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Trailering Kitfox and flying spectacular spots

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KeysFox

Joined: 05 Jan 2009
Posts: 137

Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 11:08 am Post subject: Trailering Kitfox and flying spectacular spots

Kitfox Folks,



With the idea of sharing Kitfox (folding wing plane) fun with others on

this site, here goes.



My wife and I are snow birds with places off Chesapeake Bay and in the

Florida Keys, so warm weather local Kitfox flying is year around for us.



For over ten years I could not get hanger space in the Keys so kept our

Kitfox IV in a custom car trailer.



Making a long story short, over time, I started towing the trailer and

plane all over the US behind a conversion van type motorhome. We drop the

trailer/plane at local airports near spectacular low and slow flying

locations. This lets us "See the USA in OUR Chevrolet and LSA", flying

when the flying is great and touring by land otherwise.



Favorite locations include national park areas in the south west along the

Colorado River (Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Moab - Arches,

Islands in the Sky, Valley of the Gods, etc), Florida Keys, Gulf Coast

beaches, and Down East Maine particularly around Acadia/Bar Harbor.



Over time, quite a few lessons have been learned from experience and

experimentation that make the over all process quicker, easier, less

expensive and more fun.



Happy to share some of my tricks with others who may be doing the same or

who have wondered how practical it might be, and of course look forward to

picking up new tricks from others as well.



BJ

Kitfox IV, 912, Warp Drive

bjones(at)dmv.com

As an aside I will probably do "How To Do It" Power Point forums and

display the trailer/plane setup at Sebring and Sun N Fun again this year.

Oh, I do this this just for fun, no sales or vender support is involved.

_________________
B Jones
N154K
443-480-1023

aaaron(at)tvp.com.au
Guest

Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 2:33 pm Post subject: Trailering Kitfox and flying spectacular spots

I've always wanted to do that.....  Would be great to hear you lessons learnt.....

Allan






Happy to share some of my tricks with others who may be doing the same or who have wondered how practical it might be, and of course look forward to picking up new tricks from others as well.



BJ

KeysFox

Joined: 05 Jan 2009
Posts: 137

Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 6:48 pm Post subject: Trailering Kitfox and flying spectacular spots

Allan,



Among the lessons learned from others is that a Kitfox is subject to frame

bending ahead of the tail if the braces supplied by Kitfox to support the

wings when folded are not in place and the plane is bounced down the road

on a trailer with a STIFF suspension. This could really ruin your day and

pocketbook.  Use the braces!



I have heard reports of folks strapping the plane down to a trailer by

going over the folded wings. By doing that they bent structural stuff as

the plane bounced up and down on the gear, stressing plane parts not meant

to handle that kind of stuff. Don't do it.



Another report was of a fellow who  strapped his plane down to floor tie

down rings. The plywood floor had some rot and the tie down rings pulled

free, letting the plane beat itself up in the trailer as it bounced down

the road. Lesson learned the hard way.



I tried strapping over the main gear tires, a technique many car trailer

operators use. The plane still wanted to bounce around on the gear pretty

badly. The plane also bounced some on the tires as they compressed. This

was no good.



So I quickly adopted strapping the plane down at the float attach points.

These are built to take stress.  Then tightening these ratchet straps

tight, putting down force on the gear and the tires. This really cuts the

bouncing tendency. Safely securing the plane in the trailer for a lot of

long distance towing is a big deal and of course there is more to it.



Putting 3 inch thick foam pads between the folded wings and trailer walls

provides a second line of defense against bouncing around and damage. 

This has worked well for maybe 100,000 miles of towing the plane over the

years.



There are more little tricks but these are probably the most important and

easiest to describe.



To be price competitive, Most 7,000 lb gross weight trailers come stock

with cheap, minimum size,  Chinese load range C tires. I have over a dozen

trailers and hate these cheap tires. They pop way before they wear out and

 at the worst, least safe time and places. Read rush hour, night, rain,

with no shoulder. (Avoid this type of towing.)  Since I have been using

load range E tires this problem is way less frequent.



