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Thread: Tow Trailer

  1. #1
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    Default Tow Trailer

    Anyone modify one of these car dollies to haul their Kitfox? Extend the hitch with a ramp and winch on top for the tail. Seems the tipping mechanism would work perfectly for loading.
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    Starfox

  2. #2
    Senior Member 109JB's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tow Trailer

    Not for my Kitfox but did for my Sonerai. Just extended the tongue with a bolt on extension that had a channel welded on top where the tailwheel sat. The car dolly is gone but the extension is still sitting next to my barn. Worked great.
    John Brannen
    Morris, IL
    Sonerai IIL (Single Seat)
    Kitfox 3/4 1050 - Rotax 582 (Back Flying and sold)
    Kitfox IV 1050 - Rotax 582 (sold)
    Kitfox IV 1200 Speedster - Rotax 912 UL (project)
    Piper Twin Comanche (Sold)
    Glasair 1 FT (Waiting to start)

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Tow Trailer

    Having already built a couple trailers from scratch, I tend to think it would be less hassle to just buy some 2x2x1/8
    steel tubing, and a couple torsion axles and build from scratch. Likely that dolly would not be wide enough (depending on
    landing gear) and you would have to adapt for width as well as length. So at the end of the day you bought some
    suspension components and some reusable steel, BUT you would still end up fabricating a trailer out of it.

    Something like this as a start:

    Amazon.com: Reliable 1,000 lb. Capacity Torsional Stub Axles - Pair : Automotive

    Steel from here:

    MetalsDepot® - Buy Steel Square Tube Online!


    Pick up a Mig welder, and a Chop Saw and you could build it pretty cheaply.

    The downside to a trailer is ... I used the trailer below, exactly once and ended up selling it. Since
    after using it to get the plane to the airport I don't have a use for it any more. So maybe I would
    just rent a big flat bed if I had to do it again.


    Jeff

    trailer.jpg

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Tow Trailer

    Many people have modified boat trailers as well. I did one this summer. It's a fairly heavy duty trailer, has 13" tires. Just saw another one just like it near me for $175. Tempted to buy it and fix it up for a plane, but time is limited. Less work, and cheaper then buying all the raw materials.

  5. #5
    Senior Member 109JB's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tow Trailer

    If the landing gear will fit, I'm not sure what is difficult about extending a 3x3 box tube tongue. I'd guarantee a stock kf4 would fit on one. The dolly I had could fit a full size truck or van and was a full 8.5 ft outside to outside of wheels.
    John Brannen
    Morris, IL
    Sonerai IIL (Single Seat)
    Kitfox 3/4 1050 - Rotax 582 (Back Flying and sold)
    Kitfox IV 1050 - Rotax 582 (sold)
    Kitfox IV 1200 Speedster - Rotax 912 UL (project)
    Piper Twin Comanche (Sold)
    Glasair 1 FT (Waiting to start)

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Tow Trailer

    I have looked at the modified boat trailer option. To tall and it doesn’t have that hinge point the dolly has. Also have to make ramps and pads behind the wheels of the boat trailer. On the dolly I would maybe have to narrow it and most likely add some suspension as dollys have none. It’s low to the ground and you don’t need to fool with ramps. I will need an everyday hauler for my fox when done.
    Starfox

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Tow Trailer

    Thanks Jeff! Gave me a great idea. I'll incorporate those stub axles into the dolly. Should work perfectly.
    Starfox

  8. #8

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    Ithaca, NY
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    Default Re: Tow Trailer

    I have one. Friend gave me some round tube steel to extend the tongue. My main gear just fit. My issue is that the tongue flexes so when I get much above 45mph, it starts to shake. I plan to add two more arms to stabilize the tongue. The nice thing is that I can quickly convert it back if I need to tow a car.

  9. #9

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    Ithaca, NY
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    Default Re: Tow Trailer

    I had to add a support to hold the tail up.
    20210906_133201.jpg

  10. #10
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    Default Re: Tow Trailer

    Thanks CoClimber. Was just looking for working examples and the trailering characteristics of them. My road to the airport is only 35 mph with a few bumps. May need some side bracing too.
    Starfox

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