Trailer Help

[jdmcbean]

Hopefully there is someone in the Tallahassee area or anywhere nearby that has a trailer to haul a Kitfox. Paul Zimmerman is stuck in Tallahassee with a suspected sprag clutch issue and needs to trailer it to Lockwood in Sebring or possibly back home to Texas.

Paul is in Texas now getting his truck and will be driving back to Tallahassee.. so anyone that might have a trailer along that route please help.

[ken nougaret]

I wonder if its worth contacting mark sorinson of arrising trailers in georgia. He specializes in aircraft trailers and goes to the sebring show. Maybe he would have a loaner.

[Paul Z]

I talked with Mark Sorenson, he has a completed trailer that is sold. I asked him to contact the owner, and offer him $1000 to lease his trailer to do the transport. He said he would contact him and let me know.

I also checked at Big Tex Trailer they have a Car Hauler with a flat bed wood floor, that is about 83 3/4 inches wide X 18 ft for $2495 that I could make work. They also have the same trailer only with a steel floor 83 inches wide X 18 ft, for $300 per week. I would have to load the plane with propeller forward, and I would need to build some ramps to do it.

I told him I would wait until tomorrow to make the decision because I was waiting on a response from Mark Sorenson.

[Paul Z]

The Big Tex Trailer Car Hauler with a steel floor 83 inches wide X 18 ft, for $300 per week. They had to do the annual inspection on the trailer it should be available, I’m guessing, Tuesday. I am going to go check the other Big Tex in West Dallas / Irving Area latter today.

I haven’t received a response from Mark Sorenson.

[Norm]

I would have to load the plane with propeller forward, and I would need to build some ramps to do it.
.

I would caution about pulling the plane nose forward. This was done with mine and bent the back. I am not sure if it was improperly secured or exactly the whole story as this was done before I bought the plane. I was told the tail wanted to fly and bent the back. I have only pulled planes tail first on an open trailer with no issues (Avid) so I could be totally wrong. Just a word of caution.

[Paul Z]

I would caution about pulling the plane nose forward. This was done with mine and bent the back. I am not sure if it was improperly secured or exactly the whole story as this was done before I bought the plane. I was told the tail wanted to fly and bent the back. I have only pulled planes tail first on an open trailer with no issues (Avid) so I could be totally wrong. Just a word of caution.

Thanks for letting me in on this. I found a 22 foot boat trailer on Craigs List for $400 I am going to go look at as soon as the man replies with his address. He told me it was still available. It is long enough I could haul the plane tail first. Would you want the rudder tied Up or Down, if you are trailering it tail first?

[Paul Z]

Here I am in Meridian after Coley and I got the plane running again from the flooding issue. Damned I have gotten FAT!

[av8rps]

I have trailered these planes both ways many times, and cannot understand why trailering forward would cause an issue? I actually think they trailer better forward. Trailering forward is more like it flies.

I've almost tore a rudder off a Kitfox trailering it backwards in high winds. And yes, I had boards as braces holding it from moving, but the newer planes with the tall vertical fin and rudder are hard to brace for strong winds. I ultimately had to remove the rudder on the side of the road.

Also had a friend trailering his backwards that tore his elevators in half from a semi passing him on the interstate, but I think his bracing was poor.

And the worst one was a friend trailering his plane (backwards) to airport for 1st flight. Wings apparently weren't secure, one wing swung out hitting a light pole, which ripped the whole plane off the trailer, leaving a completely trashed airplane on the side of the road (number one reason I ALWAYS put on a safety rope between wings along with metal braces when I trailer my folding wing planes. A $2 piece of rope would've avoided that whole situation).

If it were me I'd trailer it forward, using a car hauler or flatbed trailer with tandem axles and some weight to it to absorb the bumps (light trailers bouncing the plane around is really bad, Avid learned that early on with trailering their prototype around). And I'd brace the tail feathers extra good with carpeted boards bolted together at tbe ends, add a safety rope to keep wings from any possibility of moving out, and make absolutely certain there's padding/bracing so the flaperons will stay in their up position (that might have been cause of kitfox rear fuse damage in the previous picture?)

Also make sure to use the steel braces that go from the leading edge pin to the lower strut attach so as to avoid any damage to the rear carry through spar (aka as the head rack). And drain all the fuel into cans so as to minimize weight on the rear spar attach area.

And of course double up on securing the entire plane to the trailer using the flex of the gear to absorb bumps, but also secure it so if a gear was to fail the aircraft would still be secured to the trailer. (Fwiw, dont trust tailwheel springs, block the plane up so weight is off tail spring, then tie it. Those lightweight, small tail springs don't handle road bumps well).

And last, tie the prop so it can't turn, avoiding potential engine or gearbox issues from turning dry.

