Trailers for replica aircraft

snj5 · 24 March 2010, 01:11 PM

While admittedly a tangential subject, I wanted to share a pleasant experience in getting a trailer for the plane. My tow vehicle was limited to 4,500 pounds, so with a 900 pound plane opted for a 3,300 pound aluminum enclosed trailer. It's close I realize, but still in spec.

The idea was to keep the upper center section on the plane, and remove the wings and fasten them to the side, so inset attachment racks on the walls were ordered. The problem was height, requiring basically a 10' door to be safe and allow some bounce room. Electric brakes were important as well.

Short story: A 3300 pound aluminum trailer, 20 feet long, 8.5 feet wide with a 10' door that doubles as a ramp. It has a wedge nose, side door and two axles. Fastening E-racks are on the floor and walls.

I went enclosed as I have heard horror stories of open trailering, and it offers a good transpo option. Pictures as they are available...

Best
r

Maxim08 · 24 March 2010, 01:37 PM

Russ,
Trailer?
I thought that you were going to fly it!
Regards,
John

(secretly jealous because I would need a 30' trailer)

snj5 · 24 March 2010, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxim08

Russ,
Trailer?
I thought that you were going to fly it!
Regards,
John

(secretly jealous because I would need a 30' trailer)

Yes, that's actually the whole idea going to the Sopwith from the T-28.

But, as some fellow aircraft owners may relate, it will be nice not to be hostage to a hangar.

24 March 2010, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snj5

While
I went enclosed as I have heard horror stories of open trailering, and it offers a good transpo option.

Best
r

Congratulations on your acquisition Russ! I intend to do the same. Here's how I plan to get mine to Oshkosh when the time comes!

RobW · 25 March 2010, 05:37 AM

This is where Rick Bennett should step in and talk about his lightweight trailer solution...

Maxim08 · 25 March 2010, 06:51 AM

Rick's trailer. Classic fabric over tube construction.

Regards,
John

snj5 · 25 March 2010, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxim08

Rick's trailer. Classic fabric over tube construction.
John

Very cool!!

RAF56_Ball · 25 March 2010, 06:42 PM

Is it just me, or is this the funniest thread I have seen here!?!?
From the "trailer envy" I had to the "thought you were going to fly it" to the trailer weenie 737, with a side road to the painting on Rick's trailer (I'm bettin' Sharon Starks did that mural), I laughed and smiled my self silly. Feeling much better now

I am prolly gonna do a KCDP type trailer, but use the tube and cloth top as well. Sadly the full sized birds have too wide a cord to lay in between the wheels of a standard trailer, so creativity is the order of the day.

Since my first show will likely be Oshkosh, I can't justify much of a trailer yet. Is 1 hour by air, 1.5 by trailer-towing-van, and would have to do it twice (gotta have a pop-up to live in for the week, you know!). My hunny isn't likely to want to do two trips. In fact, I usually have to slip here a 'mickey' to get her to AirVenture in the first place. Can you believe it? She didn't get a single palpitation when the B-24 cranked up and took off. Why, there was barely even a "yes, dear" when I slobbered out "DID YOU SEE THAT B-17 !?!?!?!"
I'm tellin' ya, I don' thin' she likes airplanes much. Is that even possible?

AROTH · 25 March 2010, 06:48 PM

Gee, where did you find that woman?

snj5 · 25 March 2010, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AROTH

Gee, where did you find that woman?

I think I married her sister...