Rumor has it that there may be a Kenworth pullin a 53' Van trailer with only two gyros in it, leaving Kansas, mid March, headed for Houston and BENSON DAYS.

RSVPS accepted.

fj

Ya guys this just keeps getting better, better better like the Beatles song.

The fickin trailer has AIR RIDE SUSPENSION

fj

Hey Jim,

Just a thought here: For a ramp: How about 3 2x12x16 ft boards, with some concrete blocks to stack in the middle for support... they could be arranged at the width necessary to push a gyro up and down into the trailer. The issue will be how to anchor the board at the opening to the trailer... so it will not be too large a 'bump', nor slip off and dump a gyro on its side.

Just a thought to start the creative process to build a ramp.

I LIKE that ideee, currently I use 12.footers to get into my gyro trailer, but that's only about 24" high.

With a 4' deck height on the 53 foot Van trailer, I WILL be using long enuff ramps so that the angle in no steeper -

how long do they need to be ? Know that my Tiggy B weighs 1250# empty, and I use a little 12v winch thingy to pull it aboard my current trailer. Ramps that will handle my 'monstrozity' will handle most anything ?!?!
Blocks under the ramps sounds the way to go as well.

fj

I was out in the bush today watching a friend mustering sheep with a SC M912.- doesn't get much better !

fj

Would have enjoyed watching that SC do what used to be done on horseback... NOT gonna call the SC pilot a cowboy... well, not in the negative sense anyway... IMO it takes to fly a gyro herding livestock... my skill level is a long way from that style of flying. Hopefully someday (hundreds of hours down the road).

The idea of 2x12x16's (PT deck lumber) came from something I saw some dudes do back in the 1980's: They were trying to load a small economy car (something like a Toyota Corolla, do not remember what it was) into the back of a closed rental truck (no, I am not sure what the intention was, did not ask).
Anyway, watched them for a bit: They carefully arranged a way to anchor the top of the boards to the back of the truck (did not see how they did it), then built a few block 'supports' under the ramp. Then one of them got into the car and just drove it up. The boards seemed to creek a little... yet it worked. They loaded the boards and blocks into the truck and away they went.

If it were me doing this... I would be VERY careful to plan out three things:
1) How to attach the ramps at the trailer... so they do not come loose...
2) Adequate support under the ramps... two block stacks under each board may be even better than one... One might solicit the advise of one of the engineers we have at the forums.
3) I would devise a wince to raise and lower the gyro's. We always plan to not have accidents... yet we also do not want our bodies in the way if one happens. After all, that is why they call them accidents...

Now another thought would be to get an extra 'teeter bolt', and arrange some kind of crane arrangement to pick up each gyro by the 'non airworthy teeter bolt', and place it inside the trailer... wheels pointing towards the front of the trailer.

Another thought would be to build an 8x7 platform of plywood, and arrange for forklifts at each loading and unloading location... simple to move around and simple to put a gyro on and lift/lower.

Lots of ideas here, and a couple of months to work it out... not a bad deal for a really FUN trip.

Depending on timing... GA (myself) may try to hook up with the convoy when you guys transition from I-10 to I-75 to head South in Florida.

I read somewhere someone is gonna bring their camera/video stuff and document the trip... that sounds really COOL for folks who will not be along...

Everyone- Sometimes the journey can be almost as much fun as the destination.

What a nice group of people to travel with....each and everyone of you.

I have a very limited time off, and I have to fly commercial, but I will meet you all again and some new acquaintances as well at Bensen Days.

I was out in the bush today watching a friend mustering sheep with a SC M912.- doesn't get much better !

fj

That must be great!
But that return commercial flight from Aus.........

I do NOT have the experience with ramps outer than U-Haul type so I will have to leave that up to you Bro.

OK GREAT ideas my friends and I too have found with groups the trip can be as much fun as the destination.

