I pulled the trigger on the Titanium Gear for the Skywagon and wanted to give a review. So far I am extremely pleased with the product. TLGW has a new set of legs that weigh under 20 lbs a piece that are in the process of getting full STC approval. Tom Anderson (owner of TLGW) installed them on my airplane recently with a 337 sign off. I have only done 7 landings with them but so far they feel great. To be honest they feel like my original legs. Maybe a touch less springy but pretty damn close to the original steel legs - which is awesome because I love the way the original Skywagon gear feels. My old legs had some imperfections with pitting and stress marks which may have caused a problem down the road. Definitely not cheap but worth the security and I absolutely love the weight savings - 34 lbs in total. Tom says about 100 Skywagons have been upgraded to Titanium. There are only two Skywagons with these new legs which weigh 6 lbs less than the first edition product. He is in the process of getting Titanium legs approved for the C170 and 206.

Dare I ask $

So what is the difference between his original Titanium legs and these new ones to account for the 6lb difference?

NineThreeKilo wrote:Dare I ask $

About 8k per leg but the axles are 1K/each and then with the shims, bolts, and accessories you spend 20K.

corefile wrote:So what is the difference between his original Titanium legs and these new ones to account for the 6lb difference?

The new legs are a little thinner. To me they look identical to the original steel legs but I am guessing there are some differences. They fit better with the Snider speed kit that I have. The FAA will sign off with a 337 for the early model 180s. Tom has to do some drop tests for the STC and for approval in the 185s.

I wanted to post about how they feel because there isn't much information on the internet. I was a little worried they would be too stiff.




Josh

The new legs are a little thinner

Thanks for the info you posted. Are they thin enough that the gear box doesn't have to be carved on to make them fit. That is the thing that I don't like about the install.

180Marty wrote:

The new legs are a little thinner

Thanks for the info you posted. Are they thin enough that the gear box doesn't have to be carved on to make them fit. That is the thing that I don't like about the install.

You beat me to it - can you comment on the hogging out the gear box opening?

Interesting

As someone with a good set of Cessna gear, the real benefit to this $20k mod would be to drop 34lbs?

can you comment on the hogging out the gear box opening?

Here is a thread from last year that shows what has to be done.
https://backcountrypilot.org/forum/185- ... gear-25439

180Marty wrote:

can you comment on the hogging out the gear box opening?

Here is a thread from last year that shows what has to be done.
https://backcountrypilot.org/forum/185- ... gear-25439

That link is for the original Titanium legs - I think he was asking about the new thinner ones - the hope is that this would not need to be done any longer.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Bigtire ... 025162676/

I know some modifications were made to the gear box but I do not believe they were that significant. I am not the most mechanically inclined person and can't give the specifics. I texted Tom today to see if he can give me some additional information and will report back. Larry was up in Renton during the install and took this video. Some might find it helpful. I remember reading through the other thread last year on the 185 with the installation report but no PIREP on how the Ti gear felt. I flew again today. I still really can't tell the difference between my old gear and the Ti legs. Wheel landings/ 3pointers feel the same - maybe the legs are just a tad bit stiffer but this may have been due to me reading and hearing this information previously and has planted a suggestion in my mind. Several landings with the new ones on and if you didn't tell me the legs were swapped out - I wouldn't have been able to tell. I love the weight savings and the durability/strength of the Titanium.


Josh

The titanium gear is a pretty big leap $$wise, no doubt.

But for those doing actual rough country landings, they could be a great cost savings, versus a failure of a 40-50 year old piece of steel that’s had heaven knows how many “tweaks” in its life.

Something to be said for “new”. I’ve seen old ones fail.

MTV

Sounds awesome Josh.
Did you trade in your old gear legs toward the ti legs?

mtv wrote:The titanium gear is a pretty big leap $$wise, no doubt.

But for those doing actual rough country landings, they could be a great cost savings, versus a failure of a 40-50 year old piece of steel that’s had heaven knows how many “tweaks” in its life.

Something to be said for “new”. I’ve seen old ones fail.

MTV

Do you have any figures on how common a gear failure is on a 185?

Mine has lived on amohibs most of its life, but the straight gear is original, interesting subject.

hotrod180 wrote:Sounds awesome Josh.
Did you trade in your old gear legs toward the ti legs?

Thanks Eric. It's only money. I haven't regretted any money spent on my Skywagon so far. I fly it hard and don't plan on letting it be hangar queen. So she gets what she needs and what I want. In the grand scheme the 20K for the legs is nothing compared to the total amount invested. I feel a little more secure knowing the legs are made of titanium. I will say that all of the weight I have shaved off the airplane makes a difference. This includes going with a super light weight glass panel, light weight interior, firewall battery, and losing 20 lbs of my own body fat. It feels lighter on the controls and has shorter ground rolls both take off and landings. I'll get it on scales at some point. All that is left to do is some finishing touches on the interior and a paint job. I sold my old legs to a guy with a C170 project.


Josh

Thanks! Good info. As you stated at the top, there is tons of info on the site, and that Larry and others have shared, install requirements, price, weight savings, fitment, but not a lot on feel and comparison to originals. Thanks for the heads up… I just gotta start saving now

You mentioned replacing axles. Are those Ti axles from TLGW or are they airforms Ti axles? Did you have to replace them, or was that a choice? Airforms Ti axles are $3grand/pair.

soyAnarchisto wrote:You mentioned replacing axles. Are those Ti axles from TLGW or are they airforms Ti axles? Did you have to replace them, or was that a choice? Airforms Ti axles are $3grand/pair.

You don't have to replace the axles. I believe it cost me 2 grand/pair. I believe it saves 4 lbs total. I am not sure how the prices have changed in the last year due to inflation. Might be more now.

Been flying on the Ti gear legs for the last 4 months. Lots of landings. Flown a couple different 180s and 185 recently with the old steel legs too for comparison. I can't tell the difference. They feel identical. It is nice to be done with modding my Skywagon. I got a few things left cosmetically.


Josh

Dog is my Copilot wrote:.... It is nice to be done with modding my Skywagon. I got a few things left cosmetically. ....

Done? We'll see......

Thinking about a set of titanium legs. Anyone got an idea of what a set of 185 legs is worth?

I recently (within a year) paid $3800 including shipping from Beagles for a good serviceable pair of 185 gear .075" thick. I do want to sell my 180 gear legs .070 thick.