Tailwheel

[flyeyes]

Originally Posted by Steve Sampson

For now I plan to use the VANS supplied tailwheel, though I can see I will get fed up with it.

My question is how should it be set up? Bolted up firmly so it still spins and then secured at that with a cotter pin? VANS did not appear to supply hardware to do that. I cant imagine how they intended it to be. Nothing I can see in the plans.

Thanks.

You've got it exactly right. The only suggestion I'd make is to use a slightly longer bolt, and stack a few washers under the head and under the castle nut. This allows you to easily use an off the shelf (read cheap and readily available) Cessna towbar on the tailwheel. If you don't add the extra washer, it's prone to slip off.

[ddurakovich]

Originally Posted by bjustus

I want to change from the stock tailwheel on the RV-4 I just bought. How do you adapt the Bell or Aviation Products tailwheel to the RV-4? Do you have to replace the spring arm with an RV-8 style? If so does it bolt on or are there modifications?

Thanks,

- Brett

If you have the ORIGINAL tailwheel (not the Full Swivel), you need to cut off the rear part of the spring at the bend, then have the spring turned down to fit in the tailwheel you are going to use.

Literally just got the modified tailspring back this morning, and will install this afternoon. Not really a big deal if you have access to a hacksaw and a lathe!

[ozzierv]

Hi guys, trying to track down Aviation Products tailwheel assys.....anybody got a contact number or e mail address for these guys.

Cheers,
Geoff

[Ironflight]

Found this link to Larry Bowen;s site - has a picture and the phone number for Karen at API

http://bowenaero.com/mt3/archives/2...heel_upgra.html


Paul

[ddurakovich]

Aviation products Inc site:


http://musclebiplane.org/htmlfile/tailwhls.php

[CraigH@KRPH]

Just ordered one Friday, and it came in Monday mornings mail. Now to get it installed . . . .

[John_RV4]

IF we're talking about an original NON-SWIVEL tailwheel, I would suggest you keep it on the airplane and forget the whole thing. I wish I had.

Spend a few $$ on a Bogi-bar or equivalent. Then decide if you really want to go to the trouble. IMHO, the FS tailwheel is the most over-rated piece of equipment in the history of aviation

If you're determined to go ahead anyway, you can buy a new tailspring from Van for $95. Match drill the hole from the old one on your drill press and you don't need a machine shop.

Lastly, you WILL end up buying the Bogi-bar (or equivalent) anyway. So, you might as well do that first and see if you still need the FS tailwheel.

Good luck.

John

[vfrazier]

I produce a nice full swivel tailwheel that gives better clearance and better handling than the stock Van's tailwheel. A common Cessna towbar works very well with it. You can also install a Van's tailwheel pant on my product and it will still full swivel as designed. They will retrofit into the Van's tailwheel socket in about 5 minutes.

My design is standard equipment on new F-1 Rockets. Over 90 units have been shipped in the last few months.

Take a look for yourself. BTW, I have them in stock and ready to ship.

Vince Frazier
Screaming Eagle Graphics and Accessories, LLC
3965 Caborn Road
Mount Vernon, IN 47620
812-464-1839
http://vincesrocket.com/products.htm

[Low n Slow]

Originally Posted by vfrazier

I produce a nice full swivel tailwheel that gives better clearance and better handling than the stock Van's tailwheel. A common Cessna towbar works very well with it. You can also install a Van's tailwheel pant on my product and it will still full swivel as designed. They will retrofit into the Van's tailwheel socket in about 5 minutes.

My design is standard equipment on new F-1 Rockets. Over 90 units have been shipped in the last few months.

Take a look for yourself. BTW, I have them in stock and ready to ship.

Vince Frazier
Screaming Eagle Graphics and Accessories, LLC
3965 Caborn Road
Mount Vernon, IN 47620
812-464-1839
http://vincesrocket.com/products.htm

I?ve got a little over 20 hours on one of Vince?s tailwheels and am very happy with it and the added clearance it provides. It handles fine, but as I mounted it before I started flying my -4, I can?t give a comparison to the original.
Tom

[smokyray]

Guys,
I tried no less than 3 tailwheels on my RV4 over a 10 year period. I operated my RV4 (and now my HR2) off rough grass, gravel and everything in between. The original Van's tailwheel doesn't work worth a flip as the bolt that holds it on hits rocks and drags in the mud on a soft strip. The Van's FS tailwheel and Vince's are very nice but are no good for me as the design has the fork forward getting whacked by rocks, clogging up with mud and getting the paint peeled off by grass and sand, then it rusts. If the TW goes into a hole or mud the front end drags the ground picking up debris or mud. The Aviation products single fork tailwheel on my RV4 has a cad plated fork, 6" tire and swivels with ease. It has great ground clearance and has been flawless for 10 years of landings mostly off pavement. I snapped the bellcrank on the top in the Idaho backcountry after 5 years of hard use and they replaced it free.
I installed a double fork API on my Harmon Rocket and it is even better. If you do any off road flying or operate off gravel or turf and like a painless swivel tailwheel, the API is for you...otherwise, I would go with Vince's.

Rob Ray
RV4 formerly
HR2 currently
F16 till Saturday...