Transporting Taylorcraft project

[Leenicklas]

I'm transporing a disassembled T-craft (even one of the wings is completely disassembled) from TX to OK in a 26' U-Haul next week. Anyone have any pointers? I will have plenty of padding and tie-down ropes and two strong sons to help me.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Transporting Taylorcraft project

I didn't have to go all that far for the ones I have moved (both in box trucks too) but the big thing is to tie everything so it can't slide around. The floor of a box truck is pretty smooth and an engine on a pallet WILL SLIDE AROUND! If you can roll the fuselage, even a few inches, it will move MORE when you hit the brakes. A wing will tie nicely to the side wall but you need a way to tie it. If it is uncovered old sofa cushions and pillows are great padding and you can tie the spars to the side wall boards. Just remember those boards will also tear up the ribs if you don't block the spars away from the wall.
The most important thing on my trips was I stopped after the first few miles (just before I got on the Interstate), went in back and checked EVERYTHING. Amazing how the slack showed up in the ropes when you vibrated everything. Both times I arrived with no (new) damage.
Hank

[Leenicklas]

Re: Transporting Taylorcraft project

Thank you very much for the tips. I will come prepared with lots of tie downs, rope and padding. Lee

[mikerice]

Re: Transporting Taylorcraft project

I got a disassembled Taylorcraft in a 16 foot box truck, but the door would not close on the tail, so a 26' will be plenty big.

I like to use a couple sheets of the 1/2" Dow Pink sheet foam insulation from Aircraft Depot… It is easy to cut, stack and tape with packing tape. It is very good at providing shock absorption, and abrasion resistance.

[Doc]

Re: Transporting Taylorcraft project

OK...this was the easy part...and the next step is....... BTW, congratulations and have a great time! Doc

[N96337]

Re: Transporting Taylorcraft project

I've moved lots of airplanes...the most important things to take are duct tape and rope. Lots of it!! With that, you can get the rest to work for you. Blankets are nice, foam, materesses, anything like that, but it's all for naught without duct tape and rope!
John

[N74DV]

Re: Transporting Taylorcraft project

our moving of our Tcraft was quick and easy... but only had to travel 2 miles.

http://vimeo.com/2862111

[dalijohn]

Re: Transporting Taylorcraft project

How can I post a picture to the thread.

[Richh2only]

Re: Transporting Taylorcraft project

I used a couple of shelf brackets with a 5' piece of 2x4 on one side to hold the wings against the side wall. Put some padding around the 2x4 and most trucks & trailers have a wooden floor you can put dry wall screws into. So take along some 2x4's a saw, some drywall screws, a power screwdriver and lots of padding. We used some 3/4" to 1" cheap foam as packing material. After a four hour truck ride nothing moved and everything was intact, now if the restoration phase would only go as smoothly.
Happy Moving

[dalijohn]

Re: Transporting Taylorcraft project

Trailered from south of OKC to ICT.

[N96337]

Re: Transporting Taylorcraft project

I know I've posted this one on here before, but here's mine, on one of it's trips across MT, ID, and WA... I borrowed a "thistle" sail boat trailer and the rest is pretty explanatory... it traveled just fine!
John

[shipljl]

Re: Transporting Taylorcraft project

I transported mine on a Uhaul automobile trailer. I made a beam that stuck out the back of the trailer for the tailwheel to sit on. The Wheels were tied down with the normal tire straps with some creative reversible length changes in the straps. The wing was laid lengthwise between the wheels. The other wing was in pieces. I towed it with a van where the engine and the small parts rode. If you are interested, I think I could find a couple of photographs.

[FAT KID]

Re: Transporting Taylorcraft project

Pictures of transporting my Tcraft "Miss Valdez" from Valdez AK to Nome AK.

[Leenicklas]

Re: Transporting Taylorcraft project

Thanks to all who gave me "transporiting tips". Got the two t-crafts from central Texas to Tulsa, OK with no damage whatsoever. Two planes in a 26' U Haul was tight, but quite doable. Thanks again. Lee

[Michael]

Re: Transporting Taylorcraft project

I transported one in a 16' foot truck. I placed two screws through engine mounts and bolted engine down. Hung spars with bundgee cords on side of walls, along with wing supports.