Today's Message Index:
----------------------
1. 04:55 AM - Re: Tow bar alterantive & Kitfox flying adventures (dwight PURDY)
2. 01:47 PM - Re: Tow bar alterantive & Kitfox flying adventures (Pete Christensen)
3. 04:55 PM - Re: Tow bar alterantive & Kitfox flying adventures (bjones@dmv.com)
4. 05:32 PM - Re: Tow bar alterantive & Kitfox flying adventures (bjones@dmv.com)
Message 1
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| Subject: | Tow bar alterantive & Kitfox flying adventures |
Would love a picture of your set up.
Dwight Purdy
Model II
-----Original Message-----
From: "bjones@dmv.com" <bjones@dmv.com>
Sent: =8E6/=8E24/=8E2016 6:12 PM
Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Tow bar alterantive & Kitfox flying adventures
Some food for thought. A very small flat bed trailer can be purchased for
under $200 (Harbor Freight - sale price).
I have been towing my model IV between our house and the local public use
airport for over a decade using one and love it.
At first blush the idea of a little trailer seems cumbersome,
but........read on.
My model IV, 1050, with Rotax 912 is very easy to lift at the tail (model
7 is heavier at tail), so setting the tail wheel in a pocket made out of
short pieces of 2 X 4 on the deck of the flat bed directly over the small
trailer's axle for balance, is easy. (Pin or strap the tail wheel so it
can not hop out)
Now to the good parts, Because the tail is elevated on the flat bed, the
wings are very easy to fold (with elimination of almost all down force
from gravity trying to fold the wings against the tail) thus there is far
less risk of crunching a flaperon or punching a hole in fuselage fabric.
If you are trying to fold the wings when the bugs are biting, rains a
falling or winds a blowing, having the wings nearly level really makes the
job safer and easier.
Because the tail is up and wings nearly level, fuel does not tend to run
to the low end of the tank where the gas cap is, out thru the cap onto the
wings and into the environment.
Assuming your tail wheel casters, then the little trailer can be turned
360 degrees for maneuvering.
I rotate the trailer tongue to the side or ahead once the rig is in the
garage and so no need bothering to disconnect the plane from the trailer
for storage.
(In fact for over a decade we have pulled the plane into an enclosed "car"
trailer using the little tail wheel trailer and taken the rig from the
Florida Keys, to Maine, to the Pacific coast behind our RV, having a HOOT
flying low and slow in spectacular scenery, as we travel across the
country thru national parks, sea shores and fascinating flying locations
all over the country. Forums on this will be presented at Air Venture near
Red Barn Thursday 2:30 and Friday at 4:00, nothing to sell just sharing
fun flying as a Southernmost EAA Chapter 1241 Marathon, Florida Keys
member.)
By the way, the little trailer has relatively large tires compared to the
typical tail wheel tire so moving the plane on soft surfaces, over small
roots and rocks, across irregular concrete surfaces, etc. is easier than
with the plane down on its tail wheel.
An 18 inch piece of all thread replacing the rear bolt attaching the hitch
coupler to the trailer tongue makes a convenient handle for moving the
plane and trailer by hand.
Pictures of all this and the rest of the story at OSH if you are interested
.
BJ
Kitfox IV, 912, Warp Drive
wings off for recover
bjones@dmv.com
> The attach points on the fuselage should extend out past the fabric about
> 3/8" and should not allow the tow bar to come in contact with the fabric
> when attached.
>
> Andy F
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Jun 24, 2016, at 12:02 PM, TURBO T <turbot@shaw.ca> wrote:
>>
>> Im building a tow bar for a KF2
>>
>> Should the brackets fit tight against the fuselage or have a gap & let
>> the cross rods take the load ?
>>
>> Am worried about the side mounts wearing the fabric.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>>
>>
>>
> ========================
==
> _========================
====================
>
Message 2
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| Subject: | Re: Tow bar alterantive & Kitfox flying adventures |
Love pictures too.
Pete
> On Jun 25, 2016, at 6:55 AM, dwight PURDY <dpurdy@comteck.com> wrote:
>
> Would love a picture of your set up.