However people are people and they get tired and some are early, some on-time, and some late. The early and on-time folks often get grumpy and want to just leave without them = on-time.

Stan and I were talking on the phone about this just today.

I've seen this many times and often they leave on time, and then there is hurt feelings and guilt to deal with once your all at the destination.

So knowing things like this in advance we always leave on time...

however, I with an empty truck having off-loaded to the Mother Truck can stay and wait and no-one is inconvenienced or left behind and then catch up at least at the next bathroom/ donuts breaks, I got to keep Jim supplied with donuts, don't you know.

Now if you don't call me and I cannot get a hold of you on my cell I don't wait either so that the only way you can get left behind! And everyone is happy, I just don't care when we leave as long as I'm at/in the party!

NEW AND MOST CURRENT INFORMATION will be always be added here!
The Caravans are just starting to be raveled.
Were are using these tentative dates for the CA to FL, thanks to Mike, as it's over 3 months to go... this will change as we acquire more folks going to the party.

Bensen Days begins March 26th, so here is the start timeline, so far:

Leave San Diego California Thursday the 20th AM
Arrive Anahuac Texas Sunday the 23rd AM
Leave Anahuac Texas Sunday the 23rd PM
Arrive Gonzales Louisiana Monday the 24th AM
Leave Gonzales Louisiana Monday the 24th PM
Arrive Pensacola Florida Tuesday the 25th AM
Leave Pensacola Florida Tuesday the 25th PM
Arrive Wauchula Wednesday the 26th AM

We will add the other stops and adjust the dates accordingly.

The route, thanks to Jeff Tiption, don't think I've done any work so far... The route Is I-10.

I will use one truck to make up to 2 hour trips to EITHER SIDE OF our route as it changes to pick up people at night while the caravan is sleeping and 2 hours back. Sleep 4 hours I need and the ones who came with me will have to catch up on sleep the 1st leg while driving?

---
If you don't have gyro and have a group start a car pool and join us, or I'll borrow one of the car pool-er cars and I'll come get you when there are no gyro's as long as there in room in the cars following.

Ya know John... If it were me (and I am only offering this as a suggestion)... I would plan in some extra time for those un-expected mishaps... like:
Someone that usually is planning to be on time... yet had a last minute issue...
A person trying to make the rondevous point, yet gets caught behind a messy auto and/or truck accident closing the road...
A flat tire that requires going to town and buying a new tire...
A gyro that just will NOT stay tied down as it should (too excited wanting to ride with the other gyro's in the Mother truck)...
Stuff of life that just happens...
IMO building in time for the un-expected... tends to lower tensions and everyone seems happier.

Earth to gyromike! Uhummmm.....I see LA on that map.....just sayin'.......

Yaw Mon good advice!

Hi guys.

Stan and I were on the phone just now discussing many things but one he was pointing out how to overcome problems on this trip.
When he asked I described it as off-load to the mother truck and he laughed at the phrase.

So what Stan and I were wondering Jim....




Does that make you a Mother Trucker?

ARRRGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH...

Wauchula has to have a warehouse of some sort with a dock. Work something out with the owner. Back the trailer up, unload the gyros and borrow someone's low trailer and ferry them out to the airport.
Too bad there isn't a earthen ramp of sorts out there. Maybe a project for the future?
4' height is going to be a booger. Even with a 16' 2X12 its gonna be kinda steep!

John- There is an excellent loading dock at Wauchula! Remember that freaking ramp that launched the Nissan? Just back semi up to that, the ramps will finish it out.

Stan

Gabor, I second "earth to gyro mike". Where you at I know your reading this??????

Hi guys-

Now in spotty rception area

I believe i can get Goot ramps built, multiple-hinge-ing, métal C channel stuff, PATENT PENDING.

Is Kenny-thé-Kenworth gonna be asked to do much 2 lane work ??

fj

Just guessing here Jim... I suspect mostly the final hour to Wauchula... What about that turn into the airport... is the culvert wide enough?