M20J Baggage compartment dimensions

[IndyTim]

Does anyone have the luggage compartment dimensions for a J? I'm particularly interested in the dimension along the longitudinal axis, from seat back to rear cabin wall.

I'm assuming that all J's have the same dimension here, ie there were no changes throughout the entire production series of Js?

Are the rear seats moveable, fore/aft?

We have a racing tandem in a break-down case, or two bicycles in cases, and I'm wondering if they'll fit in a J. I'm reasonably certain that the compartment side-to-side and height is fine, it's front-to-back dimension that I'm wondering about. I'm assuming I don't need to be concerned about W&B, as max weight for this gear would be about 80 lbs.

[320KPH]

Rear seats are REmovable and this might solve your problem. Its finicky work though. They don't slide.

You'd fit two bikes with the rear seat out too. A mate fits a folding bike with the seat in the compartment but that's almost maxed out.

You might fit two (solo) frames ACROSS the seat with the wheels in the compartment.

[Cabanaboy]

My back seats can easily be removed, just pull up. Doors are small.

[IndyTim]

My back seats can easily be removed, just pull up. Doors are small.

Thanks Cabana. It looks like Baggage Space / Compartment Length is the dimension I'm after. The specs say 35 inches?! Wow, had no idea it was actually that much.

[smccray]

Thanks Cabana. It looks like Baggage Space / Compartment Length is the dimension I'm after. The specs say 35 inches?! Wow, had no idea it was actually that much.

35" is probably the dimension across the longitudinal axis of the plane. I would assume the width is the distance from the rear bulkhead to the back seats. The relative size of the width/length of the baggage compartment in my plane would be consistent with my interpretation.

Getting a bike into the plane, the door size would probably be the bigger challenge rather than the size of the cabin. Choose a plane with folding rear seats and I suspect you wouldn't have any problem fitting everything in the cabin as long as you can get everything through the door. You would probably need to remove one or both wheels, but you easily have 48" between the rear bulkhead and the back of the front seats. If you're hoping to take bikes + 3 people + bags I suspect you'd be better off with an A36 or a Saratoga. There are a couple threads around here about putting a bike in a plane.

[KSMooniac]

Later J's have the individual and easily removable rear bucket seats, whereas the earlier J's (like my '77) have a fixed bench seat. I've worked around your problem occasionally by removing the rear seat cushion, and un-bolting the seat back and carefully folding it forward to give a bigger cargo area. This is a PITA b/c the seat back tabs on the sides interfere with the interior panels and armrests unless you gently push them outboard to clear the tabs. Additionally, the front seats cannot scoot back much so entry and egress is more difficult in the front. I'm going to retrofit the removable rear seats from my salvage plane into mine to solve this problem, though.

It would be highly recommended to get a later model with the seats already installed because finding retrofit seats is highly unlikely, as I have learned over the last 6 years.

[IndyTim]

Thanks. Great info.

It looks like 1982 was the year Mooney went to the split seats. Fold down seats would definitely make it easier to get the bikes in there. Once they're broken down and in their padded cases, they are easy to get through a door.

[IndyTim]

35" is probably the dimension across the longitudinal axis of the plane. I would assume the width is the distance from the rear bulkhead to the back seats. The relative size of the width/length of the baggage compartment in my plane would be consistent with my interpretation.

Yes, 24" makes a lot more sense. I was misinterpreting the data. Whomever came up with the labels for the dimensions assumed a perspective of looking in through the baggage door.

[Carl S]

I have a DaVinci Global Traveler. I can take the travel cases out next time I go to the airport and post some pictures for you. I have not tried this yet because our daughter arrived soon after the tandem did and I have not been doing much flying lately. However, that was one of the purchase points for the DaVinci.

[IndyTim]

I have a DaVinci Global Traveler. I can take the travel cases out next time I go to the airport and post some pictures for you. I have not tried this yet because our daughter arrived soon after the tandem did and I have not been doing much flying lately. However, that was one of the purchase points for the DaVinci.

I'll never forget how completely, nor how suddenly, our lifestyle changed once Kid 1 arrived. One day we were able to just jump in the car and go where we wanted, and then 3-4 days later, every trip was the logistical equivalent of climbing Mt Everest because of the planning and gear involved. And our time has not been our own, since.

I'm not familiar with the World Traveler, although lots of folks at our tandem rallies have DaVinci's of one form or another. Does yours have the DaVinci crank system?

I appreciate the offer for the pics, thank you, although I'm not sure whether it's a direct compare. The Co-Motion cases, of which there are two, are 25" x 25" x 10". Do you happen to know dimensions of yours?

I think the Co-Motion cases will fit, with a little room left over. I think the key is getting them back there though since they won't go through the luggage door. I had been thinking I needed to focus on a post-'81 J (or maybe K) in my search, for the folding rear seat backs, but just discovered there is a bench seat replacement with a folding back available on the earlier Js! That opens up a much wider selection.

[Carl S]

I'm not familiar with the World Traveler, although lots of folks at our tandem rallies have DaVinci's of one form or another. Does yours have the DaVinci crank system?

I appreciate the offer for the pics, thank you, although I'm not sure whether it's a direct compare. The Co-Motion cases, of which there are two, are 25" x 25" x 10". Do you happen to know dimensions of yours?

I think the Co-Motion cases will fit, with a little room left over. I think the key is getting them back there though since they won't go through the luggage door. I had been thinking I needed to focus on a post-'81 J (or maybe K) in my search, for the folding rear seat backs, but just discovered there is a bench seat replacement with a folding back available on the earlier Js! That opens up a much wider selection.

I was incorrect in remembering the model, it is a Global Venture, not a traveler. It does have the ICS, I figured that would be easier for my wife as she has not ridden a a bike since childhood. I believe the cases are 25X25X10, or close anyway. I will be able to get to the hangar tomorrow so the pics should be up tomorrow night. Whether they fit or not, I'll get some shots of the attmept.

Carl

[Carl S]

Here you go! Sorry for the delay but I have been working on the Long EZ also and getting it flying again is kind of a priority issue now. I put pictures up on picasaweb at http://picasaweb.google.com/n223mm/TandemMooney. I'll keep these up there for you for a month or so. I'll also try to put a couple in the gallery so that something remains after I cycle them out of picasa.

[carusoam]

I clicked but picasa said no page found...

-a-

[Carl S]

I clicked but picasa said no page found...

-a-

Whoops. Those pesky permissions. Try again - I have reset the album to public, sorry for the inconvenience.

Carl

[IndyTim]

Wow, that's wonderful to actually see those cases loaded in! I've been dreaming of that scenario for quite a while. Load the tandem, fly in somewhere with my stoker, pull it out and ride!

I like the last picture best, perhaps. A Mooney and a light twin is a combination that's hard to beat.

Thanks for taking the time to do this, and to document it so nicely.

[IndyTim]

It looks like the two-couples-with-one-tandem scenario is ruled out, which I half suspected. It would be up against the GWT, and there isn't really any room for luggage. Really need the twin for that.

But one couple with the tandem is fine, with the rear seat available for luggage stowage. No problem there...