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Europa monowheel trailer, fuselage support

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Richard Lamprey

Joined: 15 Jul 2011
Posts: 95
Location: Kenya

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 10:29 pm Post subject: Europa monowheel trailer, fuselage support

Good morning all,



I have photos of the original Europa monowheel trailer, from the factory (when I visited in 1995), and from other kind contributors to this site.  The factory one has G-ELSA parked in it, so in the photos the wings obscure the fuselage.  Photos from others don't have the Europa in it.



I have the only Europa in this region of the world, so I cant see a trailer in real life, all I have is photos.



This may sound stupid, but I can't for the life of me work out what keeps the fuselage upright, except for the mainwheel and leg lodged in their hinged cradle.  There must be significant forces on the cradle, its hinge, and on the undercarriage swinging arm and its hinges onto the undercarriage frame. 



There is a gap between fuselage and wing cradles, so the cradles don't seem to be doing any support.



So it would seem that the wheel cradle keeps the whole plot upright, and strong enough to counter any tipping forces as the thing goes around corners.  This might be fine for mirror smooth UK country lanes at 40 km/hr, but on our Kenya roads, which are mostly holes, this isn't going to work.



Perhaps I have missed something here.  Does anyone have a Europa factory-style monowheel trailer with fuselage supports, or a fuselage cradle?  And can send me pictures?



Thanks

Richard

Kenya

philipgeorge347(at)hotmai
Guest

Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 1:20 am Post subject: Europa monowheel trailer, fuselage support

Richard i built my own version of the factory trailer and yes the only support for the fuselage is the ramp ally channel that fits snugly either side of the u/c main channel . I added two support pad blocks  4"x4" between the the wing sling supports and the side of the fuselage.  These pads sit against the area of the fuselage covered by the wing root in front of the spar hole . The pads are made from plywood covered in upholstery foam and PVC ect. It works well and takes the sideways rock out of the fuselage , if i can find some photos i will send them .

                                      Phil George  (G-EORJ)  mono

 	  Quote: 	
		   Subject: Europa monowheel trailer, fuselage support

 From: lamprey.richard(at)gmail.com

 Date: Mon, 29 Apr 2013 23:29:13 -0700

 To: europa-list(at)matronics.com

 --> Europa-List message posted by: "Richard Lamprey" <lamprey.richard(at)gmail.com>

 Good morning all,

 I have photos of the original Europa monowheel trailer, from the factory (when I visited in 1995), and from other kind contributors to this site.  The factory one has G-ELSA parked in it, so in the photos the wings obscure the fuselage.  Photos from others don't have the Europa in it.

 I have the only Europa in this region of the world, so I cant see a trailer in real life, all I have is photos.

 This may sound stupid, but I can't for the life of me work out what keeps the fuselage upright, except for the mainwheel and leg lodged in their hinged cradle.  There must be significant forces on the cradle, its hinge, and on the undercarriage swinging arm and its hinges onto the undercarriage frame. 

 There is a gap between fuselage and wing cradles, so the cradles don't seem to be doing any support.

 So it would seem that the wheel cradle keeps the whole plot upright, and strong enough to counter any tipping forces as the thing goes around corners.  This might be fine for mirror smooth UK country lanes at 40 km/hr, but on our Kenya roads, which are mostly holes, this isn't going to work.

 Perhaps I have missed something here.  Does anyone have a Europa factory-style monowheel trailer with fuselage supports, or a fuselage cradle?  And can send me pictures?

 Thanks

 Richard

 Kenya

 Read this topic online here:

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=399643#399643

========================

dave.glowa(at)termrim.co.
Guest

Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 1:30 am Post subject: Europa monowheel trailer, fuselage support

Richard  

   

You may find the answers to your question if you go to the Europa Club Gallery, Bob Borger has posted a set of pictures for the monowheel trailer dated 6th December 2012.  

   

I am also at the stage where I need a trailer and I too have concerns as to whether the Europa trailer can cope with our roads, you have probably got better ones than we have in West Yorkshire.  

   

If anyone has got the dimensions available I would be pleased to know. If you can build a plane I am sure you can build the trailer.  

