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Flatbed Tow Truck To Hangar

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schmoboy

Joined: 26 Feb 2006
Posts: 130

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 8:00 am Post subject: Flatbed Tow Truck To Hangar

I'm getting ready to take the fuselage to the hangar and I wanted to 

check on a couple things first.



I am bit worried about the wench on the tow truck hooking to the nose 

gear to get it on the truck.  Not sure the weld on the front is meant to 

take stresses in that direction?  Is that fine or are there other options?



Anyone with a parking break, did you put fluid in the system and set the 

parking break when on the truck?



I know the tilt of the truck when loading has the potential to rub the 

tail when loading and unloading.  I have grades at pickup and delivery 

that would probably help that, but I assume you just have to be aware 

and watch for that.



-Sean #40303 (last 90% to go)

davidsoutpost(at)comcast.
Guest

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 8:23 am Post subject: Flatbed Tow Truck To Hangar

There a different sizes of flatbeds available.  You want one with a roll down bed and you also want one with a totally flat bed with the tie down rails flush with the deck, not up as the wheels may not clear especially if you have the axle extensions on for the wheel fairings.   My driver arrived with the smaller flatbed and had to go get the larger one.  The deck needs to be long and fully extended before tilting down to the ground.  I had no problem getting up and on with plenty of ground clearance at the tail.  I have parking brakes and used them.  The operator had a tow strap that we wrapped around the nose strut twice then hooked to the winch cable hook.  It worked great and the strut was not stressed at all.  I purchased 4 HD ratcheting 12' straps and good thing I had them.  I put a bolt through the spars at the bottom outboard holes on each side.  I used one strap per side hooking on the bolt and the flush strapping/tie-down rail.  Tightened just enough to full the tires down about 3/4".  Then I strapped the other two tie-downs to the tail tie-down ring and out to the aft corners of the deck.  Tightened up just enough to pull the tail down a couple inches and equal tension on the nose strut strap/winch.  I then set the parking brake.  I followed behind the flatbed and the plane was rock solid to the deck all the way to the hanger partially on a 2 mile pot hole filled dirt road.  He made two trips.  One for the plane and another for the wings.  It was the best $200 I ever spent renting that flatbed wrecker and driver IMHO.

From: "Sean Stephens" <sean(at)stephensville.com>

To: rv10-list(at)matronics.com

Sent: Monday, September 16, 2013 11:59:49 AM

Subject: Flatbed Tow Truck To Hangar

--> RV10-List message posted by: Sean Stephens <sean(at)stephensville.com>

I'm getting ready to take the fuselage to the hangar and I wanted to 

check on a couple things first.

I am bit worried about the wench on the tow truck hooking to the nose 

gear to get it on the truck.  Not sure the weld on the front is meant to 

take stresses in that direction?  Is that fine or are there other options?

Anyone with a parking break, did you put fluid in the system and set the 

parking break when on the truck?

I know the tilt of the truck when loading has the potential to rub the 

tail when loading and unloading.  I have grades at pickup and delivery 

that would probably help that, but I assume you just have to be aware 

and watch for that.

 [quote][b]

rnewman(at)tcwtech.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 8:30 am Post subject: Flatbed Tow Truck To Hangar

Although I used a flatbed trailer instead of a tow truck I considered the same issues.  I decided to put a 2" nylon strap around the main gear and use that to pull on with a winch.  Also I put the fuselage on tail first   



Bob Newman 

N541RV



Sent from my iPhone



On Sep 16, 2013, at 11:59 AM, Sean Stephens <sean(at)stephensville.com> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 I'm getting ready to take the fuselage to the hangar and I wanted to check on a couple things first.

 

 I am bit worried about the wench on the tow truck hooking to the nose gear to get it on the truck.  Not sure the weld on the front is meant to take stresses in that direction?  Is that fine or are there other options?

 

 Anyone with a parking break, did you put fluid in the system and set the parking break when on the truck?

