Search the Community

I was wondering if there were any pireps on the Hubba Hubba Cap? https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/lgpages/hubbahubba06-02572.php?fbclid=IwY2xjawI1pypleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZowpRD6W7bRcplPFxwCFOAPjonAZd1HhKtQMUe8Wny9BGrZoKEFw2ablQ_aem_nOEEg6GpTbOV4MQlinNIdw

I was able to purchase a replacement dust cover for my bent original -- but the new one appears to be a basic metal circle with what I assume is a light anticorrosion prime coat. The original is white like the rim in the photo. Assuming I know nothing about painting things - does this require an additional primer coat? Can I just buy a can of spray paint at a paint store that will do color matching, or does this require special aviation paint? I don't really love the look of the Hubba Hubba caps, which seem like the most popular aftermarket option - so I thought I would first try replacing the original part. And it doesn't seem like painting a small piece of metal should be too hard

Somehow I lost 1 of my hub caps on a long flight I did recently on my - new to me - M20J. I think I may have misaligned the screws when I inspected and one day the left one was just not there after I landed. So, I am trying to buy just one of them since they're ~ $300 new for a pair. Does anyone have one of them available? If anyone is on the same boat we could split a new pair as well .

I’m may be overly cautious by asking this question but has anyone installed the lopresti hubba hubba caps on their aircraft? I put them on and they seem to extend ever so slightly outside the edge of the tire and want to be sure that there won’t be a problem with clearance when I raise the gear. Again, overly cautious since they have an STC for the M20, but wanted to check with others before I go flying.

A lot has been mentioned on Mooneyspace about these: https://mooneyspace.com/search/?q=HUBBA&quick=1

I bought a new pair of Hubba Hubbas because I had them on a previous Mooney and really liked them. The problem is that they don’t fit on the Acclaim - one of them rubs just a little bit. PM me and I’ll make you a deal on them.

I keep thinking about putting Hubba Hubba caps on my ac, but they’re awfully expensive. Looks like Spruce has covers that might fit your wheels: https://www.aircraftspruce.com/pages/lg/wheel_hubcaps/groveHubcap_06-00845.php

A pair of the first generation Lopresti hubcaps painted black in good condition for $50 shipped. I purchased these on eBay and prefer the look of my Lake Aero caps. They are STC for all models of M20 and many others.

After airing up my tires today I’m seriously considering the hubba hubba caps. I did a search and don’t see a lot. Any other options available? Anyone have some still for sale? Opinions?

Hmm, the "hub caps" on my K are just Al sheet. I have considered the Hubba Hubba ones. Has anyone used then without issues?

I have a pair of Lopresti Hubba Hubba Caps for sale in excellent condition. Pictures are attached. You will need 3 screws for each. I believe I have the original documentation, just have not had the time to look. The new ones are sold for $289.00 plus $19.00 shipping (See https://www.ebay.com/i/320146523143?chn=ps) . I will sell for $189.00 plus shipping ($100 off). These were installed but never saw flight time. They have been on the shelf for about 6 years. You can e-mail me at john.breda@gmail.com. My cell is (617) 877-0025.

I have a pair of Lopresti Hubba Hubba Caps for sale in excellent condition. Pictures are attached. You will need 3 screws for each. I believe I have the original documentation, just have not had the time to look. The new ones are sold for $289.00 plus $19.00 shipping (See https://www.ebay.com/i/320146523143?chn=ps) . I will sell for $189.00 plus shipping ($100 off). These were installed but never saw flight time. They have been on the shelf for about 6 years. You can e-mail me at john.breda@gmail.com. My cell is (617) 877-0025.

I had a screw come out of the left main inside dust cover, and the cover flapped around enough that it’s no longer flush. I replaced the missing screw, and it’s working fine - but I’d rather have a completely flat one. I found a bunch of aftermarket options online - “hubba hubba” etc, but really just want a current source for a simple flat white aluminum dust cover with three holes. Does anyone sell these?

Hubba hubba is probably owned by Whelen now… -a-

If you have access to a set of vise grips, pulling on the screw as you unscrew it will usually get it out, if not then put something under the head of the screw and pry it out as you unscrew it, like a flat tip screwdriver, pen knife whatever. When you get the cap off, give it to someone with out retracts that can use it, other than looking pretty it has no use, even on fixed gear it really has no use. ‘The all metal usually yellow valve caps, they have a use and you should keep them ‘What are Hubba Hubba caps? On edit I reread it, screw head stripped, vise grips is your best bet, or taking a flat tip with a hammer and using it like a chisel to turn a screw often works too.