   

Regards  

   

Dave Glowa  

   

      [quote][b]

davidjoyce(at)doctors.org
Guest

Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 1:44 am Post subject: Europa monowheel trailer, fuselage support

Richard, An alternative is to build a dolly for the plane 

which bolts tightly on to the plane with 4 bolts into 

captive (potted in) nuts in the fuselage with the dolly 

fixed to the trailer with wing nut bolts. The dolly is 

extremely useful for working on the plane and worth having 

in its own right. For this to work nicely you need a flat 

bed trailer, or better still of course a covered one.

Regards, David Joyce, GXSDJ



On Mon, 29 Apr 2013 23:29:13 -0700

  "Richard Lamprey" <lamprey.richard(at)gmail.com> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

<lamprey.richard(at)gmail.com>

 

 Good morning all,

 

 I have photos of the original Europa monowheel trailer, 

from the factory (when I visited in 1995), and from other 

kind contributors to this site.  The factory one has 

G-ELSA parked in it, so in the photos the wings obscure 

the fuselage.  Photos from others don't have the Europa 

in it.

 

 I have the only Europa in this region of the world, so I 

cant see a trailer in real life, all I have is photos.

 

 This may sound stupid, but I can't for the life of me 

work out what keeps the fuselage upright, except for the 

mainwheel and leg lodged in their hinged cradle.  There 

must be significant forces on the cradle, its hinge, and 

on the undercarriage swinging arm and its hinges onto the 

undercarriage frame. 

 

 There is a gap between fuselage and wing cradles, so the 

cradles don't seem to be doing any support.

 

 So it would seem that the wheel cradle keeps the whole 

plot upright, and strong enough to counter any tipping 

forces as the thing goes around corners.  This might be 

fine for mirror smooth UK country lanes at 40 km/hr, but 

on our Kenya roads, which are mostly holes, this isn't 

going to work.

 

 Perhaps I have missed something here.  Does anyone have 

a Europa factory-style monowheel trailer with fuselage 

supports, or a fuselage cradle?  And can send me 

pictures?

 

 Thanks

 Richard

 Kenya

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=399643#399643

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Un/Subscription,

Forums!

Admin.

ward.t(at)xtra.co.nz
Guest

Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 1:54 am Post subject: Europa monowheel trailer, fuselage support

Richard,

I installed a foam support between the wing support and the fuselage to keep the fuselage in situ.

I glued the dense foam to the top 8 inches to the inside of the support and shaped the other side to the same line as the fuselage where it meets. So when you raise the supports after loading the aircraft onto the trailer the supports comfortable stand upright in place with the foam against the fuselage. Foam is good as it allows the fuselage to move in situ, enough to cope with the bumps in the road.

Can do a photo if you like.

Cheers,

Tim



Tim Ward12 Waiwetu Street

Fendalton,

Christchurch,  8052

New Zealand.

ward.t(at)xtra.co.nz (ward.t(at)xtra.co.nz)

Ph 64 3 3515166

Mob 0210640221





On 30/04/2013, at 9:30 PM, Dave Glowa <dave.glowa(at)termrim.co.uk (dave.glowa(at)termrim.co.uk)> wrote:

[quote]        st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) }  <![endif]-->           

Richard  

   

You may find the answers to your question if you go to the Europa Club Gallery, Bob Borger has posted a set of pictures for the monowheel trailer dated 6th December 2012.  

   

I am also at the stage where I need a trailer and I too have concerns as to whether the Europa trailer can cope with our roads, you have probably got better ones than we have in West Yorkshire.  

   

If anyone has got the dimensions available I would be pleased to know. If you can build a plane I am sure you can build the trailer.  

   

Regards  

   

Dave Glowa  

   

       	  Quote: 	
		  



===================================

tp://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Europa-List

===================================

cs.com

===================================

matronics.com/contribution

===================================



	


[b]

flyingphil2

Joined: 04 Dec 2009
Posts: 117

Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 2:35 am Post subject: Re: Europa monowheel trailer, fuselage support

This is a very timely thread for me as I'm just in the process of doing a few mods on a mono trailer.



I'd be very grateful if some of the previous posters could post or send some photos of their solutions.  The only other one I know of is Raimo's idea which has some small pads welded to the wing carriers that hold the fuselage stable.  There is a photo of that on this forum if you search hard enough.