A bunch of the South Florida boat trailer builders who make trailers for

really big trailer boats (read four 350 hp outboard motors), and the local

boat trailer shops who service these trailers automatically go with load

range E passenger truck tires. They claim that after the national

headlines on Firestone tire failures and Ford Explorer rollovers a decade

or more ago, passenger truck tire regulation and quality control went way

up but cheap imported trailer tires are still (at)%$#!



I guess the last serious lesson "learnt" was when i purchased our first

conversion van with big block Chevy engine. The power was great, loved it.

The vehicle was rated for higher towing weights than I was towing BUT the

overhang between rear axle and hitch ball was pretty long creating a long

lever arm and the fishtail tendency was amazing, (read scared the heck out

of me). A quality Load leveler hitch and anti sway bars could not correct

this problem. Sold it.



Subsequently I have done test drives with a lot of small to medium RVs

with my trailers in tow, and found most to be marginal tow vehicles due to

poor physics (read short wheel base and long rear overhangs). The 190

series Roadtreks on 3500 Chevy Express Van chassis handle well and have

long wheel bases plus SHORT rear overhangs (good physics for towing).



I guess there is one more lesson learned. Not everyone was born to tow a

trailer. My wife is a truly smart lady. She manages psychiatrists for a

living.  However, after some run ins with trailer fenders, mail boxes and

the like we have established a differentiation of duties which works well

for all involved regarding towing. The universe is now back in harmony.



Bj Kitfox IV 912

2004 Roadtrek 190





 	  Quote: 	
		   



 I've always wanted to do that.....  Would be great to hear you lessons

 learnt.....

 Allan



 



 Happy to share some of my tricks with others who may be doing the same or

 who have wondered how practical it might be, and of course look forward to

 picking up new tricks from others as well.



 BJ

_________________
B Jones
N154K
443-480-1023

KeysFox

Joined: 05 Jan 2009
Posts: 137

Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 6:48 pm Post subject: Trailering Kitfox and flying spectacular spots

Allan,



Among the lessons learned from others is that a Kitfox is subject to frame

bending ahead of the tail if the braces supplied by Kitfox to support the

wings when folded are not in place and the plane is bounced down the road

on a trailer with a STIFF suspension. This could really ruin your day and

pocketbook.  Use the braces!



I have heard reports of folks strapping the plane down to a trailer by

going over the folded wings. By doing that they bent structural stuff as

the plane bounced up and down on the gear, stressing plane parts not meant

to handle that kind of stuff. Don't do it.



Another report was of a fellow who  strapped his plane down to floor tie

down rings. The plywood floor had some rot and the tie down rings pulled

free, letting the plane beat itself up in the trailer as it bounced down

the road. Lesson learned the hard way.



I tried strapping over the main gear tires, a technique many car trailer

operators use. The plane still wanted to bounce around on the gear pretty

badly. The plane also bounced some on the tires as they compressed. This

was no good.



So I quickly adopted strapping the plane down at the float attach points.

These are built to take stress.  Then tightening these ratchet straps

tight, putting down force on the gear and the tires. This really cuts the

bouncing tendency. Safely securing the plane in the trailer for a lot of

long distance towing is a big deal and of course there is more to it.



Putting 3 inch thick foam pads between the folded wings and trailer walls

provides a second line of defense against bouncing around and damage. 

This has worked well for maybe 100,000 miles of towing the plane over the

years.



There are more little tricks but these are probably the most important and

easiest to describe.



To be price competitive, Most 7,000 lb gross weight trailers come stock

with cheap, minimum size,  Chinese load range C tires. I have over a dozen

trailers and hate these cheap tires. They pop way before they wear out and

 at the worst, least safe time and places. Read rush hour, night, rain,

with no shoulder. (Avoid this type of towing.)  Since I have been using

load range E tires this problem is way less frequent.



