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Old 01-18-2003 | 10:30 PM
  #9  
T28Driver
 
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Springfield, Oregon
Default Building the Trailer

Hi Guys, Thanks to my brother for all the kind comments about my trailer... and to the rest of you as well.
The trailer is a 6x10 Wells Cargo ToteSport with optional rear corner stabilizing jacks (a must-have option if you have the choice). The system that I made to hold the wings and fuselages is designed to be modular and adjustable to a variety of sizes of planes. I screwed horizonatal runners to the side walls of the trailer (into the metal vertical studs - 16" centers) first. These runners are screwed into place at identical spacings on each wall. Each runner has t-nuts inserted from the rear every four inches. Uprights are then screwed to the horizontal runners (via the t-nuts). I used the large, hex-head screws that you see used for Scandanavian furniture to hold everything together... the head size is about 5/8" diameter (only 3/32" thick) and provides a lot of clamping force so nothing comes loose. The uprights for the wings are drilled every 4" for dowels... this lets me move the dowels around to accommodate different wing sizes.
The fuselage hangers are attached to the same horizontal runners as what I did for the wings. I'll have to take some pics to show how the fuselage hangers work.. they can be adjusted horzizontally or vertically on a 4" grid, and can be slid toward, or away from, the side wall to account for different size tail feathers, or for fixed nose gears . Since the spacing on all runners and uprights are the same I can move wings or fuselages anywhere within the trailer just by unbolting uprights and moving them around.
To keep things from bouncing off of the racks I'm simply using 2" strips of felt fabric, and tying each airplane part to its location... I might come up with something else a little later on.
I installed the 110 V wiring using all 'nema' rated, waterproof housings (pretty pricey, but I didn't want to risk injuring anyone due to faulty wiring, etc.). I've got the transmitter wiring completed... now working on conduit to carry charge power over to fuselages... should be completed tomorrow. Once power strip (above transmitters) is wired constant current, second power strip is wired through TME trickle adapter. A Hobbico cycler is on the shelf above the transmitters... this way I can continually trickle some plane/radio combinations, constant charge others, and do specialty charging via the Hobbico.

Still have to build hold-downs for field boxes, mount a fuel carrier, and build a prop rack and misc. spare parts bin.

It's really been a lot of work.. making jigs to router out everything, etc. but I'm going to so enjoy not tearing up airplanes carrying them up and down the narrow stairwell of our home!! I better get it done quick.... Spring will be here before I know it!!

Thanks again for the kind comments...
...Rob