Regards,



Phil

hagargs(at)earthlink.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 5:16 am Post subject: Europa monowheel trailer, fuselage support

This Youtube video shows the dolly I made for my plane it also establishes the tie down points to the trailer. The unit is sturdy enough to do full throttle runups without the wings on. Takes about 3 minutes to install / remove



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHYtCRwemiA



Steve Hagar

A143  Mesa AZ

--

h&jeuropa

Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 645

Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 8:28 am Post subject: Re: Europa monowheel trailer, fuselage support

We capture the main tire like the factory trailer does but also use a support similar to the one Steve Hager shows.  Ours is more like the one used at Flightcrafters (see Europa Flyer Issue 40 page 2) but reversed so it is parallel to the swing arm like Steve shows.  We just clamp the support to the swing arm and insert wood shims under the wheels when the airplane is secure in the trailer.  We've trailered our Europa over 4000 miles this way.



Jim & Heather

N241BW

gavanne(at)iconz.co.nz
Guest

Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 5:20 pm Post subject: Europa monowheel trailer, fuselage support

Hi there,

What I did to my trailer was bond a neoprene block on each side of the wing cradle upright, carved to fit snug against the fuselage when the wing cradle is upright. Worked well and solved the problem of the fuse possibly rubbing against the metal uprights during towing.

Gavin Lee. #355

ZK -EPA



On 30/04/2013, at 6:29 PM, "Richard Lamprey" <lamprey.richard(at)gmail.com> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 Good morning all,

 

 I have photos of the original Europa monowheel trailer, from the factory (when I visited in 1995), and from other kind contributors to this site.  The factory one has G-ELSA parked in it, so in the photos the wings obscure the fuselage.  Photos from others don't have the Europa in it.

 

 I have the only Europa in this region of the world, so I cant see a trailer in real life, all I have is photos.

 

 This may sound stupid, but I can't for the life of me work out what keeps the fuselage upright, except for the mainwheel and leg lodged in their hinged cradle.  There must be significant forces on the cradle, its hinge, and on the undercarriage swinging arm and its hinges onto the undercarriage frame. 

 

 There is a gap between fuselage and wing cradles, so the cradles don't seem to be doing any support.

 

 So it would seem that the wheel cradle keeps the whole plot upright, and strong enough to counter any tipping forces as the thing goes around corners.  This might be fine for mirror smooth UK country lanes at 40 km/hr, but on our Kenya roads, which are mostly holes, this isn't going to work.

 

 Perhaps I have missed something here.  Does anyone have a Europa factory-style monowheel trailer with fuselage supports, or a fuselage cradle?  And can send me pictures?

 

 Thanks

 Richard

 Kenya

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=399643#399643

Richard Lamprey

Joined: 15 Jul 2011
Posts: 95
Location: Kenya

Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 5:43 am Post subject: Re: Europa monowheel trailer, fuselage support

Thank you everyone, Gavin, Jim & Heather, Tim, Steve, Phil, Dave, David and Philip, for your very helpful responses.  And also Ferg Kyle in Canada, who sent me the trailer blueprints.  What a great forum this is!



I'll be looking at a combination of Steve's dolly, with a side-support of one of the many described.  Tim, in NZ, if you could send a picture, much appreciated (and by the way I fitted your Artex ELT transmitter plate you told me about last year....  It seems to pass the test, many thanks!).



Best to all

Richard

Kenya

ward.t(at)xtra.co.nz
Guest

Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 7:49 pm Post subject: Europa monowheel trailer, fuselage support

Will send a photo as soon as I am at home. In Shanghai at the moment.

Tim



Tim Ward

12 Waiwetu Street

Fendalton,

Christchurch,  8052

New Zealand.



ward.t(at)xtra.co.nz



Ph 64 3 3515166

Mob 0210640221

On 2/05/2013, at 1:43 AM, "Richard Lamprey" <lamprey.richard(at)gmail.com> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 Thank you everyone, Gavin, Jim & Heather, Tim, Steve, Phil, Dave, David and Philip, for your very helpful responses.  And also Ferg Kyle in Canada, who sent me the trailer blueprints.  What a great forum this is!

 

 I'll be looking at a combination of Steve's dolly, with a side-support of one of the many described.  Tim, in NZ, if you could send a picture, much appreciated (and by the way I fitted your Artex ELT transmitter plate you told me about last year....  It seems to pass the test, many thanks!).