A bunch of the South Florida boat trailer builders who make trailers for

really big trailer boats (read four 350 hp outboard motors), and the local

boat trailer shops who service these trailers automatically go with load

range E passenger truck tires. They claim that after the national

headlines on Firestone tire failures and Ford Explorer rollovers a decade

or more ago, passenger truck tire regulation and quality control went way

up but cheap imported trailer tires are still (at)%$#!



I guess the last serious lesson "learnt" was when i purchased our first

conversion van with big block Chevy engine. The power was great, loved it.

The vehicle was rated for higher towing weights than I was towing BUT the

overhang between rear axle and hitch ball was pretty long creating a long

lever arm and the fishtail tendency was amazing, (read scared the heck out

of me). A quality Load leveler hitch and anti sway bars could not correct

this problem. Sold it.



Subsequently I have done test drives with a lot of small to medium RVs

with my trailers in tow, and found most to be marginal tow vehicles due to

poor physics (read short wheel base and long rear overhangs). The 190

series Roadtreks on 3500 Chevy Express Van chassis handle well and have

long wheel bases plus SHORT rear overhangs (good physics for towing).



I guess there is one more lesson learned. Not everyone was born to tow a

trailer. My wife is a truly smart lady. She manages psychiatrists for a

living.  However, after some run ins with trailer fenders, mail boxes and

the like we have established a differentiation of duties which works well

for all involved regarding towing. The universe is now back in harmony.



Bj Kitfox IV 912

2004 Roadtrek 190





 	  Quote: 	
		   



 I've always wanted to do that.....  Would be great to hear you lessons

 learnt.....

 Allan



 



 Happy to share some of my tricks with others who may be doing the same or

 who have wondered how practical it might be, and of course look forward to

 picking up new tricks from others as well.



 BJ

_________________
B Jones
N154K
443-480-1023

uuccio(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 10:45 pm Post subject: Trailering Kitfox and flying spectacular spots

Me too! One day....

Sacha



On Dec 9, 2013, at 23:32, Allan Aaron <aaaron(at)tvp.com.au> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 I've always wanted to do that.....  Would be great to hear you lessons learnt.....

 Allan

 

 

 

 Happy to share some of my tricks with others who may be doing the same or who have wondered how practical it might be, and of course look forward to picking up new tricks from others as well.

 

 BJ

SkySteve

Joined: 16 Dec 2007
Posts: 94
Location: Huntsville, UT

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 6:22 am Post subject: Re: Trailering Kitfox and flying spectacular spots

BJ,

Great report. Thank you. It sounds like you use an enclosed trailer. Is that correct?  Any photos of your set up?  Is your trailer single or double axle?  Do you put your plane on the trailer facing rear or forward?  Do you secure the prop so it won't freewheel (if on an open trailer)?

_________________
Steve Wilson
Huntsville, UT
Kitfox Model 1- 85DD
912A / 3 Blade Warp Drive
Convertible Nosewheel & Tailwheel

KeysFox

Joined: 05 Jan 2009
Posts: 137

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 8:15 am Post subject: Trailering Kitfox and flying spectacular spots

Steve,



I use an enclosed trailer. The idea of having the plane exposed while

traveling cross country and touring invites problems, kids, road debris,

etc.



Our place in the  Florida Keys is an astonishingly corrosive environment

and a typical T hanger rents for $6,000 per year so the trailer also

serves as a hanger for me,  which saves lots of money and protects the

plane. A new enclosed trailer for a Kitfox can be had for about $5,500, -

see Barnstormers.



I have loaded the plane both ways in different trailers, currently loading

tail first with the tail wheel on a small (read cheap) flat trailer. I set

it up this way originally to get the best towing weight balance for this

particular enclosed trailer.



However, when the wings are folded The plane is very easy to move, even on

lose gravel with the "large" tail wheel trailer tires. The tail is

elevated on the little trailer of course, so the wings fold and unfold

easy with no down and back force. Wings swing with two fingers. Gas does

not run out of gas caps if the tanks are near full. The tongue of the tail

wheel trailer has a bar extending across it about a foot on each side to

hold onto while moving the plane - works great.



