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enclosed trailers

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poasttown(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 5:26 pm Post subject: enclosed trailers

Every year I look back and evaluate what it cost to fly and every year I see that hanger rent makes up the largest percentage of my flying costs.  So every year I think about building an enclosed trailer not so much for transporting my Kitfox but for storage at the airport.  

   

  I usually give up on the idea after two or three weeks of thinking about it.  However, has anyone on the list gone this route?  I know there has been alot of talk about trailers but not so much about enclosed trailers. 

   

  Mike Chaney



        Be a better friend, newshound, and  [quote][b]

Sbennett3(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 5:40 pm Post subject: enclosed trailers

Mike, I hear that you can expect corrosion issues if you keep  it in an enclosed trailer.  I have a friend that has one and he says I can  use it, but that would only be for an off airport forced landing.  Steve  Bennett   4-912  North Carolina



Delicious ideas to please the pickiest eaters. Watch the video on AOL Living.

  [quote][b]

vetdrem

Joined: 20 Nov 2007
Posts: 62

Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 6:16 pm Post subject: Re: enclosed trailers

I bought my kitfox because I winter in Florida, spring and fall are in Arkansas, and summer in Michigan and I needed a plane that I could take with me.  My plane came on an open, flatbed trailer that would carry it down the road, but not provide much protection,  I built a framework out of conduit, and covered it with a tarp that is designed for covering lumber on semis.  It has worked great for about 2500 miles so far, and the plane has been "hangered" in it here in Florida for the last three months.  It takes about five minutes to roll it out using the 12 volt winch that I installed.  I haven't noticed any corrosion or other ill effects from leaving it in the trailer.  Of course, it isn't air tight, and it isn't as secure  as a rigid sided trailer would be, but has sure worked well for me.  The airport charges $30 per month to leave the trailer in a tiedown spot, (beats $$$$ for hanger fees).  I can probably take some pics if you are interested.



Louie

shinco(at)bright.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 6:24 pm Post subject: enclosed trailers

Mike Chaney wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   Every year I look back and evaluate what it cost to fly and every year 

 I see that hanger rent makes up the largest percentage of my flying 

 costs.  So every year I think about building an enclosed trailer not 

 so much for transporting my Kitfox but for storage at the airport.  

  

 I usually give up on the idea after two or three weeks of thinking 

 about it.  However, has anyone on the list gone this route?  I know 

 there has been alot of talk about trailers but not so much about 

 enclosed trailers. 

  

 Mike Chaney



 ------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Be a better friend, newshound, and

 *

 *

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------



   

the thing with enclosed trailers is..That you have to watch how wide the 
	


back door opening is.I have a 24ft enclosed trailer.I would have to do 

alot of changing of the back door drop down.to get it to fit inside.but 

it would if do alot of changing to it to fit.and all so have to watch 

how tall the trailer is.even if you would change the rear door to fit 

.it would be a close fit trailer is 108 in wide,and KF is app 8ft wide 

wings folded.U would have app 6in on each side of wings in the 

trailer..real tight fit..but it has been done..you would need at least a 

24ft-28ft trailer..Steve Shinabery N554KF  KF2

Guy Buchanan

Joined: 16 Jul 2006
Posts: 1204
Location: Ramona, CA

Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 7:42 pm Post subject: enclosed trailers

At 05:23 PM 2/24/2008, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  I usually give up on the idea after two or three weeks of thinking 

about it.  However, has anyone on the list gone this route?  I know 

there has been alot of talk about trailers but not so much about 

enclosed trailers.


	


         Here's where my Kitfox IV lives. Out West we call them "toy 

boxes" because they're made to haul dune buggies and the like. My Fox 

fits with 1/2" to spare either side of the wings. It takes me seven 

minutes to set up or tear down, but I designed for it. I pay for a 

tie down so if I can get two more Foxes and boxes I'll get my monthly 

down to $36.

         I highly recommend it. Oh, and I have no problems with 

condensation because the trailer walls are all vented out the bottom. 

Also I have a couple of solar fans in the roof, and a solar panel 

charger for my battery. The trailer cost $6600. (I didn't mind 

because it's very marketable used.)

Guy Buchanan

San Diego, CA

K-IV 1200 / 582-C / Warp / 100% done, thanks mostly to Bob Ducar.

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_________________
Guy Buchanan
Deceased K-IV 1200
A glider pilot too.

shinco(at)bright.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 1:47 am Post subject: enclosed trailers

Guy Buchanan wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   At 05:23 PM 2/24/2008, you wrote:

> I usually give up on the idea after two or three weeks of thinking 

> about it.  However, has anyone on the list gone this route?  I know 

> there has been alot of talk about trailers but not so much about 

> enclosed trailers.



