Shortest U-Haul

[bagarre]

Has anyone ever shipped a 170 fuselage in a U-Haul or other rented truck?

I have a wingless, tailless, motorless fuselage that I think comes in at 16 feet.
I need to get it from Pittsburgh to Virginia.

Is it too crazy to hitch the tailwheel and tow it backwards on the mains with trailer lights on it?

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

On this forum a long time ago, where pictures of a 170 with the wings and elevator removed, shipped in a U-Haul truck.

Trailer it on it's own wheels. Yes that is crazy and illegal in PA where trailers must be licensed. But you could easily trailer that on a 16 ft utility trailer.

[bagarre]

On this forum a long time ago, where pictures of a 170 with the wings and elevator removed, shipped in a U-Haul truck.

Trailer it on it's own wheels. Yes that is crazy and illegal in PA where trailers must be licensed. But you could easily trailer that on a 16 ft utility trailer.

I wasn't sure if it was legal or not. I remember my dad towing his Cassutt that way but it was 1977 and back country roads.

A 16' open trailer would hold the plane but I dont have anything to tow the 16' trailer with.
I'm leaning towards the 20 truck they have so I can stuff the cowling, horizontal stab and ailerons in as well.

[DWood]

I transported my 48 in a uhaul years ago from MI to TN. I have also hauled one on a 16 ft trailer.

[170C]

I would recommend renting the enclosed U-Haul truck. That way everything is inside, out of harms way short of a collision or overturn of the truck. Just my opinion.

[ghostflyer]

That closed truck is a very good idea. Protects everything. I helped a friend transport a cessna 182 [ 2001 model] with out wings and tail feathers from the state of Washington to montana and and the number of times we were stopped by the police and asked questions and viewed the purchase receipts was unbelievable . the fuselage was strapped to a very large trailer . The questions asked wasnt about the load itself but the aircraft and the history of the ownership. By the end of the journey we were wondering what was this aircraft previously used for ? My friend purchased the "aircraft "at a public auction. It had a near new engine and prop but the wings and tail feathers were missing . PLus the log books were in the cargo area. To me it was a steal. OOps" Shouldn't use that word. So I would have a enclosed van type of truck to move my aircraft and its bits and pieces.

[170C]

Hopefully some of our members, who have moved aircraft via U-Haul type trucks, will chime in and give you some input on how their experiences have been. Those that have been there and done that are much better qualified to address the pros and cons of such a move than those,like me, who have been fortunate enough not to have done so.

Good luck

[c170b53]

image.jpeg

Frank...what are you saying....?.....

The biggest issue is the gear when transporting. Too wide to fit between the axles on trailers, and too wide to fit into the door opening in a box.
Early gear can be cranked in to pass through the door opening then relaxed for the ride. Lady legs are too stiff for that technique to work. Have on hand 1 foot long bolts, make up spacers and mount the axle on the inside of the gear. With one wheel riding inside of the leg, the plane will just fit.
Most airframes will just fit into the box past the top of the door by utilizing the slant of the windshield. To do so tail in, the gear is raised just before the door opening, then as the tail is lowered the top of the fuselage enters the box then the gear / plane is raised.
You can flat bed it but you need a way to get it up there on the bed. With no engine and stripped likely a sling and small fork truck will make quick work of the job.

[170C]

That is what I was hoping for Jim, but didn't want to single you out unless you chose to do so. Your experience is worth tons to someone trying to decide which way to go

[c170b53]

Some more ideas http://www.cessna170.org/forums/viewtop ... ser#p45127

[bagarre]

Already set for the gear. Have a firewall mount that it will roll on so the gear comes off before shipping.

IMG_2454.jpg

[c170b53]

I've always kept the tires on to absorb the bumps along the way. I guess you could go "hardtail" but I would't want to go far and certainly would't do it if the instruments were still installed. Then again if its a few blocks who cares. My last (and hopefully last) haul was 2000 miles and even when strapped down, the fuselage did move about.

[Metal Master]

Ford & 170 Dark.JPG

I hauled the 170A home to Washington from Greely Colorado on a flat bed trailer. Later after completing repairs I hauled the fuselage with the gear and wheels on sitting on the back of the pick up with the Tail forward over the cab and the main gear sitting on the tail gate. I have done this several times simply by putting planks across the tail gate to support the width of the gear. I have never been stopped and questioned about the load except by aircraft enthusiasts. The trip report on the adventure from Colorado would however entail several volumes of the 170 page forums. The wings were originally on the tow vehicle a Dodge pickup which was a Diesel engine truck. Which my partner and friend Rev filled with unleaded gas in Little America in Wyoming. (Which created a huge problem) And then we had to abandon the entire truck airplane and trailer in Tremonton Utah when the right rear axle bearing burned the axle housing up. Drove a rental car home. And returned a couple of weeks later with the Ford. By that time the Dodge was repaired and we drove the rest of the way home with two trucks.
Jim