Matronics Email Lists :: View topic

Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists

Get Email Distribution Too! FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register

Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in

Trailering a Kitfox
Goto page Previous 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Next

Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Kitfox-List

View previous topic :: View next topic

Author Message

Lynn Matteson

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 2778
Location: Grass Lake, Michigan

Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:12 am Post subject: Trailering a Kitfox

Out of curiosity, what kind of tailwheel spring do/did you have, and  

how many leaves? Count all the leaves, whether or not they are long  

or short. Or do you have the one-piece Grove spring?



Lynn Matteson

Kitfox IV Speedster, taildragger

Jabiru 2200, #2062, 596+ hrs

Sensenich 62x46

flying again after engine rebuild, and new Electroair direct-fire  

ignition system;

also building a new pair of snow skis

do not archive



On Jan 6, 2009, at 8:47 AM, 815TL wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   



 Ya know, I never realy gave it any thought as to if the wings  

 should be level or not, or wind preassure on the top of the wings.   

 It all makes sense.  That being said, I trailered mine over 1100  

 miles with the tailwheel down on the deck.  Most of the ime I was  

 doing 65-75 on the highway.  As far as I can tell nothing was  

 damaged.  So it may put more stresses on the top of the wing in the  

 tail down configuration, but the bird seems to handle it just fine.



 Andrew

 815TL, Kitfox II, Rotax 582-C





 Read this topic online here:



 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p 23118#223118

_________________
Lynn
Kitfox IV-Jabiru 2200
N369LM

matronics(at)bob.brennan.
Guest

Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:39 am Post subject: Trailering a Kitfox

Oh boy, better check my physics huh?  Ok, I did...



First of all a Kitfox wing being trailered is not a "wing", as in "airfoil",

it is a "plane". A rather weak plane at that, given that the upper surface

is cambered and sheds the wind. Place some flat rigid plywood on top of the

wings (as a mind experiment, not for real please) and you would have a true

plane.



This is a relevant topic for me because in between rants on this forum I am

completing a new roof on my house that I designed and built from scratch. I

replaced a higher slope (8 in 12) roof with a low-slope (3 in 12) dormer. I

live on top of an 800' hill and the roof faces the weather side of WNW. I

measured 30mph winds yesterday and 60+ is not uncommon, so wind is a big

consideration. Keeping to topic - it's a bit like trailering a kitfox into

the wind at an angle.



I researched any building code requirements and there are none for "wind

weight", just snow loading and "wind uplift". At low angles the wind is

deflected upward causing negative pressure at the surface, hence uplift.

High winds do not crush roofs into houses, they lift them off. There is a

range of angle-of-incidence however, steeper roofs have lower effects from

uplift. Both my roof and my kitfox wings however fall well within the uplift

slope range. I could include real physics formulas here but I think it was

Richard Feynman who said "with every formula you will lose 10% of your

readers". Google "wind uplift" for the math if you want.



I'm glad you used the old hand-out-the-window analogy, we've all done it as

kids, hopefully some of us can even remember back that far<g>. Tilting up

slightly gives up-pressure, down gives down-pressure as you said. BUT - tilt

further in either direction and you won't be able to hold it, and you will

find there is a sharp breakpoint for that effect. That is the point where

"uplift" forces no longer mitigate the direct wind pressure. Now try to hold

your hand at exactly level - you can't, your hand will bob up and down.

Don't do this with any bikers around, they might misconstrue your

intentions. Now put a piece of thin aluminum out both windows (in your

mind's-eye, it's easier); one at a low angle-of-incidence and one as close

as possible to 0 degrees. The one at an angle will be forced downward with a

relatively constant force, the other will oscillate. Guess which will still

be attached after a few minutes like that?



Now let's go to a fly-in (again imagining) with our Kitfoxes and fold the

wings overnight. I will tie some weights to the ends of my wings and you tie

on a mechanism that flings a lighter weight around up-and-down all night.

Next morning let's see who is more comfortable unfolding the wings and

taking off. I'm not going up in your plane mate! Disclaimer - I'm sure the

Kitfox is well enough designed to handle the up-and-down forces at that

unusual angle, that the welds will hold and there will be no evidence of

metal fatigue. But I'm still not going up in your plane mate! BTW no need to

come up with a contraption to put up-and-down forces on the wings, just

trailer with the wings level to the wind, it's the same thing.



Really back on topic - trailering with the wings at a low angle-of-incidence

to the wind will put a low, stabilising downward force on them, mitigated by

the effect of wind uplift as long as the angle is shallow. Travelling with

the wings level into the wind will cause varying forces in all directions

that will all focus on the attach points - with a moment force multiplier of

about 16ft. 



I'm fairly sure no trailered Kitfoxes have had their wings fall off due to

structural failure due to metal fatique, but as a recently educated ELSA

inspector I would sure want to do some NDT scans on the attach points if I

knew the wings had been trailered level.



Just my 4 cents, and some armchair physics.



Bob Brennan - N717GB

ELSA Repairman, inspection rated

1991 UK Model 2 ELSA Kitfox

Rotax 582 with 3 blade prop

Wrightsville Pa



--

akflyer

Joined: 07 May 2007
Posts: 574
Location: Soldotna AK

Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 6:58 pm Post subject: Re: Trailering a Kitfox

been biting my tongue on this one for awhile... Have any the rocket scientists here bothered to look at what the factory designed for towing?  These were designed by the original engineers, and were made to tow the dang plane wings level.  I bet they were on to something when they came up with this hair brained idea to tow a plane down a road...

_________________
DO NOT ARCHIVE
Leonard Perry aka SNAKE
Soldotna AK
Avid "C" / Mk IV
582 (147 hrs and counting on the rebuild)
IVO IFA
Full Lotus 1450
#1 snake oil salesman since 1-22-2009

I would rather die trying to live, than to live trying not to die....

Float Flyr

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

Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 8:14 pm Post subject: Trailering a Kitfox

The idea was good but towing a plane on its own main gear has a raft of

other problems that have been discussed to death here.  You are spot on

though in noticing they always towed with the wings level.  If memory serves

correctly the very first Avid was towed halfway across the continent and

back on its own gear.



Noel



--

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

matronics(at)bob.brennan.
Guest

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 5:38 am Post subject: Trailering a Kitfox

Here is a picture of my model 2 being towed away from my UK airstrip with

the original tow kit as supplied by Denney and as designed by the original

engineers, I assume this because the attach points are built into the frame.



Slightly blocked by me and my feigned tears (sorry) you can see the red spar

brace installed to give the front spar some support and mainly to stop

vibration at the attach points. Not in the picture are 2 small red braces

that secure the wings to the tail assembly so they cannot swing out in

transit.



Note that the wings are most definitely not level, but are carried as low as

tailwheel clearance will allow. I make an assumption in saying it was

designed that way for all the aerodynamic reasons I have stated in previous

posts, but it was certainly designed to be that way.



The limitations of towing a Kitfox this way are clearly stated in the

owner's manual - don't go over 40mph or farther than 10 miles. This is due

to the size of the wheels, bearing tolerances, narrow wheelbase, and

aerodynamic safety considerations - it could easily flip over in a crosswind

or updraft.



I choose to trailer on a flatbed with wheels strapped to the bed to

eliminate the restrictions and keep the aerodynamics the same as the

original designers intended - wings low into the wind.



Bob Brennan - N717GB

ELSA Repairman, inspection rated

1991 UK Model 2 ELSA Kitfox

Rotax 582 with 3 blade prop

Wrightsville Pa



--

towing.jpg

Description:

Filesize:

569.7 KB

Viewed:

429 Time(s)

chuckp

Joined: 14 Apr 2008
Posts: 13
Location: Bethesda, MD

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 5:43 am Post subject: Trailering a Kitfox

Also biting my tongue!  I have towed my Avid  for 15 years backwards with the wings level at 65-70 mph and have never  noticed any wind induced oscillations except from truck wake vortices.  Of  course, even with the wings level, the angle of attack is not zero due to the  downwash from the towing vehicle,, which applies a small downward force to  the folded wings.Far more damaging are the inertial forces on the wing hinges  from bouncing down the road.  This did cause the wing carry-through tube in  my bird to fatigue which I luckedly discovered upon preflight. I repaired that  and beefed up both hinge tubes with welded gussets and doubling up the tube  internally.  Adding braces to triangulate the foldback struts also limits  any movement due to the inertial loads.  See the photos under Pops' Avid  A.  Towing is harder on the plane than anything except  crashing!

