I drive a Honda Civic and I have had solid tube and truss tube Dobsonian telescopes. Most cars have enough space to transport a telescope no matter the size.
Dobsonian telescopes break down into two or more pieces, the base and the optical tube. Truss tube Dobsonians break down into even more parts. These parts will fit well in the back seat or trunk of a sedan. Some people prefer to buckle the scope in with the car seatbelts, but it is not necessary. The telescope will fit easily, but remember you will also need to transport all your gear for observing.
You can put your base in the passenger seat and the optical tube across the back seat or store it all in the trunk.
Remember that if you have an observing chair, it is a big piece of equipment that must also be transported.
If you have passengers you may have more difficulty transporting all your observing gear.
When I travel with my Dobsonian telescope there are a few other things I need to bring:
Eyepiece case
Observing Chair
Laptop
Camera
Power Tank
Stepstool or Ladder
Chair or Folding Table for Computer
Dew Control System and Connections
Towels
Safety Lighting
There needs to be space for all of these things, so even if your optical tube and base fit, you may still find it difficult to pack that observing chair.
If you are picking up a telescope for the first time, you will just need to fit in the scope, but be sure that you have emptied the car of anything else.
When you transport a telescope you need to be sure to check the collumation when you arrive at your destination. It is likely in need of fresh collimation.
How to Measure Your Car for a Telescope
I need to travel with my telescope almost every time I observe, so when I was planning to buy a telescope it was very important that it would fit in my car.
I drive a 2012 Honda Civic, it is a pretty standard 4 door sedan.
Before I bought my first telescope I measured the length of the back seat from door to door, that measurement was perfect for my 10” Dobsonian optical tube, but it would have been too short for a 12 inch.
Find the measurements of the largest part of your telescope and be sure there is a place for that object.
Now I own a 16” Dobsonian truss tube and an observing chair and a hard sided eyepiece case and it all fits into my small sedan.
It is hard for me to imagine a situation where a Dobsonina would not fit in a car unless it was a very small car, or a very large scope.
The truss tube style Dobsonian telescopes are a special design that can be broken down into a lot of parts.
My base is very large, but it breaks down into four parts. If I could not break down the base, I am not sure that it would fit into my car.
Large Obsession Classics come in sizes like 25” or 30” which will likely need to be transported in a trailer or larger vehicle.
If you need to be able to move your scope consider the UltraCompact line by Obsession. They were designed to be portable.
Transporting a Used Telescope
I have heard some crazy stories of people driving for hours to buy a used telescope then discovering that they cannot fit it in their car.
This can be devastating and frustrating, but there are some creative solutions:
Rent a Utility Trailer
U-Haul, Lowes or Home Depot may have a utility trailer that you can rent and return to a location close to home.
Be sure your car has a hitch if you are considering this option. In some situations you can rent the hitch as well, it just depends on your car’s configuration.
Get moving blankets, ratchet straps and pack smart.
The most delicate parts of a telescope are the mirrors, if you can transport the optical tube in your car you are unlikely to damage the scope.
The base and any accessories can be securely transported in an open trailer in most cases.
Only take the risk if it is worth it to you!
Rent A U-Haul
If you have a very long drive or a very delicate telescope, consider renting an enclosed trailer or a U-Haul truck if you have a second driver.
This enclosed space will be easier to pack and will protect the scope while you are driving down the road.
If you have an incredibly large scope that cannot be broken down this may be your best option for transporting your scope. I know several astronomers who have a dedicated enclosed trailer for their telescope.
Ship it Home
The most expensive option would be to head to UPS or FedEx and ask them to ship it home for you.
Buy insurance as this would be very very risky.
Only consider this option if the scope can be packed well or if you have access to original shipping boxes and custom foam.
Open the Windows
If you can fit it in your car with the windows open you can cover the exposed part with a moving blanket or tarp and drive down the road.
Telescopes are used outside, the exterior does not need to be pristinely clean or dust free.
You could also bungee or strap the trunk closed if it won’t quite close properly.
Strap Part to the Roof
While I would recommend transporting the optical tube inside your car, the base and motors are pretty sturdy.
They can be transported on the roof of your car.
Tie it down very well, your base will probably not survive if it comes loose and falls off the car.
Hitch Trailer
Small trailers that attach to your hitch are a great, inexpensive way to increase your cargo capacity.
If you will be picking up a telescope you could buy one of these ahead of the trip or see if you can borrow one from a friend.
This is more secure than strapping something to the roof.
Transporting a Large Telescope
If you have found that your telescope will not fit in your car and you want to be able to travel with it, I recommend an enclosed trailer.
While most telescopes will fit in most cars, a trailer has quite a few advantages.
If you store your telescope in an enclosed trailer it will remain closer to ambient temperature and make cooling your scope easier.
You will not have to carry your scope in and out of the house every time you observe and you can keep your scope assembled.
Many astronomers keep their telescopes in their garage and just wheel it out into the driveway to observe.
If you do not have good conditions at home or you do not have a garage, an enclosed trailer will give you the same convenience.