 

 I know the tilt of the truck when loading has the potential to rub the tail when loading and unloading.  I have grades at pickup and delivery that would probably help that, but I assume you just have to be aware and watch for that.

 

 -Sean #40303 (last 90% to go)

flying-nut(at)cfl.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 8:37 am Post subject: Flatbed Tow Truck To Hangar

On 9/16/2013 11:59 AM, Sean Stephens wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 I'm getting ready to take the fuselage to the hangar and I wanted to 

 check on a couple things first.



 I am bit worried about the wench on the tow truck

You have wenches on your tow trucks?????  Wish we had them here. All we 
	


have is unshaven guys with pot bellies!!!!

 	  Quote: 	
		   hooking to the nose gear to get it on the truck.  Not sure the weld on 

 the front is meant to take stresses in that direction?  Is that fine 

 or are there other options?

If you have a tow bar then use that to pull the airplane.  Strap the tow 
	


bar so it doesn't come unhooked.  Barring that a strap just above the 

nosewheel fork will do just fine.  There really isn't much stress 

pulling it up an incline.

 	  Quote: 	
		   Anyone with a parking break, did you put fluid in the system and set 

 the parking break when on the truck?

That wouldn't be a bad idea, but when it's strapped down to the bed of 
	


the tow truck it won't (or shouldn't) go anywhere.

 	  Quote: 	
		   I know the tilt of the truck when loading has the potential to rub the 

 tail when loading and unloading.  I have grades at pickup and delivery 

 that would probably help that, but I assume you just have to be aware 

 and watch for that.

The tow truck should have ramps (only two though) or you could borrow 
	


... three .... to make the angle with the ground less severe.

Take lots of pictures!!!!

Linn

 	  Quote: 	
		  

 -Sean #40303 (last 90% to go)

 -----

 No virus found in this message.

 Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

kearney

Joined: 20 Sep 2008
Posts: 563

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 8:53 am Post subject: Flatbed Tow Truck To Hangar

Sean

With a small ramp, I was able to put my fuse on a flat bed by have someone push on each side - pushing on the gear leg and wing spar.  It was actually very easy. I also had a winch on the nose gear but the load was spread evenly between the push and pull. 

Cheers

Les

Sent from my iPhone

On 2013-09-16, at 10:29 AM, Tcwtech <rnewman(at)tcwtech.com> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	

 Although I used a flatbed trailer instead of a tow truck I considered the same issues.  I decided to put a 2" nylon strap around the main gear and use that to pull on with a winch.  Also I put the fuselage on tail first   

 Bob Newman 

 N541RV

 Sent from my iPhone

 On Sep 16, 2013, at 11:59 AM, Sean Stephens <sean(at)stephensville.com> wrote:

> 

> 

> I'm getting ready to take the fuselage to the hangar and I wanted to check on a couple things first.

> 

> I am bit worried about the wench on the tow truck hooking to the nose gear to get it on the truck.  Not sure the weld on the front is meant to take stresses in that direction?  Is that fine or are there other options?

> 

> Anyone with a parking break, did you put fluid in the system and set the parking break when on the truck?

> 

> I know the tilt of the truck when loading has the potential to rub the tail when loading and unloading.  I have grades at pickup and delivery that would probably help that, but I assume you just have to be aware and watch for that.

> 

> -Sean #40303 (last 90% to go)

> 

> 

> 

>

davidsoutpost(at)comcast.
Guest

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 9:13 am Post subject: Flatbed Tow Truck To Hangar

Oh,   And while the driver slowly winched the plane up, I had the Bogi Bar hooked up and helped steer the nose wheel. 

