TailTouch

My Feedback: (54)

Hi Everyone,
My one toy (BMW M3) will not carry any of my bigger toys...
Unfortunately one toy has to go

My question to those of you who own SUV's, what do you use to haul your upto 33% planes ?

I am looking to buy something that can accomodate a fuselage length of upto 94" (AW Edge 540T).

I don't want to buy a trailer at this stage...

Thanks & Happy landings

tiggerinmk

I've got an Expedition, I've transported a single bed in it with the rear seats down but that's only about 6'6" I think.

You're looking at an area 8 foot long? First thing that springs to mind is an F150 pickup long wheelbase. This has an 8 foot bed. Get the super cab version and a camper shell, to be real cosy...

azhar

My Feedback: (19)

If you are not concerned about driving minivans, then the new Nissan Quest should be the ticket as all the seats fold into the floor and is able to easily accomodate and 8x4 plank on the floor.


Azhar

Fly4Fun2

My Feedback: (25)

At the IMAC Nats, there was a guy with a Honda Civic hatchback and a 33% FC Extra in it!!! 40 MPG and giant scale - can't beat it!

There was also Bill Richey who FLEW to the Nats in an A36 Bonanza from California. He took all of the passenger seats out and set his 35% Aeroworks Edge 540 T in the bonanza and cruised on over to Muncie!

Flyfalcons

I've seen a 40% Carden Extra fit into a Ford Explorer. Just remove the elevators and rudder and put the tail between the two front seats and you can fit a very large plane into a relatively small SUV.

bdphil

My Feedback: (26)

The Chevy Suburban I have works great for 1/3 scale planes. Remove the 3rd row seat and fold the second row flat. I would suggest getting one with "barn doors" in the back, mine has a tailgate and it's kind of a pain.

Ben

JohnVH

My Feedback: (38)

Ive also seen a 33% Sukhoi into one of those BMW SUV things.

GalenB

My Feedback: (18)

Having recently went through this and buying an Explorer I have some relevant data. The 2003 Explorer will do up to 85" with the passenger seat moved forward. The 2003 Expedition, will do more and is a great plane hauling SUV. I did not buy one because it wouldn't fit in my garage. The Trailblazer EXT is the longest mid-size SUV, but I did not like the way it drove when compared to the Fords. The Explorer and Expedition have independent 4 wheel suspension and exhibit very little body roll around corners. As stated, I liked the Expedition the best, but the Explorer is easier to get into tighter spaces. If you have no limits on size look at the Expedition or Suburban... Don't bother with a Tahoe as the back seats do not fold out of the way...

Johnnylightning

Honda Element...Must see!

smokingcrater

i can imagine the looks already, show up at your local car dealership with a 35%, and tell them you need to try the vehicle on for size first!

scottrc

Before I got a new Dodge RAM for a plane carrier, I was using a 89 Honda CRX to haul my planes around.
I take out the passenger seat in my CRX and the 80" Mustang fits fine along with a .40 size Ultra Sport. Also get in the support box, a lawn chair, tent, and cooler.
Even took the dog a couple of times. Just took some planning and was really cool that it took less gas then my plane.

The car, not the dog, he just passed gas.

TomM

I bought my Subaru wagon by showing up at the dealership and loading a couple of planes in the back. After they fit, I said I'd buy it.

You can fit an 8 foot wing in there with the back and front seat folded down. I bring stacks of 8 foot 2x4's home from the lumberyard that way. The only bad thing is it's about 4 inches shy of getting a 4x8 sheet of plywood in the back hatch.

Best load so far was a 12HP Sears tractor, or, 2 76" planes, 2 110" gliders, 1 heli, 1 flight box, 1 tool box, 1 wife, 2 foldup chairs, and 1 beach umbrella.

scottrc

Done that! My wife fell in love with a Ford Escort. The salesman was showing the fold down rear seats. I told her I would be game if a 101" wing would fit in it. Just happened I had the plane with me in my old truck. Yep, tried it. Back seat folded down and the front passenger seat folded back over it, and the wing fit.

She asked the dealer if he knew the blue book value of an Extra 300S and if he'd trade.

GalenB

My Feedback: (18)

I had a Loyale wagon that I could carry 4 40 sized planes, support gear, and my daughter in. I'd have to put her bike on the roof though... It was a great airplane car -- so great in fact I saw no need to get a bigger car until I got ready for 31-35% planes... I'd been wanting a new SUV for years, but just couldn't justify it to myself as my Subaru ran great and carried more then anyone thought possible...

