Moving an Ultra-light from NSW to TAS?

[shaz]

Hi folks! Settled in TAS now but struggling to figure out how to get my ultra-light down here; short of needing to buy a ute + trailer and doing it myself via the spirit.

 

Would anyone have any contacts / ideas on how to do it? Wings are off; it's a single seater Rans S4 - fits comfortably on a longer car trailer, only weighs around 150kg's or therabouts.

 

 

[onetrack]

Shaz - Below are a number of websites where you can request quotes from transport providers. Some sites are purely trucking sites, some are just general transport providers.

You need to ensure the transport provider you choose is reliable, and carries insurance.

 

Ideally, to minimise handling and transport damage, and to get transport providers more interested, you would be well advised to manufacture or procure a crate, for transport of the aircraft.

The crate would not need to be fully enclosed, an open frame crate just adequate to provide a solid base for support, protection and handling, would do.

There are businesses that specialise in crating items for transport, businesses that provide new or used crates, or you could do a search and try to find a big used crate for sale privately, that would do the job.

 

The other alternative is to advertise under Community Services on Gumtree for someone with a big trailer going from NSW to Tas, to take the aircraft to Tas for you.

Remember that shipping across Bass Strait has restrictions on dimensions, packaging security, types of items, a requirement for all oils and fuels to be drained completely from mechanical products, possibly even batteries needing to be removed as well.

You need to start with the ferry service companies who operate across Bass Strait - call them, and ask what their shipping requirements or restrictions are, or if they even accept an aircraft fuselage for shipping.

 

Protection against damage in transit must be the priority factor, that is where all the problems start.

Minimising the handling of the aircraft during transit, is one way to do that. Securing the fuselage properly to stop movement, is the second way to do that.

 

Trucking;

 

Loadshift - https://www.loadshift.com.au/

 

Truckit - https://www.truckit.net/

 

Freightseek - https://www.freightseek.com.au/

 

General shipping;

 

https://www.uship.com/au/

 

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/sydney-city/other-business-services/australia-wide-transport-service-cars-boats-machinery-caravans/1280572684

 

Crating;

 

New - https://www.sydneycrates.com.au/

 

Used - https://www.ubeeco.com.au/news/second-hand/

 

 

[facthunter]

"Loadshift" is a bit weird.? (name choice)..  Nev

[onetrack]

Nev - Yes, I guess it's not as catchy a name as a marketer might produce - but in my experience, I've found Loadshift very good for transporting items. It's basically a truckies bidding platform, and as soon as you post for a quote required; if it's a reasonably attractive job, you get the truckies calling you direct, to discuss pricing, terms, any problems, etc. 

 

I've had a number of successful freight jobs that were quoted through Loadshift, but you need to find the transporters who have experience in the various types of load transport.

Many specialise in just a small range of load types, a lot depends on their level of equipment, the type of trailers they use, etc. 

Dimensions are often the most critical part of freight movement, not a lot of people understand that dimension limits are usually quite strict limits.

 

The main problem involved in transporting an aircraft is simply the volume involved. All freight operators work on 333kg per cu m3 for a weight/volume ratio. So if you have a bulky, light load, you'll pay the same rate as someone shifting a bulldozer that weighs 10 or 20 times times as much as your aircraft, but which only takes up the same volume as your light bulky load.

 

Ideally, Shaz is probably best advised to find someone with a big car trailer, or maybe even hire one. uShip often has movers who have trailers, and who are looking for loads for them.

Moving equipment from NSW to Tas is fraught with quite a few unique problems, not the least of which is ferrying costs.

[turboplanner]

31 minutes ago, onetrack said:

Nev - Yes, I guess it's not as catchy a name as a marketer might produce - but in my experience, I've found Loadshift very good for transporting items. It's basically a truckies bidding platform, and as soon as you post for a quote required; if it's a reasonably attractive job, you get the truckies calling you direct, to discuss pricing, terms, any problems, etc. 

 

I've had a number of successful freight jobs that were quoted through Loadshift, but you need to find the transporters who have experience in the various types of load transport.

Many specialise in just a small range of load types, a lot depends on their level of equipment, the type of trailers they use, etc. 

Dimensions are often the most critical part of freight movement, not a lot of people understand that dimension limits are usually quite strict limits.

 

The main problem involved in transporting an aircraft is simply the volume involved. All freight operators work on 333kg per cu m3 for a weight/volume ratio. So if you have a bulky, light load, you'll pay the same rate as someone shifting a bulldozer that weighs 10 or 20 times times as much as your aircraft, but which only takes up the same volume as your light bulky load.

 

Ideally, Shaz is probably best advised to find someone with a big car trailer, or maybe even hire one. uShip often has movers who have trailers, and who are looking for loads for them.

Moving equipment from NSW to Tas is fraught with quite a few unique problems, not the least of which is ferrying costs.