  

 Pops

 Flying and grinning since  1956

   [quote][b]

_________________
Pops
Avid STOL N113P
Flying and grinning since 1956

akflyer

Joined: 07 May 2007
Posts: 574
Location: Soldotna AK

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 7:26 am Post subject: Re: Trailering a Kitfox

 	  matronics(at)bob.brennan. wrote: 	
		  Here is a picture of my model 2 being towed away from my UK airstrip with

the original tow kit as supplied by Denney and as designed by the original

engineers, I assume this because the attach points are built into the frame.



Slightly blocked by me and my feigned tears (sorry) you can see the red spar

brace installed to give the front spar some support and mainly to stop

vibration at the attach points. Not in the picture are 2 small red braces

that secure the wings to the tail assembly so they cannot swing out in

transit.



Note that the wings are most definitely not level, but are carried as low as

tailwheel clearance will allow. I make an assumption in saying it was

designed that way for all the aerodynamic reasons I have stated in previous

posts, but it was certainly designed to be that way.



The limitations of towing a Kitfox this way are clearly stated in the

owner's manual - don't go over 40mph or farther than 10 miles. This is due

to the size of the wheels, bearing tolerances, narrow wheelbase, and

aerodynamic safety considerations - it could easily flip over in a crosswind

or updraft.



I choose to trailer on a flatbed with wheels strapped to the bed to

eliminate the restrictions and keep the aerodynamics the same as the

original designers intended - wings low into the wind.



Bob Brennan - N717GB

ELSA Repairman, inspection rated

1991 UK Model 2 ELSA Kitfox

Rotax 582 with 3 blade prop

Wrightsville Pa



-- 	




Wings low on yours are due to having it hooked to the bumper of a rice burner.  I would have to say that if it were hooked to a truck, it would be real dang close to wings level, just like mine is when hooked to a truck.

matronics(at)bob.brennan.
Guest

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 7:41 am Post subject: Trailering a Kitfox

Thanks for the facts Pops and sorry about the tongue, mine  gets pretty sore too trying to sort out facts from opinion here. After hearing  that so many Kitfoxers trailer their birds with the wings level I am wondering  if I should modify my rig to do the same, but so far have only seen evidence to  the contrary.

  

 Could I ask for a few more facts about your experience  please? You say you had wing carry-through tube metal fatigue after 15 years of  trailering with wings level but attribute that to "bouncing down the road"  rather than aerodynamic effects, and have never noticed "induced oscillations" -  I assume in your rear view mirror while travelling at speed. Obviously (to me at  least) you would have to already have catastrophic failure of the attach points  to see physical movement from that distance and would not be able to see loads  capable of causing metal fatigue, don't you agree? And since you did have  failure and did not see the cause the question is rhetorical. If I noticed  any effect from truck wake vortices, other than the entire trailer being pushed  to one side, I would seriously rethink my rigging.

  

 Questions - do you install front spar braces while towing?  Before the failures? What kind of trailer do you use? What kind of suspension  does it have, since you believe it is road bounces that caused your failures? I  use a 21ft car trailer with tandem axles and load-levelling leafspring  suspension, although since the trailer is rated for 7,000 lb I suspect the  suspension doesn't do a lot for my 500 lb bird.

  

 Has anyone else on the list had, or know of, similar  failures at those particular points? Or know of any factory ADs addressing that  type of failure? If anyone had a similar failure - to what did you attribute the  cause? And obviously do you trailer, and how? 

  

 A lack of response to the above questions obviously does  not prove anything, but Pop's fatigue failures (your plane, not you Pops!) is  exactly what I would expect given the way the plane was rigged for trailering,  and exactly what I wish to avoid.

  

  Bob Brennan -  N717GB

 ELSA Repairman, inspection  rated

 1991 UK Model 2 ELSA  Kitfox

 Rotax 582 with 3 blade  prop

 Wrightsville  Pa 

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

Sent: 07 January 2009 8:43 am

To:  kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Re: Trailering a  Kitfox

 

 Also biting my tongue!  I have towed my Avid  for 15 years backwards with the wings level at 65-70 mph and have never  noticed any wind induced oscillations except from truck wake vortices.  Of  course, even with the wings level, the angle of attack is not zero due to the  downwash from the towing vehicle,, which applies a small downward force to  the folded wings.Far more damaging are the inertial forces on the wing hinges  from bouncing down the road.  This did cause the wing carry-through tube in  my bird to fatigue which I luckedly discovered upon preflight. I repaired that  and beefed up both hinge tubes with welded gussets and doubling up the tube  internally.  Adding braces to triangulate the foldback struts also limits  any movement due to the inertial loads.  See the photos under Pops' Avid  A.  Towing is harder on the plane than anything except  crashing!

