
also gets super milage - you can haul anything thru two feet of snow to boot
PS I have gone thru 3 full size conversion Chev vans great machines but the price of fuel anymore just makes these a bit expensive for general use.
I filled the little bugger to go flying today - 35 bucks - (12 gallons) but 32 MPG on th road--
My pride has gone --along with $1.00 gas ---

todhog

My Feedback: (9)

With gas at nearly 3 bucks a gallon, I'd get with a high millage vehicle and a small trailer. I've got to get some pics of mine for people to see how it works. I'll try tomorrow.

Todd

rcblimppro

Here in CA if you have a trailer the maximum legal speed is 55 mph. Is it the same in your states?
the cost of gas is high and that last year gave me some really good negotiating power when I bought my Suburban. I ended up paying 9200.00 for a low milage '99 4 wheel drive with all the goodies. the way I look at it what I saved on the purchase price and the reduced maintenance costs more than offset the extra gas. It also is great for transporting my 5 member family in comfort.

Shawn

rctom

I drive ford Excursion with a turbo-diesel 7.3L. I get 17+ mpg and it will haul a 40% plane completely inside. If you can find a used one it's the perfect flying vehicle. Second would be a suburban with the Duramax diesel (is it available in a Suburban?).

My other plan was to have a good mileage sedan for everyday driving and an older full size van just for flying. Since they get crummy mileage you can buy them super cheap in good condition. If all you use it for is driving to the field the cost of gas is not real significant. There are lots of van-conversions on the market, just pull out the rear seats and they make for a really nice ride.

You can buy a decent used van conversion for not that much more than a nice trailer.


TF

DadsToysBG

My Feedback: (35)

I use a 16ft trailer. I have three 40% in it with lots of room for the "stuff". When I get home all I have to do is un-hitch and go in the house. Going to the field is easy and I don't forget anything. Dennis

Diablo-RCU

My Feedback: (1)

Another option - Ford E-150 cargo van - 17 mpg.
It's a chick magnet.......

matus777

Dick we can tell that you do not live in an urban area...LOL! Bumper to bumper traffic, in some areas, would provide a bit-O hangar rash with that Subaru!

extra1968

I have a chevy surburban and my AM 35% yak just fits, it has a 4x8 cargo aera .

YNOT

3/4 ton HD 15 pass extended Chevy van.

3 seats out of the back haul 2 40's with stabs off or 1 with stabs on, plus all the gear, foamys and a profile, maybe 2 and stll have room for the wife and 2 kids, plus I do have a trailer for those long hauls.

vatechguy3

My Feedback: (11)

i am thinking about going with another minivan, a dodge grand caravan, but get one with a towing package. that way i can get the plane stored inside for flying locally, and still tow a trailer on trips.

what do you guys think?

thanks
tony

Matt Merciez

My Feedback: (34)

As long as the trailer does not have a large front profile, the minvan will be fine.

rmh

If you really must have an enclosed dedicated setup -- an old long body Dodge/Ply/Chry mini is usually the cheapest -because most are rats .
you can usually find a servicable one with a trans still working ( tho for how long is anybody's guess) fir under a grand
toss the seats and they have plenty of room
cost less than a trailer.
with real luck--there were some with stick shifts in the late 1980's -I drove one once - it was a rat - but as an airplane hauler who cares. By now, most of these have been crushed .

Bass1

Hey Dick, Is that rudder large enough for good knife edge in that Subaru??

Mastertech

My Feedback: (31)

No Silly, Subaru's don't hold a knife edge very well.

Mastertech

My Feedback: (31)

The cheapest option is most likely to get the trans properly rebuilt in the van you own now. If everything else is in pretty decent shape then it's a viable option.

Flyfalcons

I have a good mileage car with a 5x10 trailer to haul my stuff. The car gets 28mpg without the trailer and 20mpg with the trailer, which is better than any Suburban will ever get and I have much more interior room with the trailer. I like this combo because I only want one vehicle and I don't want to have to lug a huge truck around town to get groceries.

rmh

Subaru's also don't snap roll like my EXPLORER will easily do ---
My wife will not drive it on the freeway and I would not let her do it even if she wanted to

johnboyrc

Suburu's are pretty fun inverted, can slide quite a ways that way.
I was thinking about getting a trailer as well, but dual purpose -planes/summer, icefishing/winter. A lot of the custom trailers for ice fishing have wheels that retract so the trailer drops down to the ground/ice. They're well insulated too, would work great for the winter funfly's up here in the north.

todhog

My Feedback: (9)

Ice fishing? I just buy my ice at the store.

Todd

DKjens

My Feedback: (50)

LOL - I make my own, or my freezer makes it for me he he.

I have a new 6' x 6'2" x 14' Haulmark trailer, cost: $3,200.00 incl. tax and license. I drive a '96 lowered Chevy Tahoe. Everyday driving gets me around 23-25mpg, and I scrunge when I fill it up 22-24 Gl at $75.00, but I'm lucky I work 5 miles from home and don't have a commute. On a trip last Friday to the Nevada state border and back, averaging 70-90 mph and A/C on all the time, I got 19-20mpg. I don't think my mileage goes down very much when hauling my trailer, but I would like to have a less thirsty vehicle for my everyday driving.

DKjens

rmh

an old 4 cyl subaru.
I took the pig in a wheelbarrow out again today

budgetdude

My Feedback: (6)

I can get a 35% extra in my fucus wagon with the hatch closed. I think I could fit a 40 with the rudder detached and the remove the spinner. I have purchased a harbour frieght 4x8 trailor for 230$. I might build a 4x10 box to put the planes in. The wagon pulls it real easy.