Don't know the answer, not an expert, but I've had to operate without them several times over the years. The screws are very short and strip out easily. I think I even lost one years ago and had to buy a replacement. Hubba Hubba caps would be nice if you can easily get your pressure gauge and inflator nozzle in position. Wondered if the little access door is big enough and they work well. Anybody use them? Thanks.

I always thought it kept the wheels cleaner with less dirt and debris to get kicked up into the hub. After checking the tire pressure routinely to establish trend, I typically go 4-6 weeks between checks, so the screws don't bother me too much. I would have gone with the Hubba Hubba caps to make it easier if they weren't so much more expensive compared to basic hub caps available (or at least also came with cap for nose wheel included for the same price).

I think you are right. If you search the WATs site for Mooney products the only thing that they offer for Mooney now are lighting mods and replacements. They still carry speed mods for Piper but not Mooney. https://flywat.com/collections/cowl-aircraft-mods?sort_by=title-ascending Piper Only Speed MODS - COWLS, SPEED SPATS, SPEED SEAL, SPEED SLIPPER, SPEED SPLITTERS, WHEEL PANTS, Ironically it appears that they placed no value on the Mooney LoPresti speed mods when they acquired LoPresti and have discontinued them. Mooney speed mods at WATs/LoPresti are DOA (except for Hubba Caps which are sold out anyway). https://flywat.com/collections/mooney-products From a business standpoint it makes sense - Piper is a larger fleet and it is an airplane manufacturing company still in business. Mooney is a smaller shrinking fleet and a company that is struggling to be a parts supplier that will most likely never manufacture another plane. There is just no profit future in occasionally making a few Mooney parts. This also is an indication that modifying an existing Mooney doesn't make much economic sense. More and more STC's are being abandoned. Third party suppliers are seeing less incentive to continue to supply. Highly modified Mooney's are more likely to lose value and become abandoned over time due to lack of support and parts. You are better off sticking with a stock Mooney - salvaging parts as the fleet shrinks and buying parts when the factory produces. I had my J modified by Rocket Engineering over 20 years ago. Darwin Conrad is still there (in his 70's) and they still support the Rocket and Missile but I have no illusion that they will be in business in 10 years. At that time my J (Missile) will probably bring no more value (maybe less) than a plain unmodified J. I won't care because I won't be flying, will have gotten the life out of my plane and not trying to trade it on another plane.

Hubba Hubba….. Not sure if this would be helpful for a nose wheel. But it was posted earlier today. Best regards, -a-

I ordered the Hubba Hubba caps but returned them because their convex design rubs against a rib in the gear housing when retracting (at least on long bodies). For that kind of money they better be perfect.

The only one I've seen that allows you to check tire pressure with the covers on is the Hubba Hubba hub caps from Lopresti.

They are for looks and keeping crud out of the wheel. I had the flat aluminum ones that I assume are from the factory. I landed one day and had it bent in half after a screw fell out. I'm glad it happened on landing not take off. Who knows what it could have hung up on if retracted like that. I would choose one with a bevel that are less likely to bend if they catch wind. I went with the hubba hubba caps as a replacement. The little door to check pressure works ok. They are probably the dumbest STC I have on my plane. How a hub cap is a major alteration is beyond me. Other than that and being expensive for what they are, they are working out for me.

I am not sure where to buy them but LoPresti made the Hubba Hubba Hub caps. They have a hinged opening to allow access to the airstem to put air in the tire without removing the hub cap. If you search Hubba Hubba Hub caps on Mooneyspace there is a thread about it with the Mooney Bravo. I searched online for them and could not find them and Aircraft Spruce used to sell them but I could not find them on their website either. Well....I guess this was not much help.

Choices... 1) plain white discs... original... 2) polished and shiny... Lasar... 3) Hubba Hubba hubcaps.... has the access panel to reach the air valve... @Speed Merchant ? 4) Many get a hole drilled for access... PP thoughts only... Best regards, -a-

https://flywat.com/products/hubba-hubba-cap-gen-2-for-6-aircraft-wheels?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-M6Z44DN6gIVVh6tBh0UdQEHEAAYASAAEgL7OPD_BwE