Unloading quickbuild crate?

kcameron · #1 02-14-2005, 02:09 PM

I checked with Vans and it looks like my RV-7 quickbuild kit will arrive at my door around the end of February. While it's great to know that it's finally going to be here, I'm now faced with the proposition of getting the thing off of my truck and into my workshop.

My workshop is in my back yard and there's not really any way to get a vehicle to it. I guess I'll be able to carry the wing crate off the truck and to the shop with the help of a few friends. The fuselage crate is different matter. At 880 lbs and 49 inches wide, I doubt that it will possible to carry it. I guess I'll just open it in the driveway or street and hump it to the shop part by part.

The big question is how to get the fuselage crate off of the truck. I guess it partly depends on what type of truck they use. I've heard of them arriving in an enclosed semi-trailer and on a flat bed. Any ideas on the best way to deal with each type?

Thanks,

Kev

Alan Erickson · #2 02-14-2005, 02:59 PM

I built a loading ramp:

http://home.blarg.net/~ericka/plane/ramp01.jpg

In the pic, I'm just levering the center 2x4 crate foot over the lip of the ramp. Never any worries about anything falling, and it has worked perfectly for fuse, wings, finish, engine. It only took an afternoon to build, mainly 'cuz it's overbuilt by a factor of at least 10.

Also useful for renting rototillers, unloading a truckful of dirt by wheelbarrow, and Evel Knievel wannabes.

ptrotter · #3 02-14-2005, 04:12 PM

Call the trucking company and find out what kind of truck they use for deliveries. They may have a lift gate truck which would make it easier. If not, they can tell you what the truck is like and you can plan from there. Van's can tell you who the trucking company is.

Alan Erickson · #4 02-14-2005, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptrotter

...they can tell you what the truck is like and you can plan from there...

I urge caution. I did that every time, and every time the truck that showed up was significantly different from what was promised. I'm darned glad I had a truck-neutral unloading system.

...now if I had a truck-neutral front gate, things would have been *much* easier!!

ptrotter · #5 02-14-2005, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Erickson

I urge caution. I did that every time, and every time the truck that showed up was significantly different from what was promised. I'm darned glad I had a truck-neutral unloading system.

Interesting. I haven't had that problem. I guess it must depend on which company it is and where you are.

Build9A · #6 02-14-2005, 05:33 PM

In my case I had to rent a truck and pick up the QB fuselage crate at the trucking terminal about 30 miles away. I backed the rented truck into my driveway and took the top, ends and sides off of the crate and took the parts out 1 by 1. Then got some help with the "canoe" . Two adults can carry it, three if you really wanted added support. Maybe you could slip the delivery truckdriver a $10 or $20 or lunch and ask him if he could wait while you unload it. It doesn't take that long (30 minutes) after you get the crate apart. If your delivery truck is low enough to the ground, get some help, lift it off the truck and just sit it in your driveway and then take the crate apart, etc. Jack

Tsquare · #7 02-14-2005, 11:13 PM

I've done it twice, both times from an enclosed semi-trailer and both times used a forklift. Preferably one with lateral movement of the forks. Without a forlift or a loading ramp, you are on thin ice unloading the fuselage. With the forklift I pulled the fuselage crate out of the semi, then backed my pickup truck close enough to the semi so I could move the fuselage crate from the semi to my pickup and then into the garage. If you cannot get a vehicle in your back yard, the fuselage (once uncrated) can be carried by two adults fairly easy. Obviously, the front is a little more difficult to carry than the tail.

rglick · #8 02-15-2005, 08:02 AM

Dude, don't sweat the small stuff. If the truck isn't too high just get one end of the crate on the ground then have the driver move the truck forward while two of you (Standing on the ground) hold the end on both sides, then lower it to the ground. Put 2X4's on the ground so you can get your fingers out from underneath. Piece o cake. One other thing, pay attention to the instruction for opening the crate. If you remove the top side screws holding the 2x4 supports before removing the top, they will fall in and damage the fuselage. Good luck.. Rick

kcameron · #9 02-15-2005, 02:45 PM

Thanks for the ideas guys.

That's quite a ramp, Alan. However, I don't have room to store such a thing so it would be a one-time deal. A little too wasteful for my blood.

Sweating the small stuff, Rick? 880 lbs doesn't seem small to me. Are you saying to slide the crate off of the truck until one end tips onto the ground? Who hard is it to slide? Is the crate stong enough to withstand being supported by a single point in the middle? Two people on one end would each need to hold, control, and lower to the ground 220 lb. I couldn't do that even in my prime. It would be dicey even with four men. Perhaps you're joking?

The most practical ideas seem to be having the shipping company keep their truck on site for a few hours while I disassemble it, have them load it into my own rental truck or tralier so I can disassemble it on my own schedule, or to use a fork lift. I'll do one of those.

BTW. I just got a call from Vans. My QB is going to ship this week.

Kev

redbeardmark · #10 02-15-2005, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcameron

I checked with Vans and it looks like my RV-7 quickbuild kit will arrive at my door around the end of February. While it's great to know that it's finally going to be here, I'm now faced with the proposition of getting the thing off of my truck and into my workshop.

My workshop is in my back yard and there's not really any way to get a vehicle to it. I guess I'll be able to carry the wing crate off the truck and to the shop with the help of a few friends. The fuselage crate is different matter. At 880 lbs and 49 inches wide, I doubt that it will possible to carry it. I guess I'll just open it in the driveway or street and hump it to the shop part by part.

The big question is how to get the fuselage crate off of the truck. I guess it partly depends on what type of truck they use. I've heard of them arriving in an enclosed semi-trailer and on a flat bed. Any ideas on the best way to deal with each type?

Thanks,

Kev

I called the local lumbar yard and they sent out a guy on a forktruck. Best $45 I ever spent.
Mark Andrews N598X