dan carley
Well Known Member
I have the original non swivel tail wheel with a bolt holding the tire on. what is a good tow bar to use
thank you
dan carley
thank you
dan carley
Last edited:
Van's Air Force
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tow bar
- Thread starter dan carley
- Start date
Plummit
Well Known Member
I dropped a bar on my toe once so I can definitely tell you what NOT to use....
~Marc
f14av8r
Well Known Member
I try to keep any type of bar away from my toes!
dan carley
Well Known Member
ok that's funny
tow bar
dan
tow bar
dan
fixnflyguy
Well Known Member
A few options
Dan,
I have same basic VANS T/W that doesnt full swivel..I love the way it works, and dont plan to change it, but I am always worried about someone pushing it backwards and messing up the tailspring and or rudder..I too will one day make a tow (or toe bar) . I entertained machining a custom axle with threaed caps on both sides , but I have also seen the long bolt/washer stack up which works fine, and a bent up claw looking ordeal that fits over the steering horns athat was in the early plans. For now, I pick my tail up by the tail spring and drag it around...get a lot of odd looks!
Dan,
I have same basic VANS T/W that doesnt full swivel..I love the way it works, and dont plan to change it, but I am always worried about someone pushing it backwards and messing up the tailspring and or rudder..I too will one day make a tow (or toe bar) . I entertained machining a custom axle with threaed caps on both sides , but I have also seen the long bolt/washer stack up which works fine, and a bent up claw looking ordeal that fits over the steering horns athat was in the early plans. For now, I pick my tail up by the tail spring and drag it around...get a lot of odd looks!
I, too have the old tailwheel. I used a 1.5" longer axle bolt, added steel spacers a little larger in diameter than the head and nut (plus a little to clear the cotter key). At the hangar I use this tow bar:
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/pages/ps/towbars_ground/deluxe_towbars.php
A friend made me a light, stainless steel version to keep in the plane.
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/pages/ps/towbars_ground/deluxe_towbars.php
A friend made me a light, stainless steel version to keep in the plane.
daddyman
Well Known Member
Tow bar whishing
I bought a Van's comparable tow bar, but it did not work with my tailwheel, as I have a bolt only coming out one side.
The one I wish I'd bought is listed on the home page, the Tailwheel Transporter.
I even fabricated one, that is not as good.
If I'd bought the transporter first, I'd have spent less than the 3 less effective models.
Daddyman
I bought a Van's comparable tow bar, but it did not work with my tailwheel, as I have a bolt only coming out one side.
The one I wish I'd bought is listed on the home page, the Tailwheel Transporter.
I even fabricated one, that is not as good.
If I'd bought the transporter first, I'd have spent less than the 3 less effective models.
Daddyman
Tow Bar
I have the full swivel tailwheel and bought a Tail Dragger Dragger for my RV7 and found it to be cumbersome and heavy. It would not work well when I had the Vans tailwheel fairing installed. I now use a Cessna 150 tow bar that works just fine and comes apart in two pieces for very compact storage. Got it on Ebay for $20. It does require that the cotter pin be trimmed a bit but works great otherwise with the stock nut and bolt.
I have the full swivel tailwheel and bought a Tail Dragger Dragger for my RV7 and found it to be cumbersome and heavy. It would not work well when I had the Vans tailwheel fairing installed. I now use a Cessna 150 tow bar that works just fine and comes apart in two pieces for very compact storage. Got it on Ebay for $20. It does require that the cotter pin be trimmed a bit but works great otherwise with the stock nut and bolt.
MikeyDale
Well Known Member
I built mine from 3 old pieces of light 1" square tubing I had laying around. The tubing is welded so it is spring loaded to hold onto the tailwheel bolt using two short pieces of round tubing. A short piece of strap iron welded on one side will hold the mouth open while you place it on the bolt. Works better than I ever imagined it would!
vfrazier
Well Known Member
Here's a couple items that might be useful to some:
Stainless steel, tow bar friendly, axle bolt designed for the Bell fork
And an easy to make tow bar that is the absolute bomb for keeping in your hangar. Cheap and extremely sturdy.
The standard Cessna 150 towbar (ACS p/n 13-01800, $34) usually works just fine with our tailwheels. Or you can roll your own for about $10. See below. It's made from ordinary electrical conduit. Just make sure that the conduit you buy will fit over the nut/bolt in your tailwheel, i.e. a little over 5/8" I.D. will work fine. Some welding required.. don't breathe the zinc fumes.
Strap loose. Ready to install.
Strap tight. Ready to use. You could fly to Alaska and back and the tow bar would still be attached.
Stainless steel, tow bar friendly, axle bolt designed for the Bell fork
And an easy to make tow bar that is the absolute bomb for keeping in your hangar. Cheap and extremely sturdy.
The standard Cessna 150 towbar (ACS p/n 13-01800, $34) usually works just fine with our tailwheels. Or you can roll your own for about $10. See below. It's made from ordinary electrical conduit. Just make sure that the conduit you buy will fit over the nut/bolt in your tailwheel, i.e. a little over 5/8" I.D. will work fine. Some welding required.. don't breathe the zinc fumes.
Strap loose. Ready to install.
Strap tight. Ready to use. You could fly to Alaska and back and the tow bar would still be attached.
Do you use something for a handle to pass through the ends? This seems like a simple/lightweight solution!
John
dan carley
Well Known Member
do you have a picture of how that's done?
dan carley
dan carley
Infidel
Well Known Member
I just run the strap around the vertical post/axle of the tail wheel and in equal lengths wrap each end around each hand and pull. This method definetly won't push but it does pull. Another advantage I've found by having some excess length is it gets me back from the plane and I can easily see each wing tip for maneuvering clearance. "Patent Pending"
Bogert Towbar
I had a small/short towbar I used for awhile. It is what I carry if I'm going out of town, but in the hangar I use a Bogert Bogi-Bar. Works, well, the t-handle slips out and I can put on an extension to use with a tug when needed...or an electric winch to pull my RV-4 back uphill into my hangar.
http://bogertaviation.com/collectio...sories/products/bogi-bars-tail-wheel-aircraft
I had a small/short towbar I used for awhile. It is what I carry if I'm going out of town, but in the hangar I use a Bogert Bogi-Bar. Works, well, the t-handle slips out and I can put on an extension to use with a tug when needed...or an electric winch to pull my RV-4 back uphill into my hangar.
http://bogertaviation.com/collectio...sories/products/bogi-bars-tail-wheel-aircraft
jliltd
Well Known Member
I bought a Tailwheel Transporter as they advertised their shortest RV height model compatible with all RVs, including the RV3. It didn't work. Didn't have the clearance. I called them and got the equivalent of an, "oh well" response. Basically they told me that when they advertise compatible with all RVs what they mean is all RVs except with the original Vans non-swiveling tailwheel. Oh. Nice to know after the fact. Over $200 of scrap metal gathering dust in the corner of the hangar.
Jim
Jim
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Sam Buchanan
been here awhile
TnMike
Well Known Member
