Hangar winch

scrollF4 · #1 03-15-2016, 06:45 PM

Gang,
What floor-mounted hangar winch do you recommend for pulling your RV back into the hangar. The VAF search function comes up a little slim. Do you recommend a particular brand or supplier?

Please help me limit this discussion specifically to winches: I'm not interested in push-back tugs or the like.

Thanks!

Mike S · #2 03-15-2016, 07:15 PM

Harbor Fright makes a nice little unit that has a key fob style remote.

http://www.harborfreight.com/2500-lb...rol-61297.html

You can have the tow bar in hand to steer with, and use the remote with the other hand to move the plane.

This is how we loaded the fuse on the trailer when I moved the plane to the airport for final assembly.

rv7charlie · #3 03-15-2016, 08:01 PM

Pretty sure there's a coupon in my latest flier to get that one for <$60.

Taildrgr · #4 03-15-2016, 08:51 PM

While I was building, I flew a Cessna 172.

I bought this winch from Wag Aero because it was impossible for one person to push the plane up a 3 degree slope into my hangar.

http://www.wagaero.com/standard-aircraft-winch.html

The first time I pulled the 172 into the hanger I used the rear tie down ring.
I heard this terrible creaking noise from the area of the tie down ring.

The second time I pulled the 172 in I tied tow straps to the landing gear.
A real pain.

Before a third time, I sold the winch and bought a golf cart.

The winch worked fine, I was just not comfortable using it on my plane.

AlexPeterson · #5 03-15-2016, 09:05 PM

I use a hand crank (boat trailer style) to pull my 6A nose first into a hangar I use in the summer. I have a method to secure the towbar onto the nose wheel, and a rope fashioned on the tow bar in order for the winch to pull it.

The 2 seat trike RV's can be turned around in an impossibly small area, so pulling them in nose first is something to think about. Once the mains are on the hangar floor, it can be spun around.

rockwoodrv9 · #6 03-15-2016, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike S

Harbor Fright makes a nice little unit that has a key fob style remote.

http://www.harborfreight.com/2500-lb...rol-61297.html

You can have the tow bar in hand to steer with, and use the remote with the other hand to move the plane.

This is how we loaded the fuse on the trailer when I moved the plane to the airport for final assembly.

Moved it to the airport for final assembly -Mike, You live at the airport!! Ha!

N15JB · #7 03-15-2016, 10:47 PM

I have the HF winch and it works well. That said, Vans does not recommend towing by the tail tie down ring because the structure is not designed for those kinds of loads applied horizontally.

DaleB · #8 03-15-2016, 10:52 PM

I've thought about a winch. I don't think I would ever drag mine in by the tail tiedown, but there are times in winter when I can't get quite enough traction on the wet/snowy/icy pavement to push it up the slope into the hangar. A few pounds of assist from a winch would make the difference.

scrollF4 · #9 03-16-2016, 06:56 AM

Thanks Gang.
I won't use the tail tie-down. I'll attach adel clamps with hook-on rings to each fuselage step up high close to where the step protrudes from the fuselage, and rig a Y-harness to the winch cable to connect to both steps.

My challenge entails the 2-foot climb KELLI GIRL must tackle on the 30-foot ramp into my hangar. Most significantly, the ramp begins with this rediculous uphill lip. I can only physically push her up the hill if the taxiway is dry and on a warm day (my shoes have better traction), and it takes ALL I've got. Otherwise I need a helper. The lawn mower tug jacknifes. I inherited a 12-V push tug, but don't yet know if it'll work (I'm having a mounting bracket fabricated to clamp it to the nose gear). I have no room or budget for a golf cart. So, I'm looking ahead at the winch option.

So far the best choice I've seen is the AC-powered aircraft winch sold by ACS. It has a long cable-mounted remote, which I figure is mandatory: What I mean is that I see a cordless remote as hazardous (what if the fob fails while the winch is pulling the rudder toward the wall?).

Does anybody have a better option?

Rupester · #10 03-16-2016, 07:22 AM

At my airport we also have a drainage slope outside the hangars, though not as severe as Scroll's. A winch will work fine, so long as the winch cable goes over a pulley that results in the cable being parallel to the apron slope. Otherwise the cable pulls the tail ever closer to the (rising) grade creating significant and unusual stresses. My not-yet-formal plans for an eventual winch have said pulley mounted on a wide platform base to give it stability. The winch would be mounted at the floor at the rear of the hangar.