>
> Dwight Purdy
> Model II
> From: bjones@dmv.com
> Sent: =8E6/=8E24/=8E2016 6:12 PM
> To: kitfox-list@matronics.com
> Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Tow bar alterantive & Kitfox flying adventures
>
>
> Some food for thought. A very small flat bed trailer can be purchased for
> under $200 (Harbor Freight - sale price).
>
> I have been towing my model IV between our house and the local public use
> airport for over a decade using one and love it.
>
> At first blush the idea of a little trailer seems cumbersome,
> but........read on.
>
> My model IV, 1050, with Rotax 912 is very easy to lift at the tail (model
> 7 is heavier at tail), so setting the tail wheel in a pocket made out of
> short pieces of 2 X 4 on the deck of the flat bed directly over the small
> trailer's axle for balance, is easy. (Pin or strap the tail wheel so it
> can not hop out)
>
> Now to the good parts, Because the tail is elevated on the flat bed, the
> wings are very easy to fold (with elimination of almost all down force
> from gravity trying to fold the wings against the tail) thus there is far
> less risk of crunching a flaperon or punching a hole in fuselage fabric.
> If you are trying to fold the wings when the bugs are biting, rains a
> falling or winds a blowing, having the wings nearly level really makes the
> job safer and easier.
>
> Because the tail is up and wings nearly level, fuel does not tend to run
> to the low end of the tank where the gas cap is, out thru the cap onto the
> wings and into the environment.
>
> Assuming your tail wheel casters, then the little trailer can be turned
> 360 degrees for maneuvering.
>
> I rotate the trailer tongue to the side or ahead once the rig is in the
> garage and so no need bothering to disconnect the plane from the trailer
> for storage.
>
> (In fact for over a decade we have pulled the plane into an enclosed "car"
> trailer using the little tail wheel trailer and taken the rig from the
> Florida Keys, to Maine, to the Pacific coast behind our RV, having a HOOT
> flying low and slow in spectacular scenery, as we travel across the
> country thru national parks, sea shores and fascinating flying locations
> all over the country. Forums on this will be presented at Air Venture near
> Red Barn Thursday 2:30 and Friday at 4:00, nothing to sell just sharing
> fun flying as a Southernmost EAA Chapter 1241 Marathon, Florida Keys
> member.)
>
> By the way, the little trailer has relatively large tires compared to the
> typical tail wheel tire so moving the plane on soft surfaces, over small
> roots and rocks, across irregular concrete surfaces, etc. is easier than
> with the plane down on its tail wheel.
>
> An 18 inch piece of all thread replacing the rear bolt attaching the hitch
> coupler to the trailer tongue makes a convenient handle for moving the
> plane and trailer by hand.
>
> Pictures of all this and the rest of the story at OSH if you are intereste
d.
>
> BJ
> Kitfox IV, 912, Warp Drive
> wings off for recover
> bjones@dmv.com
>
>
>
> > The attach points on the fuselage should extend out past the fabric abou
t
> > 3/8" and should not allow the tow bar to come in contact with the fabric
> > when attached.
> >
> > Andy F
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
> >> On Jun 24, 2016, at 12:02 PM, TURBO T <turbot@shaw.ca> wrote:
> >>
> >> Im building a tow bar for a KF2
> >>
> >> Should the brackets fit tight against the fuselage or have a gap & let
> >> the cross rods take the load ?
> >>
> >> Am worried about the side mounts wearing the fabric.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Thanks
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> > ========================
==
> > _=============sp; - List Contribution W
eb Site nbsp; &=============
========
Message 3
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| Subject: | Re: Tow bar alterantive & Kitfox flying adventures |
> Love pictures too.
>
> Pete
>
>> On Jun 25, 2016, at 6:55 AM, dwight PURDY <dpurdy@comteck.com> wrote:
>>
>> Would love a picture of your set up.
>>
>> Dwight Purdy
>> Model II
>> From: bjones@dmv.com
>> Sent: 6/24/2016 6:12 PM
>> To: kitfox-list@matronics.com
>> Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Tow bar alterantive & Kitfox flying adventures
>>
>>
>> Some food for thought. A very small flat bed trailer can be purchased
>> for
>> under $200 (Harbor Freight - sale price).