         Here's where my Kitfox IV lives. Out West we call them "toy 

 boxes" because they're made to haul dune buggies and the like. My Fox 

 fits with 1/2" to spare either side of the wings. It takes me seven 

 minutes to set up or tear down, but I designed for it. I pay for a tie 

 down so if I can get two more Foxes and boxes I'll get my monthly down 

 to $36.

         I highly recommend it. Oh, and I have no problems with 

 condensation because the trailer walls are all vented out the bottom. 

 Also I have a couple of solar fans in the roof, and a solar panel 

 charger for my battery. The trailer cost $6600. (I didn't mind because 

 it's very marketable used.)

 Guy Buchanan

 San Diego, CA

 K-IV 1200 / 582-C / Warp / 100% done, thanks mostly to Bob Ducar.

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------



 ------------------------------------------------------------------------



   

Guy That is one nice plane///and a nice trailer to store or haul it..wat 
	


to GO....Steve Shinabery N554KF  KF2

Rex Hefferan

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 147
Location: Olney Springs, Colorado USA "NOT a Kitpig"

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 6:05 am Post subject: enclosed trailers

I would like to see pics of how you did it. I also have a flatbed 

trailer that came with my plane and have thought about constructing an 

enclosure on it.



-- 

Rex Hefferan

SE Colorado / K-II / 582-C / still waiting repairs



vetdrem wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		  



I bought my kitfox because I winter in Florida, spring and fall are in Arkansas, and summer in Michigan and I needed a plane that I could take with me.  My plane came on an open, flatbed trailer that would carry it down the road, but not provide much protection,  I built a framework out of conduit, and covered it with a tarp that is designed for covering lumber on semis.  It has worked great for about 2500 miles so far, and the plane has been "hangered" in it here in Florida for the last three months.  It takes about five minutes to roll it out using the 12 volt winch that I installed.  I haven't noticed any corrosion or other ill effects from leaving it in the trailer.  Of course, it isn't air tight, and it isn't as secure  as a rigid sided trailer would be, but has sure worked well for me.  The airport charges $30 per month to leave the trailer in a tiedown spot, (beats $$$$ for hanger fees).  I can probably take some pics if you are interested.



Louie

_________________
Rex
N740GP - M2/582
Colorado

patreilly43(at)hotmail.co
Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 8:56 am Post subject: enclosed trailers

Guy, What length is your trailer?

 Do Not Archieve

 Pat Reilly

 Mod 3

 Rockford, IL

 	  Quote: 	
		   Date: Sun, 24 Feb 2008 19:38:31 -0800

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 From: bnn(at)nethere.com

 Subject: Re: enclosed trailers

 At 05:23 PM 2/24/2008, you wrote:

 >I usually give up on the idea after two or three weeks of thinking 

 >about it. However, has anyone on the list gone this route? I know 

 >there has been alot of talk about trailers but not so much about 

 >enclosed trailers.

 Here's where my Kitfox IV lives. Out West we call them "toy 

 boxes" because they're made to haul dune buggies and the like. My Fox 

 fits with 1/2" to spare either side of the wings. It takes me seven 

 minutes to set up or tear down, but I designed for it. I pay for a 

 tie down so if I can get two more Foxes and boxes I'll get my monthly 

 down to $36.

 I highly recommend it. Oh, and I have no problems with 

 condensation because the trailer walls are all vented out the bottom. 

 Also I have a couple of solar fans in the roof, and a solar panel 

 charger for my battery. The trailer cost $6600. (I didn't mind 

 because it's very marketable used.)

 Guy Buchanan

 San Diego, CA

 K-IV 1200 / 582-C / Warp / 100% done, thanks mostly to Bob Ducar. 

  [quote][b]

Guy Buchanan

Joined: 16 Jul 2006
Posts: 1204
Location: Ramona, CA

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 12:35 pm Post subject: enclosed trailers

At 08:50 AM 2/25/2008, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  Guy, What length is your trailer?


	


         It's 22' x 7000# gross. The Fox fits with just inches to 

spare. 24' would be better because then you'd have space for cabinets 

and things at the end, but it bumped me up to 10k# gross and was just 

too heavy for me to deal with. As it is I have plenty of storage 

above and below the wings, I just have to be careful that anything 

above can't come down in an earthquake or something like that.

Guy Buchanan

San Diego, CA

K-IV 1200 / 582-C / Warp / 100% done, thanks mostly to Bob Ducar.

_________________
Guy Buchanan
Deceased K-IV 1200
A glider pilot too.

kitfox555(at)sbcglobal.ne
Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 9:51 pm Post subject: enclosed trailers

These are some pics of my trailer built from a tandem boat trailer it's 8'6" wide 22' long made from EMT welded together with sheet metal has the hand wench if needed to pull it in  cost was $1100 makes a great hanger for here in North Cal.still needs carpet and paint  



Jerry Evans 

96% done 582

  Magalia Calif.

