Do you use your towbar?

[kevinh]

In another thread (RV Tool Kit?) I saw a couple of folks mention they used their towbar quite a bit. This kinda surprised me - but I'm moving my response here to keep things on topic:

Originally Posted by gvgoff99

The tow bar is a must.

Really - do folks really use their tow bar much? I used my towbar back during phase one, but for the last couple hundred hours I've pretty much been moving things by the prop (per the recommendation of all the local nosegear RV fliers). I still keep the towbar in the plane but haven't had it out in a long time

Of course I do this cautiously - check mag switch through window (and check its ground frequently), lean carb to shutdown, and turn prop horizontal and far from TDC with hands outside of arc. Then some light push pull on the prop to move my plane around to tiedows etc...

Is this a bad practice? Do you do it?

It seems that with the castering nosegear it easy to move the plane around on flat paved ground.

[hevansrv7a]

I can pull the airplane with the prop and/or the tow bar, but putting it back in the hangar up a slight incline, I just can't do it without pushing on the base of the prop while steering with the towbar.

[AlexPeterson]

I've maybe pushed my 6A back in the hangar once without a tow bar. Think of it as a steering bar. I don't push at all on the tow bar, just use it for steering. I find it too much work to push the castering nose wheel backwards, and simply not worth it. If a main gear hits a little bump, it is impossible to prevent the nose wheel from turning.

[638RS]

I use my tow bar all the time pushing the plane back into the hangar. it is difficult to keep the nose wheel straight with out it. It can be done but much easier with a tow bar

[N941WR]

Yep, I use mine every time I move the -9 in or out of the hanager.

Click on this picture to see mine in action:

BTW, I have more money in my towbar than I do my "tug".

[Bryan Wood]

Kevin,

I'll usually push down on the horizontal stab with my forearms to get the nosewheel off the ground and the plane pushes around easily that way. Try to push down on a rivet line so that the skin doesn't crush. So far so good here.

[cbo111]

The Hartzell manual says "Never attempt to move the aircraft by pulling on the propeller."
I ocassionally push on the spinner dome at the same time I push on the tow bar to get things moving while backing into the hangar.

Chuck Olsen
RV-7A
TSP

[DeltaRomeo]

We have angle iron on the floor that the doors roll on. Using the bar to get the plane over these has been VERY helpful. Video clip.

b,
dr

[Ron Lee]

If you have an A model try moving it around without a towbar. You will soon discover the right response.

[tommylewis]

I use the towbar whenever moving my 7A around in the hangar, or to tow it out of the hangar with a garden tractor. I do push on the prop to push back from fuel pump.