Airplane Haulers

[Chuck_Smith]

Last year I decided I needed a faster way to get out to fly.

Problem solved! I found this really nice trailer that's 8' long, and fits behind the SHO without needing extra mirrors. No longer is a truck required. Plus, everything fits in the garage and is ready to go on short notice.

[john e. holliday]

I would like a closed trailer, but city codes won't let me have on the property as I already have a trailer to haul the mower.  Used to have my Ford Explorer until the wife bought me this.  Can haul the planes and equipment I need to fly.  Also handy in hauling the wife, daughter, her husband, her two kids and another grand child.  Plus on the highway I don't get worn out driving it.

[Steve Helmick]

I've had motorcycle trailers and have a boat on a trailer, but out here, towing a trailer of any sort subjects us to truck speed limits, which is either 55 or 60, depending on what State. Can probably get away with 65 in WA and OR, but in CA, they seem to be fussier...maybe. I really enjoyed driving where there was no truck speed limit and everybody went 75. Trucks didn't cause a cluster that screwed up everybody else, like they do here. Most especially on weekends, when the weigh stations are closed, and the trucks come out in force with overweight loads and multiple logbooks.  Steve

PS: For a short haul to the flying field, it sounds ok...

[Howard Rush]

Or just use a Prius:

[John Rist]

Back when I was going to scale contests I used a converted Coleman  pop up camper as a trailer.  I found the trailer, in bad shape, on Creg's list for $500.  The only thing I made sure worked was the roof air-conditioner and the Porta Potty..   I gutted it and sold the stove, frig, shower-tub, and all of the cabinets on Creg's list for $150.  As part of the gutting I had removed the pullout beds.  This left a big flap of canvas on each end.  I had an upholstery shop remove the excess canvas creating a rectangle shaped room. I left intact the 115 volt fuse panel along with the 12 Vdc converter.  I bought new wheel hubs with new baring and new tires.  Total cost after sale of guts and improvements was still $500.  I have a 3KVA generator so I could pull into a contest and have an air condition work shop with lights, 12 VDC for charger and 115 VAC  for soldering iron drill press etc.  And don't forget the the Porta Potty (wife hates the public out house at a contest).  The other advantage is with the top down the rig towed like a charm hurting the gas millage very little.  I no longer have the rig.  When I decided to stop going to scale contest I sold the rig on Creg's list for GUESS WHAT ---- $500.  Doesn't get any better than this.   By the way I started out with a trailer much like the one pictured in the first post of this thread.  Had some $3,000.00 invested in it.  It was great but it killed the gas millage and it got stolen out of my driveway at  2 am one night.  Recovered some of the loss from insurance and used that money to finance the Coleman.

[Bill Morell]

 Trucks didn't cause a cluster that screwed up everybody else, like they do here. Most especially on weekends, when the weigh stations are closed, and the trucks come out in force with overweight loads and multiple logbooks.   Steve

A comment on the "multiple logbooks" that is so far out of date that it is truly very funny. Most all of us are now on Electronic logs. 

[Steve Helmick]

That's interesting, Bill. How does the electronic logbook get read on weekends when the weigh stations are closed and all the heavy trucks hit the road? That's how it works up here, at least. The single speed limit seems to work nicely, tho I might be happier with 70 than 75mph.

No, Howard. I'd much rather have a Hated Honda.  Steve 

[TigreST]

For all those that use a trailer here's a rather interesting video demonstration of what proper tongue weight can do for you. :

https://www.reddit.com/r/Trackdays/comments/55v9mk/friendly_reminder_when_packing_the_trailer_from/?st=ixgcuhva&sh=4dda88db

[Steve Helmick]

Thanks, Tony! I wish the guy had let things proceed without intervention. 

I've towed many miles, and only once did I have any trouble with fishtailing. I was driving down the steep hill from Quincy into Wenatchee and the boat/trailer started zigging around. I mashed on the gas, got it straight, and then worked on getting it slowed down. I hadn't braked to set off the fishtailing, but I knew what to do to stop it. It certainly did get my attention.     Steve

[TigreST]

Your welcome Steve.  I run a motorcycle haul trailer (small space frame thing) and have not had the privilege of such an event as yet.  The design (axle placement) has a lot to do with keeping weight on the tongue.  I have known for some time that tongue weight is required, but had no real idea just how critical.

   The linked video shows a race car that was once a high performance street car known to me locally.  On a Sunday afternoon Tom drove the car to the track and then mounted his slicks and put some passes on it. I think he broke the driveshaft so had to tow it or trailer it home. His warmed over small block chevy worked extremely well.  Somebody offered up his trailer. The nose of the Camaro was very close to the road due to a lowered suspension. To go front first on to the trail would require the front spoiler of the machine to be dragged up the ramps most likely trashing the spoiler and nose of the car. So they pulled it up backward with the trailers winch.  The engine and transmission were now aft of the trailer axles. This reduced the tongue weight at the hitch. About 50km's from home the trailer steered the tow vehicle, a Chevy Suburban, into the ditch and the Camaro landed on it's roof. Repairs were made but it was a shame they had to go there in the first place.  The car went from the dealership in 1984 to Toms garage and straight into performance upgrades. 



a later pass here:

[Doug Moisuk]

I would like a closed trailer, but city codes won't let me have on the property as I already have a trailer to haul the mower.  Used to have my Ford Explorer until the wife bought me this.  Can haul the planes and equipment I need to fly.  Also handy in hauling the wife, daughter, her husband, her two kids and another grand child.  Plus on the highway I don't get worn out driving it.

