Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

My brother and I just recently bought 6 X 12 enclosed trailers to store/haul our planes around in. Currently we have two PVC racks that can hold a total of 8 planes each, with plans to build one more so that we could haul up to 12 planes per trailer. My brother has added a battery, and electricity to his trailer, so that when he gets home, he just plugs the cord in, and his planes charge (using an automatic timer). Or, at least, that's the plan when all is finished. I too will do this to mine. Here is my question:
How many other people out there use trailers, and what are your storage/charging methods. Pictures would be nice to.
Thanks for all of the ideas!!!
Edit:
Not trying to come off as arrogant, just really looking for good ideas on how to best use this thing. I know some people have them. Wife said get them out of the house (well, really I was just out of room in the house), so I had a choice of a building or a trailer, and decided trailer would be much more useful--sure is nice to come home from the field, park the thing, and forget about it!

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

Check this thread, should answer all your questions



http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_11...tm.htm#2694224

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

This works for me. 3/4" PVC

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

That plane racck looks very cool. Compact and it works![8D]

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

Are those small electric planes?

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

Define small. ? Yes electric planes ,5 foot wingspan planes. One is a Great Planes corsair. Most are .40 sized. the racks will work for any planes you like.

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

2slow, Pics?

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

Mine is still a work in progress. I did get some great ideas from the thread suggested by hircflyer, and will be incorporating some of the ideas into my trailer in a week and a half, when I go on spring break. I'll be adding AC and DC inside of the trailer, as well as re-working my racks. I'll post some pics when all is said and done!

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

I just picked up a 6x12 trailer to haul my planes around in. Here is a link to some pictures of my setup.

http://gocc3.glenoaks.edu/ed/trailer/

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

echobot--that a great setup! A couple of questions:
Where did you get the metal rods going from the 2 x 4's across the trailer, and what do you use to secure your wings/planes to the racks with?
I wish I could put some permanent stuff in mine, like those cabinets, and boxes, and that bench. I really like all of that stuff, but I need to keep my trailer where I can use it for other stuff as well! Most of the time it's just for my planes, but in case I need it for something else, it's the only trailer I have right now!
That radio rocks, I think i might do something like that! And the TV--I assume is for wireless RC video, but looks like you've rigged it up to an antennae as well!
Right now I have PVC racks in mine, and they work well, and are very light--easy to take out when necessary. However, I can't front load the planes, I have to feed them through the rack, and that becomes a PITA when you are trying to fish a plane out from in between two others. I'm fixing to build some racks out of painted MDF board that will allow me to front load everything. They will be mounted to the trailer on hinges, with a deadbolt on the bottom that will lock the racks open--for hauling planes. When necessary, I'll remove my planes, close the racks on their hinges, and deadbolt them shut against the wall. It's all in my head right now, but in two weeks it will be in my trailer, and I'll have pics then.
Thanks for sharing!

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

I just had an idea, Depending on how the door opens, you could put you flight box on the inside of it where you have it haning right there ready. And then it is there and also do something with the planes like that if you wnated. Maybe this is dumb... I dunno

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

Not a bad idea, except that I have a ramp door on mine! I'm afraid that the side door doesn't have the support necessary to hold up my heavy flight box!

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

oh ok 2slow, I was thinking of a huge swinging door

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

2slow2matter,

The metal rods are 1/2 electricial conduit. I just drilled a 3/4" hole in the 2x4 for the conduit to fit in to. I did it this way so I could remove the rods if I wanted to haul something big in the trailer.

I have a bunch of 1 inch straps ordered that I will be screwing to the conduit to secure the planes to the conduit.

The TV is for my wireless video, but I do have an antenna for it too in case my grandson gets bored and wants to watch TV.

I'm also putting in a small propane heater so I can work inside the trailer during the winter or just stay warm when I'm out flying in the winter.

The radio and speakers I picked up at Walmart for around $50.00. I just used a piece of 1/2" ply to mount the radio and speakers to.

Hope this helps.

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

Ed, that's awesome!

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

Here are a couple of pictures of the rack I built today. Just built one today, will build one more next week. You can also see the PVC racks I have been using, but they are a PITA. I need to paint it, but I Think it turned out pretty well. They hinge to the wall so that I can get them out of the way if I need to use the trailer for something else!

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

a couple more....

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

I like the way your new racks swing and lock. Pretty darn good idea.

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

Thanks, echo.

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

2Slow,
Love the trailer! Great setup!
Allows for trailer flexability rather than dedicated use. Just what I was looking for.
Looks like a good size trailer! How big?
The wood holders, plywood or particleboard?
My eyes are not what they used to be but am I seeing sliding pin style door latches to secure the arms in use and when stored back?
How are you tying these arms to the wall of the trailer? Through the wall material or the trailer frame itself? Wall thickness if the wall?
Any tips or "if I did it again, I would have" that you might suggest to someone that may want to copy your effort?
It's probably one of the best looking Professional looking trailers I have seen!
Great job!
Where is the hot tub? :)
Regards,
Mike

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

mmalone,
Thanks
The trailer is a haulmark 6 X 12, and it's just the right size for me. I made the racks out of MDF board, which is similar to particle board, but much stronger, and much denser. It can be picked up for about 20 bucks per 4 x 8 sheet, and is often used in making furniture that is going to be painted, so I figured it'd be strong enough for what i need. The racks are attached to the trailer wall frame by way of 4 inch strap hinges. The deadbolt locks on the bottom go into holes that I drilled out to size. I tried to place the locks high enough that they would go about 1/2 inch into the floor, but no more so I didn't have to drill all the way through the floor. The rack will accommodate pretty much any 40 - 60 sized plane. On my next one I'll have a rounded fuse slot to accept my Texan once I get it built.
Actually, I'm fixing to build two more for the trailer and I think I'll do them exactly the same way, so I don't guess I'd do anything different. That rack is actually full with planes I currently fly, and I have two more waiting to be built, so I'll need another rack soon. I'll just go ahead and build two more. The nice thing is that they're not in the way until I need them!