Oh, and if someone suggests shrink wrapping it, don't do it. Hot sun will extra shrink the wrap enough to bend things, causing lots of damage by the time you get home.

I feel for you Paul, and if I lived near you I'd be more than happy to help you get your beautiful Kitfox home. Unfortunately I'm a thousand miles the other direction :(

One last suggestion I just thought of, maybe look into those plane mover guys that sometimes advertise on Barnstormers. They use enclosed trailers, which is still the best way to avoid damage, especially long distance.

Hang in there buddy. You'll get it home soon and fixed and will be back to enjoying it like you used to before :)

[Norm]

When I towed backwards I had the tail down but also had the wings off. I also towed at 55 to 60mph and I know some of the interstate speeds are much higher than that. It sounds like Av8rprs has much more experience than I and you may be best to follow his suggestions.
Norm

[Paul Z]

Rodney Wren has offered assistance in picking the plane up. I just waiting for the guy with the Boat Trailer to return to my request to look at the trailer. Rodney also said he could help with welding if any was needed. Thank you Rodney.

[TahoeTim]

Just a thought but have you considered leaving the plane where it's at and pulling the engine? Why risk transport damage when you can pull the engine and throw it in the trunk?

[teamkitfox7788]

I have a model IV 1050 with Rotax 912 that I trailer ALL over the US each year in an enclosed trailer. with around 95,000 miles of towing this plane and no plane damage so far. However there are lots of reports of trailering damage. Below are some keys to avoid damage. Several are mentioned in previous posts.

First DO NOT RUSH THE JOB. Think it thru. Don't create additional problems due to "Get Home Itis".

To avoid bending the fuselage just ahead of the tail, which is a serious no no: 1 siphon fuel out of wings, to get the extra weight out of the wing, 2. make sure the brace from the tab at the bottom front of the vertical stabilizer up to the tab at the under side of the wing at the upper end of the wing strut is in place and secure. This transfers some of the wing bounce forces directly to the tubular steal tail framework instead of all the bouncing wing force going thru the thin area of the aft fuselage in front of the tail. You may have to think this thru but there have been several reports of the fuselage kinking ahead of the tail because an awful lot of the weight of the folded wings goes thru that area without those two braces. The braces are available from Kitfox. 3. Also avoid stiff trailer suspensions. A 10,000 pound or greater gross capacity trailer provides a harsh ride. The harsh bouncing can contribute to stress and kinking in that thin area of the fuselage ahead of the tail.

4. Consider using ratchet straps from the front float attach points down to tie down rings bolted thru the trailer floor. Tighten these strap so the tires and gear are compressed and the plane does not bounce around a lot. My tires look nearly flat when I tow. The heavy front of the plane will still bounce some but not excessively. 5. Consider cramming some foam rubber between the wings and side walls of the trailer to absorb wing bouncing against trailer walls. 4. and 5. apply to planes inside an enclosed trailer.

6. If you can support the tail at the point where the tail wheel spring bolts to the fuselage. Tail wheel springs are not built to support all of the weight of the wings when they are folded and CG shifts way far aft AND the plane bounces down the road for a thousand miles.

7. Do not strap the plane to the trailer from any point on the wing. As the plane bounces on the gear and tires the wings would be subject to too much force. There are reports of Folks bending the wing or hinge point, where the wing folds at the top of the cabin. Do not use clear plastic pallet wrap around the wing and down under the trailer to hold the plane in position and keep water out of the plane on a flat bed trailer for the same reason.

8. Strap so that a strong application of brakes by the tow vehicle does not allow the plane to slam forward against any hard structure. This requires a bit of thinking the strapping thru and not rushing the job.

The good news is I 10 across the southern US and I 75 down to near Sebring (Lockwood)) are pretty smooth, flat roads if you avoid going thru Houston on I 10 which is a PIA. Take beltway around Houston.

I was at Lockwood with my Kitfox in its trailer when you called them and they advised towing your plane rather than trying to run the engine and risk metal going thru the engine. I am tied up between now and the end of the US Sport Aviation Expo at Sebring but after the show might be able to help. I do forums at that Expo, OSH, Sun N Fun, Copper State etc. on touring the US by motor home with your folding wing LSA in a trailer as an EAA member, nothing to sell, just sharing the fun of flying.

Hope you already have the problem solved.

Feel free to call or text me 443-480-1023resource://skype_ff_extension-at-jetpack/skype_ff_extension/data/call_skype_logo.png443-480-1023 Bob Jones bjones@dmv.comCall
Send SMS
Call from mobile
Add to Skype
You'll need Skype CreditFree via Skype

[vetdrem]

Paul, If you are stuck and still need a trailer, give me a call and maybe I can help you out.

I use my enclosed trailer as my hanger in Zephyrhills, FL and could rent a shade hanger while you are moving your plane to Sebring.

If I can help call me at (989)3874662

Louie