Microlighters

OK - I will finally have my workshop/garage ready this weekend, so my Raven project will have to move home next week!

When I brought it up from George I hired a 5m car trailer, which worked, but did involve many people, and some colourful language (the wheel track is 2.1m - so it is too wide for most car trailers).

I have recently been keeping my eyes open for possible alternatives, and I have noticed these flat bed tow trucks driving around. Basically a tilting bed that gets lowered to the ground, and then a winch to pull the car up. The bed then tilts back until it is like a normal flat bed truck.

At first glance the bed looks to be wide enough to accomodate the wheel track, so this may well be an option.

Does anybody know if this will be a safe way to transport the plane? Any suggestions on who to contact to 'tow' it for me? Will it cost R100/km, or some other ludicrous amount?

Thanks,
Justin

Justin

A gyro trailer works the same way - tilt deck, ratchet/rope type winch to pull it up. Unfortunately mine is in Pietersburg, and I am not sure about the width, but it is quite wide.

Give Glen Meyer a call before 16:00 today. His workshop is on Lynnwood road just before the Kitty Hawk turn off. I borrowed his a while ago. Maybe he can help you.

oh eight 366.265.65

The best way to go is to phone the AA and let them give you a tel num of the tow trucks in the aria you are in .They have a flat rate that they all work on so if it is a tow in town or up to 10km out of town it will be the same. After the 10km they will charge X amount extra and if it is in working hours they do not charge a call out ,but ask for a quotation first and ask them if their insurance covers a load like a aircraft.

Thanks guys. It seems Glen's trialer is 2m wide. The towing services I have called do not actually know how wide the bed of the truck is, so I will have to go out and measure one. May be the best option for moving the plane though.

I have also wondered about building a custom trailer. Or rather buying a clapped out, but roadworthied trailer, ripping off the body, and welding on some channel iron wheel guides. May be an option for more regular towing...

justin.schoeman wrote:Thanks guys. It seems Glen's trialer is 2m wide. The towing services I have called do not actually know how wide the bed of the truck is, so I will have to go out and measure one.

2 things....can you secure a plank of say, 2.2m across the width of the gyro trailer? If so, then the wheels will fit on the plank and the rest of the plane on the trailer. Just a thought.
2nd thing...the flatbed tow truck is way wider than 2.1 metres. I happened to notice one today where the car was winched up onto the flatbed altogether on side and there was still plenty space available next to it.

A plank works, but only if the trailer does not have raised edges. Otherwise the plank rests on thes edges, and lifting it up onto the plank is .

I think a flatbed is definitely the way to go. Will try a few more companies, and see if I can find a suitable sucker...

Arrrggghhhh...

OK - Flat bed trucks are 2.1m wide. The Raven's wheel base is 2.2m!

It is possible to fit thin rubber wheels from Builder's Warehouse (R200 per pair), and that gets the wheel base down to 2.1m. Barely. BUT the tow operators all want around R900 for the tow!

Does anybody know where (in Pretoria) I can hire a flat trailer without and side rails? If I can find one, I will do the plank trick...

Thanks,
Justin

Go have a look at Glen's trailer. Sure the plank trick will work, cause the raised sides are a mere 10 mm rod running along the side. Think the plank might go underneath.

I have a 3-bike trailer which is flat with the exception of the wheel arches which could pose a problem.
Shout if you need to use it.

Thanks guys.

The wide trailarent trailers all had side rails when I last went to look. And Glen's trailer is too short (the engine sticks out the front, not the rear like a gyro...).

Sox, could you please PM me your details? I would like to take you up on that offer! Since the CG is just in front of the rear wheels, it would probably be best to run it up until the mains are just behind the trailer axle anyway, so it should work just fine. How wide is it?

Thanks!
Justin

Finally home!

After all that, I found a trailer right around the corner. I called, looked at their web page, everything, but they said they couldn't help.

Showed up with my tape measure, and started hunting through the yard. And what do you know - there is a flat bed 2.2m wide with drop sides. Cost me R220 for the hire, and was (relatively) easy to load. Just had to lift one wheel over a corner post.

Thanks again for all the help everybody!

Justin