Asking a question I should already know the answer..

[wingnut]

What is the distance between the main wheels, center of tire to center of tire, with wings off and engine/prop on?
In other words, if I lifted a 170B without the wings on it and sat it back down, what would the approx distance be center to center? I'm fabricating some fixtures/attachments for hauling a 170 on a different trailer and don't have my old one for reference. If someone has a 170 sitting around in a hangar, without wings installed but with engine/prop I would be very appreciative of a measurement. Or if you hauled one and recall the measurement that would be great too.
Thanks,
Del

[minton]

Using a come a long U can make it whatever you want!

[wingnut]

Lots of stress on the gearbox

[hilltop170]

Hi Del-
I can only help with ideas but if you know what wings weigh, you could pick up a whole airplane using a scale and let it down and retain the weight of the wings on the scale and you would get real close.

Or, if you pick up a complete airplane and set it back down on rough pavement where the tires would not slide sideways, that would probably be close as well.

One other thought, if you pick up a complete plane and run a ratchet strap between the gear legs in their relaxed position and just pull the strap snug, it should not hurt anything when the weight of the plane is set back down on the gear. The strap would be carrying the load.

I know you have already thought about these ideas but in case you haven't, I hope one helps.

[wingnut]

Hi Richard,
Those are all good ideas, and if there was a 170 on the field right now I might consider doing that. I can modify my fixtures on site. Just thought if someone already knew the measurement I could make it easy on myself

[minton]

I've pulled them in 4 inches with no damage/wings off

[wingnut]

I've pulled them in 4 inches with no damage/wings off

Well then that would fit perfect with my setup. I can't have one rig that's perfect for all the aircraft we haul, so I've tried to build the most universal rig I could. I've made different fixtures over the years for all sorts of aircraft and was wanting to make some for a job coming up. I've used ratchet straps to hold gear from springing back outboard from one another after lifting, but never pulled them toward one another closer than their relaxed static position with zero weight (except just enought to keep the strap tight) That is the dimension I was looking for.

[n2582d]

94" between outside of wheelpant style axle nuts, early style gear, no engine, no wings, measured after lifting fuselage so gear was moved inboard as much as possible. Subtract about an inch to get measurement between outboard edges of 6.00 X 6 tires.

[wingnut]

I remember seeing and old post discussing how someone hauled a 170 inside a box trailer. There was a picture of it still in the trailer. Thought that post might have some info but I can't find it.
No matter, I've enough fixtures to haul it upside down if I want. Thanks for everyone's input/advise. I've had one email and 2 phone calls from people who measured center-center in their hangar, wings/engine on. All 3 measured 90". I think spec is 86". I was hoping they would relax inward to 82-84" to fit between my wing cradles

[cfzxo]

Del: Was it not discussed somewhere about bolting the axels on the inside of the gear leg with smaller tires? I have never tried it but it might work. That would make it very narrow .

Bill

[GAHorn]

Del: Was it not discussed somewhere about bolting the axels on the inside of the gear leg with smaller tires? I have never tried it but it might work. That would make it very narrow .

Bill

Now THAT is thinking OUTSIDE of the box! I love it!

[wingnut]

Del: Was it not discussed somewhere about bolting the axels on the inside of the gear leg with smaller tires? I have never tried it but it might work. That would make it very narrow .

Bill

Hi Bill, yes I think I recall that being discussed. It does work on some aircraft, but I think I've already determined it will not work on a 170 without fabricating an extension to move the axle either downward or inboard, or both. Not enough clearance between tire and spring.
Overall width is not a problem. My problem is interference with my wing cradles. I tried to link pics from photobucket last night but it said my pics can't be over 800 pixels high.
I think I have a solution and will know tomorrow. Thanks for the suggestions

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

FYI Del, you can't actually place pictures here at the forum over 800 pixels, but you can just put the link to the picture in the post and people can click the link to go see the pictures. Of course those pictures would have to be in an area the public could access, not in a password protected area.

[4583C]

I don't remember the measurements but it worked and " the Eternal Project" is on it's way to Mena. Thanks to Del and Bret.They started about 7 this morning and left about 2:30. They pulled the gear in about 4" but that kicked the top of the wheels out enough to interfere with the wing racks. The solution was some extra padding in the bottom of the wing cradles.

[wingnut]

FYI Del, you can't actually place pictures here at the forum over 800 pixels, but you can just put the link to the picture in the post and people can click the link to go see the pictures. Of course those pictures would have to be in an area the public could access, not in a password protected area.

I'll see if I can figure out how to separate these pictures out from the skunkworks library and post the links. Too tired tonight. Paul worked us like rented mules. He did feed us mighty good though. Thanks Paul!!