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How to license/register a Tri-gear trailer?

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frans(at)paardnatuurlijk.
Guest

Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 2:39 am Post subject: How to license/register a Tri-gear trailer?

Hi everyone,



I bought my unstarted tri-gear kit #589 from someone else, together with

the factory supplied trailer.



Now don't laugh, but as easy it is to get an airplane registered over

here, as difficult it is to get a trailer registered.

I applied anyway, but it got rejected and it appears the situation is

hopeless unless I can produce the required information.



Now, with the European community, if a similar trailer is admitted

somewhere, there must be some European admittance number (don't know the

correct English expression for it, so it might be named differently),

and with that specific number I should be able to get my trailer

registered as well.



So, I would like to know if someone else got this type of trailer

registered (in a European country of course), and is willing to copy the

paperwork, and/or can tell me how he succeeded, that would be very helpfull.



Does someone know the manufacturer of these trailers? Then maybe they

can help me as well.



-- 

Frans Veldman

ptag.dev(at)tiscali.co.uk
Guest

Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 5:47 am Post subject: How to license/register a Tri-gear trailer?

Hi! Frans

To the best of my knowledge the UK does not need trailers licensed. The

first I knew of such bureaucracy was when my Son imported a Canadian

Honda CRV to Sweden and tried to tow a boat trailer !

Their authorities condemned the tow bar on the vehicle and insisted he

apply for a trailer license.

He had to get an approved electrical engineer to certify the electrical

wiring on the vehicle and have a new tow bar fitted costing a bloody

fortune.

Better not shout about your problem over in the UK too loud otherwise

our damned bureaucrats will jump on the band wagon and start making me

jump through impossible hoops with my purpose built trailer.!

Have you established it is enforceable in your country?

This just may be why it is appearing so hard.

I traveled to MT Propellers over the ferry and back along the autobahns

without any problem except for loosing a wheel when no one pulled me!

Regards

Bob Harrison. 



--

frans(at)paardnatuurlijk.
Guest

Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 6:35 am Post subject: How to license/register a Tri-gear trailer?

Hi Bob,



 	  Quote: 	
		   To the best of my knowledge the UK does not need trailers licensed.


	


Yep, and that is exactly my problem. Because it has not been licensed in

the country the trailer was coming from, it is nearly impossible to

license it here.



Up to 750 Kg's, trailers don't need a license here. Unfortunately, the

trailer plus the Europa will exceed this limit.



If there would be a type certificate, the trailer could easily be

licensed. But this is not the case, so it is going to be nearly impossible.

I have to provide strength calculations, approval numbers for axles,

brakes, hitches, etc.



Isn't it ironically? You guys in the UK have a pretty hard time with

getting your homebuilt airplane licensed (unless you play it exactly by

the rules, with approvals for all kind of silly mods), and may tow

around anything behind your cars.

In the Netherlands, I can modify the airplane to my hearts contents,

without any approvals let alone inspections, and get it licensed without

difficulties. But the trailer, well, it is virtually impossible.



I could probably register the trailer more easily as an airplane (with a

very bad climb rate), if I 'd install a mode-S transponder on it (which

you are not supposed to use anyway).  To bad that in that case I

would be restricted to use the trailer only on the landing strip...



 	  Quote: 	
		   Have you established it is enforceable in your country?


	


Yep. Did some phone work. Bureaucrats tell me it is impossible. Trailer

selling companies told me that it *might* be possible, but would likely

costs 1000 Euro's as it will take many manhours to make up the

paperwork, do the calculations, visit the licensing station a few times,

etc. They advised me to try to get somewhere some paperwork to increase

the chances of succes, and this is why I'm begging on this forum for

some paperwork.



 	  Quote: 	
		   I traveled to MT Propellers over the ferry and back along the autobahns

 without any problem except for loosing a wheel when no one pulled me!


	


This won't be a problem. Trailers need to be registered in the country

of their owner, and can than be taken in any country they wish. Pretty

much the same as with airplanes.



Hmmm, maybe I should just register my trailer in the UK. Need to find

out then if I'm allowed to pull it with my Dutch registered car.



-- 

Frans Veldman

raimo.toivio(at)rwm.fi
Guest

Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 10:25 am Post subject: How to license/register a Tri-gear trailer?

Hi Frans



I have been there and had exactly same problems.

I imported original Europa factory trailer from Germany.



Solution: in Finnish Road Traffic Law there is a group they call like "moveable devices".

I just named my trailer to be a moveable device!

That means no oblication to register and no insurances and I am free to make any modifications.



So, my trailer is now an experimental trailer and I have added for example second axle and so on.



Conditions:



1) a red triangle must be fixed to the trailer back instead of register plate.

2) all the cargo must be removable only by tools (I have to use a set of spanner tools to take Europa away)

4) speed limit 40 km/h (nobody cares, I prefer 60 or 70 km/h is max)



Look next time those huge trailerable traffic signs what they use in road work there.

I assume they are not registered also in Netherland. They are moveable devices then.

They trailer also giant boats from harbour to harbour by unregistered trailers (=moveable device then).



One extra advantage: my trailer´s MTOW (maximum trail off weight!) loaded with Europa is more than 750 kgs.