The tongue of the small trailer clamps on a hitch ball mounted to the

front frame of the enclosed trailer so it is locked in position while

bouncing down the road. The plane's tail wheel is pinned into a socket so

it can't move either. And since I siphon gas out of the wings before going

out on the road for long distances or on rough roads, the wing tanks are

about at the perfect angle for siphoning when the tail of the plane is up

on the trailer. I swing one wing, start the siphon on that side while

swinging the other wing, then siphon the second side while installing the

wing support struts.



This sounds time consuming but I can pull the plane out of the enclosed

trailer, tow it thru the back gate of the nearby airport, swing the wings

into position and be ready to fly in 12 minutes make it 15 if I need to

add gas.



The prop with a 912 does not rotate while towing.



I know I gotta get some pictures up.



BJ

Kitfox IV 912 Warp Drive

2004 RT Roadtrek 190 Pop



 > 

 	  Quote: 	
		  

 BJ,

 Great report. Thank you. It sounds like you use an enclosed trailer. Is

 that correct?  Any photos of your set up?  Is your trailer single or

 double axle?  Do you put your plane on the trailer facing rear or forward?

  Do you secure the prop so it won't freewheel (if on an open trailer)?



 --------

 Steve Wilson

 Huntsville, UT

 Kitfox Model 1- 85DD

 912A / 3 Blade Warp Drive

 Convertible Nosewheel &amp; Tailwheel





 Read this topic online here:



 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=415312#415312

_________________
B Jones
N154K
443-480-1023

lcfitt(at)sbcglobal.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 8:30 am Post subject: Trailering Kitfox and flying spectacular spots

bj,

Trailering would probably not be on my personal agenda, but I wonder how 

many of us would like hosting some kitfoxers who do.  I live in a 

residential airpark and would enjoy travelers to drop by.

Lowell



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

From: "SkySteve" <Wilson(at)REinfo.org>

Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 6:22 AM

To: <kitfox-list(at)matronics.com>

Subject: Re: Trailering Kitfox and flying spectacular spots



 	  Quote: 	
		   



 BJ,

 Great report. Thank you. It sounds like you use an enclosed trailer. Is 

 that correct?  Any photos of your set up?  Is your trailer single or 

 double axle?  Do you put your plane on the trailer facing rear or forward? 

 Do you secure the prop so it won't freewheel (if on an open trailer)?



 --------

 Steve Wilson

 Huntsville, UT

 Kitfox Model 1- 85DD

 912A / 3 Blade Warp Drive

 Convertible Nosewheel &amp; Tailwheel





 Read this topic online here:



 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=415312#415312

SkySteve

Joined: 16 Dec 2007
Posts: 94
Location: Huntsville, UT

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 8:47 am Post subject: Re: Trailering Kitfox and flying spectacular spots

BJ,

Sounds like a great setup. My wife and I like to travel and camp. We have horses so use a pickup and 8.5' camper. I would like to do the same with my Kitfox as SE Utah is close by and a great place to camp & fly. My plane is now set up in the tri gear configuration and I just haven't been able to figure out the best trailer design/towing configuration. I'm just a little frustrated with the whole idea.

_________________
Steve Wilson
Huntsville, UT
Kitfox Model 1- 85DD
912A / 3 Blade Warp Drive
Convertible Nosewheel & Tailwheel

msm_9949(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 8:56 am Post subject: Trailering Kitfox and flying spectacular spots

BJ:



What are the rules regarding flying low and slow over the National parks? Approaching retirement and this sounds like great fun.



Marco Menezes N99KX

Kitfox II 582-90 C-Box w/clutch

Hersey, MI





        From: "bjones(at)dmv.com" <bjones(at)dmv.com>

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com 

 Sent: Monday,  December 9, 2013 9:48 PM

 Subject: RE: Trailering Kitfox and flying spectacular spots

  

 

--> Kitfox-List message posted by: bjones(at)dmv.com (bjones(at)dmv.com)



Allan,



Among the lessons learned from others is that a Kitfox is subject to frame

bending ahead of the tail if the braces supplied by Kitfox to support the

wings when folded are not in place and the plane is bounced down the road

on a trailer with a STIFF suspension. This could really ruin your day and

pocketbook.  Use the braces!