From: davidsoutpost(at)comcast.net

To: rv10-list(at)matronics.com

Sent: Monday, September 16, 2013 12:23:25 PM

Subject: Re: Flatbed Tow Truck To Hangar

There a different sizes of flatbeds available.  You want one with a roll down bed and you also want one with a totally flat bed with the tie down rails flush with the deck, not up as the wheels may not clear especially if you have the axle extensions on for the wheel fairings.   My driver arrived with the smaller flatbed and had to go get the larger one.  The deck needs to be long and fully extended before tilting down to the ground.  I had no problem getting up and on with plenty of ground clearance at the tail.  I have parking brakes and used them.  The operator had a tow strap that we wrapped around the nose strut twice then hooked to the winch cable hook.  It worked great and the strut was not stressed at all.  I purchased 4 HD ratcheting 12' straps and good thing I had them.  I put a bolt through the spars at the bottom outboard holes on each side.  I used one strap per side hooking on the bolt and the flush strapping/tie-down rail.  Tightened just enough to full the tires down about 3/4".  Then I strapped the other two tie-downs to the tail tie-down ring and out to the aft corners of the deck.  Tightened up just enough to pull the tail down a couple inches and equal tension on the nose strut strap/winch.  I then set the parking brake.  I followed behind the flatbed and the plane was rock solid to the deck all the way to the hanger partially on a 2 mile pot hole filled dirt road.  He made two trips.  One for the plane and another for the wings.  It was the best $200 I ever spent renting that flatbed wrecker and driver IMHO.

From: "Sean Stephens" <sean(at)stephensville.com>

To: rv10-list(at)matronics.com

Sent: Monday, September 16, 2013 11:59:49 AM

Subject: Flatbed Tow Truck To Hangar

--> RV10-List message posted by: Sean Stephens <sean(at)stephensville.com>

I'm getting ready to take the fuselage to the hangar and I wanted to 

check on a couple things first.

I am bit worried about the wench on the tow truck hooking to the nose 

gear to get it on the truck.  Not sure the weld on the front is meant to 

take stresses in that direction?  Is that fine or are there other options?

Anyone with a parking break, did you put fluid in the system and set the 

parking break when on the truck?

I know the tilt of the truck when loading has the potential to rub the 

tail when loading and unloading.  I have grades at pickup and delivery 

that would probably help that, but I assume you just have to be aware 

and watch for that.

  	  Quote: 	

get="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?RV10-List

tp://forums.matronics.com

_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution

 [quote][b]

schmoboy

Joined: 26 Feb 2006
Posts: 130

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 9:35 am Post subject: Flatbed Tow Truck To Hangar

Thanks all.  And yes, we have wenches on our tow trucks here.  You pay 

extra for it, but it is worth it.   Wench, winch, they both pull. 



DO NOT ARCHIVE



On 9/16/13 11:36 AM, Linn Walters wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   You have wenches on your tow trucks?????  Wish we had them here. All 

 we have is unshaven guys with pot bellies!!!!

Bob Turner

Joined: 03 Jan 2009
Posts: 885
Location: Castro Valley, CA

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 11:02 am Post subject: Re: Flatbed Tow Truck To Hangar

I rented a roll down bed truck and drove it myself. Earlier I visited the rental place with a tape measure. Only one of their trucks had a wide enough bed.



I did not have the engine on so it was easy to winch up backwards, using the tail tie down.



I used rope to tie down the wheels, which only had an inch or so to spare from the edge of the bed. Good thing: I also chocked the wheels but after 15 miles of pot holed CA freeway, the chocks got lost somewhere along the way.



I also rented a pallet jack, and made a second trip for the engine (still in Lycoming box, on a pallet), prop, and wings (still on their wing stands but lots of rope).



I bought overpriced builder's insurance only because it covered this trip.

_________________
Bob Turner
RV-10 QB

Phil White

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 45
Location: Downers Grove, IL

Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 8:22 am Post subject: Re: Flatbed Tow Truck To Hangar

Moved my -10 a week ago about 4 miles from rented hangar to garage, so I would work on it more often (only been at it 9+ years, with the auto engine conversion!).  Rented a SNOW MOBILE trailer, which had a 8.5' wide x 10' long tilt-bed.