My poor trailer is brakeless and normally brakes are necessary then but because it´s moveable device, no matter and nobody cares. 



I was once in a traffic stop check and policeman asked "what the hell is that?"

I just answered "cannot you see - it is a flying trailer!" and so he was happy and I was free to head to airport.



After this pic (attachment) I have add several extras like floor. It´s empty weight is around 500 kgs now.



I hope this helps - let me know.



Tow safe - it is the riskiest part of flying.



Raimo OH-XRT

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ptag.dev(at)tiscali.co.uk
Guest

Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 11:18 am Post subject: How to license/register a Tri-gear trailer?

Hi! Frans....... Your last sentence is still presuming that you can

register your trailer in the UK. I say again we have no such system even

for caravans. IMHO just quote the weight unloaded.....but only if you

get "pulled" ....make them provide the legal work! The wombats in

Brussels have you jumping through invisible hoops.

Regards

Bob Harrison. 



--

frans(at)paardnatuurlijk.
Guest

Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 12:13 pm Post subject: How to license/register a Tri-gear trailer?

Hi Bob,



 	  Quote: 	
		   Hi! Frans....... Your last sentence is still presuming that you can

 register your trailer in the UK. I say again we have no such system even

 for caravans.


	


Ok, I get that point. So what kind of license plate do you use on the

trailer? Just the same as the car towing it?



 	  Quote: 	
		   IMHO just quote the weight unloaded.....but only if you

 get "pulled" ....make them provide the legal work! The wombats in

 Brussels have you jumping through invisible hoops.


	


I'm not really concerned to receive a ticket once in a while. I'm

worried what will happen if some lunatick hits the trailer from behind,

crushes my Europa, and then his insurance claims that while his client

did some damage, I was not supposed to drive there with the airplane

anyway, and that my "illegal" combination was a contributing (or sole?)

factor in the loss of the airplane.



I'm sure that in such an accident, the rather unusual "car crushes

airplane" claim will receive the full attention of the insurance

company. Given the fact that my claim will be quite high, they will

probably come up with anything they can find to reject or minimize my

claim. The fact that I'm transporting the airplane with an illegal

trailer will probably be well received by the insurance company. 



-- 

Frans Veldman

frans(at)paardnatuurlijk.
Guest

Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 12:20 pm Post subject: How to license/register a Tri-gear trailer?

Hi Raimo,



 	  Quote: 	
		   I have been there and had exactly same problems.

 I imported original Europa factory trailer from Germany.

 

 Solution: in Finnish Road Traffic Law there is a group they call like "moveable devices".

 I just named my trailer to be a moveable device!


	


Interesting solution!

Yes, I have seen similar "trailers" over here. I don't know anything

about these rules, but I will find out. I suspect however that I can't

use highways and such with them. Maybe not a factor where you live, but

it would be a rather limiting factor over here. But it is an interesting

idea (and maybe last resort) anyway.



Thanks!

-- 

Frans Veldman

ptag.dev(at)tiscali.co.uk
Guest

Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 2:12 pm Post subject: How to license/register a Tri-gear trailer?

Hi! Frans

Further to my message just posted, we often refer to very long glider

trailers as "special purpose" trailers ....covers a multitude of sins!

Regards

Bob H 



--

ptag.dev(at)tiscali.co.uk
Guest

Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 2:12 pm Post subject: How to license/register a Tri-gear trailer?

Hi! Frans

Yes I understand your concern of course my trailer would have to be made

quite a mess before it got through to the plane.

We just use a duplicate number plate, the same as the pulling car.

To make it slightly more official I also have a "LONG VEHICLE" plate on

the back as well together with a tow board with lights (including brake

lights and indicators ), the magic triangle and the requisite "60" sign.

I can legally run at that speed since the trailer is  braked by an over

run system.

Regards

Bob Harrison.



--

raimo.toivio(at)rwm.fi
Guest

Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 11:41 pm Post subject: How to license/register a Tri-gear trailer?

Hi Frans,



some thoughts more:



With "moveable device" there is no trailer insurance at all - towing car´s insurance covers everything.you need in traffic. Aircraft´s hull insurance covers nothing when in public road and an accident happens.



And you are probably right: if somebody hits your plane by his car - they will claim it was your (trailer´s and plane´s) fault. And I do understand. Many drivers when they notice A PLANE ON THE ROAD just forget they are drivers and only looked with bulging eyes this amazing sight they have never seen before.



I have taken an extra insurance which covers my plane everytime I move it from my home via specified and named route to the airport (that is about 20 km).

I use only small roads and my strong recommendation is - avoid highways and motorways if possible!

I never tow without a "safety" car of my friend following just behind the trailer.

He is watching everything is ok and "protecting" my plane - nobody can drive between he and plane.



That is very valuable: once he called me that trailer´s (monowheel) ramp has dropped down and plane was just moving anxiously between the wings. Only the tail wheel lock keeped it there. Happily I had sideguards there and no damages. Later I completed ramp security locks. Without safety car...I do not want even imagine what could have happen.



For extra safety I stop every 5 to 10 km to check all is OK.



As I wrote I feel trailering is the most riskiest part of flying (to damage the plane). At least for me it has been so.



Tow safe.



Raimo OH-XRT

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