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Fox5flyer
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 Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 6:51 am Post subject: Trailering my Kitfox |
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Thanks Johannes! Good post.
Deke
do not archive
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earnestj(at)frontiernet.n
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| Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 7:45 am Post subject: Trailering my Kitfox |
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Hi Everyone,
I am new to this list, but have been reading it for a few days and it has had many helpful hints and information.
I am going to pick up my (new to me) Kitfox V vixen on Friday and will need to haul it about 700 miles. I was wondering if someone would be so kind as to email me a picture or drawing of how the wings/tail ties down. The plane does not have those items with it and the current owner has never done it. Any information would be helpful
Thanks
Ted
McCall, Idaho
[quote][b]
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Tom Jones
Joined: 12 Mar 2006
Posts: 752
Location: Ellensburg, WA
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| Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 12:17 pm Post subject: Re: Trailering my Kitfox |
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| Quote: | I am going to pick up my (new to me) Kitfox V vixen on Friday and will need to haul it about 700 miles. I was wondering if someone would be so kind as to email me a picture or drawing of how the wings/tail ties down. The plane does not have those items with it and the current owner has never done it. Any information would be helpful
Thanks
Ted |
Ted, When the wings of a tri gear plane are folded back it becomes a tail dragger, ie the tail sits on the ground. I heard of a tri gear avid flyer that had it's fuselage bent enough to wrinkle the fabric from being improperly secured to a trailer. This one was transported on a long flatbed trailer that was kind of light duty. A tail support was secured to the trailer deck under the tail to keep the nose wheel down on the deck and the tail was tied down to the support. The nose wheel was also tied down to the deck. It was towed about 700 miles I think. The trailer flexed enough to bend the fuselage.
My thinking on this is if there is any chance the transport may flex, either the nose or the tail can be on the deck but not both. Just something to consider.
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Tom Jones
Classic IV
503 Rotax, 72 inch Two blade Warp
Ellensburg, WA |
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Tom Jones
Joined: 12 Mar 2006
Posts: 752
Location: Ellensburg, WA
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| Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:29 am Post subject: Re: Trailering my Kitfox |
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| Quote: | I was wondering if someone would be so kind as to email me a picture or drawing of how the wings/tail ties down. The plane does not have those items with it and the current owner has never done it. Any information would be helpful
Thanks
Ted |
Ted,
Attached are some photos of these items on a Classic 4. The Wing Support Braces I made from 3/4" EMT. I think you can get real nice factory made ones from the kitfox factory. The wing Lock Back Braces are made from 1/2" 4130. Maybe someone has a set you could buy or borrow or check with the factory for a set...you really should have these to tow the kitfox. Also put a fail safe of some sort on to keep a wing from swinging out if a Lock back brace should fail or come off. That has ruined the day for a Kitfox owner or two. Notice in the rudder picture I use a bungee around the flaperon counter balances for this purpose. I secure the rudder and elevator with some foam rubber as shown.
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_________________
Tom Jones
Classic IV
503 Rotax, 72 inch Two blade Warp
Ellensburg, WA |
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mikelaundy(at)yahoo.co.uk
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| Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:20 am Post subject: Trailering my Kitfox |
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On my KF III when I use my road trailer I secure the aircraft by its front axles and the tail wheel axle. I double up on the tiedowns at each wheel so a single tiedown failure won't loose me the plane. I feel the aircraft's suspension can then work to a limited degree and give the plane a smoother ride. I have a hand winch to get the aircraft up on the trailer and I attach that to the tail wheel spring and leave it attached when trailering. I use an extra strut on each side to support the leading edge of the wing to the float/gear fittings. I use the struts supplied with the kit to hold the wings folded, and some foam pipe insulation on the outboard flaperons to stop movement of the rudder and to stop the flaperons rattling against the rudder. In the cockpit I secure the stick aft with the seat straps to limit elevator movement. Finally I use a wide strap around the wings and fuselage just forward of the fin to prevent a single failure of the wing fold securing strut allowing a wing to swing forward.
