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Will that make it up the mountain at Cumberland?
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Kevin K
Kremer Aerotowing Team -
Back on a serious note...I have a full-size (8' bed) pickup truck with a cab level bed cap. The floor width between the wheel wells is 4' 1" and 5' 7" in front and behind the wheel wells. The interior bed is 8' 1" long and the distance floor to ceiling is 3' 4". With this amount of space, I am able to carry two TopModel Pilatus Porter tow planes. Wings stored in box under fuselage and stab placed beside the fuselage on the bed side. Fuel containers, tool box, and transmitter case fit between the planes.
One option would be to just get a truck for now and add a trailer later as your fleet grows.
A Site for Soar EyesComment
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I was also able to carry the Porter and the H9 Decathlon (with its tail feathers attached) by making a wing rack that stored the wings above the planes.
By removing the horizontal stab & elevators, I was able to fit a Bidule 111 kit in between the Porter and Decathlon for the ride home from Delaware this summer!
Although I do not have a picture, I was able to easily carry my 4.7M ASW 20 and H9 Decathlon side-by-side in the truck...just say'n...you might not need a trailer yet. Maybe another vehicle is the better choice for now. A pickup truck is a great asset for a homeowner too!A Site for Soar EyesComment
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I think Jim has a great point. For me, what drove the trailer purchase was fuselage length. The Ventus fits in a minivan with no problem, even when packed with a H9 Pawnee. When the Antares and Arcus came into the hanger then I needed to transport 9+ feet of fuselage, hence the 10 foot trailer. Wonders can be done with PVC pipe and fittings.Comment
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Exactly...exceeding 8' is what made my decision to go to a trailer. The 1/3-scale Schweizer 2-33 and the Bidule 170 are both longer than 8' ...plus, having a combination of sailplanes and tow planes and wanting to bring all of them to the field necessitated a bigger transporting space.A Site for Soar EyesComment
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Those are valid points, however the downside of a truck vs a trailer is you're always packing and unpacking each time you go flying, leading to more opportunity for hangar rash. Even thought our planes break down into reasonable size assemblies, they're still heavy and somewhat fragile..With a trailer, once at an event the trailer gets locked up and left on location, not dragging all the planes to every restaurant and hotel you go to. Having a thief break a truck is always a fear, ( ask me how I know ). Unless you opt for a REALLY long truck, you're forced to settle for a standard cab, meaning only two people can fit in the front with no inside storage available.
If you drive a long way on a regular basis mpg may be an issue vs an econo-car .
With a trailer, you can outfit the box to hold extra parts and tools, which you will need at some point. The thought if having to load and unload all that stuff makes my head spin. Once those parts are fitted into the trailer, you're good for the season.
Ultimately it comes down to needs and affordability. If you can deal with a couple thousand dollars for a small trailer, its the way to go. If you need a truck in you're life as Jim suggests, that's an excellent intermediate solution..
Whichever way you choose, keep us posted!
LenLen Buffinton
Team Horizon HobbyComment
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My decision to get a trailer was based on fuselage width not length. My Sprinter Van has plenty of length, but when I first tried to pack the Carbon Cub in the van with other models, I found something I had not counted on....the stabilizer is 51 inches wide!! What a pain to get in and out with other models present. I could of course remove the tail surfaces, but that would add a lot of time to set up and take down of the Carbon Cub. I planned to order a custom trailer, just for the Carbon Cub....and all of it's ground support equipment, but found a used trailer that was custom built just for models. Mine is a 6x10 V nose that is short enough to fit through my 7 foot garage door. The trailer has really simplified getting the Carbon Cub in the air....I have a padded shelf that holds the wings, without having to collapse or remove the struts....all I do now is roll out the fuselage ...on it's foldable ramp, slide on the wings and attach 8 bolts, fuel and fly.
PeteLast edited by Xroadie; 11-12-2015, 04:18 PM.Comment
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After all the feedback, both helpful and amusing, I think I've settled on what I'm going to get.
Light, low profile, big enough to hold all the airplanes I want to bring. Dealer can have one for me in 4 to 6 weeks. Plenty of time to be ready for Cumberland!
KevinKevin K
Kremer Aerotowing TeamComment
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NICE !!!!!!Len Buffinton
Team Horizon HobbyComment
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hey trailer looks good, and many great points about choices. One day I too may finally advance from mini van to small trailer...we shall see!.....good info to keep in mind...
Len, you say...."With a trailer, once at an event the trailer gets locked up and left on location, not dragging all the planes to every restaurant and hotel you go to."......should really read...
"With a trailer, once at an event the trailer gets locked up and left on location, not dragging all the planes to every restaurant, hotel and Dairy Queen you go to.".
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LOL,,
TrueLen Buffinton
Team Horizon HobbyComment
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Spy shot of the newest trailer owner just after taking possession. Nice 5x10 aluminum frame box trailer!
A Site for Soar EyesComment
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Humm. That is what Mr. Morrow needs.Team PowerBox Systems Americas... If flying were the language of men, soaring would be its poetry.Comment
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Originally posted by JimD View PostSpy shot of the newest trailer owner just after taking possession. Nice 5x10 aluminum frame box trailer!
So what are you doing at the trailer place Jim, upgrading already
Jeremy and Ben
SCC
AAA TT TN
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As Jim already mentioned, I went down and picked up my trailer yesterday! Jim was right, the guys at the Trailer Superstore are awesome. Took about 20 minutes from when I walked in until my trailer was hooked up and ready to go. Brought the trailer home without any issues, really happy with it.
And Jeremy, Jim was there adding a little (Ok, not so little) surprise to my trailer... Check out the photos.
Kevin K
Kremer Aerotowing TeamComment
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