Do you like your chains Loose or Tight?

[Ironflight]

I'm talking about Tailwheel Chains (or links) !!!!

I probably should have put this under the never-ending debates.....

[JonJay]

Someday I will figure out how to make a poll.

[SteinAir]

I like 'em tight...so tight I've fallen in love with the rocket link! That being said, it really doesn't matter that much, because flying off of grass all year means that at least once a year the tailwheel becomes a free castering shopping cart wheel until I take it apart and clean it (and when it's nice flying weather I usually leave it be until the weather turns crappy again - I know, a free castering tailwheel isn't the greatest thing in the world, but it's not as bad as you'd think either....kind of like when the old flap motors died every 40 hours...you just got used to flying without flaps)

My current project is getting a locking tailwheel so we'll have to see how I like that - it'll be something new for me.

Cheers,
Stein

[Special Delivery]

I like my chains snug without any compression on the springs. I adjust when chains are loose enough to remove a link from each side. This thread will no doubt go the way of primers... and when it does, I prefer a two part epoxy.

[f1rocket]

I install them as tight as I can get them without any weight on the tailwheel. Then, when you sit the tail back down on the ground, there is just the right amount of slack due to the bending of the tail rod.

BTW, I like the small stainless spring set you can get from Van's. Just enough give when landing crosswind with some rudder without being overly stiff like the steering links.

[Rick6a]

Originally Posted by SteinAir

My current project is getting a locking tail wheel so we'll have to see how I like that - it'll be something new for me.Cheers,
Stein

Hey Guys,

Stein, you raised an interesting point. So with all of 7 hours tail wheel experience under my belt now, allow me this neophyte question: Why isn't a locking tail wheel considered a desirable feature on most small tail wheel equipped aircraft?

[sandifer]

It IS, on some small short-coupled tailwheel airplanes - Pitts, One Design, etc. Many of these use the Haigh locking tailwheel that's either locked straight via cockpit cable, or free castering. I have no experience with them, but I've heard from many that they would prefer a steerable tailwheel once they are comfortable with the airplane, since taxiing is much easier with the steerable. Can't imagine wanting to put a Haigh on an RV.

[Sid Lambert]

I like mine tight but with no pre-load. I find it tracks better while taxing. Can't tell a difference once I'm on the runway.

[Ironflight]

Originally Posted by Special Delivery

This thread will no doubt go the way of primers... and when it does, I prefer a two part epoxy.

Just for the record, I only started this poll because "JonJay" mentioned it in another thread! you can blame him....

[n5lp]

You know how the single engine Cessnas are, with the squishy steering that can be overridden by brakes? I like that better than the direct Cherokee or Comanche steering. With the Pipers while the nosewheel is on the ground you have very hard and direct steering then all of a sudden as the nosewheel lifts things are completely different; sort of, well, squishy, because that it the way air is, sort of squishy. With the Cessnas things are more close to the same as far as steering, air or ground.

That is kind of the way I feel about RVs. I can fly Cherokees or Tri-Pacers just fine but I prefer the ground feel of a 150 or 182. RVs with fairly rigid links or tight springs fly and taxi fine, but I prefer the squishier feel of loose chains.

Of course I may have been influenced by my builder's manual that told me to set them up that way.