Short range trailering

[KevinC]

I've seen some really fancy trailers used to move Highlanders, etc. but few designed for the short haul.  I'm only ~2 miles from the airport on lazy country roads.  Anyone have any simple, easy to use ideas for moving the plane back and forth from home?  Modified car dolley?  Tow it backwards by the tailwheel?

Like Ross Perot:  I'm all ears....

k

[b1x4nqb]

I've seen several that modify a small boat trailer and tow it backwards with the tail down near the hitch end.  Seems to work great.  Ramp goes up the center for the tailway to track into and the mains just come up onto small platforms at the very end with secure straps.  The rest of the trailer is gone.  Almost like towing a letter "T" backwards.

Paul, PA

[juliant]

Photo of British Escapade on a trailer
Julian
NZ

[taildrgfun]

I only live about 3 miles from the airport so the few times I've needed to take it back & forth I keep it simple.  I have a small trailer hooked to my truck and I tie the tailwheel down in it and tow it on the mains.  Works good and is easy.

[stede52]

Julian,
Nice simple trailer and I like your graphics and colors on your Escapade.  About the trailer I was wondering if you have any trouble with it fish-tailing at highway speeds.  How fast can you travel with your trailer.

Steve
Carnation, WA

[juliant]

Hi Steve
Sorry not my trailer or plane, this is a photo of one in the UK. Mines still under construction in New Zealand
Cheers

[Sir Real]

Two miles on lazy country roads?

Just taxi there!

[Johnny C!]

Hey!

 I use to tow a Hiller G Model on
a trailer of similar construction,
though much heavier. With the
long tongue, it was very stable
at highway speeds.

Kevin.
 For you tail dragger show offs, I don't
think it would be that difficult or costly
to buy a prefab steel trailer with no sides
& extend the tongue with the appropriate
channel, like in the European pic.
I will probably consider this even for
my trike config, but it will be quite
some time time before I need it.
I would prefer tail forward towing.

John

[KevinC]

Well, 509KC made it to the airport for the first time today - although a short trip.

I used a 4x4 mini trailer from the Chinese Tool Store (Harbor) and cut a 2.5 x 1.75 notch in the deck.  I put the tailwheel in the notch and strapped it in with ratchet strap.  It pulled down the road at 35 mph no problem.

I will post a picture another day.

k

[Johnny C!]

Pic's please!

Good Luck!

John

[cessna182b]

I've seen some really fancy trailers used to move Highlanders, etc. but few designed for the short haul.  I'm only ~2 miles from the airport on lazy country roads.  Anyone have any simple, easy to use ideas for moving the plane back and forth from home?  Modified car dolley?  Tow it backwards by the tailwheel?

Like Ross Perot:  I'm all ears....

k

Towing the plane backwards is entirely practical for short distances - especially if you have the baloon tires. A guy with a Kitfox who flew out of my former home airport did just that. He had a fixture that attached to the tail, and connected to the trailer hitch on his pickup. Seemed to work just fine.

Dave

[Av8r3400]

When towing tail first (or prop first for that matter) what are you doing to secure the wings from moving or becoming damaged?

[KevinC]

I have finally followed up on taking some pictures of my towing setup.  I wouldn't want to go very far or fast, but for a 2 mile trip on a slow country road it works really well.

fwiw

K

[rubobrun]

Here are a few pics of my trailer, I Have towed it at 70 and no problem,I do pull it forward and load over the tongue.
I use a scissor jack to raise and lower trailer tongue. It is made of 3"channel and 3" angle.
the axle is a low profile with highway tires,axle has rubber torsion inserts(pontoon boat)style.
you must cover the wing roots to protect from bugs.



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