As I said before, I'll also be painting these racks next week. I'll get some final pics next week or so.

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

2Slow,
I copied the pictures of your trailer from the post for reference but obviously the resolution saved becomes quite blurred when you try and enlarge it. Any way that you would be so kind to directly send me some some higher resolution pictures of your trailer? If so, please send them to [email protected].
I have looked at the Haulmark 5x8, 5x10 and didn't consider the 6x12. The difference here between the 5x10 and the 6x12 is only $500 plus I get the side door and the heavier gauge siding and walls. Probably makes a lot more sense to go bigger and not worry about trying to keep it small. Your thoughts?
Thanks in advance!
Mike

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

Go as big as you can afford and pull. 500 dollars isn't much in the grand scheme of things, considering you're paying 2 grand for the trailer already! I really like my ramp door, it sure makes it nice to walk in and out. My brother has the same trailer, but decided to save the 200 or so and just get the regular doors in back. He likes his just fine too, so whatever way you decide on a back door would be fine.
I'll send you some pics later on when I get home. I'll include some measurements as well!
This trailer pulls real nice, and is very light. The tongue weight is only about 120 lbs, unloaded, and the trailer is just over 1000 lbs unloaded, but it does catch a lot of wind going down the road. My van pulls it with ease, but I'd rather pull it with my pickup given a choice!

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

Mike,
i sent you some e-mail with a picture attached. If you need anymore info, let me know! I'll take more pictures next week when the thing is all done!

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

make sure you seal that MDF....once it gets a little wet, it turns into a wick and will actually draw moisure from the air and start to fall apart

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

Thanks for the advice, I was going to paint it white.

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

Power at the field is very nice. I put a marine deep cycle battery in my trailer in an enclosed box in a front corner so it is out of the way. It is charged via a solar panel array on the roof. It also connects to my truck's electrical system so when the truck is running, the trailer battery is charged. I put a relay under the hood of the truck that disconnects the trailer battery when ignition is off to prevent draining the truck battery. I ran heavy lines (6 gage I think) to the back of the trailer for power distribution. On one side of the trailer by the door, I mounted all my switches, connector, electronics, etc. The trailer battery runs multiple 12V banana jacks, a 120VAC power inverter, interior florescent light, and a 400W stereo system, CD player, etc. The stereo is nice, but the lights are awesome when packing up after dusk, and the 12V jacks are always in use. The 120VAC I don't use much, but it is nice (I've used a 120V soldering iron a few times.)

What's really nice about trailers is you can pack a lot of stuff in them if you are creative. Mine is only a 5'x8'. I have the above electronics, a 35% carden, two 2M pattern ships, some electrics, and all my flight gear, tools, extra props, cleaning gear, etc., which is four cases and two buckets. There is still room and I occasionally will pack a pop up sun shelter, cooler and lawn chairs too. In addition, I have a well stocked first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, two way radios (for finding downed planes in tall corn), and binders with a lot of info, such a trim charts, patterns, instructions, etc. All this "extra" stuff mounts to the walls so it is out of the way. It looks tight when packed, but once at the field, the trailer opens ups a bit as a lot of stuff is removed, i.e. plane, pop-up, cooler, some flight gear.

Sorry no pics, but maybe some can use my setup for ideas on theirs.

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

I sure would like to see the the wiring diagram for your electrical system. Sounds really good.

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

2Slow,
Thanks for the pictures!
They have spurred a ton of ideas.
Just wanted to thank you for your time and effort to send me the pictures and information.
I think you have the best rig I have seen and will be modeled by many, including myself.
Having a welder and access to some 3/4" and 1/2" thin wall square tubing, my plans are to make a rack set up like yours. out of this material. A small gussett at the butt joint and it will hold it's weight and then some.
As you say, it's rebuild, rebuild, rebuild!
Thanks again for the ideas!
Regards!
Mike

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

mike,
that sounds like a swell idea. When you get done, pics please???
Good luck...

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

OK, got a chance to get it all finished over spring break. Here is the finished product. We found a way to make two complete racks (four standards) out of one piece of 4 x 8, so we went ahead and bought the birch plywood (sanded on both sides). Looks better, much stronger, and will last longer. Also, in addition, since the pictures I've added some padding to the backs of the wing and fuse holders. Here they are:

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

2Slow, that is a thing of beauty!

Mark

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

Very nice and still useful as a general utility trailer too.

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

Thanks, guys. I think all together my brother and I worked about 15 or so hours on it, but we did two trailers (that were identical). It's a lot like building a model. The easy part was building it, the part that took the longest was finishing it up (installing them, putting the little rubber band holders on, putting the locks on the bottoms and drilling the holes in the floors, etc. But, now that all is done, I'd say it's well worth it.

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

2Slow,
I have a new name for you, inspired by your trailer!
2Nice2Use!
Now by the time you fill it up, it will be worth $84,687.16!
Great job!
Thanks for the time you took to pass info and pictures along.

Mike

RE: Trailers!?!?!?!?
 

Very nice 2slow ,I like it a lot !