I have heard reports of folks strapping the plane down to a trailer by

going over the folded wings. By doing that they bent structural stuff as

the plane bounced up and down on the gear, stressing plane parts not meant

to handle that kind of stuff. Don't do  it.



Another report was of a fellow who  strapped his plane down to floor tie

down rings. The plywood floor had some rot and the tie down rings pulled

free, letting the plane beat itself up in the trailer as it bounced down

the road. Lesson learned the hard way.



I tried strapping over the main gear tires, a technique many car trailer

operators use. The plane still wanted to bounce around on the gear pretty

badly. The plane also bounced some on the tires as they compressed. This

was no good.



So I quickly adopted strapping the plane down at the float attach points.

These are built to take stress.  Then tightening these ratchet straps

tight, putting down force on the gear and the tires. This really cuts the

bouncing tendency. Safely securing the plane in the trailer for a lot of

long distance towing is a big deal and of course there is more to it.



Putting 3 inch thick foam pads between the  folded wings and trailer walls

provides a second line of defense against bouncing around and damage. 

This has worked well for maybe 100,000 miles of towing the plane over the

years.



There are more little tricks but these are probably the most important and

easiest to describe.



To be price competitive, Most 7,000 lb gross weight trailers come stock

with cheap, minimum size,  Chinese load range C tires. I have over a dozen

trailers and hate these cheap tires. They pop way before they wear out and

 at the worst, least safe time and places. Read rush hour, night, rain,

with no shoulder. (Avoid this type of towing.)  Since I have been using

load range E tires this problem is way less frequent.



A bunch of the South Florida boat trailer builders who make trailers for

really big trailer boats (read four 350 hp outboard motors), and the local

boat trailer shops who service these trailers  automatically go with load

range E passenger truck tires. They claim that after the national

headlines on Firestone tire failures and Ford Explorer rollovers a decade

or more ago, passenger truck tire regulation and quality control went way

up but cheap imported trailer tires are still (at)%$#!



I guess the last serious lesson "learnt" was when i purchased our first

conversion van with big block Chevy engine. The power was great, loved it.

The vehicle was rated for higher towing weights than I was towing BUT the

overhang between rear axle and hitch ball was pretty long creating a long

lever arm and the fishtail tendency was amazing, (read scared the heck out

of me). A quality Load leveler hitch and anti sway bars could not correct

this problem. Sold it.



Subsequently I have done test drives with a lot of small to medium RVs

with my trailers in tow, and found most to be marginal tow vehicles due to

poor  physics (read short wheel base and long rear overhangs). The 190

series Roadtreks on 3500 Chevy Express Van chassis handle well and have

long wheel bases plus SHORT rear overhangs (good physics for towing).



I guess there is one more lesson learned. Not everyone was born to tow a

trailer. My wife is a truly smart lady. She manages psychiatrists for a

living.  However, after some run ins with trailer fenders, mail boxes and

the like we have established a differentiation of duties which works well

for all involved regarding towing. The universe is now back in harmony.



Bj Kitfox IV 912

2004 Roadtrek 190





 	  Quote: 	
		   --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Allan Aaron <aaaron(at)tvp.com.au (aaaron(at)tvp.com.au)>



 I've always wanted to do that.....  Would be great to hear you lessons

  learnt.....

 Allan



 --> Kitfox-List message posted by: bjones(at)dmv.com (bjones(at)dmv.com)



 Happy to share some of my tricks with others who may be doing the same or

 who have wondered how practical it might be, and of course look forward to

 picking up new tricks from others as well.