  

 Pops

 Flying and grinning since 1956

[quote]



href="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List">http://www.matronhref="http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.matronics.com

href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/c

[b]

matronics(at)bob.brennan.
Guest

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 7:54 am Post subject: Trailering a Kitfox

C'mon Leonard, to get the wings level with my factory-supplied tow kit the

hitch would have to be more than 3ft off the ground. It's a Class 2 hitch,

not a 5th wheel!



If the designers had meant the wings to be level they would have built a bar

that raised it to that height while attached to a regulation class 2 hitch

ball. While there is no regulation height for a class 2 hitch ball most

class 2 hitch trailers are designed for anywhere between 12" to 20" off the

road.



Do not archive

Bob Brennan - N717GB

ELSA Repairman, inspection rated

1991 UK Model 2 ELSA Kitfox

Rotax 582 with 3 blade prop

Wrightsville Pa 



--

pwmac(at)sisna.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:20 am Post subject: Trailering a Kitfox

[quote]Way back when -- Skystar was queried at either Osh or at the flyinn? about trailering an possible damage to the plane. At that time Skystar was using an enclosed locally built trailer. They had instrumented the trailer & plane and the result were acceleration spikes that exceeded the calculated plane design limits. The conclusion was that any trailer must be designed with a very soft ride and driven at a very slow speed. They left it up to the builder to go from there. Paul       [quote][b]

lcfitt(at)sbcglobal.net
Guest

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:20 am Post subject: Trailering a Kitfox

All this talk about trailering kitfoxes reminds me of a time when I was in 

Dental School lectures and after an instructor would explain a time worn 

dental procedure, there was always someone who would raise his hand and give 

his reasons why the procedure wouldn't work - this is a true story.



I don't have a trailer so for me this is all really theoritical, but Denney 

built trailers that towed tail first with the tailwheel elevated, Skystar 

did the same.  I am absolutely certain that if there were issues with this 

method, the opinions would be backed up by at least one certified event - 

lots of years and miles here.  The only instance of an issue directly 

involved with trailering I can recall (other than the all too frequent 

hangar rash type incidental damage) was when a guy was trailering his 

airplane to the airport nose first and the straps holding the wings back 

failed.  In that instance, aerodynamic forces unfolded the wings and they 

extended and mowed down a couple of roadside signs including a stop sign.  I 

don't know if this report is in the archives or was on the list long before 

Matronics.  This instance was usually brought up during periodic discussions 

of what would happen if the forward spar attach clevis should come out in 

flight.  The consesus is that aerodynamic forces would hold the wings 

forward in a flying configuration.



As chuck mentions and this has been discussed many times before, the sprung 

weight and the spring capacity is the greatest issue in trailering.  This is 

why most who have built a Kitfox dedicated trailer has opted for a boat 

trailer as the base structure- something that is designed to carry about 

1000 lbs. rather than a two ton car.  This also reminds me of the time I 

went on a bigrig delivery with a long haul driver freind.  We dropped the 

trailer once and rode the tractor to find some food.  Without the weight of 

the trailer, it was as if there was absolutely no springs on the tractor. 

Put a Kitfox on a flat bed car hauler and effectively no springs.



And Bob, regarding your latest post.  Yes it was designed that way but 

imagine the structure required to put the wings at any other angle.  The 

design was simply to put the attatch points at solid locations - bottom 

longerons and at a bulkhead - and use a simple bar for the hook up.  The 

wing angle just happened.



Lowell



---

Vic Baker

Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 71
Location: Carson City, Nevada

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:24 am Post subject: Trailering a Kitfox

This method seems to work well.  I would never exceed 55mph while towing. 

Note the wing braces and safety line insuring wings stay in folded position 

while towing.   Vert stab protected by pad.  Elevator tied in down (nose 

down) position via control stick.    The transport kit is avail from 

KitfoxAircraft.