Worked great.  Rear tie-down ring did drag a bit with the angle when loading, but that's why I had it in place. Wings in a cradle on casters went on the second trip.  We hot-rodded it all of 17 mph max on paved streets, to baby my baby.

Rental cost was only $50 for the day, and I could control the whole process.  Used a ratchet pull winch for the loading and unloading, to a rope around the nose gear.  That too worked well, if slowly.

schmoboy

Joined: 26 Feb 2006
Posts: 130

Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 10:32 am Post subject: Flatbed Tow Truck To Hangar

Snow Mobile trailer.  Didn't think of that.  There's one close by for 

$60/day.  Thanks.



On 9/17/13 11:22 AM, Phil White wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 Moved my -10 a week ago about 4 miles from rented hangar to garage, so I would work on it more often (only been at it 9+ years, with the auto engine conversion!).  Rented a SNOW MOBILE trailer, which had a 8.5' wide x 10' long tilt-bed.

 Worked great.  Rear tie-down ring did drag a bit with the angle when loading, but that's why I had it in place. Wings in a cradle on casters went on the second trip.  We hot-rodded it all of 17 mph max on paved streets, to baby my baby.

 Rental cost was only $50 for the day, and I could control the whole process.  Used a ratchet pull winch for the loading and unloading, to a rope around the nose gear.  That too worked well, if slowly.





 Read this topic online here:



 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=408748#408748

Tim Olson

Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 2872

Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 10:49 am Post subject: Flatbed Tow Truck To Hangar

That's what I used, too.   The catch was, I have a wide trailer, I think 

100" or something

near that side.  Some of the older, narrower ones won't quite do it.

Tim



On 9/17/2013 1:32 PM, Sean Stephens wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 Snow Mobile trailer.  Didn't think of that.  There's one close by for 

 $60/day.  Thanks.



 On 9/17/13 11:22 AM, Phil White wrote:

> 

>

> Moved my -10 a week ago about 4 miles from rented hangar to garage, 

> so I would work on it more often (only been at it 9+ years, with the 

> auto engine conversion!).  Rented a SNOW MOBILE trailer, which had a 

> 8.5' wide x 10' long tilt-bed.

> Worked great.  Rear tie-down ring did drag a bit with the angle when 

> loading, but that's why I had it in place. Wings in a cradle on 

> casters went on the second trip.  We hot-rodded it all of 17 mph max 

> on paved streets, to baby my baby.

> Rental cost was only $50 for the day, and I could control the whole 

> process.  Used a ratchet pull winch for the loading and unloading, to 

> a rope around the nose gear.  That too worked well, if slowly.

>

>

> Read this topic online here:

>

> http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=408748#408748

>

>

bwestfall

Joined: 22 Oct 2008
Posts: 131
Location: Portland, OR

Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 11:38 am Post subject: Flatbed Tow Truck To Hangar

As yet another method...



Sometimes you can make a narrower flatbed trailer work w/o too much effort.

I helped move Mark Cooper's RV-10 with Paul Grimstad and his flatbed trailer

that is a bit too narrow for the RV-10 wheelbase.  You can see pictures of

the required lumber additions to his tilt deck flatbed to "widen" it a bit.

Worked well but did take $50 or so in boards and a screws and about 30 min

work in the Oregon rainshine that day.



Mark's blog w/photos:

http://myrv10factory.wordpress.com/2013/03/18/the-big-move/



-Ben Westfall

--

Jim Berry

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 237
Location: Denver

Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 7:00 pm Post subject: Re: Flatbed Tow Truck To Hangar

 	  schmoboy wrote: 	
		  Thanks all.  And yes, we have wenches on our tow trucks here.  You pay 

extra for it, but it is worth it.   Wench, winch, they both pull. 



DO NOT ARCHIVE



On 9/16/13 11:36 AM, Linn Walters wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   You have wenches on your tow trucks?????  Wish we had them here. All 

 we have is unshaven guys with pot bellies!!!!



