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Thread: Astronomy Vehicle

  1. #1
    Member gdjsky01's Avatar
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    Astronomy Vehicle

    I would gather that many of you deal with transporting telescopes...
    Some of you just ride a Polaris up the driveway... okay... lets RULE OUT that and custom vans/trucks

    For those of us who are looking to make a decision in the next month or two, on what to get?
    For me... even tho my desert is normally passable by a miata, it only takes one bad night...
    So
    4x4 or AWD
    Can transport a UC-22, which has truss tubes...
    ramps that fold...
    Ice chest which when full is probably 40 pounds..
    Can sleep me in the back (5'7")
    Can transport of 6' EZ UP
    Etc...


    I used to have a 2005 Tundra 4x4 with cap and a 6' bed. I was perfect. But alas it was a PAIN to park on the streets (live near the beach). And it's 12mpg on my commute was not pleasant.



    Tacoma with a 5's bed and a tent on the back?
    Mini Van?
    Outback?
    What?
    Wishing You Clear, Dark, Steady Skies...
    Jeff Gortatowsky, Redondo Beach. CA


    56cm f/4.2 UC-22 - Not the wisest choice I ever made.
    30cm f/5 Orion XT-12
    25cm f/4.7 DobStuff Dob
    18cm f/5.7 Teleport
    15cm f/5.2 ES Mak-Newt
    127mm f/10 Celestron SCT
    120mm f/7.5 SkyWatcher ED Doublet APO
    101mm f/5.4 Televue TV-101 APO
    90mm f/7 StellarVue Triplet APO
    80mm f/15 Sears Achro
    72mm SkyWatcher ED
    60mm Lunt Ha Solar scope

  2. #2
    Member lamperti's Avatar
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    Mini Van?
    Outback?
    What?

    I have always used a Minivan for either a 20" Obsession Classic or now a 22" U.C. With the passenger seats removed, one could sleep in it or have plenty of room for camping gear. For a one-nighter, passenger seats move forward and the U.C. stores fine with the handles still attached.
    Al
    15" f4.5 Obsession Classic
    4" f8.6 Televue 102

  3. #3
    Member gdjsky01's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by lamperti View Post
    Mini Van?
    Outback?
    What?

    I have always used a Minivan for either a 20" Obsession Classic or now a 22" U.C. With the passenger seats removed, one could sleep in it or have plenty of room for camping gear. For a one-nighter, passenger seats move forward and the U.C. stores fine with the handles still attached.
    Al
    Thank you. Mini-Van does sound like the right idea...
    I have to mix in my other hobbies...
    Any other opinions?
    Wishing You Clear, Dark, Steady Skies...
    Jeff Gortatowsky, Redondo Beach. CA


    56cm f/4.2 UC-22 - Not the wisest choice I ever made.
    30cm f/5 Orion XT-12
    25cm f/4.7 DobStuff Dob
    18cm f/5.7 Teleport
    15cm f/5.2 ES Mak-Newt
    127mm f/10 Celestron SCT
    120mm f/7.5 SkyWatcher ED Doublet APO
    101mm f/5.4 Televue TV-101 APO
    90mm f/7 StellarVue Triplet APO
    80mm f/15 Sears Achro
    72mm SkyWatcher ED
    60mm Lunt Ha Solar scope

  4. #4
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    I know this may be a bit late for you. I use a Dodge/Chrysler mini van. It has stow and go seats that fold down for cargo space. 4' x 8' sheets of plywood fit in with ease. I purchased a 10' knot free board and cut it in half for ramps. My 15" has wheel barrel handles, my 12" is on a dolly. Leave the equipment out and covered, I can sleep in the back on an inflatable mattress. 20 MPG highway

  5. #5
    Member Ivan Maly's Avatar
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    20" Skywatcher in back of a Golf (loaded by hand):

    IMG_4235.JPG
    Ivan
    20" Sky-Watcher
    deepskyblog.net

  6. #6
    Member Don Pensack's Avatar
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    Depends on the scope and the vehicle.
    I've seen a 30" in a Ford Festiva and a 22" in a VW Beetle.
    I carry a 12.5" truss dob and a 4" apo refractor with mount along with >500 lbs additional gear in a VW GTI.
    Judging by the room, I could carry a 16" conventional dob with all the stuff, and probably the UC22.
    Don Pensack
    www.EyepiecesEtc.com
    Los Angeles

  7. #7
    Member Ivan Maly's Avatar
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    What kind of 30" was it in the Festiva?
    Ivan
    20" Sky-Watcher
    deepskyblog.net

  8. #8
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    I got a 12.5" dob, an 18" (f/5.5!) dob, a TeleVue Pronto, a 6' observing table, a week's worth of food/drinks/clothes, a canopy, a twin mattress, two eyepiece cases, a 7' ladder, ramps for unloading the 18", an observing chair, and a trunk of miscellaneous equipment into a Dodge Caravan (minivan) for the Brothers Star Party and had a bit of space left over.

    However, I cringe every time I have to take it "up the mountain" to our better dark site here; it's not really a vehicle for off-roading.

  9. #9
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    Is the question how much can you pack in a small vehicle or how well can you travel and enjoy your hobby? I have an F350 Supercab Longbox that has a queen size bed under the cap. That way after a long observing night I can crash close.

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