Now that I've got a plane that's bigger than the back of my truck, I'm considering a trailer. I am concerned about any damage that could occur from bumps/bouncing, etc.

Any thoughts/ideas/comments/pictures?

Thanks.

torsion suspension stay away from springs

g

Good and timely thread Joe. I'm getting Chris's trailer at Toledo. I have no experience with one. Just know I gotta have one now. Thanks, Mike

I agree with "g's" recommendation of a trailer with torsion suspension. I have owned a number of trailers for my pattern planes, warbirds, etc and the "easiest riding" trailer is one with the torsion suspension. About 19 years ago I bought a small 10' long Wells Cargo triler with torsion suspension and have never regretted it. I still have it and it still works very well. My experience is that the torsion suspension is much easier on the planes than a sprung trailer. Prior to that I had built my own and they never towed or rode very well.

Ed

If you have a stiff one, a trick is to just load it down with some weight. It will make it much smoother.

yea yea.. Isaid stiff one..

Have spring on my 5x8, I can put easy 4 pattern plane . I Use to put my IMAC plane in it also, never had any problem or damage on the planes.

How about this spring/soft mounted PVC holder I made for my small light weight bouncy trailer. Works Great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Consider aluminum trailers if you want to get better gas mileage. As we know lighther is better. The initial cost is more but could be a good idea for RC model airplanes. Also consider to include a side door.

Thanks guys. A trailer is sounding better and better - I had a lot of plans all come up the same week as Nats, and a trailer would make it all so much easier. Would work well with camping gear and everything else.

There's an aluminum one for sale locally, but not sure if I should to get something fancy with vents, V-nose, etc.

Also, what about these kits to add shocks to spring suspension? Most trailer descriptions I see don't state what kind of suspension there is.

How's the Integral coming along? Looking forward to seeing it on the contest trail this season!

Verne

Integral is in line behind flooring, which has fallen behind HVAC. Hopefully when the bathroom gets done (if ever) and the kitchen, and I can actually use my house....

Or I could just get this trailer and start building in there...

How about tie-down methods? The one shown above is pretty elaborate with the shock absorbing base. What else works well in a bouncing trailer? My worst nightmare is opening the trailer to see a broken fuse...

My 2 Valiants in my SS Ute.

Can you guys post some pics of how you tie your planes down? I'm probably a little more interested in how the aft fuse is restrained, or if there is something you do other than directly tying the main gear to the floor/shelf.

JR do you have photos of your trailer?

Here's some pictures of my model trailer. In this instance we fitted three 2m pattern ships in it for the 9 hour trip from Sydney to Shepparton, Victoria for the Masters.

I would normally fit two models with stabs on. It's got the torsion type rubber suspension. Whole trailer weighs less than 200 kg and sits nice behind the car.

Cheers,
Jason.

I have a home built trailer made from a 12 foot flat deck many years ago. It will hold two 40% planes (three pattern planes with the stabs off) and I have never had any problems transporting over long distances ( it's in my photo gallery). My trailer is small 12x6x4 and light. However, a regular size cargo hauler ( similar to a haulmark) with springs is a different story and a rough ride for sure and I have had damage done to my IMAC planes back in the day, while traveling rough roads. You will find that things you install in the trailer tend to come loose.

The torsion suspension is the best by far (like Gary C indicated), smoother ride, tracks better behind the vehicle and not hard on airframes, etc.

Hope that helps.

bholsten

Bill, how do you get such a small and light trailer not to bounce?

Hey Joe,

Well, I think its a combination of the size, weight, spring loading and relationship in height to the road. I have taken it on 500 mile trips and placed the wings in wing bags under the plane or planes and they are in the same place when I get where I'm going. Its not super light but its not to heavy either.


Bill

It is unfortunate that in the USA you lost the beautiful concept of the estate car or stationwagon when moving to MPV or truck. Better mileage and enough space! I now use an Opel Vectra (yes boring, I know! :-) ) to move my pattern planes!

Volkert

At a contest last weekend in Canandaigua, NY, the vast majority of vehicles there were either Dodge Caravans or Toyota Sienna minivans. They seem to have become the predominant vehicles of choice for Pattern, and I was very happy to finally get one of my own (Dodge Caravan) this past spring. Plenty of room in mine for 2 planes, camping gear (if not staying in a hotel) and dog. Canandaigua was my first multi-day trip with the whole kit and I was extremely pleased with it!

Lee Iacocca's company (Chrysler) invented the minivan in the early 80's specifically for the model plane enthusiast.. I read somewhere that Mr Iacocca loved pattern planes in the 80's and realized we needed a minivan to move them easily. That's the rest of the story (in my best Paul Harvey immitation)

Hey Bob that good keep a spare gas can handy incase you run out and a fire ext. incase can catches fire. LOL
just kidding .

Jr

Funny thing, today I used that very same extinguisher to put out a fire on a guy's plane, a B-52 model that caught fire at Hudson Valley Radio Control Club! It is a Kidde ABC class fire extinguisher and it worked very well on some large LiPos. Everybody who flies electric should have one handy. I have never seen a glow or gas model catch fire, but 5 or 6 times I've seen electrics burn. I'm going to replace it immediately because you never know, and I have a couple inside the house as well.

I agree with Matt. Check the pictures. I can fit 3 full size pattern planes plus luggage in a minivan. This includes canopy, 2 chairs and 2 pilots. The only problem is those minivans are for soccer mothers. However, it is the perfect vehicle for RC planes.

I don't know how that "soccer mom" stigma became so inextricably attached to minivans, but I wanted one years ago when we could have only one vehicle and it was my wife who insisted never-never-NEVER!!!!