Outfitting my box trailer.
05-02-2006, 10:35 PM
#26
RE: Outfitting my box trailer.
I'm using some regular hardware store shelving material to hang the planes.
I've looked at alot of different methods for hanging wings and planes, I never
really saw one that I was in love with. The method I decided on uses a custom
fit for each piece, but I think it will be worth the effort in the long run. I made a
couple changes along the way, because my original idea just didn't work right.
I got some select pine at Home Depot to use for the mounts. I slotted the bottom
of each board to fit onto the shelf hanger. I cut the slots on the table saw.
I made what I thought would be a good universal type wing mount. The first
one was for the Dragon Lady.
The Lady has a fully symetrical wing, so it didn't really fit on the flat surface
on the board....it was only touching in the middle. I decided it would need a
custom fit in the saddle, so there would be a proper hold, no vibration to mar
the wing surfaces either.
I've looked at alot of different methods for hanging wings and planes, I never
really saw one that I was in love with. The method I decided on uses a custom
fit for each piece, but I think it will be worth the effort in the long run. I made a
couple changes along the way, because my original idea just didn't work right.
I got some select pine at Home Depot to use for the mounts. I slotted the bottom
of each board to fit onto the shelf hanger. I cut the slots on the table saw.
I made what I thought would be a good universal type wing mount. The first
one was for the Dragon Lady.
The Lady has a fully symetrical wing, so it didn't really fit on the flat surface
on the board....it was only touching in the middle. I decided it would need a
custom fit in the saddle, so there would be a proper hold, no vibration to mar
the wing surfaces either.
05-02-2006, 11:08 PM
#27
RE: Outfitting my box trailer.
I took the original wing saddle piece and made it into a jig to use for other
wings. I had cut it too deep anyway, besides....it didn't fit the wing worth a hoot.
I marked it with one inch marks along the bottom. The Dragon Lady wing was
the widest of all the wings I wanted to mount, so it worked as a layout jig for
all the others.
Once I had made the one inch marks, I was able to lay the wing back in, and
"eyeball" a much better line for a better fit. I took another board and marked
the grid the same way (only higher this time). Then I "freehand" drew the new
curvatures using the marks, and "eyeball measuring" the height needed between
the marks for a decent fit.
Then I cut the curve out with a jigsaw, staying away from the line, so I could
trim it to fit better later. A band saw would have been nice, my old jig saw has
seen better days, and doesn't cut too straight anymore.
(this pic is really a different board, but you get the idea)
wings. I had cut it too deep anyway, besides....it didn't fit the wing worth a hoot.
I marked it with one inch marks along the bottom. The Dragon Lady wing was
the widest of all the wings I wanted to mount, so it worked as a layout jig for
all the others.
Once I had made the one inch marks, I was able to lay the wing back in, and
"eyeball" a much better line for a better fit. I took another board and marked
the grid the same way (only higher this time). Then I "freehand" drew the new
curvatures using the marks, and "eyeball measuring" the height needed between
the marks for a decent fit.
Then I cut the curve out with a jigsaw, staying away from the line, so I could
trim it to fit better later. A band saw would have been nice, my old jig saw has
seen better days, and doesn't cut too straight anymore.
(this pic is really a different board, but you get the idea)
05-02-2006, 11:38 PM
#28
RE: Outfitting my box trailer.
Here's where the real custom fit comes in. Place the wing into the "rough
cut" saddle, and on the clean side of the board trace the exact shape of
the wing onto the board. (this is actually the second wing)
Now with the one inch belt sander, and a little hand work, you can get the
exact shape cut into the board for a good fit.
Once you get a good fit one one side of the wing, trace the outline onto the
other side and cut to match. As you go, you get better and better with the
technique....as well as much faster.
cut" saddle, and on the clean side of the board trace the exact shape of
the wing onto the board. (this is actually the second wing)
Now with the one inch belt sander, and a little hand work, you can get the
exact shape cut into the board for a good fit.
Once you get a good fit one one side of the wing, trace the outline onto the
other side and cut to match. As you go, you get better and better with the
technique....as well as much faster.
05-03-2006, 09:34 AM
#33
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RE: Outfitting my box trailer.
Looks great flyboy. Just be sure to cover the wood with foam to prevent trailer rash. Also you need a system to keep the wings in place or they will bounce out of their holder either up or forward while you are transporting them. Nice work.
Sunny_B
Sunny_B
05-04-2006, 11:17 AM
#34
RE: Outfitting my box trailer.
I put the two really wide wings wings up high, out of the way, and I mounted
most of the other fuselages and wings flat against the wall to save space.
I got 8 planes in there, each one custom fit. The wings are supported by the
leading edge, which is the strongest part. The wing hold-downs I have worked
out. The fuses might be held by small bungies, or velcro....not sure yet.
most of the other fuselages and wings flat against the wall to save space.
I got 8 planes in there, each one custom fit. The wings are supported by the
leading edge, which is the strongest part. The wing hold-downs I have worked
out. The fuses might be held by small bungies, or velcro....not sure yet.
05-04-2006, 08:58 PM
#38
RE: Outfitting my box trailer.
Here's a couple other rubber mounts. I have a neat way to secure the wings.
I also have a lost mallard duck out in the driveway. I live in the desert. He is
trying to communicate with me as to some directions....