 BJ





ww.matronics.com/contribution" target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/c               -Matt Dralle, List Admin.;  --> http://forums.matronics.com</================


	




 

 

  

 [quote][b]

KeysFox

Joined: 05 Jan 2009
Posts: 137

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 9:33 am Post subject: Trailering Kitfox and flying spectacular spots

Lowell,



Thanks for the offer/suggestion. It is a Wonderful idea in so many ways!



The number of folks who do long cross country touring with their Kitfox

style folding wing planes, trailered behind their motorhomes or big SUVs

is probably pretty small, at least at this point. Now that specially

designed trailers are bring offered inexpensively, and a few of us are

seeing how much fun it is and how inexpensive it is (in aviation terms),

plus now that light sport rules have opened a new world up for us old

aviators, we may see it grow.



By posting your message and offering yourself as a willing host to our

online Kitfox community the door has been opened.



As an aside, you may get a kick out of this "Walmart Made Me Do It" story.

I had not thought seriously about taking a plane with me while touring in

a motorhome, HOWEVER.  We lost our local airport off of Cheaspeake Bay in

Maryland to development (Walmart), and at the same time I could not get

hanger space near our second home in the Florida Keys.  So the turbo twin

got shoved into a distant hanger and I bought the Kitfox and an enclosed

trailer. Of course the trailer serves as a hanger, shop, tool and spare

parts facility. While moving the plane and mobile hanger between Md and Fl

seasonally I began stopping and flying at neat spots, down low and slow

where I could really enjoy the scenery. As time went on I got my act down

pretty pat in packing the plane safely for trailering, and easily getting

it in and out of the trailer to play with.  Since then we have enjoyed

flying all over the country, down low and slow, which is amazing fun.  And

I have Walmart to thank for creating the situation that led up to so much

fun. So "Walmart Made Me Do It". Funny how things turn out.



I have put a reference to your  offer in my Power Point forum presentation

on "Touring the USA by Chevrolet and LSA" for Sun N Fun, Sebring and

Copper State.



Thanks



BJ

Kitfox IV 912 Warp Drive

Roadtrek 190 Popular



 	  Quote: 	
		   



 bj,

 Trailering would probably not be on my personal agenda, but I wonder how

 many of us would like hosting some kitfoxers who do.  I live in a

 residential airpark and would enjoy travelers to drop by.

 Lowell



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

 From: "SkySteve" <Wilson(at)REinfo.org>

 Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 6:22 AM

 To: <kitfox-list(at)matronics.com>

 Subject: Re: Trailering Kitfox and flying spectacular spots



> 

>

> BJ,

> Great report. Thank you. It sounds like you use an enclosed trailer. Is

> that correct?  Any photos of your set up?  Is your trailer single or

> double axle?  Do you put your plane on the trailer facing rear or

> forward?

> Do you secure the prop so it won't freewheel (if on an open trailer)?

>

> --------

> Steve Wilson

> Huntsville, UT

> Kitfox Model 1- 85DD

> 912A / 3 Blade Warp Drive

> Convertible Nosewheel &amp; Tailwheel

>

>

> Read this topic online here:

>

> http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=415312#415312

>

_________________
B Jones
N154K
443-480-1023

KeysFox

Joined: 05 Jan 2009
Posts: 137

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 9:34 am Post subject: Trailering Kitfox and flying spectacular spots

Lowell,



Thanks for the offer/suggestion. It is a Wonderful idea in so many ways!



The number of folks who do long cross country touring with their Kitfox

style folding wing planes, trailered behind their motorhomes or big SUVs

is probably pretty small, at least at this point. Now that specially

designed trailers are bring offered inexpensively, and a few of us are

seeing how much fun it is and how inexpensive it is (in aviation terms),

plus now that light sport rules have opened a new world up for us old

aviators, we may see it grow.



By posting your message and offering yourself as a willing host to our

online Kitfox community the door has been opened.



As an aside, you may get a kick out of this "Walmart Made Me Do It" story.

