Extended Baggage Options??

[jrussl]

I am in the middle of what is turning out to be a multi-year rebuild of my PA18 (L21). It currently has the FA Dodge extended baggage but I am considering installing full extended baggage. I have tried the search function but haven't really found a good discussion that lists all the options. I also did not see anything in the Wiki area of dotorg. So here goes......

Are there STC'd extended baggage kits other than the ones from CubCrafters?

What suppliers are there for the upper baggage door?

Are people installing the extended baggage on a field approval?

Thanks in advance.

Jeff

 

[mike mcs repair]

I have only done it with a field approval for ever...... your mileage may vary...

 

[Crash]

Airframes Inc. was adding both the upper and lower baggage as a "minor alteration" log book entry the last few years of production.

If I were to do a full height - width extended lower baggage today I would only make it 24 to 28 inches deep (just long enough for sleeping pads & bags lengthwise). Any longer and it's easy to get your weight too far aft of the CG. It's also easier to load and unload without the weight and hassle of adding an outside cargo door. IMHO

Take care.

Crash

 

[WhiskeyMike]

extended baggage

Anyone know of a pre-made, simple, lightweight ski tube, maybe about foot in diameter?

Really easy to start adding weight.

 

[aktango58]

Stearman,

Isn't that what struts are for?

I agree with Crash on how easy it is to get the tail loaded down. Been there, first time flying a friends bird

Crash, Did you limit your size, and can you send dimentions or post pics?

thanks

 

[WhiskeyMike]

struts

aktango 58 - Couldn't agree more about struts, they work the best, but it's all about where you are flying. In populated areas we'd probably be shot down for carrying rockets. Remember the judge with the "seeing eye dog" from Arlo Guthrie's song. Don't confuse this with logic!

 

[aktango58]

The one's I have seen were just aluminum bent to desired size.

A good tinner can fab one up out of aluminum very quick for you. I have a friend that does it for a living if you can't get it done at home.

PM dimentions and I will get you a quote.

 

[Ruidoso Ron]

I replaced the A Dodge extended with the Cub Crafters during my rebuild. I like the fact that the floor is flat all the way from the back seat to the back of the extended baggage. My CG came out so that with an empty airplane, and just me in the front seat, I am at the fwd. limit. I carry a case of bottled water (I'm in New Mexico, you know) and my survival pack all the way in the back, so I am able to round it out on a 3-point landing. Still have lots of baggage space remaining (including the belly pod) to easily go over gross before I cube out.

 

[Crash]

Stearman,

Isn't that what struts are for?

I agree with Crash on how easy it is to get the tail loaded down. Been there, first time flying a friends bird

Crash, Did you limit your size, and can you send dimentions or post pics?

thanks

Tango

No, I went with the flow on my new Airframes Inc. fuselage, which came with the lower baggage extended back four feet long.

I looked at it several times and thought, "man that is sure putting the weight a long way aft" but I never shortened it up and finished it that way.

At recover it WILL get shortened up. I hardly ever haul anything back there it's so long and always have to make precautions so stuff doesn't slide back there during flight.

That is why I said "if I were to do", what I meant was, "if I were to do one TODAY", this is how I would do it.

"Live and learn" I guess applies to this situation.

Take care.

Crash

 

[gander]

I see the reason for short baggage but i sleep in my cub more than i sleep in a tent. I feel the space is far more practical, you dont have to use it all the time. I agree you can aft load them that is why you have trim and also what makes the cub trim system shine. The more cubic inches the better. I use my aft baggage when i am trying to get into a real short high elevation by putting gear all the way back and getting out putting the gear in the belly pod all the way forward. The extra room is just another tool that can be used in certain situations.

 

[aktango58]

Crash,

as long as you live you learn...

Gander, I had help loading a cub that has the jumbo baggage... There was not enough trim on that cub and I felt lucky to get it around the patch and back on the runway.

I don't need the extra, even if I am not going to use it always. Yes a tool, but I watch stuff slide in the baggage I have...

And I know, stupid is as stupid does, take percautions... I like Crash's idea for my personal precaution.

 

[gander]

I see your point, I guess working in a industry where there are procedures and safeguards that are mandatory for safety i would rather choose to live with more options and common sense when it comes to my flying. please do not take any offense to this comment.

 

[aktango58]

Gander,

FYI: I felt like an idiot, (after I was safe on the ground).

For me is is a personal thing. I also hate when my hat gets pushed to the back of the baggage and I have to crawl all the way back!

I don't sleep in my plane unless it is an emergency. Way to many creaks, groans and weezes for me, then the plane noise

I have Atlee baggage with pod on my plane. It does me well. I actually find that more space is good, but the weight gets to be too much quickly.

Crash's baggage idea is almost idiot proof. Read above, it would be good for me!

 

[Rob]

It's not too hard to run out of space before you overload a cub...

Here is one other good thing about those extra long baggage. If you are a fan of down sleeping bags (I am) and like them to actually work when you get there (not compressed to down mush). You can easily keep 2 down bags and your tent in the farthest aft area. If you are running your battery under the front seat your CG hasn't changed a bit and the weight is negligible. Everything else becomes easier to reach, and the bag is probably going to be the last thing you need to set up anyways...
If you are just tooling around and have a few odds and ends to carry. And you would prefer not to have to go "deep sea diving" in your baggage to retrieve these later just try this: I keep a cardboard box in the back. Fill it if you need stuff to stay back, slide it in empty (first) if you need stuff to stay forward... I am also a big fan of tie down rings. Ultimately I'd like a firmin pod, but not having one I prefer the flexiblility of the long baggage, managing the weight and balance is pretty easy stuff...

Take care, Rob