What to use to take the Mooney out of the Hangar

[rbridges]

Back on the original topic... I had a 4 wheeler that I purchased specifically for this purpose.  I also made a long tow bar out of galvanized pipe from HomeDepot.  I used the 4 wheeler several times but was never happy with the ability to push the Mooney back into the hanger.  I was always afraid that it was pushing too hard on the nose wheel.  There is a bit of a lip to get up into my hanger.  By hand, I could take a little run at it, but with the 4 wheeler it was too difficult to steer the plane into the hanger.

 

But the unexpected revelation was the long tow bar.  moving the Mooney forward or backward is so much better with an 8 ft tow bar.  Also, the 10 inch pipe that goes through the knuckle on the nose gear is threaded on the end which allows me to spin on a pipe cap.  This ensures the tow bar doesn't slip out.  Using the longer bar has made it so much easier to move the plane by hand that I sold the 4 wheeler.

 

It was simple to make.  I think it's 3/4 inch pipe.  1 - 8 ft piece, 2 - 10 inch, 2 - 90 degree elbows, 1 end cap.

 

they guy who sold me the plane included a 5 ft tow bar with a big T handle.  Works much better than the small one that goes in the baggage compartment, but still takes a little effort to get over the hangar door lip.