---------------------------------------------------------- Kitfox-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Mon 06/27/16: 1 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 12:01 PM - Re: Tow bar alterantive & Kitfox flying adventures (bjones@dmv.com) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 12:01:29 PM PST US Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Tow bar alterantive & Kitfox flying adventures From: bjones@dmv.com Guys, Per the request for photos, This is a second attempt to send a (compressed) photo of our small tail wheel trailer used to tow our Kitfox between our houses and local public use airports. We also use this trailer to load and transport the plane within our large enclosed "car" trailer when we do our annual tours of the US by motor home with Kitfox. (Enormous Fun flying stick and rudder, down low within spectacular scenery all across our magnificent country!!) OK, back to the little tail wheel trailer. Note the bar thru the tongue of the small trailer. It used as a handle to move the plane and trailer as a unit. The triangular grey plywood stand under the attach point of the tail wheel spring to the fuselage, supports the tail and takes some load from folded wings off of the tail wheel spring while towing the plane on its main gear down the local public roads and while towing the plane cross country inside the enclosed trailer. Of course when I move the rig by hand I naturally lift the small trailer's tongue much like in the photo, which disengages the grey wood support and allows 360 degree turning of the tail wheel trailer if desired to move the plane into tight spots, in a garage for instance. Note there is a strap over the tail wheel to stop it from hopping up and potentially rolling off of the flat bed. The grey wood support folds down and out of the way if desired. A set of 4 X 4 chocks, and another chock system that allows me to raise a wing on a ramp are kept on the trailer as well as fire extinguisher, tie down ropes and a heavier rope used to tie the plane to the enclosed trailer to warm the Rotax 912 prior to departure. Lastly, the turtle deck is on a foam pad on the trailer, covered with a towel and held in place with a bungee, so it is always with the plane and not inadvertently left in the garage. This also helps keep the turtle deck from being banged around in the pickup and garage during movement and storage. Obviously There are many ways to move a Kitfox on the road, this is just one more. If the photo goes thru I may try to share a few more from our touring with the Kitfox and little motorhome. BJ Kitfox IV, 912, Warp Drive Love pictures too. > > Pete > >> On Jun 25, 2016, at 6:55 AM, dwight PURDY 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 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; >> &===================== > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message kitfox-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/Kitfox-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/kitfox-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/kitfox-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.