  N582'er'

  kitfox 555

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Guy Buchanan

Joined: 16 Jul 2006
Posts: 1204
Location: Ramona, CA

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 8:49 am Post subject: enclosed trailers

At 09:48 PM 2/25/2008, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  has the hand wench if needed to pull it in


	


That's very cool, but does your wife know about her? 



 	  Quote: 	
		  cost was $1100 makes a great hanger for here in North Cal.still 

needs carpet and paint


	


Seriously Jerry, that's way better than mine, which cost $6600 to 

buy. What do you think yours weighs? I wonder, if you put plans 

together, and John found a fabricator, what it would cost to build and market?

Guy Buchanan

San Diego, CA

K-IV 1200 / 582-C / Warp / 100% done, thanks mostly to Bob Ducar.

_________________
Guy Buchanan
Deceased K-IV 1200
A glider pilot too.

vetdrem

Joined: 20 Nov 2007
Posts: 62

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:09 am Post subject: Re: enclosed trailers

here are a few pics of mine.  I did the emt framework, and covered it with a truckers tarp.  the nose is fiberglass that they cover motorhomes with.  the tail wheel goes up a ramp, and the wing tips fit nicely into the nose of the trailer.



Call me if you have any questions about hauling it.  I've gone about 2500 miles so far, and had no issues.



Louie  (989)387-4662

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john beirne

Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Posts: 24
Location: Ireland

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:10 am Post subject: Re: enclosed trailers

have had trailers on the back burner for a long time,  was wondering where one could obtain plans for a trailer hanger. also i have heard of foxes being damaged by trailer suspensions being too solid. is this a consideration when trailering.

msm_9949(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:07 am Post subject: enclosed trailers

John:

   

  Don't know much about enclosed trailers but hard trailer suspensions are an issue whether open or enclosed. Most boat-type trailers from which our home-made trailers are typically constructed, are designed to carry much more than your Fox weighs. As a result, every bounce will be transmitted directly to the cargo rather than "absorbed" by the suspension. Double axles help some.

   

  As you probably know, the stock, Kitfox single-leaf steel tailspring was notoriously prone to failure under the best of conditions. With the wings folded, the load on this spring increases dramatically. So if you do nothing else, find a way to unload and limit the flexing of the tail spring during transport. 



john beirne <jmcb(at)oceanfree.net> wrote:

  [quote]--> Kitfox-List message posted by:       Be a better friend, newshound, and  [quote][b]

patreilly43(at)hotmail.co
Guest

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 2:53 pm Post subject: enclosed trailers

Jerry, What is max trailer width allowed in CA?  It is 8' here in IL. You stated your trailer is 8'-6" wide.

  

 Do not archieve

  

 Pat Reilly

 Mod 3 Rebuild

 Rockford, IL

 [quote]  Date: Mon, 25 Feb 2008 21:48:17 -0800

From: kitfox555(at)sbcglobal.net

Subject: enclosed trailers

To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com



These are some pics of my trailer built from a tandem boat trailer it's 8'6" wide 22' long made from EMT welded together with sheet metal has the hand wench if needed to pull it in  cost was $1100 makes a great hanger for here in North Cal.still needs carpet and paint  



 Jerry Evans 

96% done 582

 Magalia Calif.

 N582'er'

 kitfox 555

[b]

shinco(at)bright.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 3:07 pm Post subject: enclosed trailers

vetdrem wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 here are a few pics of mine.  I did the emt framework, and covered it with a truckers tarp.  the nose is fiberglass that they cover motorhomes with.  the tail wheel goes up a ramp, and the wing tips fit nicely into the nose of the trailer.



 Call me if you have any questions about hauling it.  I've gone about 2500 miles so far, and had no issues.



 Louie  (989)387-4662





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 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=166380#166380





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Very nice job,,looks good..  good idea,,How do you get the KF up in to 
	


it??  Steve Shinabery N554KF

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 3:33 pm Post subject: enclosed trailers

You could also  carry a little ballast to soften the ride.... Lots cheaper.  

   

Noel  

     

From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Marco Menezes

 Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 3:35 PM

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: Re: Re: enclosed trailers  

  

     

John:  

    

   

    

Don't know much about enclosed trailers but hard trailer suspensions are an issue whether open or enclosed. Most boat-type trailers from which our home-made trailers are typically constructed, are designed to carry much more than your Fox weighs. As a result, every bounce will be transmitted directly to the cargo rather than "absorbed" by the suspension. Double axles help some.  

    

   

    

As you probably know, the stock, Kitfox single-leaf steel tailspring was notoriously prone to failure under the best of conditions. With the wings folded, the load on this spring increases dramatically. So if you do nothing else, find a way to unload and limit the flexing of the tail spring during transport. 

