My son Sam designed and makes some "lift rods".
Winds the ramp up on turnbuckles which is much more civilised that the
standard heave-ho knees in the mud etc.
If anyone is interested please email Sam at wilksch@tesco.net.
He will send a jpeg or two.
Couldn't help ourselves, we just had to become a trailer modifier!
hopefully not too bigger distraction from the engine.
Regards........MARK WILKSCH
-----Original Message-----
From: Jamesmcdia@aol.com <Jamesmcdia@aol.com>
Date: Thursday, August 03, 2000 04:09
Subject: Getting it on the trailer
>Dear Martin,
>
> The trailer is far from perfect in its factory supplied form. There are
>several modifications which make life easier and less work. You may have
done
>some of these already so forgive me if I am preaching to the converted:
>
> 1 Lower the mudguards on the trailer wheels as far as you can (approx
>5cm) - this will avoid the flaps scraping over them when loading/unloading
>your pride and joy.
>
> 2 Fit a winch to the towbar end - this helps to avoid drama in the
last
>few inches and stops the plane rolling off when you are struggling to put
pip
>pins through holes.
>
> 3 Fit the two factory supplied plates to the tailwheel groove so that
>the cross bolt that the tailwheel rotates around becomes locked in place
and
>can't spring out when you go over a bump.
>
> 4 Develop your own logical order for dismantling the aircraft.
___
>___________________________________________________
>
>This is how we do it with G-BWRO (using 2 people minimum - never one)
again,
>forgive me if you have figured all of this out:
>
> 1 align A/C to trailer and remove tailwheel speed kit spat (spat
>removal takes about 2 minutes - you need to get rudder cables off and take
>out cross bolt allowing tailwheel to drop out then put it all back together
>again).
>
> 2 remove tailplanes (putting them on some nearby soft surface - not
the
>trailer yet as they get in the way of the winch)
>
> 3 one person lifts the tailwheel onto the groove and attaches the
winch
>to it.
>
> 4 first person winches - second holds wings level (by one wingtip)
>until flaps are over dreaded mudguards, transponder aerial is clear of
>trailer and nosewheel is about to ascend ramp.
>
> 5 time to put something under the outriggers temporarily to level the
>plane and heave the trailer (not the aircraft) laterally so that the
>monowheel is perfectly aligned with the ramp.
>
> 6 first person cranks the winch like hell and the second holds the
>wings level hanging on to one wingtip.
>
> 7 when the plane has gone as far back as it can and the ratchet on
the
>winch is holding it securely the winchman goes to the front, lies down and
>pushes up the ramp with his feet. The wingman then rocks the wings down in
>one direction and then the other in order to allow the pip pins to be
slotted
>in one at a time. Lots of cursing usually occurs here.
>
> 8 dust yourself off and put some more props under the outrigger
wheels
>(toolbox and fuel can in my case) and slide the wings off one at a time. I
>put extra padding in the grooves provided for the leading edges on the
>trailer to avoid chafing.
>
> 9 realise that you have left your car keys/wallet/grrlfriend inside
the
>aircraft and struggle to open the doors with the wing in its cradle. Also
>apply a rudder "lock" to avoid it flapping about in the breeze
>
> 10 drama over - go to the pub on the way home and have a self
>congratulatory beer
>
> Be careful when stepping over the trailer metalwork - it seems to have
>been specially sharpened allowing ones legs to be very easily lacerated. I
>also drive like a geriatric with the plane on the back - I try to avoid
>trailering it at all as I am convinced that potholes in the road are far
>worse for the avionics than any turbulence I have ever encountered. Also -
>even if you do become a dab hand at rigging and derigging it is still a
>tremendous pain in the backside to do and I would recommend only doing it
>when absolutely necessary - i:e for servicing in the comfort of your garage
>etc... and being pretty selective about who you choose to help you do it.
>
> Hope this is of use to you,
>
> Cheers
>
> James McDiarmid G-BWRO
>
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