New Mooney High Tech Towbar

[Norman]

Is there a market for a High End and light-weight high tech Mooney towbar?

I just finished design, engineering and manufacturing of the first one.  It took our team a little over two years of Beta testing and design mods.

I'll upload a file later with full description. 

BTW, I just build this one for my personal use and spared no expense as my M20K seems to get heavier every year. 

Stormin Norman

 

[flyboy0681]

If it doesn't assist with the pulling/pushing, I don't see any value. I could be wrong.

[Pinecone]

What makes it high tech?????

[Hank]

What does it weigh? Does it fit in a Vintage baggage compartment,  with room for baggage? What is the price of "high tech"?

[Bolter]

So far the best tow bar (IMO) I have used with a Mooney is from Bogert, so I would consder that a reference.  It locks, collapses, and is relatively light.

https://bogertaviation.com/products/bogi-bars-nose-wheel-aircraft?variant=1212734557

Mooney variant is: 04M-MOON  It is hard to find on their page, giving the impression they do not have a Mooney model.  

[47U]

1 hour ago, Pinecone said:

What makes it high tech?????

Maybe it has wifi or bluetooth?  Or a direct line to MIss Cleo?

Seriously, a sensor that triggered warning lights or beeping when the steering limits are about to be exceeded would be nice.  (As I’m AOG for a couple months waiting on the next batch of rebuilt nose trusses from LASAR.)

[PT20J]

23 minutes ago, 47U said:

Maybe it has wifi or bluetooth?  Or a direct line to MIss Cleo?

Seriously, a sensor that triggered warning lights or beeping when the steering limits are about to be exceeded would be nice.  (As I’m AOG for a couple months waiting on the next batch of rebuilt nose trusses from LASAR.)

Is LASAR actually rebuilding these again, or are they just ordering them from Mooney? The factory has been building batches of new trusses every so often. When I got mine, it came from Mooney and another MSC was 10% cheaper than LASAR quoted for the same part from the factory.

[47U]

1 minute ago, PT20J said:

Is LASAR actually rebuilding these again, or are they just ordering them from Mooney? The factory has been building batches of new trusses every so often. When I got mine, it came from Mooney and another MSC was 10% cheaper than LASAR quoted for the same part from the factory.

Rachel (Top Gun) gave me a quote for a factory truss… with a few weeks lead time… but, LASAR is rebuilding them.  Plus, I wanted the steering stops so I got on the list for one from LASAR.  Should be only another couple weeks or so.  

[natdm]

I’d like to know more.. there’s some decent options out there now I thought but I’ve still got some homemade one.

[00-Negative]

Yes. I have a need for one. I'm about to try fabricating one out of aluminum. I would like it to be collapsible so that it can stand upright and clip into a pipe clamp mounted in the corner of the baggage compartment so that I can reach this even when I have the baggage compartment full. I'm running to all kinds of scenarios where I need to park the plane but we're leaving our luggage in the plane and my tow bar is at the bottom. And it's starting to rain. Can't leave the tow bar on top because my family can't travel without filling the baggage compartment to the ceiling of the plane. If we have any space left, I swear they'll go get something from the house to fill the space. And after we get in the air, one or more persons in the backseat will need to access their bag to get something out. I basically don't eat for 4 or 5 days before a family trip so that we can stay within Max gross take off weight. So I have a need for a very smart, lightweight tow bar for my m20e. 

-David 

[Pinecone]

14 hours ago, Bolter said:

So far the best tow bar (IMO) I have used with a Mooney is from Bogert, so I would consder that a reference.  It locks, collapses, and is relatively light.

https://bogertaviation.com/products/bogi-bars-nose-wheel-aircraft?variant=1212734557

Mooney variant is: 04M-MOON  It is hard to find on their page, giving the impression they do not have a Mooney model.  

I recently bought one as my stock one disappeared between 3 shops.  I ordered from Aircraft Spruce, easy to find there.

[Norman]

The Tow bar we make is light weight but not folded or as short as the original small tow bar that fits in the Mooney baggage compartment.   After asking around many pilots prefer their electric Tow stay in their home- based hangar as many FBO do the parking and towing on their ramps to meet their specific needs.  Oshkosh always prefers to move my Mooney around...sometimes more than once. I'm open to building a collapsible version if there is a requirement and market that will cover our development costs.

Thanks for your feedback.

Stormin Norman

[flyboy0681]

1 minute ago, Morm said:

The Tow bar we make is light weight but not folded or as short as the original small tow bar that fits in the Mooney baggage compartment.   After asking around many pilots prefer their electric Tow stay in their home- based hangar as many FBO do the parking and towing on their ramps to meet their specific needs.  Oshkosh always prefers to move my Mooney around...sometimes more than once. I'm open to building a collapsible version if there is a requirement and market that will cover our development costs.

Thanks for your feedback.

Stormin Norman

I would like to see a telescoping bar. The one I have now is two-piece with a removable pin which eventually loses the retaining ball at the end. To push a button and have it collapse would be a great item to have.

[Norman]

The New Mooney "Toto Tow" is high tech for several reasons.

1. High Energy Hall effect Proprietary motor

2. High Torque with over 45+ Newton Meters

Moo

[Norman]

3.  High energy fast charging lithium-ion battery,

4.  Proprietary micro-processor-controlled motor,

5.  Multi -stage planetary gearing for high torque and speed,

6.  Consumes energy only during towing operations

[Norman]

[Norman]

PIC of in-wheel Hub Motor

[natdm]

Toto tow, as in "tow tow tow"?  It looks awesome but I've gotta inquire about the name.

[EricJ]

Looks expensive.

[Norman]

I'll explore a warning feature we might be able to build into the smart high-tech tow that might help with the nose wheel damage issue. 

 

Norm 

[Bolter]

From the original post, I was expecting a manual tow bar, not an electric tow bar/tug.  

[201Mooniac]

Given it is powered I'm sure there will be interest but more details (size and weight) and a price would really help to understand how much interest.

[Pinecone]

Weight and price?

We already have a low cost (under $600 delivered) light weight (about 20 pounds) being made by a member here.

[Mcstealth]

10 hours ago, flyboy0681 said:

I would like to see a telescoping bar. The one I have now is two-piece with a removable pin which eventually loses the retaining ball at the end. To push a button and have it collapse would be a great item to have.

The Darter I fly came with a telescopic bar. I've not measured but it pulls out from 2ft to about 4ft I guess. It is simple in design, steel with a spring loaded hook style clamp  Wish it was six inches longer.

Yes, telescopic is nice. 

[bcg]

I can easily build a telescoping manual tow bar if someone wants one.  It would be $50 or less just basic powder coated, another $50 if you wanted your tail number on it. 

The lettering more than doubles the build time because I have to powder coat it twice and then laser etch the top color off to reveal the base.  The laser often requires multiple passes to get it just right, too much power and you burn through to the metal, not enough and you don't get all the top coat off.  I usually start a little low and then keep making passes until it's right.  It's easy to take more off but a real pain to put more on.