 

 john beirne <jmcb(at)oceanfree.net> wrote:  

  [quote]  

--> Kitfox-List message posted by:       

  

Be a better friend, newshound, and    	  Quote: 	
		    http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List 	
0 	  Quote: 	
		   	
1 	  Quote: 	
		   	
2 	  Quote: 	
		   	
3 	  Quote: 	
		   	
4 	  Quote: 	
		   	
5 	  Quote: 	
		   	
6 	  Quote: 	
		   	
7 	  Quote: 	
		   	
8 	  Quote: 	
		   	
9[b]

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

kitfox555(at)sbcglobal.ne
Guest

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 7:40 pm Post subject: enclosed trailers

Pat that is the limit here 8'6" according to the CHP 



patrick reilly <patreilly43(at)hotmail.com> wrote:   [quote]    .hmmessage P  {  margin:0px;  padding:0px  }  body.hmmessage  {  FONT-SIZE: 10pt;  FONT-FAMILY:Tahoma  }    Jerry, What is max trailer width allowed in CA?  It is 8' here in IL. You stated your trailer is 8'-6" wide.

 

Do not archieve

 

Pat Reilly

Mod 3 Rebuild

Rockford, IL

  [quote]    Date: Mon, 25 Feb 2008 21:48:17 -0800

From: kitfox555(at)sbcglobal.net

Subject: enclosed trailers

To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com



These are some pics of my trailer built from a tandem boat trailer it's 8'6" wide 22' long made from EMT welded together with sheet metal has the hand wench if needed to pull it in  cost was $1100 makes a great hanger for here in North [quote][b]

patreilly43(at)hotmail.co
Guest

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 7:41 am Post subject: enclosed trailers

Jerry, I guess I stand corrected. Another e-mail said the legal limit is 8'-6" width for over the road nation wide.

  

 Do not archieve

  

 Pat Reilly 

 Mod 3 Rebuild

 Rockford, IL

 [quote]  Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2008 19:36:14 -0800

From: kitfox555(at)sbcglobal.net

Subject: RE: enclosed trailers

To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com



Pat that is the limit here 8'6" according to the CHP 



patrick reilly <patreilly43(at)hotmail.com> wrote:   	  Quote: 	
		    .ExternalClass .EC_hmmessage P {padding:0px;} .ExternalClass EC_body.hmmessage {font-size:10pt;font-family:Tahoma;}  Jerry, What is max trailer width allowed in CA?  It is 8' here in IL. You stated your trailer is 8'-6" wide.

 

Do not archieve

 

Pat Reilly

Mod 3 Rebuild

Rockford, IL

  	  Quote: 	
		    Date: Mon, 25 Feb 2008 21:48:17 -0800

From: kitfox555(at)sbcglobal.net

Subject: enclosed trailers

To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com



These are some pics of my trailer built from a tandem boat trailer it's 8'6" wide 22' long made from EMT welded together with sheet metal has the hand wench if needed to pull it in  cost was $1100 makes a great hanger for here in North  	  Quote: 	
		  



arget=_blank>http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

p://forums.matronics.com

blank>http://www.matronics.com/contribution



	
	
	
[b]

bjones(at)dmv.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 9:14 am Post subject: enclosed trailers

Consider supporting the tail where the tail spring attaches to the fuselage to 

avoid aft CG stress on tail wheel spring while trailering and avoiding impact 

of spring on rudder because of limited clearance in this area on some model IVs

do not archive

B Jones

443-480-1023

N154K



Quoting Noel Loveys <noelloveys(at)yahoo.ca>:



 	  Quote: 	
		   You could also  carry a little ballast to soften the ride.... Lots cheaper.

 

  

 

 Noel

 

  

 

 From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com

 [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Marco Menezes

 Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 3:35 PM

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: Re: Re: enclosed trailers

 

  

 

 John:

 

  

 

 Don't know much about enclosed trailers but hard trailer suspensions are an

 issue whether open or enclosed. Most boat-type trailers from which our

 home-made trailers are typically constructed, are designed to carry much

 more than your Fox weighs. As a result, every bounce will be transmitted

 directly to the cargo rather than "absorbed" by the suspension. Double axles

 help some.

 

  

 

 As you probably know, the stock, Kitfox single-leaf steel tailspring was

 notoriously prone to failure under the best of conditions. With the wings

 folded, the load on this spring increases dramatically. So if you do nothing

 else, find a way to unload and limit the flexing of the tail spring during

 transport. 

 

 john beirne <jmcb(at)oceanfree.net> wrote:

 

 

 

   _____  

 

 Be a better friend, newshound, and 

 

  

  

  

 

 


	




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