However, since I fly from a farmer friend's field about 4 miles from my home I tow the aircraft there on its own wheels. I have had a cranked towbar made complete with a jockey wheel. I tow with my quadbike and the cranked towbar holds the folded wings above the bike, since that gives me a shorter distance from the quad to the aircraft wheels the whole rig is more manoeuverable than when using the road trailer. It has an added advantage that I can park the quad under the folded wing of the aircraft in its hanger when not being used. With a forward tow hitch on the quad the raised wings allow me to push the aircraft into its hangar with the quad and still be able to see where its going.
Mike
KF III
Sent from
| | - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List |
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Float Flyr
Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland
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| Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 6:17 pm Post subject: Trailering my Kitfox |
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That forward hitch ( on the front) is a great helper for parking any trailer with any machine that has one.
Just a question though what happens if the tail spring breaks while you are towing the plane??? Do you have a back up for that?
Noel
From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Michael Laundy
Sent: Sunday, March 09, 2008 1:48 PM
To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com
Subject: Re: Re: Trailering my Kitfox
On my KF III when I use my road trailer I secure the aircraft by its front axles and the tail wheel axle. I double up on the tiedowns at each wheel so a single tiedown failure won't loose me the plane. I feel the aircraft's suspension can then work to a limited degree and give the plane a smoother ride. I have a hand winch to get the aircraft up on the trailer and I attach that to the tail wheel spring and leave it attached when trailering. I use an extra strut on each side to support the leading edge of the wing to the float/gear fittings. I use the struts supplied with the kit to hold the wings folded, and some foam pipe insulation on the outboard flaperons to stop movement of the rudder and to stop the flaperons rattling against the rudder. In the cockpit I secure the stick aft with the seat straps to limit elevator movement. Finally I use a wide strap around the wings and fuselage just forward of the fin to prevent a single failure of the wing fold securing strut allowing a wing to swing forward.
However, since I fly from a farmer friend's field about 4 miles from my home I tow the aircraft there on its own wheels. I have had a cranked towbar made complete with a jockey wheel. I tow with my quadbike and the cranked towbar holds the folded wings above the bike, since that gives me a shorter distance from the quad to the aircraft wheels the whole rig is more manoeuverable than when using the road trailer. It has an added advantage that I can park the quad under the folded wing of the aircraft in its hanger when not being used. With a forward tow hitch on the quad the raised wings allow me to push the aircraft into its hangar with the quad and still be able to see where its going.
Mike
KF III
Sent from
The World 's Favourite Email. | Quote: | | http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List |
0123456789
[quote][b]
| | - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
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Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats |
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mikelaundy(at)yahoo.co.uk
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 3:49 am Post subject: Trailering my Kitfox |
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I missed that bit out! I put a broad strap around the fuselage (just forward of the tail plane) and the guide rail for the tail wheel. I do it up snug but not too tight so the tail still has some give on the tail spring. I figure in the event of a tail spring breakage that will prevent the aircraft rotating forward over the main wheels. It can't move forward or backward on the trailer due to the tiedowns on the mainwheel axles.
I have not used the road trailer since having my "cranked" towbar made. So in future I will probably leave the cranked towbar attached to the aircraft and tie the towbar down to the trailer, that way there will be no strain on the tail spring.
Mike
Noel Loveys <noelloveys(at)yahoo.ca> wrote:
[quote] v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} ..shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} That forward hitch ( on the front) is a great helper for parking any trailer with any machine that has one.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Just a question though what happens if the tail spring breaks while you are towing the plane??? Do you have a back up for that?
