Now that N8PH is flying, time to work the tow bar. Thanks to the welding/machining talent of Tom Doran, here is how we modified a standard Bogert Aviation RV nose gear tow bar to work on the RV-8 (or any RV tail dragger). Swapping out the one side of the tow bar and you can use this same bar for both tail and nose dragger.
In the photo note:
The tailwheel bolt is now longer (AN6-37)
On the bolt head side a 5/8" diameter by 3/8" wide steel spacer is added
On the nut side a 3/4" diameter by 3/8" steel spacer is added
On the nut side, the standard 5/8" ID tow point is replaced with a 3/4" ID by 4" long tow point. A 3/8" threaded rod is welded on the end to bolt it to the two bar.
Each tow point slides over the associated end of the tail wheel bolt. The cotter pin, if bent correctly, fits inside the 3/4" end.
This makes for an amazingly secure connection to the tail wheel. I tried a tow bar that slips around the tail wheel and found the tail wheel pops out at even a slight angle push.
This is the tow bar:
https://bogertaviation.com/collectio...versal-tow-bar
Carl
Tail Dragger Tow Bar
Linear Mode
