Hey forum members. Looking to pick up my first gas airplane. Want to get a plane that’s 87” in length and wondering how guys transport them. I have a Nissan Frontier crew cab with the 59” bed. Anyone know if it’s possible to fit one in at an angle with the tailgate down?

What is the diagonal measurements of the bed ?
With tail gate down you should be able to get it in there even straight, just need a good tie down system, and sunny days.

You can carry it in the bed.. straight on. When I did it I made a board to lay in the bed to chock the wheels and put bungies covered with pool noodles over the front of the canopy at the engine fire wall area and over the rear at the front of the rudder. Put blue painters tape on the ballancers of the elevators and rudder so the wind does not move them. Should be fine just make sure any support gear you may put in bed...fuel can etc, is very secure so as to not move and damage your plane...

Oh.. and no it won't fit diagonal

I transport my biggies with the tailgate down on my F 150. you can do the same.

Worst option is to re-kit the plane and you can take it in a sack. Just kidding my friend and nephew transport 36 percent in a short bed he made a PVC cradle that works great. I will post pictures later

You could build something like this.

https://www.amazon.com/AMP-Research-...%2C199&sr=8-12

Pictures of the PVC cradle

To carry planes in my really short bed truck with the tailgate down I use a ratchetting load bar across the bed, protect the LG with foam, and secure them to the bar with strong Velcro. Then I pull a bungie across the back between 2 tie downs.
If a plane is longer, I fastened a wooden "T" to another ratchet bar and made it long enough to extend to the tailwheel. Here's a photo of the latter.
Jeff

This is in a 4dr Nissan Titan, but the bed is only 67" long. The plane is a 40% Comp Extra 260 with the tail up on a foam block. I recently cut a notch out of the foam for the tail to sit in.

Make sure you stabilize the rudder the turbulance off the cab will beat it to death

Thanks for all the great responses! I’m gonna order the plane and go for it!

I have transported mine for years without securing the rudder or elevators. I've had the best luck with the cowl sticking out of the back. it places the landing gear either in the bed or on the tailgate.

Originally Posted by FGNewbie

I have transported mine for years without securing the rudder or elevators. I've had the best luck with the cowl sticking out of the back. it places the landing gear either in the bed or on the tailgate.

I can put my tonneau cover down with the rudder out the back and if i go the other way it spins up the prop bad for bearings and jerks the landing gear and motor mounts around. But mines electric wouldnt think it could spin a gasser.

I also carry with the engine facing the rear when going this route. No sense the wind beating up the servos. And in some cases the main gear fits well in the tailgate hinge area making the expandable bar I use across the turtle deck even more secure. Ths bar has pipe insulation on it and when placed low and in the gap of the turtle deck and verticle stab the plane isn't going anywhere. The bar never needs to even touch the plane and rarely does. Plus the only wind is on the prop which turns about once per mile. Make sure the canopy is latched.

I used to know a guy who built a custom box out of 2x4 and plywood it slide in the back of the truck and strapped it down. on the inside it held the fuse in place with tie downs. he had the boxed hinged at the top to open it up when got to the field.. Its been over ten years, it seemed like he would have whoever at the field to hand the plane down to as he was up in the bed. the whole box stuck out the back a little bit. i would be nervous about the tail of my plane sticking out the back of the bed like that, at least around here the way folks love to tailgate you.


I guess if you have the plane you will figure out a way.