	
	




I also hired a roll down bed truck. Turns out the wench driving it was a former A&P. She was being more careful with the fuselage than I was. A real Renaissance woman.



Jim Berry

Jackm

Joined: 23 Jun 2013
Posts: 8

Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 7:48 pm Post subject: Re: Flatbed Tow Truck To Hangar

This is how we moved to paint shop for four hour drive. Very secure and easy to move. This skid will be available to anyone to use after it returns back.....only problem is it weighs half as much as complete plane.

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_________________
Jackm

Last edited by Jackm on Wed Oct 09, 2013 8:24 pm; edited 1 time in total

schmoboy

Joined: 26 Feb 2006
Posts: 130

Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 1:59 pm Post subject: Re: Flatbed Tow Truck To Hangar

Well it made it safely to its new home.  Thanks for all the suggestions.  Found a company with a slide down tilt bed so had no issues with the tail dragging.  I put bolts through the spars to be used as strap downs.  And no...  driver was not a wench.  



Funny thing is that I seem to have separation anxiety this afternoon.  The baby is no longer a few steps away out in the garage, but a half hour drive.

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Bill Strahan

Joined: 20 Aug 2008
Posts: 145

Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2013 7:07 am Post subject: Re: Flatbed Tow Truck To Hangar

 	  Jackm wrote: 	
		  This is how we moved to paint shop for four hour drive. Very secure and easy to move. This skid will be available to anyone to use after it returns back.....only problem is it weighs half as much as complete plane. 	




Jack,



Would you be willing to share any information you have on the design of that skid?  Materials, wall thicknesses, etc.



Thanks!



Bill

Jackm

Joined: 23 Jun 2013
Posts: 8

Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 8:09 pm Post subject: Re: Flatbed Tow Truck To Hangar

Bill,



Two forklift supports was 3 x 5 x .188"  Across rear was 4 x 4 x.188" . Slid in each side was 3.5 x 3.5 x188" tube that was welded to 18" of heavy 8" c chan. Center front was 24" 8" c chan.  1" pipe weld on each rear skid for handles and also round support for straps to pull down on landing gear. Flat bar welded for and aft of each tire to gain extra wedge for tires  to ride in.

When I get it back from paint shop I can send you better pictures and dimensions. It took about a hour to weld up and about $300 of metal but I was not going to chance rolling all that work up a  ramp and end up upside down during unload at paint shop. This was quick and secure and can be used by others once we are done with it.



Hope this helps and let me know what else you need.

_________________
Jackm

johngoodman

Joined: 18 Sep 2006
Posts: 530
Location: GA

Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 9:10 am Post subject: Re: Flatbed Tow Truck To Hangar

Guys,

Size down those photos! It's hard to scroll to the right to read one line of text.

John

_________________
#40572 Phase One complete in 2011

Bill Strahan

Joined: 20 Aug 2008
Posts: 145

Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 2:30 pm Post subject: Re: Flatbed Tow Truck To Hangar

Perfect!  Just hang on ti it, keep a forklift in the hanger, and you can lift it up enough to keep two planes in there!



 	  Jackm wrote: 	
		  Bill,



Two forklift supports was 3 x 5 x .188"  Across rear was 4 x 4 x.188" . Slid in each side was 3.5 x 3.5 x188" tube that was welded to 18" of heavy 8" c chan. Center front was 24" 8" c chan.  1" pipe weld on each rear skid for handles and also round support for straps to pull down on landing gear. Flat bar welded for and aft of each tire to gain extra wedge for tires  to ride in.

When I get it back from paint shop I can send you better pictures and dimensions. It took about a hour to weld up and about $300 of metal but I was not going to chance rolling all that work up a  ramp and end up upside down during unload at paint shop. This was quick and secure and can be used by others once we are done with it.



Hope this helps and let me know what else you need.

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