....but he just keeps saying "quack quack" over and over.
I also have a lost mallard duck out in the driveway. I live in the desert. He is
trying to communicate with me as to some directions....
....but he just keeps saying "quack quack" over and over.
05-10-2006, 10:54 AM
#41
RE: Outfitting my box trailer.
I came up with a way to secure the wings. It uses the existing holes for the
wing bolts, and 1/4-20 nylon wing bolts.
I got a hardwood dowel and cut it into workable lengths. I found these nifty
1/4-20 metal inserts at the hardware store. The holes are drilled slightly
smaller than the inserts, and they are pressed in with thin CA as well. They
aren't coming out.
Then I made some mounting plates to hold the dowels.
wing bolts, and 1/4-20 nylon wing bolts.
I got a hardwood dowel and cut it into workable lengths. I found these nifty
1/4-20 metal inserts at the hardware store. The holes are drilled slightly
smaller than the inserts, and they are pressed in with thin CA as well. They
aren't coming out.
Then I made some mounting plates to hold the dowels.
05-10-2006, 11:11 AM
#42
RE: Outfitting my box trailer.
The dowels are cut to proper length for each wing. I predrilled and set a
drywall screw to hold in the dowel. I also drilled two holes to screw the
mount to the wall. There is a rubber washer that goes between the dowel
and the wing when they are screwed on for travel.
The wing is secured at three points, the leading edge, and the wing hold
down area. These are the strongest parts of the wing.
drywall screw to hold in the dowel. I also drilled two holes to screw the
mount to the wall. There is a rubber washer that goes between the dowel
and the wing when they are screwed on for travel.
The wing is secured at three points, the leading edge, and the wing hold
down area. These are the strongest parts of the wing.
05-11-2006, 12:33 AM
#43
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RE: Outfitting my box trailer.
Amazing Dave. You are a master craftsman extrodinaire.
I hope you come up this way again. I've got to see that trailer in person somehow! The guys still ask me about you. Our little field at Flaming Gyser Park is all in bloom and looking great this spring.
Take care and keep up the good work. You will stay forever young at this rate!
Ernie
I hope you come up this way again. I've got to see that trailer in person somehow! The guys still ask me about you. Our little field at Flaming Gyser Park is all in bloom and looking great this spring.
Take care and keep up the good work. You will stay forever young at this rate!
Ernie
05-11-2006, 08:54 PM
#44
RE: Outfitting my box trailer.
You have some very well thought out and slick solutions to securing your equipment. One of the biggest hazards to long distance travel is small movement due to vibration and eventual wear points. It looks like you have that well in control.
Keep the pics coming.
Keep the pics coming.
05-20-2006, 12:14 PM
#45
RE: Outfitting my box trailer.
Thanks, fellas. Sadly....my vacation plans and major road trip have been
cancelled due to the greed of gasoline prices, already $3.45 for regular
around So. Cal., and it's not even Labor Day yet. The usual gas price
hike isn't even here yet....the one that gouges the summer travelers. [
]
My friend noticed that it looks like the bottom of the helmet boxes are
designed to hang stuff....most likely racing gear.
cancelled due to the greed of gasoline prices, already $3.45 for regular
around So. Cal., and it's not even Labor Day yet. The usual gas price
hike isn't even here yet....the one that gouges the summer travelers. [
]My friend noticed that it looks like the bottom of the helmet boxes are
designed to hang stuff....most likely racing gear.
11-21-2006, 04:21 PM
#46
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RE: Outfitting my box trailer.
Have you had any problems with those shelf brackets coming loose over bumps? Did you have to secure them in any way? REALLY nice setup!!!!!!!
11-21-2006, 04:44 PM
#47
RE: Outfitting my box trailer.
Thanks, Vo....
....If you put an additional screw back here on the upright bracket, it makes it impossible
for the shelf bracket to move up, therefore the bracket cannot come loose. I was going to do
just that....but the shelves fit good and tight, and I never needed to put in the safety screws.
I would think the bigger trailers would ride somwhat better than the small ones, and wouldn't
be as prone to excessive movement going over bumps. I think if it was a smaller single axle
trailer I would have gone ahead and installed the safety screws.
FBD. [sm=regular_smile.gif]
....If you put an additional screw back here on the upright bracket, it makes it impossible
for the shelf bracket to move up, therefore the bracket cannot come loose. I was going to do
just that....but the shelves fit good and tight, and I never needed to put in the safety screws.
I would think the bigger trailers would ride somwhat better than the small ones, and wouldn't
be as prone to excessive movement going over bumps. I think if it was a smaller single axle
trailer I would have gone ahead and installed the safety screws.
FBD. [sm=regular_smile.gif]
11-01-2007, 08:26 AM
#50
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RE: Outfitting my box trailer.
FBD (and others), I am customizing an enclosed trailer (6x12) for my small fleet of planes (about a dozen 40-60 size). I really like what you have done! I was wondering - if you were to do it all again, would you do anything different? Now that you have been able to use it for a full season, have you made any changes or updates since you last post? I have brackets and hangers, but have not started the custom wood shelf adapters yet and I am debating about having my wings lay horizontally with bungies or velcro - or having them upright with the screw mount you described. Any help/advice would be appreciated. Happy landings, Will