My C-172 doesn't have the little steps to climb up to reach the fuel caps. I have a fuel straw (FuelHawk), but I can't quite reach without a ladder or step stool.

Now I know most airports have step ladders at the fuel stations plus I can get one for my hanger, but my concern is what do I use if I don't have access to some sort of step ladder.

So the question is: Is there any kind of small portable step that I could keep on the plane? Is there another trick to checking my fuel? What do you guys do?

Thanks in advance!

I don't have steps or handles either. My 182 is a 1956 which has tall legs. With 8.50 mains & 8.00 nose it stands pretty tall. I tried a small aluminum ladder. Its light weight and stows in the back of the plane nicely. But it was to short to access the fuel wilst stand on the top rung. I mostly used it to access the strut where I stood to get access to the top of the wing. I don't use it any more and just "jump/climb up the strut. Been doing that "Tarzan" method for 6 years now. Works for me.

Yet another reason to own a taildragger with bushwheels

Skylane Sam's Tarzan method is what we all used before the nice steps came along. There is a mod worth the money for older Cessnas and insurance companies should support it.

You have to get a hand hold in the air vent hole. Be careful not to cut your finger. If you slip, don't try to jump down. Just use the high hand hold to belay yourself. You will cut your finger.

I installed a set of boot cowl steps & handles on my 180.
$405 from Atlee-Dodge about a year ago.
I still fuel from a ladder when available, but when one is not they're sure handy.

My P172D also has no built-on steps or hand-holds. I'm not too fond of using those, anyway, as I have gotten older and a bit less agile and don't bounce as good any more (gosh I hate to admit that!).

I carry an Aero Ladder I bought from Sporty's, which has aluminum legs and wood steps. It folds very flat, so that it fits under the backseat. The latest versions are all aluminum, and I don't know if they fold as flat. Both the older version and the newer ones had either 2 or 3 steps available; for my airplane and my height, 2 steps is adequate and is more compact for storage. Taller airplanes or shorter pilots might require the 3 step version.

FWIW, I searched several hardware stores, Home Depot, and Lowes before buying from Sporty's, to see if I could find something more suitable. No such luck. All of their products were either too short to be useful or two thick when folded.

Maybe Little Giant, since they have such a huge display at OSH each year, should market one just made for aviation!

Cary

Any fresh ideas on a packable ladder? I can't blast off after fueling without checking the outboard caps or refueling from portable containers. Would be great for wiping bugs at airshows or camping when there is not a real ladder on hand. Something that could fit through a Cessna baggage door would be nice. Would have to be the equivalent of a 3 step height.

[quote="bart"]Yet another reason to own a taildragger with bushwheels



Indeed! When on the 29" Airstreaks, I have just the right height built in step ladder. But a couple weeks ago, right before I taxied up to the mogas pumps at the Picabo Id.(Peek-ah_boo, no kidding) gas station/convenience store (the accepted method, preferred by the station owners, who are very aviation friendly, is to shut it down 20' away and push the last little bit) I realized that when on my 6:00 tires and the wheel skis, I would come up short! Since I never fuel at airports, this was the first time this came "up", no matter, didn't really need fuel anyway.

I have one of these, for home use A slick design, they self fold when you pick them up, and take up almost no room. Cheap too. Just a bit heavy, but your plane can handle it.
https://www.amazon.com/Kikkerland-Rhino ... B07HFHY29D

I use a folding step like this one for my 182. I’m 6’1” so This is plenty tall for me. Small and lightweight.
https://www.amazon.com/Folding-Step-Sto ... ool&sr=8-4

big tires too far inboard and would worsen the problem outboard. This one is 18 inches. probably still not tall enough to fuel for 5'8 dude. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XCBM7WD/ref=dp_cerb_1

I actually use a 5-gal bucket turned over. It’s about the right height for me, light, fits thru the baggage door and doesn’t really take up any space when I cram my tool bag, cabin cover, etc into it. Cost it right too.

Something like this seems promising:

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-an ... gKRTvD_BwE

Cheaper versions available from big box stores. Put some closed cell foam on your leading edge to soften the interface between ladder and aluminum.

Hammer wrote:Something like this seems promising:

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-an ... gKRTvD_BwE

Cheaper versions available from big box stores. Put some closed cell foam on your leading edge to soften the interface between ladder and aluminum.

These ladders are quite heavy.

David K wrote:

Hammer wrote:Something like this seems promising:

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-an ... gKRTvD_BwE

Cheaper versions available from big box stores. Put some closed cell foam on your leading edge to soften the interface between ladder and aluminum.

These ladders are quite heavy.

Well, I wouldn't call 15lbs ultra-light, but if you need it you need it.

Here's a collapsible step ladder. You could get the optional top shelf to put on the 3 footer (41"), if the 4 footer is too long (51").



3 foot https://www.amazon.com/Logistics-SLD-D3 ... VVXXCXR6JF

4 Foot https://www.amazon.com/GP-Logistics-SLD ... =hi&sr=1-3

Top shelf https://www.amazon.com/GP-Logistics-RDT ... =1-1-fkmr0

Hey, these are pretty cool...

tcj wrote:Here's a collapsible step ladder. You could get the optional top shelf to put on the 3 footer (41"), if the 4 footer is too long (51").



3 foot https://www.amazon.com/Logistics-SLD-D3 ... VVXXCXR6JF

4 Foot https://www.amazon.com/GP-Logistics-SLD ... =hi&sr=1-3

Top shelf https://www.amazon.com/GP-Logistics-RDT ... =1-1-fkmr0

ebag wrote:Hey, these are pretty cool...

tcj wrote:Here's a collapsible step ladder. You could get the optional top shelf to put on the 3 footer (41"), if the 4 footer is too long (51").



3 foot https://www.amazon.com/Logistics-SLD-D3 ... VVXXCXR6JF

4 Foot https://www.amazon.com/GP-Logistics-SLD ... =hi&sr=1-3

Top shelf https://www.amazon.com/GP-Logistics-RDT ... =1-1-fkmr0

Wow, thats perfect! Sold

This might not be perfect for the OP, but this is my favorite portable ladder. Overkill if *just* for checking the fuel. Broadly useful otherwise though...

https://www.amazon.com.mx/Xtend-Climb-7 ... B000JIL4Z8

rw2 wrote:This might not be perfect for the OP, but this is my favorite portable ladder. Overkill if *just* for checking the fuel. Broadly useful otherwise though...

https://www.amazon.com.mx/Xtend-Climb-7 ... B000JIL4Z8

Every time I see your posts, I remind myself to change my avatar to my cartoon plane, I just have to figure out where I filed mine. Best 40 bucks I ever spent! Makes me smile every time I see it, right up there with dog food, for bang for the buck. Cat food a distant second.

Wow, $4,970 a little rich for me. I think it was ~ $80 at Menards.

rw2 wrote:This might not be perfect for the OP, but this is my favorite portable ladder. Overkill if *just* for checking the fuel. Broadly useful otherwise though...

https://www.amazon.com.mx/Xtend-Climb-7 ... B000JIL4Z8