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Thread: Size of trailer required to move a Kitfox

  1. #1

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    Default Size of trailer required to move a Kitfox

    Hi everyone,

    I'll be making the trip in the next few days to pick up the Kitfox IV 1050 that I have put a deposit on. I've got about a 16 hour drive each way to Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories to pick it up, including a ferry crossing of the Mackenzie River. It should be quite a road trip.

    I am planning to rent a trailer to haul the Kitfox, I'm just wondering how big of a trailer I will need. I have access to a trailer that is 16 feet long and 8 feet wide, will that be big enough?

    Thanks,
    Randy

  2. #2
    Senior Member Peteohms's Avatar
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    Default Re: Size of trailer required to move a Kitfox

    Quote Originally Posted by Alberta_Kitfox View Post
    Hi everyone,

    I'll be making the trip in the next few days to pick up the Kitfox IV 1050 that I have put a deposit on. I've got about a 16 hour drive each way to Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories to pick it up, including a ferry crossing of the Mackenzie River. It should be quite a road trip.

    I am planning to rent a trailer to haul the Kitfox, I'm just wondering how big of a trailer I will need. I have access to a trailer that is 16 feet long and 8 feet wide, will that be big enough?

    Thanks,
    Randy
    I used a Uhaul car transport trailer. You can probably make an open 8x16 work.
    Pete
    Leander, TX
    Model III SN 1000
    912
    Grove

  3. #3
    Senior Member t j's Avatar
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    Default Re: Size of trailer required to move a Kitfox

    Some handy Kitfox model 4 measurements to estimate with.
    Spinner to center main wheels = 3'8"
    Center of mains to center TW = 13'5"
    center TW to wing tip = 4'3"
    Center of mains to tow vehicle =20'7"

    You need 1/2 your tow vehicle width between wing tips and tow vehicle for clearance to make sharp turns. That is 3 feet in this picture.

    This Kitfox empty weight = 550 pounds. Weight on tail wheel with wings folded is 175 pounds. You should support the tail so all weight is not on the tail wheel spring. A milk crate with some padding to set the rear of the fuselage where the TW spring bolts on, something like that.
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    Last edited by t j; 06-24-2012 at 03:56 PM.
    Tom Jones
    Classic 4 builder

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Size of trailer required to move a Kitfox

    Quote Originally Posted by Alberta_Kitfox View Post
    I am planning to rent a trailer to haul the Kitfox, I'm just wondering how big of a trailer I will need.
    Randy
    What type of trailer, flat-bed or enclosed? If enclosed, must at least meet the following specs, from http://kitfoxaircraft.com/c4specs.htm

    Wing Span 32 ft
    Wing Area*132 ft²
    Cabin Width 39”
    Length*18’-5”
    Wings Folded*Length*21’-6”
    Wings Folded Width*7’-10”
    Height*5’8” Tail Wheel
    Height*8’-0” Tri-Gear

    I would allow some extra width. ( In my KF IV there is a minor misalignment on the right wing that does not allow me to fully fold it. )

    If flat bed - I brought my Kitfox in a generic "car-sized" flat bed trailer with no problems.
    A suggestion, the previous owner provided a couple of 2”x4” beams that were nailed to the floor of the trailer as “chocks”, just before and after of the main wheels. That provided a very good support.
    And the nose should point to the back. (Not knowing any better at the time, I did it the other way around, but fortunately was a much shorter trip.)
    Last edited by rwaltman; 06-24-2012 at 04:00 PM.

  5. #5

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    Default Re: Size of trailer required to move a Kitfox

    Thanks for the advice, particularly the pictures and measurements. The trailer that I was thinking of using is an open flat deck trailer.

    I'm actually considering the option of flying it home as well, but I'm uncertain about flying an unfamiliar plane with a two stroke engine throuh a remote area of northern Canada. There is a highway I could follow though.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Size of trailer required to move a Kitfox

    the flat deck will work fine. The advice given is great. I hauled mine home to Lethbridge from Atlanta, Georgia with no issues. I would add a support for the elavator on both sides to lock in place. The air moving around your tow vehicle really liked to slap mine around. I just bolted 2 1x4 with foam around it. Worked fine. I also had wing supports on the leading edge attachment points and of course drain the wing tanks if possible.

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Size of trailer required to move a Kitfox

    Found pictures!

    Something worth mentioning - For this type of trailer the minimal width will be determined by the width of the landing gear.

    Roberto.
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    Last edited by rwaltman; 06-24-2012 at 09:00 PM.

  8. #8
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    Default Re: Size of trailer required to move a Kitfox

    Quote Originally Posted by Alberta_Kitfox View Post
    I'm actually considering the option of flying it home as well, but I'm uncertain about flying an unfamiliar plane with a two stroke engine throuh a remote area of northern Canada. There is a highway I could follow though.
    Common sense says "Don't do it."
    Then again, if we had any common sense we would not be flying homebuilt airplanes. Would we?

    Roberto.

  9. #9
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    Default Re: Size of trailer required to move a Kitfox

    kifox2 .... (see attached)
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  10. #10
    Senior Member t j's Avatar
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    Default Re: Size of trailer required to move a Kitfox

    On a 16 foot trailer it may work better to load the plane nose foreward. I would cover the wing roots to prevent the wind getting inside the wings and possibly loosening the fabric.

    For what its worth. I calculated the center of gravity on my model 4 with the wings folded. The CG is approximately 4.3 feet behind the center of the main wheels. Maybe that will help with how you load it.
    Tom Jones
    Classic 4 builder

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