Mailing List lml@lancaironline.net Message #48114
From: <rwolf99@aol.com>
Sender: <marv@lancaironline.net>
Subject: LNC2 Move
Date: Sat, 26 Jul 2008 08:30:10 -0400
To: <lml@lancaironline.net>
Omigod I've done it over a dozen times.  Once to the painter, sometimes to the airport, sometimes over a thousand miles to a new home.

I bought a double wide snowmobile trailer and bolted down chocks and tie-down rings to the plywood floor in strategic places.  Yes, it's a tilt-bed, but it's easier to use ramps.  I use three 2x12s 12 feet long.  One under each wheel.  Any shorter and the tail will scrape the ground.

You may need tongue weight with the plane off the trailer.  I find 75 pounds on the trailer neck works well.  I have an ammo can U-bolted to the neck and shot bags are either in there or not.  A side benefit is if you put the shot bags on the back end of the trailer, you can pick the trailer up and wheel it around with one hand.

I replace the folding main gear links with a similar sized aluminum bar.  The bar extends outboard far enough to attach a clevis.  This ring is for one end of a tiedown strap.  The other end goes to a strategically placed tiedown ring on the trailer floor.

Chocks in front of and behind the main tires keep it from rolling.  (Yes, you bolt the back one on AFTER the airplane is in place.)  Two by two "chocks" are along the inner side of the main wheel to keep the plane from skittering sideways.

The nose is held down by tiedown straps around the lower part of the engine mount.  I have never trailered it with the cowling on.

If it's a one-day trip, skip wrapping it up.  Otherwise, use black 4-mil polyethylene sheet (Home Depot) and lots of packing tape to keep it dry and to keep the UV off.  Unless it's painted, of course, and then you don't have to worry.  Plan on stopping twice in the first hour or so to retape the loose flapping things that you missed.  An elastic mesh net can help out over the canopy.  I think these are intended for pickup trucks.

I have towed this 1500 miles with a Honda CRX.  Again 1250 miles with a Mazda Miata.  Both worked fine.  But now I prefer to use my wife's 3/4 ton diesel truck.

Oh, and the wings travel separately.

Good luck.  Call me if you need more advice.

- Rob Wolf
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