>>
>> I have been towing my model IV between our house and the local public
>> use
>> airport for over a decade using one and love it.
>>
>> At first blush the idea of a little trailer seems cumbersome,
>> but........read on.
>>
>> My model IV, 1050, with Rotax 912 is very easy to lift at the tail
>> (model
>> 7 is heavier at tail), so setting the tail wheel in a pocket made out of
>> short pieces of 2 X 4 on the deck of the flat bed directly over the
>> small
>> trailer's axle for balance, is easy. (Pin or strap the tail wheel so it
>> can not hop out)
>>
>> Now to the good parts, Because the tail is elevated on the flat bed,
>> the
>> wings are very easy to fold (with elimination of almost all down force
>> from gravity trying to fold the wings against the tail) thus there is
>> far
>> less risk of crunching a flaperon or punching a hole in fuselage fabric.
>> If you are trying to fold the wings when the bugs are biting, rains a
>> falling or winds a blowing, having the wings nearly level really makes
>> the
>> job safer and easier.
>>
>> Because the tail is up and wings nearly level, fuel does not tend to run
>> to the low end of the tank where the gas cap is, out thru the cap onto
>> the
>> wings and into the environment.
>>
>> Assuming your tail wheel casters, then the little trailer can be turned
>> 360 degrees for maneuvering.
>>
>> I rotate the trailer tongue to the side or ahead once the rig is in the
>> garage and so no need bothering to disconnect the plane from the trailer
>> for storage.
>>
>> (In fact for over a decade we have pulled the plane into an enclosed
>> "car"
>> trailer using the little tail wheel trailer and taken the rig from the
>> Florida Keys, to Maine, to the Pacific coast behind our RV, having a
>> HOOT
>> flying low and slow in spectacular scenery, as we travel across the
>> country thru national parks, sea shores and fascinating flying locations
>> all over the country. Forums on this will be presented at Air Venture
>> near
>> Red Barn Thursday 2:30 and Friday at 4:00, nothing to sell just sharing
>> fun flying as a Southernmost EAA Chapter 1241 Marathon, Florida Keys
>> member.)
>>
>> By the way, the little trailer has relatively large tires compared to
>> the
>> typical tail wheel tire so moving the plane on soft surfaces, over small
>> roots and rocks, across irregular concrete surfaces, etc. is easier than
>> with the plane down on its tail wheel.
>>
>> An 18 inch piece of all thread replacing the rear bolt attaching the
>> hitch
>> coupler to the trailer tongue makes a convenient handle for moving the
>> plane and trailer by hand.
>>
>> Pictures of all this and the rest of the story at OSH if you are
>> interested.
>>
>> BJ
>> Kitfox IV, 912, Warp Drive
>> wings off for recover
>> bjones@dmv.com
>>
>>
>>
>> > The attach points on the fuselage should extend out past the fabric
>> about
>> > 3/8" and should not allow the tow bar to come in contact with the
>> fabric
>> > when attached.
>> >
>> > Andy F
>> >
>> > Sent from my iPhone
>> >
>> >> On Jun 24, 2016, at 12:02 PM, TURBO T <turbot@shaw.ca> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> Im building a tow bar for a KF2
>> >>
>> >> Should the brackets fit tight against the fuselage or have a gap &
>> let
>> >> the cross rods take the load ?
>> >>
>> >> Am worried about the side mounts wearing the fabric.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Thanks
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> > ==========================
>> > _=============sp; - List Contribution Web Site nbsp;
>> &=====================
>
Message 4
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| Subject: | Re: Tow bar alterantive & Kitfox flying adventures |
Guys,
I tried to send a photo of the tail wheel trailer and a photo of the rig
(motor home, plane and enclosed trailer) on the ramp at Monument Valley
airport in replies to Pete's response to see if they will go thru that
way. I don't think they will.
BJ
>> Love pictures too.
>>
>> Pete
>>
>>> On Jun 25, 2016, at 6:55 AM, dwight PURDY <dpurdy@comteck.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Would love a picture of your set up.