MHawker

My Feedback: (16)

A guy at our field has the 33% Sukhoi. He brings it to the field in a late 90's Toyota 4Runner.

Bak_WOODS_Hik

I would probably go for the hummer if I was going to spend that much on a little so called off road vehicle! right now I drive an old school bus. i done took all the seats out and shes purrty.

Hey tomM! i like the picture

tiggerinmk

I know someone who has a school bus he might sell if you're interested..

TexasAirBoss

My Feedback: (22)

I have a Saturn L200 wagon. It measures 72 inches from the back of the front seats to the hatch. And because the wheel wells are smaller than those on SUV's, the cargo area is actually wider than most.
A friend uses a Nissan Xtera and transports large 3D's and turbines in it. I don't know what it measures, but it is pretty good.
Also, look at the Volvo wagon. One model has about 320 HP. You won't miss that M3 at all !

I too had a Civic hatchback.......amazing car !

daven

My Feedback: (1)

Its funny about the comments in regards to the Honda Civic. I had a 97' two door coupe, and I was amazed at the amount of planes I could fit into it.

I upgraded a couple years ago to a VW passat, and I can barely fit anything more in it, than what I had with the much smaller civic.

My wife has a Honda CRV that works ok, but I wish I would have spent the extra on the Honda Pilot. Now that is a nice vehicle.

Greyhawk

Tahoe w/ split bench back seats or Suburbam w/ same.
Honda Odyssey - amazing amount of room when mid seats pop out and rear seat folds into recessed floor.

Borzak

My Feedback: (2)

My instructor drives a Ford Festiva/Fiesta or whatever it's called. It's a really small car and he fits a 1/4 scale (I think) spacewalker in it.

He has the front passanger seat taken out and the wing sits on the dash and butts up against the hatch but it fits good.

He's lucky tho he lives close by the field and brings one plane then goes home and brings back another in under 5 minutes, while I drive 1 hour one way to get there

Bill Vargas

My Feedback: (5)

Suburban.

Pack your plane in,,, Plug in the charger and Go! With a 43 gal tank, its easy to reach those neighboring states with cool flying fields


BV

Dago Red

My Feedback: (11)

I drive a 1984 surburban, all the seats are gone cept the driver and passanger front seat. I can fit a 90-100 inch plane if i had one. To bad its old and worn. hopfully getting a camero soon to replace that, now i wont be able to haul my ultra sport 40 with out being cramped.lol

Id say go for a surburban, awsome vehicles.

xp8103

My Feedback: (16)

Unless you are planning to NEVER go to the field with someone else in your car, I'd suggest staying away from the small car route (Honda, Subaru, etc where all the seats must be folded down).
I have a 99 Expedition that is more than adequate for my 33% H9 Sukhoi. I bought it because I needed something that was large enough to haul a large plane as well as pull a camper. See, if you're pulling a camper, you can't pull a trailer to carry your plane at the same time.
Now, if your requirements do not tend to the extra person/hauling, I'd suggest for darned little money you could find a 10 year old Mitsubishi Expo wagon (aka Dodge Colt Vista), the 5 door version. This little baby was, as far as I am concerned, the ULTIMATE plane hauler. It was not a mini-van as it had two conventional rear doors like a station wagon but it was taller than that yet not as overtly "mini-van" as the Honda/Chrysler examples are. It came with 3 rows of seats with the rears all split and foldable flat. I was able to fit my Nosen Mr. Mulligan in there and THAT was a big plane. Mine was a 92 that I bought in 95 with 36k on the clock. It gave me 6 years and 150k additional miles of wonderful service. It was a 5-sp with a/c, cd and cruise.
Another consideration, again depending on your needs. A fellow was at our IMAC contest with a simple GMC van. It was finished off in side and probably at one time was nice and neat and clean. He removed the rear seats and set it up for carrying his planes and uses it pretty much just for that. He had a C-ARF 40% YAK and a 40% Edge in it. Those are two BIG planes.

I love my Expedition but I still shed a tear for the Expo. Here she was:

TailTouch

My Feedback: (54)

Thanks everyone for so many suggestions...

I have showed up at couple of dealerships with measuring tape...they look at me and ask what will you be hauling...and I say with a big smile on my face "RC Planes"

Not being picky or stuck-up, I also have to consider my wife's requirements, so cars like Honda Element, Chevy Suburbans, minivans & definitely volvo station wagons are a big no-no

As is, she is finding it hard to let go of the M3, even though it is my car

I was saying 33% because I guess anything larger than that would require a trailer...

The new VW Toureag looks ssssswwweetttt !!!!