Hauling airplane

[hjim]

I'm looking at a Kitfox airplane. The wings fold for tranporting. Total
lenght is 22' width 6' 11". Total weight 650#s. The plane is in San
Diego going to Wisconsin. Has anyone ever hire a trucking company to
move a airplane?
Thanks, JR

[Margy Natalie]

We had the wings removed from ours and put on a trailer. We hooked the
trailer up to the Suburban and drove that sucker from VA to NE. It was a
LOOOONG drive (but we did get to stay in the Wright Brothers suite at the
Alexis Park Inn which was nice, but would have been nicer if it hadn't been
January!).

Margy

hjim wrote:

> I'm looking at a Kitfox airplane. The wings fold for tranporting. Total
> lenght is 22' width 6' 11". Total weight 650#s. The plane is in San
> Diego going to Wisconsin. Has anyone ever hire a trucking company to
> move a airplane?
> Thanks, JR

[Jay Honeck]

> We had the wings removed from ours and put on a trailer. We hooked the
> trailer up to the Suburban and drove that sucker from VA to NE. It was a
> LOOOONG drive (but we did get to stay in the Wright Brothers suite at the
> Alexis Park Inn which was nice, but would have been nicer if it hadn't
> been
> January!).

Yeah, you guys gotta come when it's like today instead. 35 degree rain!

Better yet, make it a summer trip. Is the plane done yet?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jack Allison]

> Is the plane done yet?

I've been wondering the same thing Jay. Just tonight in fact. A
conversation with my wife went along the lines of: if I wind up in a
partnership on a '67 Arrow that would qualify me for vintage camping at
Oshkosh...vintage is where Ron and Margie hang out...Ron and Margie are
the ones that hauled their Navion all over creation...I wonder if it's
done yet? Then I read this post. Funny.

So, Ron and Margie...inquiring minds in Iowa and California want to know
what's the status of the plane?

--
Jack Allison
PP-ASEL, IA Student, airplane partnership student

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the Earth
with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there
you will always long to return"
- Leonardo Da Vinci

(Remove the obvious from address to reply via e-mail)

[[email protected]]

hjim wrote:
> I'm looking at a Kitfox airplane. The wings fold for tranporting.
Total
> lenght is 22' width 6' 11". Total weight 650#s. The plane is in San
> Diego going to Wisconsin. Has anyone ever hire a trucking company to
> move a airplane?


If you have experience hauling trailers, it's a heck of a lot cheaper
to buy a 22' flat bed trailer and do it your self. Then sell the
trailer when you are done. A Kitfox is large enough that it will take
up half a commercial trailer minimum and will require special handling
to load and secure properly to prevent any damage. Expect to pay
somewhere north of $4k to have it done right.

As a data point, I have a friend that is a hot-shoter and has
experience carrying outsized and exotic cargo. He quoted me a cut rate
of about $4k to move my Aero Commander from Phoenix to Fort Worth, and
that depends on what he can get for a haul to Phoenix going to get my
load.

A couple of my partners and I have hauled project aircraft all over the
southern US and it's not a big deal, just take the time to do it right.
Craig C.

[[email protected]]

This wouldn't apply to anything other than very local
transport, but there is a guy where I live that tows
his kitfox to and from the airport on it's own wheels.
The tires are extra large, and he made an adapter to
attach the rear of the fuselage to his trailer hitch.
Seems to work just fine - and his cost of using the
airport is zero.

As recommended by another poster, I'd recommend buying
a suitable trailer (new) near the pickup point, then
selling it after the move is over. Of course you could
always keep the trailer and use it to transport the
plane to and from the airport as well. Not a bad idea
if you have a barn or shed to store it in.

David Johnson

[G.R. Patterson III]

wrote:
>
> If you have experience hauling trailers, it's a heck of a lot cheaper
> to buy a 22' flat bed trailer and do it your self.

You'll probably also need to buy the tow vehicle. You won't haul that behind an
Escort, for example.

George Patterson
The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.

[Matt Barrow]

"G.R. Patterson III" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> wrote:
> >
> > If you have experience hauling trailers, it's a heck of a lot cheaper
> > to buy a 22' flat bed trailer and do it your self.
>
> You'll probably also need to buy the tow vehicle. You won't haul that
behind an
> Escort, for example.

True, but there's a guy who regularly hauls a Bell 206 B3 around on trailer
behind a Ford F-350 rather than flying it 1000 miles back and forth.


--
Matt
---------------------
Matthew W. Barrow
Site-Fill Homes, LLC.
Montrose, CO

[Margy Natalie]

Ok, the current story with the plane. Last we spoke to the mechanic
(father/son shop) we were waiting for an acutator for the left gear and a 337
(can't fly without the paperwork) and dad is in the hospital seriously
(fatally?) ill. We aren't the type to call and bug in this situation (which
probably means the other 4 planes in the shop are being worked on and ours
isn't). It will be ready, when it's ready.

Margy

Jay Honeck wrote:

> > We had the wings removed from ours and put on a trailer. We hooked the
> > trailer up to the Suburban and drove that sucker from VA to NE. It was a
> > LOOOONG drive (but we did get to stay in the Wright Brothers suite at the
> > Alexis Park Inn which was nice, but would have been nicer if it hadn't
> > been
> > January!).
>
> Yeah, you guys gotta come when it's like today instead. 35 degree rain!
>
> Better yet, make it a summer trip. Is the plane done yet?
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck]

> Ok, the current story with the plane. Last we spoke to the mechanic
> (father/son shop) we were waiting for an acutator for the left gear and a
> 337
> (can't fly without the paperwork) and dad is in the hospital seriously
> (fatally?) ill. We aren't the type to call and bug in this situation
> (which
> probably means the other 4 planes in the shop are being worked on and ours
> isn't). It will be ready, when it's ready.

Wow, that's an incredibly bad break -- sorry to hear it.

I hope you two are finding decent planes to rent in the meantime, just to
keep current?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[BTIZ]

for a KitFox?? just go rent a large UHaul... get plenty of ropes bracing etc
for the inside of the box container..

BT

"hjim" > wrote in message
...
> I'm looking at a Kitfox airplane. The wings fold for tranporting. Total
> lenght is 22' width 6' 11". Total weight 650#s. The plane is in San Diego
> going to Wisconsin. Has anyone ever hire a trucking company to move a
> airplane?
> Thanks, JR

[BTIZ]

that reminded me.. we had an Avid Flyer.. same as a KitFox out here for a
while.. the builder also set himself up a home made trailer.. the tail wheel
went out to the hitch of the trailer n a bar and was secured, and the wheels
rolled up to small pads just behind the main axle.. and he towed it out on
the trailer tires and not his aircraft tires.. the wings of course had a
brace that saddled over the fuselage, braced to the trailer frame for
support and were just folded back from the wing attach point.

BT

> wrote in message
ups.com...
> This wouldn't apply to anything other than very local
> transport, but there is a guy where I live that tows
> his kitfox to and from the airport on it's own wheels.
> The tires are extra large, and he made an adapter to
> attach the rear of the fuselage to his trailer hitch.
> Seems to work just fine - and his cost of using the
> airport is zero.
>
> As recommended by another poster, I'd recommend buying
> a suitable trailer (new) near the pickup point, then
> selling it after the move is over. Of course you could
> always keep the trailer and use it to transport the
> plane to and from the airport as well. Not a bad idea
> if you have a barn or shed to store it in.
>
> David Johnson
>

[Margy Natalie]

Well, Dad seems to be on the mend as he's back at work part-time!!! : - ) The
337 seems to have been sent to his house rather than the shop so they have that
in hand! The plane needs another test flight (which means good weather) and if
it passes, it's FINISHED! Then all we need is good enough weather to fly out
and back, VFR at the same time as Ron can get off from work and our friend the
Navion instructor can make it.

Margy

Jay Honeck wrote:

> > Ok, the current story with the plane. Last we spoke to the mechanic
> > (father/son shop) we were waiting for an acutator for the left gear and a
> > 337
> > (can't fly without the paperwork) and dad is in the hospital seriously
> > (fatally?) ill. We aren't the type to call and bug in this situation
> > (which
> > probably means the other 4 planes in the shop are being worked on and ours
> > isn't). It will be ready, when it's ready.
>
> Wow, that's an incredibly bad break -- sorry to hear it.
>
> I hope you two are finding decent planes to rent in the meantime, just to
> keep current?
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck]

> Well, Dad seems to be on the mend as he's back at work part-time!!! : - )
> The
> 337 seems to have been sent to his house rather than the shop so they have
> that
> in hand! The plane needs another test flight (which means good weather)
> and if
> it passes, it's FINISHED! Then all we need is good enough weather to fly
> out
> and back, VFR at the same time as Ron can get off from work and our friend
> the
> Navion instructor can make it.

Awesome! Great news!

If you don't stop in IOW for gas (and lunch), I'll find your plane at OSH
and, well, you know...

;-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Morgans]

"Margy Natalie" > wrote in message
...
> Well, Dad seems to be on the mend as he's back at work part-time!!! : - )
The
> 337 seems to have been sent to his house rather than the shop so they have
that
> in hand! The plane needs another test flight (which means good weather)
and if
> it passes, it's FINISHED! Then all we need is good enough weather to fly
out
> and back, VFR at the same time as Ron can get off from work and our friend
the
> Navion instructor can make it.
>
> Margy

So now, you'll be stepping up in the world, and parking down with the
warbirds, right? <g>

Great news! Keep us up to date!
--
Jim in NC

[Margy Natalie]

No, we shan't be parking with the warbirds. We LIKE it in Vintage. Besides we
lost the somewhat/sort-of, Navy looking paint job that got us taxied up there
once.

Margy

Morgans wrote:

> "Margy Natalie" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Well, Dad seems to be on the mend as he's back at work part-time!!! : - )
> The
> > 337 seems to have been sent to his house rather than the shop so they have
> that
> > in hand! The plane needs another test flight (which means good weather)
> and if
> > it passes, it's FINISHED! Then all we need is good enough weather to fly
> out
> > and back, VFR at the same time as Ron can get off from work and our friend
> the
> > Navion instructor can make it.
> >
> > Margy
>
> So now, you'll be stepping up in the world, and parking down with the
> warbirds, right? <g>
>
> Great news! Keep us up to date!
> --
> Jim in NC

[Jay Honeck]

> No, we shan't be parking with the warbirds. We LIKE it in Vintage.
> Besides we
> lost the somewhat/sort-of, Navy looking paint job that got us taxied up
> there
> once.

And just where *are* the pictures????

Send some to me, and I'll put 'em up on the Rogue's Gallery!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Morgans]

"Margy Natalie" > wrote in message
...
> No, we shan't be parking with the warbirds. We LIKE it in Vintage.
Besides we
> lost the somewhat/sort-of, Navy looking paint job that got us taxied up
there
> once.
>
> Margy

I know. ;-) Since we talked at OSH last year, I realized you are right
where you want to be. I was just poking fun. <g>

Be sure to send some new pics to Jay, so we can all turn green with envy
over the new restoration!
--
Jim in NC

[Morgans]

"Margy Natalie" > wrote in message
...
> No, we shan't be parking with the warbirds. We LIKE it in Vintage.
Besides we
> lost the somewhat/sort-of, Navy looking paint job that got us taxied up
there
> once.
>
> Margy

Note to Jay: Would you repost your reply to this message? For some
reason, some occasional messages will not display, and yours is one of them,
today.

Thanks.
--
Jim in NC

[Jay Honeck]

> Note to Jay: Would you repost your reply to this message? For some
> reason, some occasional messages will not display, and yours is one of
> them,
> today.

Uh, sure, Jim. (What, did you forget to turn the crank on the side of your
"K-Tel" modem, or what? :-)

In my reply to Margy I said:

"And just where *are* the pictures????

Send some to me, and I'll put 'em up on the Rogue's Gallery!"
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Morgans]

> Uh, sure, Jim. (What, did you forget to turn the crank on the side of
your
> "K-Tel" modem, or what? :-)

************
I think I forgot to feed the hampster, running in the wheel ;-)
************

> In my reply to Margy I said:
>
> "And just where *are* the pictures????

************
I echo that! (I think I already did!)

One good thing, (no thanks to anything I did); all the repeated posts
stopped showing up!
--
Jim in NC

[Margy Natalie]

I think Ron might have one with it all put together. The one I have it's
still a convertible with LOTS of stuff on the floor. Maybe Ron will zap it
to you if he can find it. I'm hoping we can have one with us in the picture
soon.

Margy

Jay Honeck wrote:

> > No, we shan't be parking with the warbirds. We LIKE it in Vintage.
> > Besides we
> > lost the somewhat/sort-of, Navy looking paint job that got us taxied up
> > there
> > once.
>
> And just where *are* the pictures????
>
> Send some to me, and I'll put 'em up on the Rogue's Gallery!
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"

[Margy Natalie]

I know, but I have to rib at the Warbirds folks. Lots of people suggest
parking up there with all the perks (I hear they have rather nice steaks one
night!), but we are laid back and relaxed in Vintage.

Margy

Morgans wrote:

> "Margy Natalie" > wrote in message
> ...
> > No, we shan't be parking with the warbirds. We LIKE it in Vintage.
> Besides we
> > lost the somewhat/sort-of, Navy looking paint job that got us taxied up
> there
> > once.
> >
> > Margy
>
> I know. ;-) Since we talked at OSH last year, I realized you are right
> where you want to be. I was just poking fun. <g>
>
> Be sure to send some new pics to Jay, so we can all turn green with envy
> over the new restoration!
> --
> Jim in NC