I had not thought seriously about taking a plane with me while touring in

a motorhome, HOWEVER.  We lost our local airport off of Cheaspeake Bay in

Maryland to development (Walmart), and at the same time I could not get

hanger space near our second home in the Florida Keys.  So the turbo twin

got shoved into a distant hanger and I bought the Kitfox and an enclosed

trailer. Of course the trailer serves as a hanger, shop, tool and spare

parts facility. While moving the plane and mobile hanger between Md and Fl

seasonally I began stopping and flying at neat spots, down low and slow

where I could really enjoy the scenery. As time went on I got my act down

pretty pat in packing the plane safely for trailering, and easily getting

it in and out of the trailer to play with.  Since then we have enjoyed

flying all over the country, down low and slow, which is amazing fun.  And

I have Walmart to thank for creating the situation that led up to so much

fun. So "Walmart Made Me Do It". Funny how things turn out.



I have put a reference to your  offer in my Power Point forum presentation

on "Touring the USA by Chevrolet and LSA" for Sun N Fun, Sebring and

Copper State.



Thanks



BJ

Kitfox IV 912 Warp Drive

Roadtrek 190 Popular



 	  Quote: 	
		   



 bj,

 Trailering would probably not be on my personal agenda, but I wonder how

 many of us would like hosting some kitfoxers who do.  I live in a

 residential airpark and would enjoy travelers to drop by.

 Lowell



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

 From: "SkySteve" <Wilson(at)REinfo.org>

 Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 6:22 AM

 To: <kitfox-list(at)matronics.com>

 Subject: Re: Trailering Kitfox and flying spectacular spots



> 

>

> BJ,

> Great report. Thank you. It sounds like you use an enclosed trailer. Is

> that correct?  Any photos of your set up?  Is your trailer single or

> double axle?  Do you put your plane on the trailer facing rear or

> forward?

> Do you secure the prop so it won't freewheel (if on an open trailer)?

>

> --------

> Steve Wilson

> Huntsville, UT

> Kitfox Model 1- 85DD

> 912A / 3 Blade Warp Drive

> Convertible Nosewheel &amp; Tailwheel

>

>

> Read this topic online here:

>

> http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=415312#415312

>

_________________
B Jones
N154K
443-480-1023

KeysFox

Joined: 05 Jan 2009
Posts: 137

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 10:06 am Post subject: Trailering Kitfox and flying spectacular spots

I ran across a couple of photos from a flight out of Mustang Beach airport

south of Corpus Christi from several years ago.



Kitfox on beach, shrimper wreck, light house, row of out of focus

intra-coastal islands, motorhome and plane's trailer on the beach.



If the link below works i'll try to get some more photos loaded.



BJ

Kitfox IV 912 Warp Drive

Roadtrek 190 Popular



http://s1205.photobucket.com/user/N154K/media/Kitfox%20beach/TripGulfCoast2010042.jpg.html

_________________
B Jones
N154K
443-480-1023

uuccio(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 10:35 am Post subject: Trailering Kitfox and flying spectacular spots

Yes BJ, it works, post more!



--

Guy Buchanan

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

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 11:03 am Post subject: Trailering Kitfox and flying spectacular spots

On 12/11/2013 8:53 AM, Marco Menezes wrote:  	  Quote: 	
		  What are the rules regarding flying low and slow over the National parks? Approaching retirement and this sounds like great fun. 	
 

 Rules? How about:

    A flat grey paint job.   
2" N numbers placed judiciously above the horizontal stabilizer.   
A mask.   
A landing strip hidden amongst tall trees. 
   

 

 Guy Buchanan

 Ramona, CA

 Kitfox IV-1200 / 912-S / Warp 3cs / 500 hrs. and grounded

 Now a glider pilot, too.

 

 

    [quote][b]

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

SkySteve

Joined: 16 Dec 2007
Posts: 94
Location: Huntsville, UT

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 6:03 pm Post subject: Re: Trailering Kitfox and flying spectacular spots

Guy,

Yes, I like your style. I have 3" letters, above the horizontal stabilizer that run vertical, not horizontal!  