Vic Baker

S7 912S Warp

Phase 1 flight testing

Carson City, Nv

---

PA170003.JPG

Description:

Filesize:

119.91 KB

Viewed:

414 Time(s)

_________________
Vic Baker
Series 7
Carson City, Nevada

matronics(at)bob.brennan.
Guest

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:40 am Post subject: Trailering a Kitfox

Good input Lowell. And yes I can "imagine the structure required to put the

wings at any other angle" = a simple bend in the bar with gussets or more

load-bearing = an extra piece welded vertically to form an "A" to bring the

longeron above horizontal and the wings level. Not a big challenge for a

welder and probably more stable than the very long single bar that I have.

And saying "the wing angle just happened" negates the original poster who

said the original engineers must have known what they were doing and who are

we to question.



Sorry, not convinced, but nice try. I'm just a trouble-maker at heart  If

I had gone to Dental School I would say "I was that guy"



Do you have any pictures, diagrams, specs, or anything on the "Denney built

trailers that towed tail first with the tailwheel elevated, Skystar did the

same" please?



Bob Brennan - N717GB

ELSA Repairman, inspection rated

1991 UK Model 2 ELSA Kitfox

Rotax 582 with 3 blade prop

Wrightsville Pa



--

matronics(at)bob.brennan.
Guest

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:48 am Post subject: Trailering a Kitfox

Good picture Vic, with the wings pitched down into the wind at what I would

consider the perfect angle exactly the same as the towbar kit. I sure hope

this picture isn't representative of what others have called "wings level"!



What are the thingies on the prop tips if you don't mind my asking? I

promise not to start another thread about them....



Bob Brennan - N717GB

ELSA Repairman, inspection rated

1991 UK Model 2 ELSA Kitfox

Rotax 582 with 3 blade prop

Wrightsville Pa 



--

matronics(at)bob.brennan.
Guest

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:55 am Post subject: Trailering a Kitfox

So they only measured road shock and nothing to do with  aerodynamic effects of an open trailer?

  

 Glad I trailer using a tandem axle with load-leveling  suspension, it goes through potholes one wheel at a time and very little effect  on the bed. Can't afford "fully enclosed" though. I assume their test trailer  was single axle?

  

 bob



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

Sent: 07 January 2009 11:19 am

To:  kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: RE: Trailering a  Kitfox

 

[quote]Way back when -- Skystar was queried

at either Osh or at the flyinn? about trailering an possible damage to

the plane. At that time Skystar was using an enclosed locally built

trailer. They had instrumented the trailer & plane and the result

were acceleration spikes that exceeded the calculated plane design

limits. The conclusion was that any trailer must be designed with a very

soft ride and driven at a very slow speed. They left it up to the builder

to go from there.

Paul

 	  Quote: 	
		  



href="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List">http://www.matronhref="http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.matronics.com

href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/c

	
[b]

akflyer

Joined: 07 May 2007
Posts: 574
Location: Soldotna AK

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:14 am Post subject: Re: Trailering a Kitfox

 	  matronics(at)bob.brennan. wrote: 	
		  Good picture Vic, with the wings pitched down into the wind at what I would

consider the perfect angle exactly the same as the towbar kit. I sure hope

this picture isn't representative of what others have called "wings level"!



What are the thingies on the prop tips if you don't mind my asking? I

promise not to start another thread about them....



Bob Brennan - N717GB

ELSA Repairman, inspection rated

1991 UK Model 2 ELSA Kitfox

Rotax 582 with 3 blade prop

Wrightsville Pa 



-- 	




you are right, the wings are not perfectly level, but the tail is not sitting on the deck either....  I have not put the incidence meter on it so I cant give you a exact degree.

DSC02155.JPG

Description:

Filesize:

280.25 KB

Viewed:

379 Time(s)

815TL

Joined: 10 Oct 2008
Posts: 62

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:51 am Post subject: Re: Trailering a Kitfox

 	  Lynn Matteson wrote: 	
		  Out of curiosity, what kind of tailwheel spring do/did you have, and  

how many leaves? Count all the leaves, whether or not they are long  

or short. Or do you have the one-piece Grove spring?



