Backcountry Pilot • Tail Wheel Tension

Tail Wheel Tension

Have problems with your aircraft? Maybe just questions about how best to tune or adjust something? Regs or maintenance? Need to know the best way to do something?
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Re: Tail Wheel Tension

whee wrote:
A1Skinner wrote:
Battson wrote:Are those kinds of pressures (60 or 70psi) normal for a BBW?

We run our Bearhawk Tundra Tailwheel at 25psi, even heavily loaded. Works great. Anything above 35 psi seems to be too stiff to cushion much, which is the main benefit IMHO.
The BBW is 25 psi. But hes running the glider tire. They need more pressure.


Isn’t the glider tire just a 400x4? The BH Tundra tailwheel takes a 400x4. I air mine up to 25ish lbs.
Yes it is. We always run them around 45.
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Re: Tail Wheel Tension

whee wrote: Isn’t the glider tire just a 400x4? The BH Tundra tailwheel takes a 400x4. I air mine up to 25ish lbs.


The "404 glider tire" is (as I recall) an Aero Classic.
Looks kinda like a Goodyear 850, just a few grooves.
I've seen some Gar Aero setups back in the day,
they used a tire that looked more like an Airtrac 850.
What 400x4 tire & tube do you use on your BH?
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Re: Tail Wheel Tension

hotrod180 wrote:
whee wrote: Isn’t the glider tire just a 400x4? The BH Tundra tailwheel takes a 400x4. I air mine up to 25ish lbs.


The "404 glider tire" is (as I recall) an Aero Classic.
Looks kinda like a Goodyear 850, just a few grooves.
I've seen some Gar Aero setups back in the day,
they used a tire that looked more like an Airtrac 850.
What 400x4 tire & tube do you use on your BH?


I’m running the Aero Classic 400-4 with the standard tube.
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Re: Tail Wheel Tension

I think Im going to either remove the thing or just do all wheel landings on pavement. Took a buddy up yesterday just flying. landed three point and as I slowed the shimmy returned. Would not stop until I was completely stopped.

I may need a New Spring. It was re-arched a month ago but I may try a supercub spring

IMG_9712[1].JPG
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Re: Tail Wheel Tension

Your caster angle doesn't look right, so yes a new spring would be in order and may solve all your issues. The big tailwheel accentuates that angle unless you also do much bigger mains as well. Maybe use the opportunity to look into a stiffer spring as well, not sure what's out there for pacers, many cub guys go to Pawnee springs.

I have been running 25psi in my 4.00x4 tailwheel, I like that pressure and hope it's not low enough to enable an easy flat. 31's went on at the same time so my caster angle was a net improvement but very small. Not sure GY26's are enough of a change to counteract the negative angle produced by a bigger tailwheel; it's raises the tail of the airplane about 3".

At least it looks good!!!
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Re: Tail Wheel Tension

Go get full fuel and stick tow guys in the front. Then look at the caster angle I suspect it will be worse with a full load. A 4 leaf Pawnee spring should help.
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Re: Tail Wheel Tension

4 Leaf Pawnee or 3 leaf Supercub ? And has anyone modified a Pacer , asking if my bracket around the spring that bolts to the frame will still work or if I need a different bracket
And thanks for you guys help
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Re: Tail Wheel Tension

sierrasplitter wrote:4 Leaf Pawnee or 3 leaf Supercub ? And has anyone modified a Pacer , asking if my bracket around the spring that bolts to the frame will still work or if I need a different bracket
And thanks for you guys help
T3.
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Re: Tail Wheel Tension

Wish I could go T3, but no plan to STC for 170. I guess the market is too small.

Just broke a tailspring.
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Re: Tail Wheel Tension

I cant do a T3 That would be too noticeable . Hell I really dont need the AB fork. The T3 is many years down the road
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