How to hold down a big plane in a van???

[Aerobat]

The title says it all -- how do you keep your giant from rolling around the van when you travel?

The tail of my 40% slides up between the front seats of the minivan, leaving a good foot or two between the spinner and the tailgate. I need a simple and secure way to restrain it so I don't have to worry about sudden stops, etc. Post pics if you have them! Thanks!

[AEROCOLOR]

I have a rubber mat in my van and use two large blocks of soft foam cut out for the wheel pants to sit in and another smaller block for the tailwheel. I carry two 35% Cardens and they don`t move. Just put them as far forward as you can in case of a panic stop. It seems to work well. Wingbags bungee cord to the van sidewalls. Transmitter cases go forward of the airframes behind the front seats.
Bill

[Dan767]

I use my '98 Chrylser mini-van to transport my Comp Arf Extra 260. On my way to maiden my plane, I made a quick stop and put a crease in my brand new rudder. I tried blocking the wheels, but it would still slide around. I now use a bungeee cord wrapped around the gear and attached to the seat rails to hold it steady.

[psk560]

I use old sneakers. Put the wheels in them and away you go... LOL

As far as inertia goes install some tie downs with bolts and fender washers from the local trailer store and tie away.

Craig

[Cracky]

If your van has carpet in it this method works really well. Get a sheet of plywood, maybe 3 feet square, and get some drywall screws that are long enough to go through the plywood with about 3/8" sticking out the bottom. I think on my last one I did that way I put about 6 of them in. Use that as the base and screw in eye-hooks to use some mini-bungee cords to attach to the landing gear. The weight of the plane and the plywood will keep enough pressure down on the drywall screws so it won't slide. Then the eye bolts will allow you to secure the plane. If you have two planes to transport just cut the plywood the full width of the van and put the planes side-by-side (or stagger the gear for more compact transportation). I'm getting ready to make up another base as I'll have two planes to transport in my Venture.

[main_gears_bent]

I use rolls of masking tape, sounds stupid, but works great. The tape sticks to the carpet and the wheels won't roll out of the tape. Very cheap, works great and easy to move out of the way when you need to. 50 - 75 cc one roll on a main wheel works fine, larger just use a roll for each wheel. Wing bag hangs on the wall, transmitter case lays under the cowl of the plane, field box goes just inside the side doors and secures to the strap on the inside of the door.

[as722]

Heavy sand bags on top of the turtledeck.


Albert

[T. Bob]

I have six athletic (doubled lined) socks filled with buck shot

[mavacpjm71]

Bungie cords really work the best, allowing for some flex but not alot of movement....the buck shot idea above sounds really cool...i will have to try that....

[Dan Reed]

A cheep way to hold down your plane Velcro.Wrap the rough side around the gear leags and it will stick to the carpet.

[ULTIMATE1]

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Last edited by falconpilot : 12-02-2007 at 08:23 AM.

[skymaster68]

You buy an even bigger van LOL