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Trailering a FireFly

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undoctor(at)ptd.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:53 am Post subject: Trailering a FireFly

I'm looking for advice on tailoring my new  FireFly.  I'm going to bring it home to PA from TN in the near future, and  although I have numerous pictures and sites about tailoring a Kolb, I'd like  some specific advice from those who have done it successfully.   

  

 As a starting point, I have thousands of miles  hauling machinery loads on 18 wheeler flatbeds and lowboys with overweight  and over-dimension loads a normal challenge.  But the only Kolb I hauled  was my US on my half ton pickup, wings and engine in one load, and the rest on  another.  I made ramps from the ground onto the front of the pickup and  pulled it onto the truck so the mains rode on the cowl right by the windshield  (I had the landing gear crossmembers Xing in front of the windshield) and the  boom tube continued from above the cab back to the tailgate, suspended by a  simple bungee rig.  Looked kind of like the space shuttle riding piggyback  on the huge cargo jet when they move it.  And this was only for a distance  of about 30 miles.

  

 I bought a field construction trailer which is  ready for the trailer park in the sky to both haul and hanger my new Kolb.   It has an overhead door in the rear and is 28' long inside, 32' overall.  I  am going to gut the entire interior and re-work the overhead door from rolling  at the header to sliding along the top for more height.  I doubt if  I'll throw truckers chains over the FireFly and bind it down with  chain binders, so, folks, any tips (that may  not be apparent in the pictures available) you can give me on tying it down,  cradling the tail section and protecting the fantastic paint job would be  greatly appreciated.  I really, REALLY don't want to scuff the  FlagFly. 

  

 Thanks in advance,

  

 Dave Kulp

 Bethlehem, PA

  

 FireFly 098

  

 We have enough youth, how about a Fountain of  Smart. 

   [quote][b]

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George Alexander

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 245
Location: SW Florida

Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 12:42 pm Post subject: Re: Trailering a FireFly

 	  undoctor(at)ptd.net wrote: 	
		  I'm looking for advice on tailoring my new  FireFly.  I'm going to bring it home to PA from TN in the near future, and  although I have numerous pictures and sites about tailoring a Kolb, I'd like  some specific advice from those who have done it successfully.   

  

<<<<SNIP>>>>

Dave Kulp

 Bethlehem, PA

  

 FireFly 098

  

 We have enough youth, how about a Fountain of  Smart. 

	




Dave:



In my view, there are 3 key points to address.  How you specifically address them will vary based on the trailer, the plane and most importantly what makes you feel comfortable.



-Get the weight off the tail wheel.  Most popular method seems to be suspending the boom tube in a cradle secured to the floor.  This method accomplishes the primary objective and keeps the tail in place.  Others use a sling, suspended from the ceiling to set the boom tube in.  This method requires more thought in preventing the tail from swaying side to side. 



-Get the weight of the wings off the boom tube. Some build cradles for the wings, securing the cradles to the floor.  Others use slings and suspend the wings from the ceiling.  Either way, the wings need to be stabilized to keep them from banging into anything/each other.  Some leave the wings in the normal folded position and use slings to relieve the weight of the wings from the appliance that attaches the wings to the boom tube. Finally, some take the wings off entirely and secure them to the walls of the trailer.  Still requires cradles or at least padding.



-Secure the mains to the floor.  Blocks/chocks on all four sides of each wheel and then strap the wheels/axles to the floor.  There are differing views about securing the cage itself to the trailer.  Those that say "don't do it", offer that the mains should be able to take anything that you would encounter while trailering plus rigidly securing the cage puts unnatural stresses on it.  I tend to go along with this view.



The section on Trailering a Kolb on my web site has examples of all these methods.



Hopefully, this will help and others will offer views as well.  Bottom line is you have to be comfortable with the method you choose.



My $.02 worth which got me 1250 miles from Northern NJ to SW FL.



Good luck with your new toy.

(Hmmm a Firefly in a 28' trailer.... you'll be looking to sub-let the front 6 or so feet.   )

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_________________
George Alexander
FS II R503
E-LSA N709FS
http://www.oh2fly.net

Gene Ledbetter

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 20
Location: Cincinnati, OH

Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 2:41 pm Post subject: Trailering a FireFly

Dave,



I'm one of the folks who removes the wings and hang them from the  

trailer wall.

If you go to my website, you can see photos.

homepage.mac.com/gene1930

I have trailered between Cincinnati and Florida 3 times without a  

scratch.



Gene

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_________________
Gene D.
2000 Firefly
330 Hours
New 447
Brakes, Ivo

undoctor(at)ptd.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 5:44 am Post subject: Trailering a FireFly

[quote]  

      

      The section on Trailering a Kolb on my web site has examples of all these methods.

      

      Hopefully, this will help and others will offer views as well.  Bottom line is

      you have to be comfortable with the method you choose.

      

      My $.02 worth which got me 1250 miles from Northern NJ to SW FL.

      

      Good luck with your new toy.

      

      

      (Hmmm a Firefly in a 28' trailer.... you'll be looking to sub-let the front 6 or

      so feet.   ) 

      

      --------

      George Alexander ((((((((((((((((((((((((((I hope this will separate my message below from the copied piece above))))))))))))))))))))))  Thanks so much for those who, both on and off list, gave me some very worthwhile guidance about trailering my FF.  It's greatly appreciated.  And, George, that extra space in the nose of the trailer, I've been torn between renting it outor a bed roll, two dog beds, chair, table and cooking and refrigeration appliances.  Maybe even a picture hanging on thewall...Dave Kulp[b]

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