Shipping a Project: Advice Required

Rob Erdos · #1 07-13-2010, 04:40 AM

Folks,

I live in Ottawa, Canada and I have been looking at projects that are located elsewhere in North America. A few are nearly completed airframes that seem like a good deal, but are located thousands of miles from home. I'd like to pursue one of these, but I am at a loss on the best way to bring it home. Any suggestions or experiences related to packing and shipping an RV airframe? I'm looking for advice on safely preparing all of that lovely aluminum before I turn it over to a trucking company.

Thanks,

Rob

fehdxl · #2 07-13-2010, 05:07 AM

I've heard good things on-line about Tony Partain. Not sure if he does international, but it's worth a try.

Partain Trading Company, Inc.
(541) 330-0828
email: tpartain 'at' bendcable.com
http://www.vansairforce.net/graphics...truckingco.htm

Lyle · #3 07-13-2010, 06:24 AM

Morning,
I had Tony Partain deliver a quickbuild fuselage, standard wings and empenage for me. I live in Alberta, the kit came from Houston, Texas. He did not come into Canada at that time, don't know if he does now, so I just had it delivered to Havre, Montana which is only an hour and a half from where I live. Everything worked out well, I would definately use him again and the price was good.

Lyle Clarkson
RV-9A
Finish Kit

FresnoR · #4 07-13-2010, 09:12 AM

Unless you use a specialist like Tony Partian, I would head down there yourself and rent a oneway uhaul, especially if the kit has already been taken out of the packaging. That way you can verify everything is bubble wraped or tied down properly, and you can pull over every few hundred miles and double check.

Goflyn · #5 07-13-2010, 09:14 AM

I moved my -7A project from Wisconsin to Texas (about 1000 miles) using a 26 foot Penske truck. The project was on its landing gear and the wings were in a cradle. Took lots of precautions and tied everything down real well. Arrived with no damage. Can send pictures if you decide to go this route.

f1rocket · #6 07-13-2010, 09:24 AM

You can package it up and ship it but you will probably find the container cost prohibitive. I packaged up one of my kits for overseas shipment but it was very costly to get it over there. As others have suggested, either pay Tony to move it for you or rent a truck and drive it yourself are probably your best options.

B Cunningham · #7 07-13-2010, 09:46 AM

Freightquote.com

Bugsy · #8 07-13-2010, 11:08 AM

Bruce,

Would you mind sending me some photos. bugsygardetto@hotmail.com.

How you loaded it up and tied stuff down.

Thaks in advance.

vlittle · #9 07-13-2010, 11:51 AM

Rob, my recommendation is that you have it shipped to a freight depot in Ogdensburg, then pick it up yourself with a trailer or truck that you own or borrow (not rent!). This will be a lot cheaper.

Also, you need to ensure that none of the sections of the project have been closed, or you will have to de-rivet to allow for the MDRA inspection.

Thanks, Vern

Rob Erdos · #10 07-13-2010, 07:23 PM

Vern et al,

Perhaps I wasn't clear on one thing: I'm looking at a kit in Canada. I know what a PAIN it is to import a project into Canada. Our Feds will require you to take the skins off the wings and tail - yes, even a QuickBuild - to allow inspection of the interior workmanship. Unless anyone in Canada knows how to get around this, it just seems prohibitive to bring a project into Canada once any of the components are closed. Bummer.

Rob