Hang Glider Rack (Please Advise)

OP · Post by OP » Tue Jun 22, 2010 5:07 pm

Car: 2009-Current Subaru Forester
Requirements: 4 Gliders, Fit Cleanly, Remove easily
Nice to have: Fold up for easy storage inside the car.
Capabilities: Solidworks, Full Machine Shop (CNC mill, lathe, band saw, shear, tig) Brackets, Pins etc... from catalogs like McMaster

My plan:

Buy a Tow Bar Bracket which is specific for my make, model.
Two options: Blue Ox, and RoadMaster

Or the Blue Ox:

With this stable base I would then fab up my own upper support. I'm thinking about using this tubing where ever possible.

So what do you think. Please post.

JD · Post by JD » Tue Jun 22, 2010 5:35 pm

OP - Check out the HG Rack Wiki on Hanggglidng.org: http://www.hanggliding.org/wiki/Car_Rack Lots of good ideas there and in the forums too.
- JD

addicted2climbing · Post by **addicted2climbing** » Wed Jun 23, 2010 8:11 am

Hey OP,

I am working on a design in Solidworks right now for a rack. I have an old 1990 toyota truck that I intend to use so I only need a front support, but what I have in mind does fold up. Right now its just a sketch or two since I am so busy at work but I plan to draw it up in SW next week. I also was planning to use Aerofoil wing strut material for the vertical uprights.. For the crossbar, round is fine sinc eit will have padding anyhow.

Take care,

Marc

Steve90266 · Post by **Steve90266** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 4:26 pm

If you need a good welder, my brother-in-law can do it. I designed my nose rack for the Scout and he put it together. It does not fold up, but is detachable. Simple design, but works great.

greblo · Post by **greblo** » Sun Jun 27, 2010 7:11 am

Both look like good foundations, but remember that you will have to stare through two uprights when driving, and they will likely need to be cross braced as well. It's also always a little bit of a hassle lining up the holes and inserting pins in two posts instead of just one.

Consider going over to one of Eckhart's locations and having them weld a standard box trailer hitch receptacle to the front of your vehicle. Then you can have a single, 3" square, center mounted upright that will hold all the gliders you need.

Joe

addicted2climbing · Post by **addicted2climbing** » Mon Jun 28, 2010 8:03 am

Hey OP,

You can still have a 2 point mount at the bottom and not have a support in your direct view. If you make the support in the shape of the letter "K" and have the clear area in your direct view it should help.

Marc

OP · Post by OP » Mon Jun 28, 2010 2:36 pm

This guy has a clean setup:

http://skyout.blogspot.com/2008/04/cape-cod.html

I need to do some analysis about this slipstream profile tubing. I would like to have a single upright but one may not be able to handle the deflection.

So maybe a single square of 400 series chrome-moly steel would be though.

OP · Post by OP » Sat Jul 10, 2010 8:30 am

I'm happy with the result. It installs easily. Set screw prevents bounce with out gliders on it.