>>>
>>> Dwight Purdy
>>> Model II
>>> From: bjones@dmv.com
>>> Sent: 6/24/2016 6:12 PM
>>> To: kitfox-list@matronics.com
>>> Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Tow bar alterantive & Kitfox flying
>>> adventures
>>>
>>>
>>> Some food for thought. A very small flat bed trailer can be purchased
>>> for
>>> under $200 (Harbor Freight - sale price).
>>>
>>> I have been towing my model IV between our house and the local public
>>> use
>>> airport for over a decade using one and love it.
>>>
>>> At first blush the idea of a little trailer seems cumbersome,
>>> but........read on.
>>>
>>> My model IV, 1050, with Rotax 912 is very easy to lift at the tail
>>> (model
>>> 7 is heavier at tail), so setting the tail wheel in a pocket made out
>>> of
>>> short pieces of 2 X 4 on the deck of the flat bed directly over the
>>> small
>>> trailer's axle for balance, is easy. (Pin or strap the tail wheel so it
>>> can not hop out)
>>>
>>> Now to the good parts, Because the tail is elevated on the flat bed,
>>> the
>>> wings are very easy to fold (with elimination of almost all down force
>>> from gravity trying to fold the wings against the tail) thus there is
>>> far
>>> less risk of crunching a flaperon or punching a hole in fuselage
>>> fabric.
>>> If you are trying to fold the wings when the bugs are biting, rains a
>>> falling or winds a blowing, having the wings nearly level really makes
>>> the
>>> job safer and easier.
>>>
>>> Because the tail is up and wings nearly level, fuel does not tend to
>>> run
>>> to the low end of the tank where the gas cap is, out thru the cap onto
>>> the
>>> wings and into the environment.
>>>
>>> Assuming your tail wheel casters, then the little trailer can be turned
>>> 360 degrees for maneuvering.
>>>
>>> I rotate the trailer tongue to the side or ahead once the rig is in the
>>> garage and so no need bothering to disconnect the plane from the
>>> trailer
>>> for storage.
>>>
>>> (In fact for over a decade we have pulled the plane into an enclosed
>>> "car"
>>> trailer using the little tail wheel trailer and taken the rig from the
>>> Florida Keys, to Maine, to the Pacific coast behind our RV, having a
>>> HOOT
>>> flying low and slow in spectacular scenery, as we travel across the
>>> country thru national parks, sea shores and fascinating flying
>>> locations
>>> all over the country. Forums on this will be presented at Air Venture
>>> near
>>> Red Barn Thursday 2:30 and Friday at 4:00, nothing to sell just sharing
>>> fun flying as a Southernmost EAA Chapter 1241 Marathon, Florida Keys
>>> member.)
>>>
>>> By the way, the little trailer has relatively large tires compared to
>>> the
>>> typical tail wheel tire so moving the plane on soft surfaces, over
>>> small
>>> roots and rocks, across irregular concrete surfaces, etc. is easier
>>> than
>>> with the plane down on its tail wheel.
>>>
>>> An 18 inch piece of all thread replacing the rear bolt attaching the
>>> hitch
>>> coupler to the trailer tongue makes a convenient handle for moving the
>>> plane and trailer by hand.
>>>
>>> Pictures of all this and the rest of the story at OSH if you are
>>> interested.
>>>
>>> BJ
>>> Kitfox IV, 912, Warp Drive
>>> wings off for recover
>>> bjones@dmv.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> > The attach points on the fuselage should extend out past the fabric
>>> about
>>> > 3/8" and should not allow the tow bar to come in contact with the
>>> fabric
>>> > when attached.
>>> >
>>> > Andy F
>>> >
>>> > Sent from my iPhone
>>> >
>>> >> On Jun 24, 2016, at 12:02 PM, TURBO T <turbot@shaw.ca> wrote:
>>> >>
>>> >> Im building a tow bar for a KF2
>>> >>
>>> >> Should the brackets fit tight against the fuselage or have a gap &
>>> let
>>> >> the cross rods take the load ?
>>> >>
>>> >> Am worried about the side mounts wearing the fabric.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Thanks
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> > ==========================
>>> > _=============sp; - List Contribution Web Site nbsp;
>>> &=====================
>>
>
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