KF4-1200 is Mine! My NEW Plane! -to me-

[avidflyer]

I hauled one Avid 550 miles, and another about 300. To keep the prop from turning, I ran a rope from the center of the prop, made a half-hitch close to the end of the prop, and then tied the end of the rope to the trailer. I did rap some electricians tape around the half-hitch to keep it in place. When the prop tries to turn as you drive, it will tighten up the rope. Don't, know if it was mentioned, but it's really hard on the tail spring to trailer the plane with it setting on the tailwheel. Better to support the fuselage on the hitch connector tube that goes through the fuselage. Jim Chuk

[Slyfox]

Nice looking plane. I don't understand the two header tanks. most foxes have only one.

[rdooley79]

The two header tanks is the original builders solution to a mistake made building the plane. Unfortunately it only has a right wing tank that holds 13 gallons. The left wing has a storage locker and no tank. As you know a 582 will burn about 5gph and this limits the planes endurance. So the second header was added....

Ya not the way it's going to be for long. From the forums here and on avidfoxflyers.com a spun aluminum tank about 12 gallons mounted behind the seats is reported as a good option without installing a tank in the left wing. Honestly I kind of like adding the bigger header tank and keeping the storage in the left wing. This will give me good storage with a large fuel capability. Shoot. I can just fill up the header tank and have enough fuel for a quick 45 minute flight around the patch with good performance or fill it all the way up and go cross country. The wing locker could potentially hold a 5 gallon fuel bladder to add a splash of gas at the destination then roll it up when empty.

Down the road the plan is to install a Rotax 670 from Rotax Rick. He builds nice engines and for this plane is the best option. Please don't turn this thread in to an engine debate, it's a beaten topic :-) But ya the 670 is the next engine.
It will use about the same gas as a 912, making the fuel quantity on board with a 12 gallon header tank + 13 gallon wing tank = 25 gallon / 4gph = 6.1 hours of fuel! conservatively that calculates out as 80mph * 5hrs = 400mile with reserve!

The plane is currently airworthy with a current condition inspection. My plan after getting it back home is to go through the plane to learn every detail. Once I'm comfortable with it then have my A&P buddy check it out for a second opinion and to also show off my new plane Hopefully we don't find anything or if we do it's easily remedied. Then fly it! Get a bunch of hours while it's still cold out. Once it heats up, swap the engine out for more hp. The fuel tank will get swapped out sooner than later more than likely but it's not necessary to get some hours in her.

MY NEW PLANE!!!!! wooohooo!!!!!

[Slyfox]

I will not make any more comments on the 912. I did you a pm and just mentioned, a better engine. your choice is your choice. I like your plane, she looks real nice. Now I understand the second tank. Have fun with er and fly safe. My advice after you have everything put in with the new engine would be to weigh the airplane so you know what you have.

[rdooley79]

I hauled one Avid 550 miles, and another about 300. To keep the prop from turning, I ran a rope from the center of the prop, made a half-hitch close to the end of the prop, and then tied the end of the rope to the trailer. I did rap some electricians tape around the half-hitch to keep it in place. When the prop tries to turn as you drive, it will tighten up the rope. Don't, know if it was mentioned, but it's really hard on the tail spring to trailer the plane with it setting on the tailwheel. Better to support the fuselage on the hitch connector tube that goes through the fuselage. Jim Chuk

This is my main concern to get it back undamaged. The trailer is built from a jet ski trailer with the plane facing backwards (prop facing away from the truck). the guy says that the trailer is built well for the plane but who knows if that means it'll ride well for 1500 miles. I've got some awesome tire straps that work well for my other plane. How have people loaded Kitfoxes on car trailers and supported the tail well? If I need to make a brace out of 2x4's to mount to the tail hard points, I will! What has worked well for others?

[Av8r3400]

Bee in your bonnet, rdooley79-- Replacing or re-arching a sagged tailwheel spring is much easier than repairing bent tubes in the fuselage. Another member here had tubing damage after an extended trip with the tail rigidly attached to the trailer.

[avidflyer]

Here are a couple of pics of Avids and the trailers I used to haul them home. I said in an earlier message that I hauled one Avid 300 and another one 550 miles. I forgot to mention this yellow one that I hauled 450 miles as well. Any way, the tails were supported in all three of those cases. And using the tubing that was put there to attach a trailering hitch to. If I'm thinking of the same damaged Kitfox that was mentioned in the last post, my memory is that it was tied down in such a way that maybe the bouncing and flexing of the trailer is what damaged it. But then again, I've been wrong before... (one time I had thought I had made a mistake, and then found out I hadn't! LOL) Take care, Jim Chuk

[rdooley79]

This is a major concern. 1500 miles is a loooong way and a lot of little bumps.
O.k. so I found a lot of previous forum posts on this topic. It's not clear. I need to get some pics of the trailer to know if it's built to raise the tail or not. The plane is facing backwards I do know. Also the trailer is based on a jet ski trailer. According to the posts a lighter trailer is better anyways. The previous owner pulled it a couple hundred miles and said it went well.

I'm planning on bringing a spare tire as well as tools, screws, 2x4's, saw, foam, straps, a lot of straps, drill, bolts, eyebolts, bungee cords and a biiiig roll of plastic wrap. The plan is that I want to have everything to fabricate, cushion, seal and strap the plane for transport. The trick will be to secure it while allowing it to bump along on it's own suspension.

The pics above are great! You are lifting the tail and ridgidly mounting the tail with the hard points built in to the tail for the hitch. Some say that the tail should "bounce" or "float" with straps to keep it from shifting but still free to bump up and down. You have taken a different approach.

Why can't I just beam it here like star trek? that would be best.

I'd love to see some more pics if people have them.

[skyraidertom]

I have transported my single place skyraider to a grass strip 10 miles away over 150 times in the past 10 years using a 16' tandem axle utility trailer. The last mile of the trip is over a bumpy chuck hole lane. I secure the front tires to the trailer and the tail is supported rigidly under the point where the tail spring attaches to the fuselage. the tail spring is then tied down to the trailer with two nylon tie down straps. The plane is transported nose forward and in a level position. The wings,control surfaces and prop are secured independent of the trailer. I realize the kitfox may be different. But this set up has also worked well for me on longer trips at freeway speeds. Perhaps the tail section of the kitfox is designed differently and can't be transported as such.

[Jerrytex]

I'd recommend a roll or two of mover's wrap. It works great as you can put a mover's blanket down and then wrap it to keep it in place on areas that will get road debris. You can pretty much wrap the entire plane and make it water proof. Tape the ends with masking tape or it will unwrap in the wind. Uhaul has all different sizes.