Noel
From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Michael Laundy
Sent: Sunday, March 09, 2008 1:48 PM
To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com
Subject: Re: Re: Trailering my Kitfox
On my KF III when I use my road trailer I secure the aircraft by its front axles and the tail wheel axle. I double up on the tiedowns at each wheel so a single tiedown failure won't loose me the plane. I feel the aircraft's suspension can then work to a limited degree and give the plane a smoother ride. I have a hand winch to get the aircraft up on the trailer and I attach that to the tail wheel spring and leave it attached when trailering. I use an extra strut on each side to support the leading edge of the wing to the float/gear fittings. I use the struts supplied with the kit to hold the wings folded, and some foam pipe insulation on the outboard flaperons to stop movement of the rudder and to stop the flaperons rattling against the rudder. In the cockpit I secure the stick aft with the seat straps to limit elevator movement. Finally I use a wide strap around the wings and fuselage just forward of the fin to prevent a single failure of the wing fold securing strut allowing a wing to swing forward.
However, since I fly from a farmer friend's field about 4 miles from my home I tow the aircraft there on its own wheels. I have had a cranked towbar made complete with a jockey wheel. I tow with my quadbike and the cranked towbar holds the folded wings above the bike, since that gives me a shorter distance from the quad to the aircraft wheels the whole rig is more manoeuverable than when using the road trailer. It has an added advantage that I can park the quad under the folded wing of the aircraft in its hanger when not being used. With a forward tow hitch on the quad the raised wings allow me to push the aircraft into its hangar with the quad and still be able to see where its going.
Mike
KF III
Sent from
The World 's Favourite Email.
| Quote: | | http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List |
01234567[quote][b] Sent from
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Float Flyr
Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland
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| Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:44 am Post subject: Trailering my Kitfox |
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I think that would be a great idea ! One of the things I was thinking of, as well as a nosed over plane on the trailer, is the damage a broken spring can cause to the rudder.
Noel
From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Michael Laundy
Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 9:16 AM
To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com
Subject: RE: Re: Trailering my Kitfox
I missed that bit out! I put a broad strap around the fuselage (just forward of the tail plane) and the guide rail for the tail wheel. I do it up snug but not too tight so the tail still has some give on the tail spring. I figure in the event of a tail spring breakage that will prevent the aircraft rotating forward over the main wheels. It can't move forward or backward on the trailer due to the tiedowns on the mainwheel axles.
I have not used the road trailer since having my "cranked" towbar made. So in future I will probably leave the cranked towbar attached to the aircraft and tie the towbar down to the trailer, that way there will be no strain on the tail spring.
Mike
Noel Loveys <noelloveys(at)yahoo.ca> wrote:
[quote]
That forward hitch ( on the front) is a great helper for parking any trailer with any machine that has one.
Just a question though what happens if the tail spring breaks while you are towing the plane??? Do you have a back up for that?
Noel
From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Michael Laundy
Sent: Sunday, March 09, 2008 1:48 PM
To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com
Subject: Re: Re: Trailering my Kitfox
On my KF III when I use my road trailer I secure the aircraft by its front axles and the tail wheel axle. I double up on the tiedowns at each wheel so a single tiedown failure won't loose me the plane. I feel the aircraft's suspension can then work to a limited degree and give the plane a smoother ride. I have a hand winch to get the aircraft up on the trailer and I attach that to the tail wheel spring and leave it attached when trailering. I use an extra strut on each side to support the leading edge of the wing to the float/gear fittings. I use the struts supplied with the kit to hold the wings folded, and some foam pipe insulation on the outboard flaperons to stop movement of the rudder and to stop the flaperons rattling against the rudder. In the cockpit I secure the stick aft with the seat straps to limit elevator movement. Finally I use a wide strap around the wings and fuselage just forward of the fin to prevent a single failure of the wing fold securing strut allowing a wing to swing forward.
However, since I fly from a farmer friend's field about 4 miles from my home I tow the aircraft there on its own wheels. I have had a cranked towbar made complete with a jockey wheel. I tow with my quadbike and the cranked towbar holds the folded wings above the bike, since that gives me a shorter distance from the quad to the aircraft wheels the whole rig is more manoeuverable than when using the road trailer. It has an added advantage that I can park the quad under the folded wing of the aircraft in its hanger when not being used. With a forward tow hitch on the quad the raised wings allow me to push the aircraft into its hangar with the quad and still be able to see where its going.
Mike
KF III
Sent from
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_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats |
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