Interstate Boat or caravan movers. They have both big trailers and soft suspensions.

[facthunter]

it's risky moving aeroplanes. There's nearly always damage done. I took one of my own from Gympie to Vic years ago. Built special additions to a tandem trailer but it was a 'tense" drive.  I keep looking for a solution to this one.  Nev

[onetrack]

Shaz could also investigate/calculate an exercise doing a one-way U-Haul trailer hire to Tasmania, loading it and towing it herself. It's certainly the only way to ensure careful handling all the way.

 

https://www.trailerrentals.com.au/k/one-way-hire-to-tasmania

 

Edited October 17, 2022 by onetrack

[facthunter]

GUT an old lightweight caravan. Strap the wings carefully together with Pillows etc separating them and have light springs on  it Feed it through one end. It will weigh Bugger all and could be pulled with almost anything.. Nev

[facthunter]

Light springs for the trailer wheels to soften the ride. Just remove a leaf or so. The "furniture" is most of the weight.  Nev

[skippydiesel]

49 minutes ago, facthunter said:

GUT an old lightweight caravan. Strap the wings carefully together with Pillows etc separating them and have light springs on  it Feed it through one end. It will weigh Bugger all and could be pulled with almost anything.. Nev

That's what I did to relocate my Sonex from S Gippsland to mid NSW (about 10 hrs drive each way).

 

• 1975 Viscount Supreme re named The Aircraft Carrier. Had to be this big to get the internal capacity (about 8 m). The double axle gives good stability & flotation on the road.
• Great chassis, suspension (with electric brakes both axles) all aluminium van frame and skin. Be warned, a van of this age uses imperial aluminium channel that is no longer available - modifications may require some ingenuity.
• It sounds easy but as I belatedly found out, the guts of a caravan (the internal fit out) are structural, so the conversion needs to include "stiffening" ribs.
• I replaced the floor with marine ply (Bunnings ). The wheel arches are forme ply onto angle iron, with width extensions to accommodate aircraft main wheel track.
• Loading is accomplished using SCA folding aluminium ramps (200KG each). Two strong blokes can wheel the fuselage up/down (I did toy with the idea of a boat winch).
• Wings can be either lie flat (with suitable packing/sandwich) or in purpose built (shaped) wooden (ply) carriers. There is also space to put the wings over top fuselage but would require some additional struts.
• I cut the rear end off the van body (in line with the chassis) and replaced it with a large aluminium single hinge door (which is also structural when closed).
• Most window glass replaced with double wall polycarbonate (Suntuff?) . Roof vents replaced with aluminium sheet. All wiring removed. Brake & vehicle lights wiring replaced.
• Threaded eye bolts (going through chassis out riggers) down each internal side, provide a wide choice of tie down locations.
• I used expanded polystyrene sheets (can be recycled for house/shed insulation), bubble wrap and packing tape, to protect large  components from tie down damage.
• Use low tyre  pressure (30 -36 psi) to soften the ride. If you go this low, be sure to keep an eye on tyre temperatures - increase pressure if they get hot.

 

Its not a "thing of beauty" but it is registered, tows straight and keeps the weather off - currently doing service storing the wings/empennage.

 

Note: Do not modify the chassis itself ESPECIALLY ANY PART THAT CARRIES THE VIN (usually the tow frame). If you do this in NSW, you will then require an engineers inspection/certificate to register the van.

 

Unless you get the (dual axle) van for nothing, you will probably end up spending around $8-12K to put it back on the road as an aircraft/toy hauler. To purchase one new will be north of $20K (I imagine)

[shaz]

@onetrack/ @facthunter / @skippydieselI really appreciated the detailed message, thank you!

 

I've sent off a few enquiries and have called a few transport companies; quotes are coming in around $15k+ which is a bit steep for what it is.

 

Other option is to get it restored on the mainland and potentially fly it over the Strait ... now that would be an adventure.

 

Edit: I wasn't able to find any company offering one way truck or ute/car + trailer hire to Hobart from Sydney (tried all the big names; hertz, avis etc, and the little ones too).

Edited October 17, 2022 by shaz

[facthunter]

You chuck this one ( trailer,)  away after it's done it's job or just sell for what you can get.  It's a very lightweight plane.  Especially IF you remove the engine.  $15000 ?  You'd be better to sell the plane.  Tassie is pretty windy. Nev

Edited October 17, 2022 by facthunter

[skippydiesel]

"I've sent off a few enquiries and have called a few transport companies; quotes are coming in around $15k+ which is a bit steep for what it is."

 

So my Aircraft Carrier may be the way to go - spend $15K (or more) on a  mainland "toy" hauler/van of the correct dimensions - tow it over (almost any ute would do the job as all up weight low) and sell the van in Tassie and get your dough back

[Thruster88]

I bought a new registered 2 axle Mario car trailer 3 years ago for $2800. They would be more expensive now but you would get most or all of your money back if sold in good condition. Light weight, over ride brakes, ramps, 2 ton gross vehicle mass, they are perfect for aircraft transport.  Just need plenty of old foam mattress. 