BJ,

Nice photos, especially the beach landing. I've landed on the shore (beach?) of the Great Salt Lake, but never the actual ocean beach. In fact, we play regularly on the mud flats and islands of the Great Salt Lake. Gotta watch those mud flats though, one day they are dry, the next they want to suck you in and eat you.

_________________
Steve Wilson
Huntsville, UT
Kitfox Model 1- 85DD
912A / 3 Blade Warp Drive
Convertible Nosewheel & Tailwheel

lcfitt(at)sbcglobal.net
Guest

Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 5:43 pm Post subject: Trailering Kitfox and flying spectacular spots

BJ,



Just drop a note if you will be in our area.  Within an hour and a half 

flight time is The Golden Gate, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, and right around the 

corner is the Gold Discovery site.



Lowell



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

From: <bjones(at)dmv.com>

Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2013 9:33 AM

To: <kitfox-list(at)matronics.com>

Subject: Re: Re: Trailering Kitfox and flying spectacular spots



 	  Quote: 	
		   



 Lowell,



 Thanks for the offer/suggestion. It is a Wonderful idea in so many ways!



 The number of folks who do long cross country touring with their Kitfox

 style folding wing planes, trailered behind their motorhomes or big SUVs

 is probably pretty small, at least at this point. Now that specially

 designed trailers are bring offered inexpensively, and a few of us are

 seeing how much fun it is and how inexpensive it is (in aviation terms),

 plus now that light sport rules have opened a new world up for us old

 aviators, we may see it grow.



 By posting your message and offering yourself as a willing host to our

 online Kitfox community the door has been opened.



 As an aside, you may get a kick out of this "Walmart Made Me Do It" story.

 I had not thought seriously about taking a plane with me while touring in

 a motorhome, HOWEVER.  We lost our local airport off of Cheaspeake Bay in

 Maryland to development (Walmart), and at the same time I could not get

 hanger space near our second home in the Florida Keys.  So the turbo twin

 got shoved into a distant hanger and I bought the Kitfox and an enclosed

 trailer. Of course the trailer serves as a hanger, shop, tool and spare

 parts facility. While moving the plane and mobile hanger between Md and Fl

 seasonally I began stopping and flying at neat spots, down low and slow

 where I could really enjoy the scenery. As time went on I got my act down

 pretty pat in packing the plane safely for trailering, and easily getting

 it in and out of the trailer to play with.  Since then we have enjoyed

 flying all over the country, down low and slow, which is amazing fun.  And

 I have Walmart to thank for creating the situation that led up to so much

 fun. So "Walmart Made Me Do It". Funny how things turn out.



 I have put a reference to your  offer in my Power Point forum presentation

 on "Touring the USA by Chevrolet and LSA" for Sun N Fun, Sebring and

 Copper State.



 Thanks



 BJ

 Kitfox IV 912 Warp Drive

 Roadtrek 190 Popular



> 

>

> bj,

> Trailering would probably not be on my personal agenda, but I wonder how

> many of us would like hosting some kitfoxers who do.  I live in a

> residential airpark and would enjoy travelers to drop by.

> Lowell

>

> --------------------------------------------------

> From: "SkySteve" <Wilson(at)REinfo.org>

> Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 6:22 AM

> To: <kitfox-list(at)matronics.com>

> Subject: Re: Trailering Kitfox and flying spectacular spots

>

>> 

>>

>> BJ,

>> Great report. Thank you. It sounds like you use an enclosed trailer. Is

>> that correct?  Any photos of your set up?  Is your trailer single or

>> double axle?  Do you put your plane on the trailer facing rear or

>> forward?

>> Do you secure the prop so it won't freewheel (if on an open trailer)?

>>

>> --------

>> Steve Wilson

>> Huntsville, UT

>> Kitfox Model 1- 85DD

>> 912A / 3 Blade Warp Drive

>> Convertible Nosewheel &amp; Tailwheel

>>

>>

>>

>>

>> Read this topic online here:

>>

>> http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=415312#415312

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

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