 

 Best to all

 Richard

 Kenya

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=399758#399758

Fred Klein

Joined: 26 Mar 2012
Posts: 503

Posted: Thu May 02, 2013 11:50 am Post subject: Europa monowheel trailer, fuselage support

On Apr 30, 2013, at 6:14 AM, hagargs wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  This Youtube video shows the dolly I made for my plane it also establishes the tie down points to the trailer. The unit is sturdy enough to do full throttle runups without the wings on. Takes about 3 minutes to install / remove



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHYtCRwemiA



Steve Hagar

	




Steve...thank you so much for linking to the video...excellent design...!...solving several sticky problems for the mono-wingless.

I want to replicate your dolly and have found a source for that clever extrusion which allows for height adjustment of the wheels.

A question: My source (Grainger) for the extrusion (1.5" x 3" x 72") sells it in 6 ft. lengths...do you recall whether or not ONE pc. was sufficient?

Thanks,

Fred



 [quote][b]

hagargs(at)earthlink.net
Guest

Posted: Thu May 02, 2013 4:10 pm Post subject: Europa monowheel trailer, fuselage support

Fred: 

  

I used 2 different sizes of extrusion so as not to have any concerns over strength and stiffness.  The legs are 1.5 X 3 cross section material.  The horizontal cross member is 3 X 3 cross section. Possibly double up with the smaller stuff.  I am attaching a pdf and 2 auto cad versions of the drawing to give you the exact details.  If you have any issues opening any of these get in touch at hagargs(at)earthlink.net (hagargs(at)earthlink.net) to possibly get a hard copy if you want it. 

  

Steve 

  

A143 Mesa, AZ 

  

  



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Fred Klein

Joined: 26 Mar 2012
Posts: 503

Posted: Thu May 02, 2013 7:15 pm Post subject: Europa monowheel trailer, fuselage support

Steve, 



Thanks for your help.  After re-watching your video, I'm chagrined to have not noticed the 3 x 3 cross member.

BTW, do you use your dolly when changing a tire?...presumably by raising and temporarily supporting your tail...?...(and is that the reason you've made your cross member so stout?

Fred



On May 2, 2013, at 5:09 PM, hagargs wrote:

[quote]Fred:



 I used 2 different sizes of extrusion so as not to have any concerns over strength and stiffness.  The the smaller stuff.  I am attaching a pdf and 2 auto cad versions of the drawing to give you the exact details.  If you have any issues opening any of these get in touch at hagargs(at)earthlink.net (hagargs(at)earthlink.net) to possibly get a hard copy if you want it.



 Steve



 A143 Mesa, AZ



 

 



[quote]--

raimo.toivio(at)rwm.fi
Guest

Posted: Mon May 13, 2013 5:56 am Post subject: Europa monowheel trailer, fuselage support

Hi Phil



I took couple of new photos and they are attached.



You can find at least four Europa mono trailer 

mods, which all are important (at least I think 

so):



1) Fuselage support "pads". a Fuselage side of 

them is softened. They are not welded - they are 

removable as my daughter shows. That is a must to 

make a fuselage moveable. The wing carriers are 

not very stable by nature. They are normally fixed 

by pip-pins only. I added locking bolts also and 

now they are like welded. An extra advantage: 

fuselage must be very straight before dropping 

those pads to the wing carriers. These pads reduce 

some heavy sideway loads from the gear /main wheel 

swing. Green and red colour are just for fun.



2) Douple axle. 2nd axle is totally useless until 

you really need it! Just one axle and an explosing 

tire etc could be a first class disaster and 

spoiling your fun for ever. Yes - there are 

several people driving decades w/o safety belts 

also...



3) A Trailer floor. To make a trailer stronger, to 

keep an Europa cleaner and without damages when 

towing. When a trailer is garaged /hangared  a 

floor is also useful to keep things on it. A 

trailer with a floor has even multipurpose tasks.



4) Doupled tail lights. To make night operations 

more safety 



Wishes, Raimo



OH-XRT



-----Alkuperäinen viesti----- 

From: flyingphil2

Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 1:35 PM

To: europa-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Re: Europa monowheel 

trailer, fuselage support




<flyingphil627-europastuff(at)yahoo.co.uk>



This is a very timely thread for me as I'm just in 

the process of doing a few mods on a mono trailer.



I'd be very grateful if some of the previous 

posters could post or send some photos of their 

solutions.  The only other one I know of is 

Raimo's idea which has some small pads welded to 

the wing carriers that hold the fuselage stable. 

There is a photo of that on this forum if you 

search hard enough.



Regards,



Phil





Read this topic online here:



http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=399651#399651



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