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Thread: Kitfox Tri-Gear Height

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Jul 2018
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    Default Kitfox Tri-Gear Height

    Looking into maybe getting an enclosed trailer, but need to know the tail height of the tri gear kitfox, every trailer I find has a 7 ft ceiling, even the custom made aircraft trailers, they seem to be all be made for taildraggers. It says 8 ft on the kitfox web site, just wanted to know for sure.
    Last edited by Hawkertech; 12-27-2019 at 07:30 PM.

  2. #2
    Senior Member Dusty's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kitfox Tri-Gear Height

    A nose wheeler becomes a taildragger when the wings are folded. There is a YouTube video out there somewhere. Prop clearance may be more relevant?

  3. #3
    Senior Member Dave S's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kitfox Tri-Gear Height

    Hawker,

    Dusty's comments rings true.

    Yup, a trigear standing on all three puts the top of the tail at 8 feet.

    With the wings folded - a trigear will have the tail a little lower than would be the case with a tail wheel (because of the tailwheel structure vs tailskid). With the wings folded - a trigear will have the top of the tail about eyeball height.

    I know of one case where transporting a tailwheel kitfox the prop had to be removed to fit the plane in a trailer. A trigear will place the prop higher with the wings folded than with an equivalent tailwheel due to the location of the main gear.
    Dave S
    Kitfox 7 Trigear (Flying since 2009)
    912ULS Warp Drive

    St Paul, MN

  4. #4

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    Default Re: Kitfox Tri-Gear Height

    Thanks, didn't think about the weight change when the wings were folded, sounds like a tail cradle would be a good idea to get the appropriate height all around, Maybe on wheels with a winch to help pull it in the trailer. The main reason I am thinking covered trailer is to protect from hail. I can't afford a hanger. I don't think, but Ill be checking with my local EAA chapter.

  5. #5
    Senior Member Dave S's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kitfox Tri-Gear Height

    Hawker,

    I think you are on the right track - I didn't think of it on my earlier response; however, your comment triggered a memory I had of the tail dolly I fabricated to get the plane in and out of my 7 foot high garage door during the build - with the prop in the right position and the single wheel tail dolly (made from cheap scrap around the shop & utilizing the two open tubes on the bottom of the fuselage) it went under the door just fine.

    Photo attached
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    Dave S
    Kitfox 7 Trigear (Flying since 2009)
    912ULS Warp Drive

    St Paul, MN

  6. #6

    Join Date
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    Default Re: Kitfox Tri-Gear Height

    Also I would need to figure out how to safely strap the tail down so it doesn't bounce.

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