[facthunter]

Check out if it will fit in one of the longer Vans  which you may be able to hire. Being out of the weather and effects of wind helps a lot, with your piece of mind, Semi's going the other way was what gave me the most concern with the wind blast that followed them. Trailers cost a lot on the Tasman Ferry too.

[RFguy]

hire a big car trailer for the week....

Catarmaran trailers are alsoA good options, they have LONG drawbars and are max width, usually much wider than a car trailer., they have perm for this.

However, to avoid spending an arm and a leg on a new trailer, my investigation showed me that I was better buying a old catarmaran and trailer together- and giving away the cat.....

 

[BrendAn]

i could do it heaps cheaper with one of my trucks. my truck is all airbags euro truck, like riding on marshmallows. done 3 plane shifts without a scratch so far. wrap the wings in underlay then carpet and lay them on a bit of mattress foam. 

 

[Marty_d]

That $15k sounds really expensive.  A few years ago I was looking at buying a 162 Skycatcher from Tyabb and transporting it down here, the quote I got at the time was $1600.

 

Have you looked at buying a container, packing the plane yourself, getting it shipped then selling the container again?  It'd fit in a 20' container and I reckon they sell just as well down here as anywhere else.

[Bosi72]

Last weekend I helped lifting an Auster onto a long 2-axle flat trailer with wings on the floor (under the aircraft belly).

Lots of cushioning, pillows, mats, straps, card boxes, and bits&pieces that went into the van.

Way cheaper than 15k truck. Unfortunately, the Spirit was always expensive and I'm yet to bring my camper trailer on the Spirit.

 

Alternatively, wait for High pressure system over the Bass strait, then fly to Tassie. Stop at Yarram for fuel. Climb to 7500ft and you will clearly see the Flinders Island shortly after takeoff. 

 

Check Ersa SP1..

 

 

 

 

[BrendAn]

4 hours ago, facthunter said:

You chuck this one ( trailer,)  away after it's done it's job or just sell for what you can get.  It's a very lightweight plane.  Especially IF you remove the engine.  $15000 ?  You'd be better to sell the plane.  Tassie is pretty windy. Nev

probably the most sensible idea. sell it and buy something in tassie.

[onetrack]

I reckon Martys come up with the best solution. Shipping a 20 foot container across to Tassie should be a reasonable cost.

 

You can even hire a container for 30 days - although buying one, and then selling it in Tasmania, would probably end up costing less overall.

 

The only problem with buying and selling is that the sea container must still be in certification - whereas when hiring one, the container hire company supplies a certified one.

 

https://containerzone.com.au/container-to-tasmania/

 

Edited October 17, 2022 by onetrack

[BrendAn]

4 minutes ago, onetrack said:

I reckon Martys come up with the best solution. Shipping a 20 foot container across to Tassie should be a reasonable cost.

 

You can even hire a container for 30 days - although buying one, and then selling it in Tasmania, would probably end up costing less overall.

 

The only problem with buying and selling is that the sea container must still be in certification - whereas when hiring one, the container hire company supplies a certified one.

 

https://containerzone.com.au/container-to-tasmania/

 

trouble is you still need to get the plane from sydney or a container dropped there and picked up again, then delivered to webb dock, then devonport to hobart.   

[skippydiesel]

Personally I would have nothing to do with "override brakes"  on any trailer - high maintenance to keep working effectively, overly dependent on the tow vehicle providing the initial stopping resistance and have been known to "bite" with fetal consequences.

 

This obsolete technology was great, before we had electric brake systems and now should simply be outlawed.

 

Just my opinion (had a mate killed by one)

[kgwilson]

Aircraft are being towed around the country all the time in all manner of home built trailers. All you need is a trailer long enough to take the fuselage and wings and plenty of packing, wrap, (old blankets, foam, cushions, pillows, expanded polystyrene etc are great) and be meticulous how you tie it down, cover the whole lot with a decent tarp fully tied down to prevent all flapping and no air leaks. Make sure the front is reasonably aerodynamically streamlined. When I moved my build from my house to the hangar I borrowed such a trailer and spent a day packing, covering and tying down. I got it there without a single scratch.

[Steve L]

Check out a 20ft container, you can pack it yourself (lock it) then unload yourself. It might be cheeped than you think and I’m sure most transport companies will let you load it in their yard if your quick. I shipped the Bulldog from the UK that way and the container was around $3000 delivered to the pickup point UK end and I unloaded it myself in the customs yard in Pt Adelaide. 
that was the CHEAPEST part of the exercise, then customs and C.A.S.A got their talons into me.
 

good luck
 

Steve