Roof Racks for Rocket transport

[awseiger]

Need I say more

It's not like I need to, but I really want to. Anybody else drive to launches with rockets strapped to the top of their car? More importantly, how'd you secure them?

 

[Rocketbuilder]

From what I've seen, the HPR folks that fly at the club I launch at use mostly pickup trucks if they're carrying the rockets outside of the vehicle. I'm not completely sure what they use to secure them, but if is is an HPR, you might be able to use one of those ratcheting straps without harming it.
Anyway, I'm sure someone much more expert than I will soon chime in.

 

[qquake2k]

I've only seen one, a guy at one of our launches with a really big rocket on top of his mini van. He used bungee cords. Not sure I would though. I'd probably use ratchet straps if the airframe could handle the compression.

 

[cwbullet]

I Would be fearful of the attention. I do not need the police pulling me over.

 

[Polyalcoholic]

If you do it, let us know which episode of COPS to watch.
We'll all be sure to tune in.

 

[UncleVanya]

A lot of different ways to do this...

The most popular seems to be:


This version provides some cover from prying eyes:


oint:

 

[cwbullet]

The most popular seems to be:
View attachment 89895

That one will get you a few looks.

 

[Aksrockets]

Ive always wanted to strap a few patriots on a make-shift turret, mount it to the top of our Minivan and just drive around.

Alex

 

[cwbullet]

A couple of drivers have made me angry enough to fire a few patriots or hellfires at them. Who hasn't wished thay had an RPG for that special moment?

 

[KennB]

You would definitely want to have some solid stop across the back of whatever carrier you used to brace the rockets against. Then a non-stretchable material for the strap as long as you don't clamp it too tightly and crush the airframe.

My big concern (aside from unwanted attention from the local constabulatory) would be stomes getting tossed up and doing some damage. The leading edge of my hood and a couple of replaced windshields have borne the marks of New England roadway debris.

Can't wait to see what you come up with.
Kenn

 

[dixontj93060]

Where there is a will, there is a way...



BTW on 900 mile drive to MWP3, got a lot of curious inquiries at truck stops and the like, even State Troopers, coming up and jokingly asking questions and such.

 

[Rex R]

I know of one fella who needed to run the airframe through the sunroof (and leave the fins sticking out) of his minivan....
rex

 

[atxcple]

i have a full sized pickup (8ft bed) i just lay the assembled rocket in the bed, carry most of my collection that way to every launch. never strapped them down, never had one move. if it is too long for the bed i seperate it into booster and payload lay it flat and go.

We did have one club member carry his in a type of ladder rack on his pickup, heard a story once that he got stopped then let go after a few seconds with a officer.

 

[blackbrandt]

Don't you need a Terrorist War Wagon sign on there?

 

[oddmanrockets]

i drove from san diego to lucerne with a 13ft 8in dia bright yellow rocket strapped to the top of my dodge caravan once. its was great all the looks and thumbs up i got

 

[Coop]

I MAY be doing this... 7.5" upscale Goblin does not fit in a Toyota Corrolla.



Oops!


Later!

--Coop

 

[blackbrandt]

I want to attach my 1/4 scale Nike smoke to the top of my dad's F-150 and see what the cops say. Maybe test fire a long burn up there right next to a cop?

 

[Davidtmp]

I MAY be doing this... 7.5" upscale Goblin does not fit in a Toyota Corrolla.
Oops!
Later!
--Coop

You know, this reminds me of going to Wal-Mart and seeing those people driving a small car and decides to buy a 55" TV........taking it out of the box to get it to fit in there some way.

 

[dixontj93060]

Nothing we transport looks any worse than this seen ~10 min ago on a major interstate:


Untitled by DixonTJ, on Flickr

 

[Fuse Eh!]

As part of my part-time job at an outdoor adventure store I get to help people decide which rack system components will best meet their needs, and it would seem that one (or more) roof rack mounted cargo boxes (a.k.a. "gear coffins") fitted with an appropriate amount of closed and open cell foam would allow for safe, secure and discreet transport of rockets. Rockets designed to be longer than the boxes could of course be built with an airframe coupler to allow the rocket to be disassembled for transport in the cargo box.

The cargo box would also make a great place to display extra range box stickers!:wink:

 

[Pem Tech]

Nothing we transport looks any worse than this seen ~10 min ago on a major interstate:


Untitled by DixonTJ, on Flickr

I could make that fly....

 

[Rocketbuilder]

Don't you need a Terrorist War Wagon sign on there?

Of course. Isn't that a requirement?

I want to attach my 1/4 scale Nike smoke to the top of my dad's F-150 and see what the cops say. Maybe test fire a long burn up there right next to a cop?

That's the perfect way to go about a high speed chase! The cops wouldn't even get close for fear of melting their front bumpers! :y: Kinda conspicuous, though...

I could make that fly....

No need. It's already a multi-angle high power drag race piston launcher. Duh! :tongue: :eyeroll:

 

[blackbrandt]

What would be the effect of an O5200 on the top of an F150?

 

[awseiger]

I knew I wasn't alone in this! haha

I have a plan involving butterfly snap latches, piano hinges, PVC pipe, and skooshy foam. I'll definitely post my progress

Oh, and I have to make some "remove before flight" covers to place inside my engine retainers...

 

[jd2cylman]

What would be the effect of an O5200 on the top of an F150?

Well, for a start, most of the bed will need a new paint job

Adrian

 

[cwbullet]

Have you looked at Thune rack systems? If there work on skis ad bikes, they should work.

 

[blackbrandt]

Well, for a start, most of the bed will need a new paint job

Adrian

It already does. How big is the flame on that motor?

 

[blackbrandt]

No need. It's already a multi-angle high power drag race piston launcher. Duh! :tongue: :eyeroll:

You might have to modify it as to not launch them at an angle exceeding 30 degrees.

 

[jimbo]

What would be the effect of an O5200 on the top of an F150?

Burned paint......


Jim

 

[JPVegh]

Nothing we transport looks any worse than this seen ~10 min ago on a major interstate:


Untitled by DixonTJ, on Flickr

Optimus Prime?