I miss my Suberban. By the way does your wife have a sister. LOL

[Norm Furutani]

If you have a place to store it, an enclosed trailer is a nice way to go. You can leave your support gear, pop-up, table, chairs etc. in it. Fuel doesn't stink up the car. At a contest, you have a place to set your plane, out of the sun, rain wind. My use is primarily for FF contests so the chase bike is stored in it, not taking space in my shop. Many trips down I-5 to Lost Hills, you run at 63mph (posted 55 for trailers) or the trucks will run over you!

Norm

[RknRusty]

I wanted a Dodge Magnum, but they quit making them. I thought those were cool looking utility vehicles.
I always detested SUVs, but it fit the bill and I got Hyundai Santa Fe. All of the planes I fly will stand straight up on their nose, with the first-in leaning against the rear seat-back. If I stand them on the back seat, the seatbelts can be re-routed around the headrests and used as gentle wing restraints for several planes separated by towels. There is also a large hidden compartment in the rear that will hold two bag chairs and numerous other gear. And it has a 300hp V6 and all the useful tech stuff like Bluetooth so I don't have to pull my phone out of my pocket to talk, navigate, or listen to music.

Now I'm sure the Magnum would not have been nearly as easy to pack and go.
Rusty

[john e. holliday]

For all those that use a trailer here's a rather interesting video demonstration of what proper tongue weight can do for you. :

https://www.reddit.com/r/Trackdays/comments/55v9mk/friendly_reminder_when_packing_the_trailer_from/?st=ixgcuhva&sh=4dda88db

 

Nothing like having experience pulling a trailer.  When Dave and I were hauling the railroad ties I had one load that didn't placed far enough forward on the trailer.  At 60 mph I could feel the old Suburban starting to get fishy.  At 55 it was okay.  With the load far enough forward I could rive the posted 65 mph with no problems.  Coming home from work one Sunday morning I was behind a race car set up trailer.  As he was rounding the curve on Southbound I-35 I could sense he was going to have a pro so I hit my flashers and started slowing down.  Good thing I did as he almost jack knifed before getting slow enough to get back under control.  He pulled over to far right lane and was driving slower.  He waved as I finally passed him and turned off my flashers.  I guess he made it home okay as I seen nothing on the news.   Also low tire pressure will cause problems also with a trailer.  Plus having a trailer tire blow out as Melvin and I learned on the way home from the NATS one year.  Make sure you have a spare for that rig.

[EddyR]

My explorer only goes to the local field as it has 4:10 axel.  I drive the mustang to contest. Last year my Bearcat went on a 5,000 trip on the back seat and I never got to fly it. I stopped in Dallas and no one showed up at field.

[TigreST]

 

Nothing like having experience pulling a trailer.  When Dave and I were hauling the railroad ties I had one load that didn't placed far enough forward on the trailer.  At 60 mph I could feel the old Suburban starting to get fishy.  At 55 it was okay.  With the load far enough forward I could rive the posted 65 mph with no problems.  Coming home from work one Sunday morning I was behind a race car set up trailer.  As he was rounding the curve on Southbound I-35 I could sense he was going to have a pro so I hit my flashers and started slowing down.  Good thing I did as he almost jack knifed before getting slow enough to get back under control.  He pulled over to far right lane and was driving slower.  He waved as I finally passed him and turned off my flashers.  I guess he made it home okay as I seen nothing on the news.   Also low tire pressure will cause problems also with a trailer.  Plus having a trailer tire blow out as Melvin and I learned on the way home from the NATS one year.  Make sure you have a spare for that rig.

Agree big time John re: Tire pressure.  I carry a complete set of spares (x2) and also have a bearing replacement kit that should (I hope) allow for a road side bearing change out if required.  Back to tires: Key is keeping the pressure up at the required pressure.  My tires run at 60 to75psi for my motorcycle hauler...which seems like a lot, but not when you keep in mind that it's the air that keeps the tire cool. To many times I've seen camper and boat trailers with blown tires on the side of the interstate.  It's never happened to me though.  Secondly, Bearings.  I also check the bearing temps at fuel and lunch stops to check for issues.  Again never had a problem.  That said, as my trailer in recent years has seen limited use I thought that it was in good repair bearing wise.  Not so!  Prior to a run to Pigeon Forge a year or more ago I did the "look see" prevenitive check of the bearings.  Wow, glad I did.  My tow rig is pictured below.

[Fred Cronenwett]

found this video