Trailering an EZ

[Kevin Clay]

I'm planning to trailer my Varieze, and I'll have to go on the highway at least 50 mph.  Should I be concerned about side wind loads on the winglets, since the wings will be secured lengthwise on the trailer?  Also, any suggestions for how to arrange the wings and canard on a flatbed trailer?  - Thanks

[MacGyver]

If you have the option, using a 24-foot-box truck with a liftgate will accomodate an Eze nicely.  The fuselage is rolled onto the liftgate with the tail-end facing forward, and with someone holding the nose (gear retracted), the lift gate is raised.  Best to chock the wheels on the gate with 2x4's and clamps.  Roll the airplane into the truck.  Chock the wheels, and secure the nose with straps wrapped around the upper section of the F-22 bulkhead, and secured on each side of the sidewall of the truck.  Make sure you pad the prop hub (take the spinner off, if so-equipped) with a folded up moving blanket.  Put a pad under the nose as well.

The canard can be wrapped well with moving blankets and secured hanging from one side of the wall.

Wrap the wings and lay them flat, with the winglets on either side of the nose, and secure via the tie-down holes, and with soft nylon rope through the wing fittings.  This arrangement will travel well for over 1000 miles.  Been there, done it.

Transport in such a truck eliminates all potential for roadrash, rock dings, etc.  If only going a short distance, the trailer is fine, but at 50 MPH, I believe the chance for rash & FOD damage is fair.  Structurally, the winglets will be fine in all wind factors.  The winglets are built to withstand something on the order of a full 90-degree sideslip at the 180 knot level, as I recall.

Good transporting,

-Joe Person
VariEze N79JN
EAA Tech Counselor 4418
Bothell, WA  (KPAE)

[MacGyver]

Kevin,

Of course, if you are planning on trailering as a means to avoid having to hangar the airplane, I can contact Mike Drew (He's here in the Seattle area as well), and have him contact you.  Mike had a fully enclosed trailer for his Eze, and it was quite a nifty arrangement.  I believe he took 30 to 40 minutes to set up or take down the airplane.

Cheers,

-Joe Person

[Kevin Clay]

Thanks for the advice.  Actually, I'm bringing it home for a few months to spend some some quality time with it in the garage.  I've got a few projects on it I've been trying to get to for a few years, and now's the time.  I'll probably end up going with the enclosed truck,  but if that's too expensive, I may use a flatbed trailer and wrap it up well to protect it.  In any case I was planning to knock together some padded cradles to hold the wings and canard.  Any ideas?

Kevin N37S

[MacGyver]

Kevin,

If you could wrap (securely) and pad the wings and canard, and tie them down on a flatbed, should be no problem.  I'd plan on doing the best job possible protecting the fuselage & canopy with covers too, for trailer transport.  I helped a friend move a Long-EZ on a trailer 20+ years ago, with no problems.

The truck with the lift gate does make it a cinch - I just brought my Eze home for the winter for some upgrades too, and will use the truck method again when I relocate the airplane to it's new home at Paine Field (Everett, WA) this Spring.

Good luck!

[Jon e mellor]

Hi Kevin,   I built a trailer / hangar for my Varieze and it allowed me to park outside for the last four years ( except for a couple of winter months when I take her home for maintenance). If your're interested I can e-mail some photo's.    Cheers, John.

[Bruce Hughes]

Kevin, you probably are aware of the RATCHET STRAPS that you can
buy at ACE, Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.   I was NOT aware the first time
that I shipped.   The are absolutely essential in any trailering or
trucking project.

Good luck. :lol: