Best Tow Device for an Ovation?

[Ftlausa]

I am taking delivery of an Ovation this week and I know that the drill drive tow bar I have been using for my J model is not going to be strong enough.  Is there a similar device that is strong enough for the weight of an Ovation? 

[gsengle]

I still pull mine by hand, you're sure the drill won't work?


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[BillC]

I have a Sidewinder that I bought for my Ovation that works great. I haven't towed long distances with it so I can't tell you the duration it will go but it's plenty to back it into a tiedown while on trips. 

I also have a 40EZ that I keep in the hangar.

Edited June 27, 2017 by BillC

[Fipdublin]

I've been using the Robotow from Sporty's. Has worked fine for 2 years now and also folds into the baggage area.

Jack 

[rbridges]

do you have to tow on much of an incline?  it may be fine if it's relatively flat.

[LANCECASPER]

I've tried them all (Minimax, Robotow, Nose Dragger, Powertow, etc, etc.) over almost 24 years of owning Mooneys and by far, hands down, the Redline Sidewinder is the best all around solution. PLENTY of torque, portable, built very well, zero complaints.

Don't even think about a MiniMax, even if someone was to give you one. Do a search of "Minimax" on here to see why.

[carusoam]

Congrats on moving on up!

I use the sidewinder towing device that attaches to the repurposed lawn mower tug.  When the tanks are near empty, I can push the O uphill into the hangar. Full up, I need the additional power to get it into the hangar...

the uphill part is measured in inches over 20 feet of distance.  It is like bench pressing an O, just a few inches...

 

Best regards,

-a-

[Danb]

I have a 40EZ powertow, my Bravo is same size as your 'O' 20+ years no problems 

[Piloto]

52 minutes ago, Fipdublin said:

I've been using the Robotow from Sporty's. Has worked fine for 2 years now and also folds into the baggage area.

Jack 

I have the Robotow also. It will pull an M20R full of fuel over an incline and over the door tracks. As I got more mature I added wheels to it, so I just drag it instead of carrying it. Battery life is not the best (all of them use the same battery) and they are expensive. So I opted for two lawnmower batteries in series (28v) from Sears ($30 each). I am very happy with it.

José

[Bennett]

I like the Robotow. I,too, added wheels via long cable ties. I have no difficulty crossing elevated hangar tracks and a mild incline. I usually tow my J about 50-75 feet out of the hangar to align with the area between the hangar rows. I've never run out of power. When not in use, the battery sits in its charger in a cabinet near where I keep the Robotow. My hangar is large enough that I can leave the Robotow in place and still close the hangar doors. I check the nose wheel to make sure the weight of the unit isn't causing a depression on the tire, but I see no evidence that that is the case. Sure saves the back leaving the unit in place while she is in the hangar.


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[ArtVandelay]

For someone who still hand tows, make sure your tires are fully inflated, greatly reduces the effort.

[carqwik]

I use the gas Powertow 35.  Has worked great for 15 years...but does require periodic minor maintenance. (Belt broke, constantly tightening various bolts (should I use Loctite?), a specific metal connector broke...had to order from PowerTow, and my tire is probably almost ready for replacement.)

There is a slight incline into the hangar.  With 50 gallons of fuel onboard, pushing the Bravo into the hangar by hand is not possible (maybe cause I am in my 50s?). 

[rbridges]

and this is exactly why everyone should own a C model.  I'll be able to push that sucker into my hangar when I'm 96! 

[Ftlausa]

Thanks for all the responses.  Only a slight incline, same as Jose's since we are at the same airport. 

[PaulM]

I use a sidewinder for the Bravo..   Its only problem is over snow and ice..  Lots of pulling power, and distance.  I'm working on getting a mobility scooter (28V) to have better winter traction. 

I also recommend having the redline tow bar with hitch attachment.. 

https://www.redlineaviation.com/mooney/be-3-xl-mooney-airplanes/

I was very lucky the first winter that the KingAir90 tow bar from my neighbor fit the mooney... and ordered the redline during the vacation in FL so that I had something to put the Bravo back in the hangar when we returned. 

