Trailer design advice

[PropellerHead]

I'd like a trailer for my Model IV. I've been looking for a deal on a used boat trailer to convert but having failed to find anything that I like, I'm now considering building one. I have all the tools necessary but am unsure about the design. I'm including a couple of drawings of what I have in mind. It's based on a number of trailers that I found via Google but those pictures lacked detail so I had to fill in the blanks. Any advise would be appreciated.

[Av8r3400]

Looks just like most of the other "tail high" trailers I've seen and great starting point.

(Just need to add tool boxes, fuel tanks, sleeper, bathroom, )

[PropellerHead]

I'm particularly unsure about the cradle for the airplane's wheels. I'm wondering if I should go with some kind of tube structure. Anyone have pics of a similar trailer showing details of this area that they can share? Also, I was thinking about using 2inch square tube for the main frame. Is this enough?

[Av8r_Sed]

PropellerHead,
Many of the designs I've seen have a horizontal section at the top of the tail wheel channel with a stop so the tailwheel doesn't roll off. Also you need a way to support the tail while unloading the tailspring. Some have a pin arrangement that goes through the tow bar attach point for this purpose. With the wings folded and some fuel in the tanks, the tailspring will be overloaded, especially when hitting bumps in the road.

Also, most designs seem to have a pivoting ramp for the main gear and provision for nylon tie down straps to go over the circumference of the wheels.

-- Paul S

[t j]

After trailering for every flight the past 3 1/2 years I say...Put a lot of thought into making loading, securing, and unloading as quick and simple as possible if you will trailer for every flight. There is a lot of monkey motion involved.

[PropellerHead]

I reworked the cradle bit. I decided I didn't like the sheet metal idea.

[kitfox2009]

I built a trailer using the running gear from an old Boler travel trailer. It has 14" tires and rubber torsion bar suspension. The hitch draw-bar is 2"square tubing built to extend as necessary depending on A/C type.
The sloping tube (to maintain level travel) has a sliding rack that pins to the two main "carry through tubes" at the lower longerons just ahead of the tail skid. I have a Vixen but the setup is the same on a taildragger. A winch mounted at the top pulls the A/C on easily. The frame is lowered at the rear in order to have the A/C wheels only about 4" off the road for good handling. I can load/unload in minutes. Most of the time is spent fueling/unfueling and pre-flighting.
I have some pics,if anyone is interested I will forward to your email address.
I also built a box on the trailer for fuel, tools,tie-downs,etc. I brought the A/C home from CA and also traveled for every flight before I was lucky enough to find a hanger to share.
Don

[PropellerHead]

Pics would be awesome. Why not post them here for posterity?

[kitfox2009]

I just posted a FEW pics of my trailer on the pictures & albums section. Never did this before. Hope it works.
Don

[enyaw]

Our Trailer (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=146145576269&set=a.142347126269.116027.132606786269)

[akflyer]

That long tongue is going to be very weak. I would run some diagonal braces long the length of the tongue to the tail wheel channel. Also, run a brace from the main frame in front of the trailer wheels to a place about 3' from the hitch on the tongue. This will give you some lateral stability on the trailer. I will get on my other computer and post up some pics of my converted boat trailer.

[PropellerHead]

Latest version with suggestions from akflyer

[t j]

Don, I'm always looking for ways to make my trailering easier and quicker. I can't seem to find your photos. Doesn't mean it didn't work. The photo section on the forum is a bit of a mystery to me.

[kitfox2009]

Morning Tom
To find the pics after I had posted, I clicked on my user name"kitfox2009" then "public profile". The pics were shown as an album down in the lower right hand corner. I could send more to your personal email address if interested.
Don

[akflyer]

Just to make it easier for those of you who are intersted, here is the link to Dons Album showing his trailer.

http://www.teamkitfox.com/Forums/album.php?albumid=164

[t j]

Okay I found them there. The tail ramp/tail support is quite unique. It has got some wheels turning in my head.

[kitfox2009]

Hi Tom
The "cradle" assembly just pins to the the fuselage through the two lower carry tubes. I attach this to the a/c first. The 'sliding block" assembly will run right to the lower end at the back of the trailer if necessary (as for a tail wheel model). I just use the top 2/3 of the slider because with a tricycle gear the plane just backs up until the cradle matches the sliding block. Stick in the pin and winch it up. I usually fold one wing (the a/c balances perfectly) before sticking in the pin.
Note the steel casters on the sliding block. I tried it first without these but found the assembly "bound up" and would not slide easily.
The entire trailer can be adjusted to fit Avid`s or KF`s either tri-gear or tail wheel. The hitch shortens up for Speedster`s or low box tow vehicles. Next spring we will be moving a friends RV9 with it as well.
Having room for tools. fuel, ladder, gust locks, etc. is pretty handy.
I am very pleased with how this turned out and I think my total investment is under $400.