Baggage area in back

db8 · #1 08-17-2006, 03:23 PM

Was wondering if anybody has extended the baggage area behind the canopy? I am building an 8, but I think the same ideas could be used for any Vans aircraft. It would be very nice to take golf clubs, a tent, shotgun, fishing rods or something a little longer than the standard (not all at the same time of course). I know weight and CG are

an issue, but just curious if anybody has done it and if they care to share their "engine"uity. Thanks. Dave

beattiema · #2 08-17-2006, 03:46 PM

A search on this site found this.

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ght=golf+clubs

db8 · #3 08-17-2006, 04:01 PM

Thanks for the post. I am actually not much of a golfer, though that was a very clever way of doing that. I like to camp, fish and hunt, so I have a few ideas about what I might do with an extended "shelf" or something like that. Still looking for ideas......................... Dave

beattiema · #4 08-17-2006, 04:15 PM

Check the Builders Mod section on the left side of the home page. In there you'll find this link.

http://www.vansairforce.net/BuilderM...nt_skirack.htm

Low Pass · #5 08-17-2006, 04:16 PM

That (link above) is an awfully complex way of doing things. Have seen a similar concept where a 10-12" tube was extended back toward the empennage to allow skiis, fishing equipment, whole golf bag, etc. to be loaded.

I'm sure there are quite a few different ways you could do something like this. Just remember the failure consequences - something falling down might bind the elevator pushrod. Design and fab accordingly.

JohnR · #6 08-17-2006, 04:23 PM

Try this
http://www.vansairforce.net/BuilderM...nt_skirack.htm

JohnR · #7 08-17-2006, 04:23 PM

Oops, I guess I was way to slow.

Chino Tom · #8 08-17-2006, 05:43 PM

I used a grey water hose storage tube from a Recreational Vehicle parts house. It is approx 4" PVC tube with brackets glued onto both ends. These brackets have twist to lock endplates (all PVC) and were designed to be bolted to your RV's (camp in kind) bumper. I cut to length and glued the endplates on (you can buy the endplates seperately). Used two pieces of angle bolted to the longerons that capture the rear endplate of the tube and another angle bolted to the rear baggage bulkhead. You can make it as long as you want. It is very lite. You can see it in the upper right hand corner of the picture below. I will post more pictures later tonight or tomorrow if you wish. This was simple and fast to fabricate and best of all very lite.

BrickPilot · #9 08-18-2006, 12:35 AM

Tom, 1) what's the weight of the empty tube, and 2) is the oxygen tank valve/gauge reachable and/or visible from the front seat (assuming this is a pic of your 8 in progress) - and what kind of tank is that (C, D, M, etc.)?

Chino Tom · #10 08-18-2006, 11:07 AM

Jeffrey,

The tube itself weighs 2.25 pds. Don't know what the angle i used weighs.

As far as the Oxy. It is a "D" bottle. It won't be accessable or viewable in flight. The bottle is in the rear baggage compartment. I'll turn it on before departure and off after landing. I use this bottle in my -6. I can turn off the oxy flow at the flow meters and it doesn't leak.