Model Transport Technology

Got new pickup truck (with a canopy) in November, and have decided to make a shelf at about the box height to put models on. The truck is an '06 Toyota Tacoma "Access Cab" (extra mini-doors both sides, rear seat useless for peoples, but wonderful for knick-knacks). It's a 236hp, 4 liter V-6 with 6 speed manual gearbox, 4x4, and trailer towing (6,500 lbs rating). Box is rated at 6' length.

Any cool technology for making the shelf? I need to make it easy to remove. The Toyota has a track down each side of the box with tie-down gizmos with big loopy handles. I could remove those, I guess, or maybe I could use them to suspend or support the shelf. I have some nice aluminum channel that would make good supports/stiffeners for a light plywood shelf. Maybe 1/4" plywood? Possibly aircraft or marine carpet over? Any good ways to get the models in/out? I'm thinking I'll need the shelf to cover the whole bed of the truck.

You guys that have trucks with shelves like this, how do you fasten the models down? Cup hooks and rubber bands or???????? Pictures????
Thanks, Steve

I use a towel around the gear legs. For long distance I put an air mattress in the back with bedding and set the plane on that. Some of the weight is carried on the fuse and wings as well and takes a huge load off the gear.

B&A &tba.

snip
>B&A &tba.

It that &tba going to be tabatha?

Fantastic news!!!

Hi Steve,

"Cup hooks and rubber bands" Bingo, that's my method. I made a tray and 2 shelve for my full size Chevy PU. Everything is made of 2x2 and 1/4" Luan plywood. Oh yes, the cross pieses are 2X4s. I have it out of the truch right now but will be putting it bach in tomorrow, I'll take some picks and post them. Others here have taken pictures of my setup, maybe they'll beat me to it. The tray and shelves all pull out like drawers and along the right side I made another 8"X8"X8' drawer tro hold fuel, handle case, tape meassure, misc.

I use velcro, And String it over the Fuse behind the wing. You've seen it..WORKS Super

I made my rack out of 3/4 dowells and 2x4s. Covered the dowell with a/c line insulation. The dowells were drilled in at about 5 degree tilt to keep the planes from sliding back. After 3 years, nothing has fallen off or been damaged. Next time I will use pvc and heat the tubing to get my 5 degree tilt up.
Lee TGD

I like Pat Johnston's method if you are using a truck with shell. He hangs them in a sling from the roof of the shell. Has the gear cozied up to the roof so it doesn't swing. Very slick.

Of course, he has a complete bed insert with thick padding and carpeting so he can sleep in the back on the way to a contest.

>I like Pat Johnston's method if you are using a truck with
>shell. He hangs them in a sling from the roof of the shell.
>Has the gear cozied up to the roof so it doesn't swing. Very
>slick.

Randy,
The planes are hung upside down with the gear against the roof?

HI STeve ;Chris Cox got a small pick up with a canopy.The sheet of plywood he uses is maybe 4 by 8 or maybe 4 by 6.Anyway it fills the whole area . It slides in and out at about the height of the top of the tailgate.I don't know what it slides on ,but it goes in and out like a drawer ,easily.It's pretty thick , like 3/4 or 5/8 so that the thing doesnt bounce up and down on bumpy roadsIt has something like a little grip under the end for hand grip. THe whole thing is covered with foam rubber ,convoluted surface. The wheels dont roll around on that stuff. I use something similar in my van sometimes. To load an airplane on the shelf , you slide the shelf almost all the way out then slide the shelf back into the place once the plane is positioned. The space beneath the shelf is for tool boxes etc. Sorry that's the sum of my knowldge. You could wait till Eugene to see it in detail. I don'tike to bother Chris right now with anything minor,He is concerned with Joan's operation last Tuesday and spending most of the time in the hospital I think. Keith Varley

Steve,

I like Bob Smiley's setup for your needs.

It's pretty much like the rack I built for my van, but removable.

From what I have seen, Bob pulls rack, models and all from his truck, puts the whole assemblage on the ground and selects a model to fly.

Leaves access to the rest of the bed clear.

Capitalizes on space available.

Puts the heavy stuff up front.

Kim,

Yep.

Just built a new rack for the back of my pickup camper. Made from 1 1/2" ID pvc and 3/4 ID pvc. I did use 3/4 wood dowels inside the tubing so that heat wouldn't warp them down. Weighs about 2/3 less than the wooden one I had previously shown. Total cost was 37.00 including cement. Wing rests are tilted up at rear 5 degrees to prevent planes from sliding back.
Lee TGD

Hi
I made mine from 3/4 pvc pipe. I have 2 for transport. The 2 plane one has the planes on 2 shelves (foot long pipes in tees) separated by 10" or so (rudder height and landing gear space). The front legs arehave ells with 6" legs to gain a forward tilt. The single plane has the plane shelf near where it is on the other rack. The majority of both racks are covered with the a/c cover foam. My truck has a rug in the bed over a rubber matt. I keep the rack "nailed down with a rug scrap over the cross peices. Maybe think of weighting the bottom pieces with something (sand, metal, etc) Ido'nt tie the planes in in any way (gravity).Make sure your spacing can accomodate many forms of landing gear. For some reason the rug piece cut down on tail waving on stops. Also the 2 plane version is a handy work stand.

Smoothie Bill

I made a shelf for the van from a hollow-core bifold door. It works a treat. It takes about half an hour to make and install, including model hold-down. I have an extra door if you'd like one.

Steve ... You have plenty of advice already, but when you are here for the Regionals, take a look at the removable, expandable shelf I built for my Tacoma.
I also built a pvc airplane rack for carrying multiple models, but it it is a bit of a chore to assemble and take apart, so I'm sure other people have better designs for that.
--jt

John Thompson