Kitfox Enclosed Trailer

[chipper2128]

First, I'm new to posting on the forum, although I have been reading for a while now. I have been considering a Kitfox for about 8 months now after attending the Labor Day Fly-In last September. The primary attraction of the Kitfox for me is the folding wings and the option to trailer the airplane home when needed. I would need to keep the airplane in a trailer at or near the airport since hanger rents have gone so high around here that I could either pay the hanger rent or fly, but not both.

My concerns center around what size trailer does one need to routinely move a Kitfox (5 or 7) in and out. I have seen one set up on a Kitfox 5 that used a custom made trailer that had about 2 inches clearance from the folded wing leading edge, but the trailer itself was about 112 inches wide which exceeds the allowable trailer width in most states by about 10 inches.

I have seen pictures of some other trailers on the web that looked like they had little to no clearance on the sides. I can't imagine scratching up the wings every time you move it in and out?

I would sure like to hear from anyone who has an enclosed trailer and keeps it at an airport to "hanger" his Kitfox. I read about one member who got a custom Low-Tow trailer, but the pictures on the website sure look like a tight fit.

Is there something I am overlooking here? I may be able to find some hanger space to rent with the wings folded and avoid all this, but I sure can't count on that now.

Thanks for your insights.

Mike

[SkyPirate]

Hi Mike,..
I have often wondered about the wings rubbing on an enclosed trailer too,..but ,,there is one thing ,..most states will let you haul a load up to 10 feet wide ..with out a permit,.or an escort,..the limit might be...in some states ..daylight hours only for transport,and some states do not allow any over size load to be hauled on week ends..or holidays.
the load must be placarded..with "WIDE LOAD" so if you did build a custom trailer wider then the allowed 102 inch,.following those guidlines you might be ok,.. first I would check with DOT in your state,.ask them how to contact the permit office for oversize loads and limits,..they can answer the question best for your state,
what I have said here is generalized ,..I have only transported over sized loads from Maine to florida and from the east coast states as far west as Indiana , luoisiana.
I havent hauled any in Colorado .

I have seen trailers for sale on the kitfox web site as well,..you might want to contact John at kitfox to see if he might be able to help you.

hope this info helps you out


Chase

[chipper2128]

Chase,

Thanks for your reply. A friend here in the trucking business also mentioned the oversized load option and I will check that out with CDOT. He thought a permit was required.


Thanks
Mike

[SkyPirate]

just a precaution,..don't tell them your hauling an airplane ,..I can imagine the person on the other end of the phone call picturing a 747 ha ha ha ha

actually most people do not know the wings can fold back on some aircraft,..so the picture an airplane on a trailer,..wings out .etc..

[vetdrem]

I use an enclosed trailer to haul my kitfox and haven't had any trouble with rubbing the sides. My trailer is 8'6" wide, legal in all states, and works great as a hanger when parked in a tiedown spot (I did exactly that for a winter in Florida. They charged me $30/month for the spot)

I put straps over the wheels to hold the mains and support the tail with a stantion that I made. That keeps the plane from moving around, but I was also concerned about the fuselage swaying as the trailer bounced. I attached eyebolts to the trailer floor under the planes forward float fittings and use ratchet straps to go from the float fittings to the eyebolts. That stops "body sway" and makes it impossible for the wings to bump the sides of the trailer.

I have about 3000 miles on it with NO RUBS.

[SkyPirate]

sounds good to me ,..3000 miles of michigan roads ...thats a test in itself

[QreusJorj]

actually most people do not know the wings can fold back on some aircraft,..so the picture an airplane on a trailer,..wings out .etc..

That would certainly make the load of the trailer lighter.

[Paul Z]

Here is a Trailer Supplier that builds trailers specifically for Airplanes. My previous airplane a Series 7 SS fit in one.

[Flybyjim]

Will a nose gear 7 fit into a trailer, seems the height of the rudder would be a problem. I guess one could order a higher trailer.

[Gawilkie]

When the wings fold on a nose wheel KF the weight shifts to the rear and the tail comes down ( sometimes sharply, don't ask how I know). A support of some sort should be used. I built a four wheeled cart with a bungee support system, the cart worked well in the shop on a smooth floor but not well on other surfaces. The best design I have seen is a stand with a single fully rotating wheel. It is possible to build the stand at a height that puts the top of the tail lower than front of the fuselage, be very maneuverable and fit into a similar trailer as a tail wheel model..