New tailwheel towbar: Interest feeler thread...

[apkp777]

Originally Posted by Tony Spicer

Not to hijack the thread (guess I just did), but this Cessna towbar:

http://store.wagaero.com/product_inf...oducts_id=1378

Works just fine on this type tailwheel fork:

http://shop.aviationtechproducts.com...?categoryId=12

That will at least give you a price target.

Tony

Uh, I'd gladly pay 2 or 3 times that much for a good tow bar. The tow bar mentioned about works well for a while, but eventually gets "sprung" and pops off. I want something that "locks" on and won't come off until I release it.

[n5lp]

Originally Posted by apkp777

...works well for a while, but eventually gets "sprung" and pops off. I want something that "locks" on and won't come off until I release it.

This comes up now and then but for newcomers I feel obliged to mention my "towbar" solution which is a hunk of rope about 7 or 8 feet long with loops on both ends. If you want to get real fancy you put a piece of PVC in one of the loops as a grip. The other loop goes around the tailwheel spring, ahead of the tailwheel. This works great for towing, but not for pushing. It will not come off until you release it.

Weight is a few ounces, bulk is a few cubic inches and cost is a buck or so. Works great for me!

[RScott]

A guy at our airport with a Cessna 140 just tried out his solution. He has had to push his plane out up a little grade that is wet and a little slippery in the winter.

He used two 2" nylon tow straps with loops on each end, sewing one to the middle of the other to form a "Y". Hooks loops from the top of the Y to the steps which stick out from each of the main gear legs and the leg of the Y hooks onto the back of an old riding lawn mower that he picked up for a song. I watched him tow it out of the hanger, up the slippery slope, turned it onto the taxiway, no problem. Slick! And light weight. And cheap. Doesn't work for the tailwheel, but it sure works great on the C-140 taildragger..

[Snowflake]

Did anyone else see the article in this month's Sport Aviation with a how-to for converting an old crutch into a lightweight, folding towbar? I bought my crutch for $7 at the local Frenchies. Will look at converting it this weekend.

[cjensen]

Originally Posted by Snowflake

Did anyone else see the article in this month's Sport Aviation with a how-to for converting an old crutch into a lightweight, folding towbar? I bought my crutch for $7 at the local Frenchies. Will look at converting it this weekend.

That's very helpful, thank you...

[DEWATSON]

Chad,

If reasonably priced, I would be interested in one. Mine won't have to fold.

David watson
49FD