In a message dated 2/19/2003 4:30:26 PM Eastern Standard Time,
Randerson@skewstacks.freeserve.co.uk writes:
> The supplied rubber wing support slings mark the paintwork and crack with
> age. I have replaced these with polypropylene straps of a similar width,
> covered leatherette cuffs (soft side out). These are better than the rubber
> straps but I would welcome suggestions for a better solution.
While I'm a long way from needing a trailer, I have been giving it some
thought. My plan is to use a commercially available covered trailer. (For
those on this side of the pond think Wells Cargo, Haulmark, Pace, etc.)
Drawing from sailplane trailer technology, I'm planning to fabricate two
"dollies" that will run in tracks along the outer side walls from the front
to the rear of the trailer. These dollies will be made out of 1" square steel
and will use roller blade wheels set in aluminum "C" channel mounted to the
floor. The spar tangs of the wings will pin into the the dolly, LE down, and
support one end of the wing. When de-rigged, the wings will easily roll into
the trailer and the opposite end of the wing will fit into a padded saddle
secured to the side wall and floor. Once the wings are in, the fuselage will
roll in between the wings and will secure to the floor with straps. Rigging
would be the opposite, rolling out the fuselage first, then each wing in
turn.
This sort of arrangement has been used on sailplane trailers for decades and
works very well. Sailplane guys who have trailers rigged like this generally
don't take more than 10 minutes to rig/de-rig. A tri-pod wing stand is used
to support the airplane when one wing is removed. The beauty of this type
trailer is they're commercially available, equipped with ramp type doors
hinged at the bottom, offer security from vandals and the weather and plenty
of storage for other goodies you might need (gas, oil, tools, etc). Only
minor modifications will be needed to make it work.
Comments?
John Lawton
Dunlap, TN
A-245
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