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Transferring 20" dob. Any ideas?

Helix

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Helix

Helix

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Hi all,

Thanks a lot for all your suggestion and personal experiences. When I receive my 20", but actually it is 21" scope then I place some pictures on the forum to show how I manage to get it into my car (Toyota Avensis) or maybe I just will buy a trailer.

I also think about a ramp. I think I need to try a ramp first and see how it goes for me.

As I said before it should be something easy, easy like Sunday morning :))))

Tatyana :)

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swamp thing

swamp thing

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The longer the ramp/s, the shallower the angle and the less effort required to run your scope up them.  I use a ramp of about 6' long to wheel my 20" in and out of my small van. As said the lack of "lip" on the back of ones vehicle is a real bonus.

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OneEyedSam

OneEyedSam

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+1 for ramps, I use telescopic wheelchair ramps for loadin and unloading. Mine are 6ft, depending on your strength and confidence, you might find 7 or even 8 ft a bit gentler on the arms. The telescopic ones I have collapse to 3ft long for easy storage ( don't forget to take them with you ;). )

Also, some ramps have an extended lip on the top...I'd say this is essential.

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Physopto

Physopto

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Look at disabled ramps. There are shops that specialise in this sort of thing. Be careful as you will need to ensure that the ramp cannot fall off the car boot whilst either pushing the dob base and mirror up or conversely down the ramp. These ramps  should come in folding sections.

See :

http://www.theramppeople.co.uk/wheelchair-ramps/premium-wheelchair-ramp/bi-fold-wheelchair-ramps

There are many others at varying price ranges. Cost a lot less than a broken mirror!

Just remember drop once and repent at leisure, or words to that effect!

For what it is worth unless the trailer is very large and substantially heavy it would be a very bad idea I agree with Olly completely. Just watch  some on the  roads going over a series of small bumps or potholes. Frightening  :eek:

Derek

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Helix

Helix

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I guess if a trailer was a must, you might consider transporting the mirror separately . Not perfect, but safest

I agree, the mirror should be transported separately because it is the most expensive and fragile piece of equipment.

Thanks again for the reference. IT IS VERY HELPFUL. I take on board all ideas! All ideas are very interesting and practical.

I am really pleased with response I received from all SGL members.

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Physopto

Physopto

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The more you remove and replace the mirror the more chances to damage it. I know it probably is not what you want to hear but it's the truth. I have a good friend who transports his dob in the back of his car. It's a sixteen inch. Heavy, awkward to say the least. It has wheel barrow handles to move it around but they are not really any use to lift it into the car.

The longer the ramp the easier it is to push up into the car. The wider the ramp the more stable the ramp against tipping over. The lip is important to:-  

a)prevent damage to the car bumper etc.,

B) stop the ramp sliding off the car and dropping onto the ground with the DOB probably being broken.

You can get hoists.

Look here on ebay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/wheelchair-hoist-4-way-unifit-/281634552696

there is a small one advertised for  £160 or bidding from £50 upwards.

Could be ideal for you.

Derek

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OneEyedSam

OneEyedSam

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The more you remove and replace the mirror the more chances to damage it. I know it probably is not what you want to hear but it's the truth.

Yep, transporting in a car I'd agree, leave mirror installed. In a trailer, well, I don't know much about trailers....but I'd imagine there could be risks, which could be mitigated by removing the mirror.

I know someone with a 20" and they don't use ramps, he and his partner just lift the rocker, then mirror box straight into the back of their estate car.

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Helix

Helix

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Handling the mirror of a 20 inch isn't fun. Unless there was some aspect of the cell that argued against this I'd leave it in the rocker box. (Of the scope, not the car engine...  :eek: )

Olly

:) :) :)

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oldnut

oldnut

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The more you remove and replace the mirror the more chances to damage it. I know it probably is not what you want to hear but it's the truth. I have a good friend who transports his dob in the back of his car. It's a sixteen inch. Heavy, awkward to say the least. It has wheel barrow handles to move it around but they are not really any use to lift it into the car.

The longer the ramp the easier it is to push up into the car. The wider the ramp the more stable the ramp against tipping over. The lip is important to:-  

a)prevent damage to the car bumper etc.,

B) stop the ramp sliding off the car and dropping onto the ground with the DOB probably being broken.

You can get hoists.

Look here on ebay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/wheelchair-hoist-4-way-unifit-/281634552696

there is a small one advertised for  £160 or bidding from £50 upwards.

Could be ideal for you.

Derek

those are the hoists I was thinking about, we use the wheeled versions at work.

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Helix

Helix

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Well, here we are.

I received my 20" and I could not even image how easy it is to transfer. The most heavy part is the primary itself otherwise everything is light and portable. I can lift the primary. Everything fits to my saloon car. I am very pleased but anyway thanks to all of you for practical help. I take on board for my next 30" scope :-D

Tatyana

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Beulah

Beulah

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Gordon Bennett, that scope is a beauty. :)

I thought my aperture fever was cured.

Now I am wondering whether my 400p Truss tube could be condensed down like that (it's heavier than me). Got the skills, but need to check the mirror cell - it's all integrated...

Oh well, here's hoping for a 20 incher...  :D

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