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Europa Design Trailer Question

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MJKTuck(at)cs.com
Guest

Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 7:52 pm Post subject: Europa Design Trailer Question

Hi Guys,



I've just finished up my annual condition inspection. I have the 

aircraft hangared and the only time I use the trailer is when I do my 

inspection or otherwise feel the need to take the wings off.



I have an Europa monowheel trailer. I found it just about impossible to 

push the aircraft up the incline of the ramp portion of the standard 

trailer so I made up an extension ramp which is about 3 feet long and 

reduces the slope by half. Even so, I still really struggle to push it 

up the incline particularly if I don't have someone to steady the wing. 

I'm thinking there has to be an easier way!



I've thought about lifting the aircraft up using a car jack (as I would 

do if needed to change the tire) then positioning the ramp under the 

wheel suitably blocked into a downward slope so the aircraft could run 

'downhill' into position but I thought maybe there is a more elegant 

solution out there that others use - from those who trailer their 

aircraft all the time. Didn't the brochure claim you could do all this 

in five minutes?



I'd be interested in hearing or seeing photos of any other solutions to 

this weighty problem.



Regards,

Martin Tuck

N152MT

Wichita, Kansas

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nigel henry

Joined: 24 Feb 2011
Posts: 16
Location: oxford uk

Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 10:02 pm Post subject: Europa Design Trailer Question

Hi Martin            I agree the trailer is a problem.  My  thoughts are a hydraulic axle so the trailer can be lowered to the ground   also why can't the bed be folding or it comes apart  with pins ? 

I have a use for a smaller trailer  two wheels most of the time with a 1.8 meter bed max width is not a problem  here in the UK we have a legal requirement that the trailer has to be braked  has anybody designed  a trailer like this ?

                                                        Nigel Henry 

 	  Quote: 	
		   Date: Wed, 18 May 2011 22:48:36 -0500

 From: MJKTuck(at)cs.com

 To: europa-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: Europa Design Trailer Question

 --> Europa-List message posted by: Martin Tuck <MJKTuck(at)cs.com>

 Hi Guys,

 I've just finished up my annual condition inspection. I have the 

 aircraft hangared and the only time I use the trailer is when I do my 

 inspection or otherwise feel the need to take the wings off.

 I have an Europa monowheel trailer. I found it just about impossible to 

 push the aircraft up the incline of the ramp portion of the standard 

 trailer so I made up an extension ramp which is about 3 feet long and 

 reduces the slope by half. Even so, I still really struggle to push it 

 up the incline particularly if I don't have someone to steady the wing. 

 I'm thinking there has to be an easier way!

 I've thought about lifting the aircraft up using a car jack (as I would 

 do if needed to change the tire) then positioning the ramp under the 

 wheel suitably blocked into a downward slope so the aircraft could run 

 'downhill' into position but I thought maybe there is a more elegant 

 solution out there that others use - from those who trailer their 

 aircraft all the time. Didn't the brochure claim you could do all this 

 in five minutes?

 I'd be interested in hearing or seeing photos of any other solutions to 

 this weighty problem.

 Regards,

 Martin Tuck

 N152MT

 Wichita, Kansas

[b]

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JonSmith

Joined: 21 May 2010
Posts: 110

Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 10:41 pm Post subject: Re: Europa Design Trailer Question

Hi,  I have a small hand operated winch mounted just behind the tow hitch.  It's a small winch with a ratchet type winding handle like you might find on a sailing dinghy trailer to wind the boat onto the trailer.  I have attached it to my trailer with just one bolt - in fact it's mounted on the rear of the tow hitch using the rear one of the two hitch mounting bolts.  



I just position the plane up to the trailer with the main wheel at the bottom of the ramp ready to run up onto the trailer.  From the winch I run the rope (6mm polyprop) rearwards and use a small carrebena type clip to clip it around the mainwheel axle (on the port side - the other side would foul the brake).  Then just go back to the hitch and wind it on - runs up a treat, easy peasy!  The tail wheel just runs nicely along the channel with the rope passing alongside it.  As I'm winding I can move the hitch of the trailer slightly left/ right as required to keep it perfectly aligned until the main wheel is on the ramp.  



I also lower the plane down the ramp to stop things getting out of hand as I'm always rigging/ derigging single handed.  I keep it at home on the trailer and rig every time.



Another use of the winch is that after the plane is on the trailer and restrained you can detach the rope from the aircraft and attach it to the ramp to winch that up far enough up to easily get the strut pip pins in if it's a bit tight although I can normally manage this by hand.



Cheers, Jon

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_________________
G-TERN
Classic Mono

frans(at)privatepilots.nl
Guest

Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 11:05 pm Post subject: Europa Design Trailer Question

On 05/19/2011 05:48 AM, Martin Tuck wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   I'd be interested in hearing or seeing photos of any other solutions to

 this weighty problem.


	


I got some electrical winch from Ebay, with wireless remote control, for

about $50. Works perfect. There are plenty of offers on eBay for ATV's,

quads, etc. Electrical current comes from a small battery I installed on

the trailer (not included) and the battery is connected to the power

supply of the towing car so it recharges itself automatically as soon as

the trailer is hitched.



So, if I want to load the airplane on the trailer, I just hook on the

rope, press the button and while it is slowly loading I can walk around

and see if everything is going well thanks to the remote control.



The whole process, from arriving to the airfield with the Europa on the

trailer, to a "ready for departure" state, takes about 15 minutes. And

the pre-flight check is included in the rigging process. In fact, it is

faster than many people need to open the hanger door, shuffle some

airplanes around, get their airplane outside, and perform their

preflight checks.



So, I keep the airplane at home and rig and derig for every flight. It

saves hangar costs, and it is easier to perform some maintenance on the

airplane if I have it in my own barn. And I don't have to worry about

other people messing with it. And I can easily fuel it on the way to the

airport, for the lowest price and without lead. I found the ability to

rig and derig so easy the main attraction of the Europa concept.



As a towing car I usually use my classic 1972 Mercedes 300SEL with air

suspension, and this makes quite a sighty combination. In fact, I had to

get used to people passing me slowly while they are making pictures of

the car and the airplane. It has become part of the fun of going out

flying. 



Frans

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roddyeuropa(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 8:07 am Post subject: Europa Design Trailer Question

I use a similar system, but have the hand winch attached about a metre forward of the towhook, on the side square tube.  I use a pulley mounted at the end of the tailwheel chanel to turn the rope through 180 degrees. Keeps the winch out of way.

 

 Roddy Kesterton G-IKRK 

 

   

  

    

     

  

     

  

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