Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Anyone have a recommendation on tow bars for our planes?

I use a "tailwheel transporter" https://www.tailwheeltransporter.com/index.html Its not to best to me. but it works. I find my tailwheel slips out of the seat when I try and make a turn using the tow bar. Its better than nothing, and I'm too cheap to buy another one now.

That's my problem. I have an aircraft-tugs tow bar and it slips out turning when I pull it back into the hangar. Pushing it out is fine.

It depends ....... what tail wheel do you have on your aircraft.

That said, I have an Aviation Products 6" dual fork tail wheel. My hangar mate has a Citabria and a WagAero tow bar for his aircraft https://www.wagaero.com/ground-support/tow-bars/tailwheel-tow-bars/deluxe-tow-bar-using-a-scott-3000-series-tailwheel.html, said tow bar works for my aircraft, probably not the best my tail wheel axle is smaller than what is on the Citabria but it works.

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Bruce Finney
N18JF T-18C #262
Yelm, WA USA

I use the Bogert tail wheel tow bar . Around $80.00 ? Can't remember the P/N ? I believe I contacted Bogert and gave them the bolt size for my AP tail wheel and got the P/N to order . The design is fairly simple so I made another tow bar myself . Using the original TB I just bent the needed curves in my vice and welded the same size tubing on the end to fit the AP tail wheel bolt . I carry the spare TB in the AC . I bought a golf cart to tug the AC in/out of the hangar and modified the Bogert bar to fit the trailer hitch I installed on the cart . Many years of service without any problems I don't have any pics , but I can post them if required .

RB

I made one out of 1" square tubing, 1/2" dia. steel rod, & a couple of cheap plastic/rubber wheels that worked super well with my T-18 (6" Scott , and then a 6" Aviation Products tailwheel). I modified it slightly for an 8" wheel and now use it with my Kitfox. Really inexpensive and easy to make. You slide it under the wheel as shown, then lift the wheel off the ground and move it around very easily.

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John Evens
Arvada, Colorado
T-18 N71JE (sold)
Kitfox 7 SS N27JE

Thanks for the replies, I looked at bogert but they are $225 now, I don't mind paying but I want to make sure it will work.

$225 !! That's pretty steep ! I know I paid way less than that ,but it was a few years back . I've seen other tow bar outfits for less than $100 . Not sure what will fit yours ? Find a Bogert you can borrow and make your own . OR go the John Evens way .

RB

My towbar is an electric powered winch. Less than. $200 at Harbor Freight.

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

Seems like $200-300 is the going rate, if I was handy like John I would do that for sure

Any welders out there want to pop a few out for folks? Maybe something I should stock.
Cubes

My guess is something like this might work.

https://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Exports-A ... B00JAJ48QO

I'd buy one cubes! - That amazon item looks promising also.

I'm lazy and I'm not a homebuilder (just a homebuilt flyer), and I like simple. I got me one of these 6-foot lift slings:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Keeper-6-ft ... /205727032
Wrap it around the tailwheel rod such that it does not risk stressing the "ears" or the bottom of the rudder. If you get it just right, everything is protected. I'll shoot a photo next time I'm at the airport. Anyway, it lets me pull aft with fairly wide leeway left/right so I can steer while pulling the airplane into the hangar. Works remarkably well, costs ten bucks, no assembly required. Hope that helps!

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Philip Mandel
N118BC
S/N 957
Beaverton OR

Here is what I have been using:
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/ ... ckkey=4160

I have the Homebuilders Double Fork tailwheel.

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Thorp T18
O-320-B3B (160 HP)
68x74 Sterba Propeller

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