Towing a Cessna from PA to VA

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Skylark23

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Skylark
I have a Cessna 175 that I need to move from Western PA to Virginia in the next several weeks. The engine and firewall forward are currently already removed and so is the windshield. I am looking for suggestions on how to move something like this from people who have done it before. I have an A&P who will help me with the move.


Any advice on tailers to rent or perhaps someone who I could hire for the job is appreciated.
 
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Skylark23 said:
Any advice on tailers to rent or perhaps someone who I could hire for the job is appreciated.
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Any trailer long enough to accommodate the length. Pull the wings and secure on DIY cradles. Cessna mx manual has an example. Pull the elevator and rudder and secure as needed. May want to temp install the windshield, or build a wind block for that opening. However, there are people who also specialize in moving aircraft as well.
 
Skylark23 said:
I have a Cessna 175 that I need to move from Western PA to Virginia in the next several weeks. The engine and firewall are currently already removed and so is the windshield. I am looking for suggestions on how to move something like this from people who have done it before. I have an A&P who will help me with the move.


Any advice on tailers to rent or perhaps someone who I could hire for the job is appreciated.
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What is the gross weight of the 175...include everything plus the weight of the trailer? How much weight is your vehicle rated to tow? Simple math problem.
 
rk911 said:
What is the gross weight of the 175...include everything plus the weight of the trailer? How much weight is your vehicle rated to tow? Simple math problem.
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This is more of a size issue than a weight issue. Without the firewall forward it's probably less than 1300 pounds right now.
 
I just brought a plane back from Georgia to Texas. We had an enclosed trailer which was nice. We put the wings on the floor, wrapped with blankets and strapped them down. We used the built-in, heavy duty tie-down rings for the plane, screwed lighter ones in for everything else. Use chocks and tie-down straps and pull over to check it fairly often.
 
On an open trailer, with no windshield, remove all the tail feathers and tape the end of the fuselage with plastic or a blanket and do the same with the windshield. Load with the tail first, deflate the nose strut and tie down via the gear. Use some stretchy rope or cord for keeping the tail aligned, but don't put a lot of tension on it. Stuff all the light stuff in the cockpit and tape the doors closed with aluminum air conditioning tape.
We've moved more than a dozen L-5's in this configuration over the years, some as far as nearly a thousand miles.
 
Skylark23 said:
This is more of a size issue than a weight issue. Without the firewall forward it's probably less than 1300 pounds right now.
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OK, then check your towing laws in the states you'll be towing in for length and width restrictions and be sure the plate on the trailer is visible.

I worked public safety comms for 30-years, the last 27 at a regional 9-1-1 center. One officer in one of the towns we served had a reputation for being very aggressive in enforcing traffic and speed laws. One night he radioed a traffic stop but instead of giving me a description and license plate of the vehicle he gives me an N-number. He had pulled over a truck towing a plane on a trailer and couldn't read the plate on that trailer. FYI.

Good luck and be safe.
 
The width of the horiz stab is an issue too… you can tilt it to help, gets dicey if not loading with a lifting device.

They jump a lot… make sure each main mount tire can’t move AT ALL. Left/right, fore/aft. Nose too…

Gets sporty in winds, not a huge deal, but you’ll likely feel it.

I’ve done wings vertically in cradles and flat underneath. Make sure straps go diagonal to spread out forces. Easiest is flat with old mattresses.

Check load often at outset, you’ll quickly see how your securing plan is working out.
 
Hstab would have to come off for transport as it's well into the width that would require permits for most states and a pilot car for some as well.
 
MauleSkinner said:
I’d also make sure the trailer is wide enough for the gear. The trailer I used once had outriggers.
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FWIW: All the trailers I've used to handle the length requirements (30 foot) were 8.5ft wide which handles all the 100 series Cessnas and keeps below most permit requirements.
 
A lot of states have moved the allowable load width to 9' 6" before you need permits. I got nailed with a load at 9' 6 and 3/4" wide... Stab on a 175 is 10' 8".
 
I towed a 175 for 450 miles with no damage. Ideally, it's best to make a vertical frame and canvas cradle for each wing and load it LE down. I simply put down some old blankets and some foam, and loaded them both flat, stacked upper to upper with the left wing having the pitot sticking straight up. Best tie down for the plane is the tires. But - again, I did it slightly different with a set of tie downs on the inner axle just inside the brake asm. I also had a few backup tie downs to the nose strut and one each side to the wing root attach fitting. I also didn't remove the Horz stab, just put a red plastic flag on each end. It's a bit over 8'6" but wasn't a problem. Secure the rudder and elev from flapping.
 
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