Securing Jets In A Trailer
 

Rookie Question: What techniques are used to secure your jets in a trailer? Thanks Guys. Chic

I transport mine gear up on piece of 3" foam. Tiedowns are flat elastic bands with velcro to lock everything in place. Foam has been cut to make a cradle for the jet

I do the same - the minor differences are that I use a solid piece of foam on each shelf and then specially cut pieces of foam to support individual models - so I can change which models I'm bringing W/O changing the base foam. I also use double-sided velcro straps with foam strips between the model and the strap to tie them down.

I HIGHLY recommend that you do not carry your jets on the gear unless you have a BIG trailer with a soft suspension. A small trailer with leaf springs will beat the heck out of a jet model on its gear in the trailer! BTDT...

Bob

What Tom & Bob said.

It varies depending on size, weight and overall contour of the models belly. Whether there's any ventral fins or scale danglies underneath can dictate how some planes need to be carried.

The type of trailer can make a big difference. Big trailers with torsion bar suspensions and multiple axles can ride so nice, you could almost just sit your stuff down and it won't move. I wouldn't - but you get the point. If your trailer's small and bouncy it'll change your tiedown needs.

A lot of guys lay sheet foam on the trailer shelves. Either use bungees and foam blocks hooked to screw-down anchor points, d-rings, etc. or cover the shelves in velcro loop fabric and use velcro hook straps. Velcro option works well but is more expensive. I do both by laying sheet foam on top of velcro loop covered shelving. I velcro the small stuff in place, and use anchor points and bungees on bigger aircraft.

Once you place a model on its belly onto sheet foam, the foam will provide very good forward and aft restraint by itself because its got a lot of grip, but the model still needs to be secured with straps and/or bungees.
Try not to transport jets on stands or on the landing gear as they become fulcrum points over rough roads, and can cause stress cracks unless very carefully placed and/or contour fitted to the shape of the fuse. Even then, I don't like to transport in/on any kind of stand. I've seen a Bandit cracked nearly in half that was transported strapped to a field assembly stand.

If the model is very large, you can make a custom width wood cradle with a plywood floor. Foam line the bottom, place the model on its belly then attach 2x4 supports at the wing tube points. Secure the wing tube to the supports with cinch or velcro straps. Then screw the wood floor of the cradle down to the shelving or trailer floor. Remove the screws and slide the whole shebang out of the trailer once your there. This method is a bit of a PITA, but its also about as bulletproof as it gets.

Covering the shelves with the fabric that likes velcro is great too.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2209314http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2209315

At the risk of hi-jacking the thread, Rex-Is that a Fei Bao T-33 ? If so what do you think about it in general-have not been able to find very much info on the model.
Thanks-Mike O.

Mike, yes it is! I bought it with some flights on it. Came with a 160sx which is plenty of power. I've only flown it once for the maiden last weekend and just tried to clean up a bad approach, went long and knocked the gear out of it. Will be ready to fly at MS AB though. This bird, you have to come in shallow on approach. I did a go around and came in much more shallow and it was a much better landing setup. Didn't know I knocked a gear plate out on the first try so when I settled the plane down, it just pulled the gear out the rest of the way. Only Plate damage and a little skin rash.

Here's an idea......for those of you that have a g-meter in your jet, you could take some g readings while in the trailer traveling to the field. I'm curious what they would be.

Tailwinds,

John

I saw these cradles from Model Aviation Tools https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...8/IMG_2738.jpgat Jets Over Kentucky this week. Any idea where they are available? Google search returns zilch.

Also be aware that the polyurethane foam will deteriorate from UV, heat and time so it will need replacing over a few years. You will start to notice layers of dust on your planes that seems excessive and it's from the foam. The foam will become less effective in cushioning your planes when it's compressed. Just an FYI.

spray the foam with scotch guard.. it will help the life.. just a light coating.

Bob, Like your trailer.. good setup.. If you leave the spars in the jets for transport, you can also velcro the jets down by the spar, thats the strongest point on the plane.. fyi.. I used to do that with my kingcat.. I had a cutoff spar that I slipped into it... Nice trailer :)

Very cool cradle-I want one too

WOW that is like the biggest picture I have ever seen, whatever it is a picture if the little bit I can see looks cool.

Also, be careful what you use to strap over the plane to hold it down, I have seen what appear to be soft straps make ugly marks on the skin of the plane from the vibration. My wife found some fleece from a sewing project she had, it was very nice to run over the straps.

Or just strap the spars as someone said very good idea there.

I went the extra mile years ago for my trailer , I installed the Happy Jack bed system like you see in the toy haulers . You can raise and lower the beds for your needs and the jets are tied down and riding on bed mattress. So far lots of miles and no damage . Terry

What kind of foam do you guys use? I need to uplift my first trailer. I have a couple 120mm edf jets, giant scale warbirds, etc.. Plan to move into turbines with my next project (CARF Viper). I found the foam factory online. They have the charcoal foam up to 4" thick in any size I want. I think this is what you would consider basic commercial packing foam. Or should I be looking at some type of memory foam? I like the idea of covering my 2 shelves completely with 3" foam and then having smaller pieces under / around the planes.

Looks nice, I can't find out anything on it either.

Profile doesn't say if you're in the US or not. Wal Mart has both memory foam and regular soft foam matress covers for a good price. One piece of foam for a full size bed should be all you'll need.

I plan on using this platform to put in my trailer and then remove at the field and place on a table for assembly. The front velcro is pretty loose over the clear canopy, and with 3" foam under the jet I don't think it should move front to back. This is my first try at putting a jet in a trailer--anybody see any issues with this setup?

Thanks!

My buddy designed and made these but has withdrawn effort to sell them.... doesn't need two full time jobs! Ha!

He has only been making and selling to prexisting customers like Dave.

I will ill direct him to this thread, maybe he will change his mind.

You only need one customer like Dave.:cool:

Looks plenty stout. Where did you get the foam? Still looking for a good source myself, currently the best I have is memory foam mattress toppers from Walmart.

Thanks! I got the foam from JoAnn Fabrics, it is 3". They have a bunch of different ones but this was 8 feet long or close to it, and they had a 50% off sale so it was like $25, and I got a pice of 8 foot 2" as well for my Bandit for the trailer. I won't need all of that so I should be able to get the King Cat done as well.

Extra High Density Urethane Foam-3"X18"X82" | Jo-Ann

It was like that one but it was cheaper at the time, so I guess just keep an eye out. You haven't done your profile above to say where you are located so I assume you are in the US?

You can find all kinds of foam at almost any Upholstery Supply Store. They will stock most sizes and densities up to and exceeding 6 inches. I usually get heavier density for the bottom piece and a softer piece for the top strap area. Like others I usually use Velcro for the top strap. One mail order place for this type foam is American Trim and Upholstery Supply but I suspect shipping charges could be high so I would look for a local supplier.