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Old July 10th 14, 04:59 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Frank Whiteley
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Default shipping a glider and trailer by rail from East to west coast

On Thursday, July 10, 2014 12:23:45 AM UTC-6, JS wrote:
OP:

Does Tony Condon still move glider trailers?



Rail/Ship:

Yes, the trailer should be locked in place by nailed-in chocks and 2-3 heavy ratchet straps.

Every container I've loaded lately had hard points to strap to.

Try a welded steel pyramid-shaped tower with a trailer tow ball on top to support the tongue. Keeps the weight off the jockey wheel and allows you to really tighten the tongue strap in the container.

Containers usually do not get abused but can get moved around far from level, or even dropped.

It's a very good idea to supervise the loading. Sounds like a rough trip on the train for that 20.

Jim


Agreed, but I shipped from Kansas City, MO, to Felixstowe, UK, and the steel hard point in one corner had broken. I believe it was dropped also as the fuselage dolly (home made) was crushed which probably saved the fuselage. The trailer was very strong, which is why there wasn't more damage. That was rail to Great Lakes and container ship to UK. Two weeks.

Frank