 

Edited December 13, 2016 by PaulM

[Hank]

1 hour ago, rbridges said:

and this is exactly why everyone should own a C model.  I'll be able to push that sucker into my hangar when I'm 96! 

Before I moved, I used to tow my C back from the fuel pump, one hangar down and across the taxiway, by hand, then back her into the hangar.

I tell people that towing the plane around is my exercise program, and getting in and out keeps me flexible. Sadly, it's not all a joke . . . . .

[DAVIDWH]

My golf cart seems to work just fine.

Apologize for being so lazy.

[exM20K]

i use a Powertow 3.5Hp model which works ok on the Acclaim.  It does require regular fiddling to align properly, and the Acclaim is about as much plane as it's capable of moving.

I've used the Sidewinder on DA42's, and it is a very good product provided that:

1. You don't plan on moving the plane far
2. You don't have to deal with snow and ice.

Being able to take it along for the ride saved me a couple times when I'd taxied into one-way rows of planes.  the DA42 is, like the long-body mooneys, very difficult to move by hand.

 

On snow and ice, there's really nothing I've found short of a tractor or truck that will work well.  I scatter sand on my ramp for traction, and drop the air pressure in the power tow tire, but haven't yet resorted to snow chains.  This time of year, I'm envious of your FXE location!

[Jeff_S]

I have the PowerTow battery-operated model and it works well, even with full tanks and up and incline into the hangar. But it does need periodic adjusting, and this year I had to get a new trickle charger for it because the original that was built into the frame wore out.

[TheTurtle]

I have one of the gas powered things.  I havent used it because I dont have the right nosewheel adapter for a mooney and also the detents on the transmission are pretty much gone and its easy to bang it back and forth from forward to reverse and accidentally skip neutral.  I just cant see beating my nose gear up like that.  One day Ill yank that trans off and see whats inside.  NO A&P required for that!!!

[mike20papa]

I designed and built my own electric towbar.  I have to pull my A model up a 1 to 2% slope and it's absolute hell without an assist.  I repurposed an electric winch rated at 2500lbs and converted it over to a chain drive on a repurposed trailer dolly.  The dolly was an excellent test bed for the drive unit, but all that repurposing was suppose to save me time and effort, but since then I have redesigned the dolly to a custom fabricated unit especially designed for the Mooney nose wheel.  It now has a single drive wheel and tire, like other tow bars.  You simply push down on the handle to leverage the weight of the aircraft for tractive effort.  The clutch disengages for fee wheeling the unit and the winch has this hell for stout planetary gear reduction.  I use a 12 volt garden tractor battery.  It pulls it at a slow walk.  I've built four of them, meaning to offer them for sale, just been busy with other projects.  I tried a heavy duty handrill unit and found them lacking for the slope I had to deal with coming out of my hangar.  Here's a photo of the unit (upside down).    

[DonMuncy]

Looks a lot like mine.

[LANCECASPER]

On 12/13/2016 at 10:46 PM, DonMuncy said:

Looks a lot like mine.

I am always amazed at Don's engineering and inventive abilities.

[Eraaen]

I just purchase one of these from PowersportsMax a youth sized ATV 125cc 4 stroke motor, Electric start, forward and reverse, auto trans.  I purchased a much small front sprocket.  I have a bogert tow bar and have rigged up the atv with a 2" receiver.  I'm all in for a little over $700 including shipping.  I have a floor mounted winch to pull the plane back into the hanger.  I only have trouble pulling the plane out in the winter over ice.  But my FBO charges to pull the plane to the maintenance hanger for service or O2. I was looking for something that would actually be able to go the distance with ease.http://www.powersportsmax.com/product_info.php/cPath/37_99/products_id/20655I

[Rick Junkin]

I just ordered a spare battery or my Sidewinder from this site for $65. I'll report back with my experience with it once I get to give it a try, but offering the info now for those looking for suggestions for stocking stuffers that didn't materialize this year.  http://bigtimebattery.com/store/milwaukee_M28_replacement_battery.html

Cheers,

Rick