Lynn Matteson

Kitfox IV Speedster, taildragger

Jabiru 2200, #2062, 596+ hrs

Sensenich 62x46

flying again after engine rebuild, and new Electroair direct-fire  

ignition system;

also building a new pair of snow skis

do not archive



On Jan 6, 2009, at 8:47 AM, 815TL wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   



 Ya know, I never realy gave it any thought as to if the wings  

 should be level or not, or wind preassure on the top of the wings.   

 It all makes sense.  That being said, I trailered mine over 1100  

 miles with the tailwheel down on the deck.  Most of the ime I was  

 doing 65-75 on the highway.  As far as I can tell nothing was  

 damaged.  So it may put more stresses on the top of the wing in the  

 tail down configuration, but the bird seems to handle it just fine.



 Andrew

 815TL, Kitfox II, Rotax 582-C





 Read this topic online here:



 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p 23118#223118



	
	




I have a dual leaf spring, with a Maul wheel I believe.  When trailering I did prop a small piece of 2x4 under the leaf spring attatch point so that the wheel and spring were not taking all the bouncing.



Andrew

matronics(at)bob.brennan.
Guest

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 11:54 am Post subject: Trailering a Kitfox

Leonard - from the picture Vic Baker sent(attached) I would guess the wings

are between 5 and 10 degrees down into the wind, in my opinion a good angle

for trailering but certainly nowhere near "level". In my most humble opinion

"level" means level means 0 degrees to the wind, which I have been trying to

determine is a bad thing or not.



Trailering using the factory-supplied towbar or tailwheel-down "on the deck"

puts the wing incidence angle at between 10 and 15 degrees down I estimate,

and should be towed within the factory recommended range of no more than

40mph. If I were to tow my bird any distance or at any speed I would install

the braces and raise the tailwheel to between 5 and 10 degrees down, but

never to "level".



Kirk Hull's picture (hope you don't mind me attaching here Kirk) shows a

setup where the wings are level.



Bob Brennan - N717GB

ELSA Repairman, inspection rated

1991 UK Model 2 ELSA Kitfox

Rotax 582 with 3 blade prop

Wrightsville Pa 



--

PA170003.JPG

Description:

Filesize:

119.91 KB

Viewed:

337 Time(s)

IMG_2150.JPG

Description:

Filesize:

37.29 KB

Viewed:

308 Time(s)

pwmac(at)sisna.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 12:55 pm Post subject: Trailering a Kitfox

For my long journey to the new home I used a tandem axle car hauler & low pressure tires. The trailer had 4' high sides so I strapped the wings to the side with lots of padding. I strapped the fuge down and supported the tail so the wheel had no load, Then I covered the whole trailer with a trap to get rid of the air loads.

 Sorry I don't remember details about their trailer. The newer trailer with cabinets inside was a tandem unit.

 Paul



 At 08:55 AM 1/7/2009, you wrote:

 [quote]So they only measured road shock and nothing to do with aerodynamic effects of an open trailer?

  

 Glad I trailer using a tandem axle with load-leveling suspension, it goes through potholes one wheel at a time and very little effect on the bed. Can't afford "fully enclosed" though. I assume their test trailer was single axle?

  

 bob

 

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

 Sent: 07 January 2009 11:19 am

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: RE: Trailering a Kitfox

 



  	  Quote: 	
		  Way back when -- Skystar was

queried

at either Osh or at the flyinn? about trailering an possible damage to

the plane. At that time Skystar was using an enclosed locally built

trailer. They had instrumented the trailer & plane and the result

were acceleration spikes that exceeded the calculated plane design

limits. The conclusion was that any trailer must be designed with a very

soft ride and driven at a very slow speed. They left it up to the

builder

to go from there.

Paul



href="

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

">

http://www.matronhref

="

http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.matronics.com

href="

http://www.matronics.com/contribution

">http://www.matronics.com/c

[/b] 	




 [b]

Float Flyr

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

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 2:09 pm Post subject: Trailering a Kitfox

I did see a hitch for towing a 'Fox that had a screw that made the hitch

adjustable up and down several inches.  I was part of the arm not the hitch.



Another idea would be to cut the arms and plate them back together like a

roof truss.  I'd only bother with that if you are consistently 0towing long

distances at highway speeds.  



Noel



--

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

Display posts from previous:

	Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Kitfox-List	All times are GMT - 8 Hours Goto page Previous 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Next
Page 3 of 5

Jump to:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum