Trailer landout gear

[Steve Freeman]

Having had my first landout a few weeks ago I realized I need to be
much more prepared for such an event. The landing itself worked out
quite well, no damage to ship or pilot and only 6 small corn plants
destroyed. The remainder of the event however did not go so well. It
seems that the days of the local farmer are over. It is much more
likely that the farmer who tends the field and has the key to the gate
lock may be many miles away from the field. We were eventually able to
remove the ship and trailer it back to the field but I realized that
the trailer was not well equipped. I would like to hear what others
keep in their trailer other than the standard loading and unloading
equipment. One suggestion I have received is a heavy duty bolt cutter
along with a new lock and set of keys. Any other suggestions or
complete lists?

[[email protected][_2_]]

On Apr 18, 11:08*am, Steve Freeman > wrote:
> Having had my first landout a few weeks ago I realized I need to be
> much more prepared for such an event. The landing itself worked out
> quite well, no damage to ship or pilot and only 6 small corn plants
> destroyed. The remainder of the event however did not go so well. It
> seems that the days of the local farmer are over. It is much more
> likely that the farmer who tends the field and has the key to the gate
> lock may be many miles away from the field. We were eventually able to
> remove the ship and trailer it back to the field but I realized that
> the trailer was not well equipped. I would like to hear what others
> keep in their trailer other than the standard loading and unloading
> equipment. One suggestion I have received is a heavy duty bolt cutter
> along with a new lock and set of keys. Any other suggestions or
> complete lists?

Living in farm country has taught me that there may be many farmers
that use one lock so changing it creates quite a problem for them.

Better, perhaps to have hammers, staples and be able to lay down
barbed wire, and back the trailer so it hangs into the field.

The sheriff almost always knows who the local landowner is and where
the keys can be found.

[nate_fl]

On Apr 18, 2:08*pm, Steve Freeman > wrote:
> Having had my first landout a few weeks ago I realized I need to be
> much more prepared for such an event. The landing itself worked out
> quite well, no damage to ship or pilot and only 6 small corn plants
> destroyed. The remainder of the event however did not go so well. It
> seems that the days of the local farmer are over. It is much more
> likely that the farmer who tends the field and has the key to the gate
> lock may be many miles away from the field. We were eventually able to
> remove the ship and trailer it back to the field but I realized that
> the trailer was not well equipped. I would like to hear what others
> keep in their trailer other than the standard loading and unloading
> equipment. One suggestion I have received is a heavy duty bolt cutter
> along with a new lock and set of keys. Any other suggestions or
> complete lists?

Another option may be to snip a link of the chain if the gate is
locked using a short piece of chain between gate and post. Then you
can put your own lock in it after the retrieve, sparing the farmer's
lock and keeping the property secure. I was involved in a hunting
lease for several years that used the multiple lock method to allow
both the ranchers and the hunters access.

[jcarlyle]

I'd be real careful about cutting locks/chains/fences. In the eyes of
the law you're a trespasser, and some landowners take that real
seriously even without finding a cut lock/chain/fence. Finding the
landowner via the sheriff sounds like your safest bet.

-John

On Apr 18, 2:08 pm, Steve Freeman > wrote:
> One suggestion I have received is a heavy duty bolt cutter
> along with a new lock and set of keys.

[Steve Freeman]

On Apr 18, 7:41*pm, jcarlyle > wrote:
> I'd be real careful about cutting locks/chains/fences. In the eyes of
> the law you're a trespasser, and some landowners take that real
> seriously even without finding a cut lock/chain/fence. Finding the
> landowner via the sheriff sounds like your safest bet.
>
> -John
>
> On Apr 18, 2:08 pm, Steve Freeman > wrote:
>
> > One suggestion I have received is a heavy duty bolt cutter
> > along with a new lock and set of keys.

Appreciate the info about the locks etc. but am also interested in any
other items unrelated to the locked gate that most people carry.
Ropes, come along, etc.

[Darryl Ramm]

On Apr 18, 7:12*pm, Steve Freeman > wrote:
> On Apr 18, 7:41*pm, jcarlyle > wrote:
>
> > I'd be real careful about cutting locks/chains/fences. In the eyes of
> > the law you're a trespasser, and some landowners take that real
> > seriously even without finding a cut lock/chain/fence. Finding the
> > landowner via the sheriff sounds like your safest bet.
>
> > -John
>
> > On Apr 18, 2:08 pm, Steve Freeman > wrote:
>
> > > One suggestion I have received is a heavy duty bolt cutter
> > > along with a new lock and set of keys.
>
> Appreciate the info about the locks etc. but am also interested in any
> other items unrelated to the locked gate that most people carry.
> Ropes, come along, etc.

This topic has come up before. Search the archives.

Start with a checklist of all the parts and disassembly/assembly tools
that are supposed to be in the trailer and any instructions or notes
about trailing.

I would make sure you have lots of things to help derig at nigh.
Headlamps, insect repellent, etc. beyond anything carried in the
glider land out kit.

Somebody recently suggested to me of hiding a spare set of your car
keys in/on the trailer for those times you forget to leave the keys on
the ground. Obviously only useful if other people know they are there
or you can get in touch with them.

Darryl