How Do You Haul Your Models to Contests?

Gang --

How the heck do you all get around? Stunt ships can be a little too big to fit in the trunk, and for a week long trip like to the Nats, we have luggage, three people, vitamins, practice ships, and I don't know what all.

For a local contest with no luggage and two people, we have less of a problem, but the old Buick will be a little cramped.

Trailers, rented or custom? We don't want a Maxibago type thing, but a car top carrier might work. What are your experiences?

Oh yeah, my wife wants to buy a PT Cruiser, so I have to take that into account.

There's a lot of Vans and Mini-vans at our contests. I have a GMC
4x4 PU, 'cause I have to tow the boat, bad boat launches will stop a 2wd PU occasionally, and we do get some snow. Trailers are an option, but legally, they usually slow your speed limit by 10 mph (legally!) and they don't give a great ride for your models. Roof racks have come a long way in the last 20 years. Look at the "Yakima" and "Thule" brands...quality stuff, but the drag of the
box on top will hurt your MPG a lot, and maybe make windy weather
driving unpleasant. The PT Cruiser isn't big enough and the MPG isn't all that good. In fact, I think the largest versions of the mini-vans would be the best bet. Steve

I bought a '93 Aerostar van & took out all the seats except the front two. I copied the rack Scott Riese made out of 1" PVC pipe covered with foam pipe insulation to hold stunt planes. It took a lot of T's & elbows but all the materials were only about $30, including glue. On Saturdays I can put one Ukey 35 on edge under the stowed rear seat belt on each side, an assembled 60 sized RC funfly, the rack with 2 stunters, a Bi-Slob & an RC 1/12 scale combat plane in it, a handful of half A ukeys in various crannys, all the gear we need to fly it all AND a medium sized nephew in there Works GREAT! For contests we leave out the RC stuff & have plenty of room for our ditty bags.
Nils

Well, I just throw mine in the back of my Rx-7, but I usually only haul one plane. Sometimes it's the Explorer and a plane rack. Always but a car that will fit your plane.