Crow Harnesses

CNEJR · #1 12-15-2008, 11:00 AM

Fixing to order a set of Crow Harnesses for my RV6. Is there anything I need to specifiy on the harness other than color or just tell him the airplane model and let him send them? How do these compare to Van's & Hooker belts?

Brantel · #2 12-15-2008, 11:17 AM

Talk to Fred Crow.

If you want any extra bubba factor in the lap belt, let him know.

Here is what I specified and a pic of what I received. I also later asked for pull tabs for the adjusters and they sent them out no charge.

They are better than Van's and as good as the Hookers in my opinion.

Review the review located here: http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ighlight=crows

"Two harnesses customized for use in an RV7 experimental airplane.

This is the side by side model with one cable per seat as the attach point for the shoulder straps.

I need bolt in attachment points all around for ¼” bolts

2” shoulder straps of the Y style with pull down adjustments, bolt in style (of the corrected length for RV’s it is my understanding that most have to be longer than stock by around 14” but you know best here?)

2” lap belt with pull up adjustments, bolt in style (it is my understanding that most order 55” lap belts)

2” crotch strap, bolt in style

Sewn in strap pads

Cam lock latch"

chaskuss · #3 12-15-2008, 11:24 AM

Chuck,
There are a number of options. Do you want 2" wide belts (similar to car seat belts) or 3" wide belts (better if you plan on doing acro) The 3" wide belts are less likely to cause injury during a crash. The extra width helps spread the impact forces over a wider area. The downside is they weigh more. Do you want a 4 point or 5 point belt. The 5 point are better in my opinion. You can also order "pull up" or "pull down" options for adjusting the lap & shoulder belts.
Crow also offers pads which go over the belts, as an option. I really like the exta comfort of the belt pads.
You also have the choice latch style and of 4 or 5 colors for the belts. I recommend getting the rotary style release.
The shoulder belts can be ordered with or without a Y (single mounting point). I've got an 8A, so I went with the two point mounting (no Y).
Charlie Kuss

rwhittier · #4 12-15-2008, 11:47 AM

Brian,

I used your specs to order mine. I love them and they are, other than color, the same as yours. I did to talk to Fred, but he doesn't save orders. I wish he had so I could just change the colors of what you ordered. But it was still pretty easy.

I did find one problem that I feel I need to pass on. I already have my seats, they are the high backed Classic Aero seatbacks. There was not enough strap from the Y to top of the pads to make it from my shoulders, around the headrest and then back to the Y without a real tight fit on the sides of the seat back. So I had to have 12 inches added between the top of the shoulder pad and the Y (I will remove that 12 inches from the anchor strap, which now will be very short - but that's ok). They of course did it no charge and were really fast and friendly about. The strap would have been fine with low backed seats. but I needed some more strap to make it around the seatback.

Thanks for being first and posting that info. Maybe this info will help others if they are getting the tall seat backs.

Brantel · #5 12-15-2008, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwhittier

Thanks for being first and posting that info. Maybe this info will help others if they are getting the tall seat backs.

No problem on the info...Can't take credit for being first. Ironflight was the first or close to it I think....

These harnesses are truly a great value against the others. The people at Crow seem to be great people and know what customer service is!

Sorry you had a small issue with the shoulder straps!

scsmith · #6 12-15-2008, 01:18 PM

A previous thread raised a question that the attachments that Crow has with the 1/4" holes are very short, and there was some possibility of chaffing the belt on the anchor strips ( the metal straps in the airplane that the belts attach to).

An alternative would be to just get the normal attachments with 1/2" holes, that have longer attachment tabs, and just make some bushings for the 1/2" holes.

But I would like to hear of more experiences with whether the belts chaff on the anchors or not before I order.

Thanks

Brantel · #7 12-15-2008, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scsmith

An alternative would be to just get the normal attachments with 1/2" holes, that have longer attachment tabs, and just make some bushings for the 1/2" holes.

I sent Fred an email to see if there is a way to get longer ones with 1/4" holes. I will let you know what he sez.

The one that is the concern is mostly the crotch strap. The webbing ends up being down right next to the edges of cutout for the attach point.

Ironflight · #8 12-15-2008, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scsmith

A previous thread raised a question that the attachments that Crow has with the 1/4" holes are very short, and there was some possibility of chaffing the belt on the anchor strips ( the metal straps in the airplane that the belts attach to).

An alternative would be to just get the normal attachments with 1/2" holes, that have longer attachment tabs, and just make some bushings for the 1/2" holes.

But I would like to hear of more experiences with whether the belts chaff on the anchors or not before I order.

Thanks

Steve,

I was one of the very early adopters of the Crow belts, back before they knew that they were going into an airplane rather than a race car. The attach fittings came with the large holes, but I found that two AN washers fit perfectly into the holes when pressed in with my pneumatic squeezer, and then fit the bolts perfectly! I've been using them ever since, and when I take the belts out for maintenance (of other stuff, not the belts), the washers stay put where they were pressed, They fit great in the -8 - have never had any chafing problems.

Paul

JDRhodes · #9 12-15-2008, 02:26 PM

Paul -

Crow belts came with the -9 project that we're getting ready to fly. They look very nice. These also have the large holes in the attach brackets. Do we need to put a bushing in as you describe with the washers? Any problems with just installing them with bolts that fit the airframe, but are too small for the belt bracket?

ArVeeNiner · #10 12-15-2008, 03:24 PM

I just ordered my harnesses today from Crow. It seems that there is a guy down there who is the self described "airplane guy". I asked him about incorporating as many of the suggestions that I found here on VAF. His responses were 100% "yea, we do that now", or "yep, no problem, been there, done that". Sounds like they are listening to us!

I couldn't decide whether to get the sewn on pads or Velcro style. He told me to pick one and if I didn't like it I could send it back and they'd change it for free. He also said if there is anything I didn't like about it, they'd fix it for free.

Good people!