What's new
Van's Air Force

The definitive Van's Aircraft support community! Buying, building or flying an RV? Join our exclusive family of mentors and enthusiasts!

Tie down ring stowage

W

Westerhuis

Well Known Member
Patron
Hello

I'd be interested to see some suggestions (ideally with pics) on how you made the tie down ring stowage in your RV8?

How did you make the nut plate and what parts did you use?

Thanks!

R

1739224338895.png
 
Last edited:
Westerhuis said:
Hell

I'd be interested to see some suggestions (ideally with pics) on how you made the tie down ring stowage in your RV8?

How did you make the nut plate and what parts did you use?

Thanks!

R

View attachment 80574
Click to expand...
I used a 1inch length cut from a spare wing tie down extrusion, then drilled and tapped it at 90 degrees from the existing extruded hole
See photographs attached.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_7652.jpg
    IMG_7652.jpg
    1.2 MB · Views: 38
  • IMG_7650.jpg
    IMG_7650.jpg
    1.5 MB · Views: 35
  • IMG_7651.jpg
    IMG_7651.jpg
    1 MB · Views: 37
Westerhuis said:
Hell

I'd be interested to see some suggestions (ideally with pics) on how you made the tie down ring stowage in your RV8?

How did you make the nut plate and what parts did you use?

Thanks!

R

View attachment 80574
Click to expand...
I wouldn’t bother with it. I keep my tie down rings in a little travel kit with my chocks, plexi cleaner, microfiber cloths, and disposable paper oil funnels.
 
You could always just install a rivnut in that hole...

www.mcmaster.com

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.
www.mcmaster.com www.mcmaster.com
 
I spent a lot of time in this area and I never used it. If I do it again, I just leave the die down ring off and mount them on the floor.
 
I kept my tie-down rings in those spots (my 2003 QB already had “home-made nutplates installed) for many years, even though you kind of have to bend over the cabin sill while holding the rear seat out of the way (because the cushions want to close it) and then use your hand sort of backwards….I’m trying to say its awkward! Then what always happens when I am leaving a fly-in, people want to talk while I’[n trying to do all that….so I eventually just started tossing them in my side storage bins, along with my chocks, and that’s where they’ve lived for the past decade.

Debating whether or not to put mounts in the same spot in the Rocket, and currently thinking I won’t bother - even though its a clever spot!
 
Ironflight said:
I kept my tie-down rings in those spots (my 2003 QB already had “home-made nutplates installed) for many years, even though you kind of have to bend over the cabin sill while holding the rear seat out of the way (because the cushions want to close it) and then use your hand sort of backwards….I’m trying to say its awkward! Then what always happens when I am leaving a fly-in, people want to talk while I’[n trying to do all that….so I eventually just started tossing them in my side storage bins, along with my chocks, and that’s where they’ve lived for the past decade.

Debating whether or not to put mounts in the same spot in the Rocket, and currently thinking I won’t bother - even though its a clever spot!
Click to expand...
Same struggles with my -8 and also still have not decided where to put them on my Rocket for the same reasons... They have spent 600 hours in my tool bag and probably will live there a few more
 
Made these for the 8A and the 8, and use them.

I used a 1/4” thick piece of aluminum scrap, drilled and tapped a hole for the tie down ring. Trim the scrap piece to fit under the existing hole. Match drill the two rivet holes. Done.

Carl
 
RV8Squaz said:
I wouldn’t bother with it. I keep my tie down rings in a little travel kit with my chocks, plexi cleaner, microfiber cloths, and disposable paper oil funnels.
Click to expand...
Same here. My wife sewed me a little pouch to carry them, one section per ring, velcro closure. Keep them in the travel bag behind the pilot's seat. She also made pouches for my AntiSplat gust lock and my tow bar, to keep them from scratching anything. They're even in red fabric to match the paint scheme :).
 
BoydBirchler said:
I store mine on the wing. Does removal of the rings show a noticeable increase in speed?
Click to expand...

Any protuberance of the OML creates drag. This is an absolute fact. The fact that your instrumentation lacks the resolution to measure it is irrelevant. More important is the fact that you KNOW they create drag and are completely unnecessary for flight. Knowing failure to remove them should hurt your soul deep down in a place that can’t be seen on an ASI or FF indicator.
 
Toobuilder said:
Any protuberance of the OML creates drag. This is an absolute fact. The fact that your instrumentation lacks the resolution to measure it is irrelevant. More important is the fact that you KNOW they create drag and are completely unnecessary for flight. Knowing failure to remove them should hurt your soul deep down in a place that can’t be seen on an ASI or FF indicator.
Click to expand...
I agree - it's like seeing a boat sailing with the fenders out - it's just wrong!
 
Oh…I should add that my twenty-year-old set of tie-down rings (covered in red plastic-dip) are currently stowed somewhere in the grass in front of Homebuilder Headquarters at Wittman Regional….I guess I got distracted while untying, prying my tiedowns out of the ground, and getting an early start last July…..😉
 
While I considered installing some sort of nut to store the rings inside the fuselage, I didn’t get around to it.
I just carry them in the document pouch.
If the RV flies, the pouch is in the plane.
My personal log and aviation document, the RV journey log and all its paperwork are kept in a nice vintage leather pouch I received as a gift.
 
What’s the speed penalty when flying with them installed? I’m sure the pontificating crusty ole BSers will say at least 4 knots but what’s the real number?

There has to be a builder with OCD that has measured this?
 
Last edited:
Toobuilder said:
Any protuberance of the OML creates drag. This is an absolute fact. The fact that your instrumentation lacks the resolution to measure it is irrelevant. More important is the fact that you KNOW they create drag and are completely unnecessary for flight. Knowing failure to remove them should hurt your soul deep down in a place that can’t be seen on an ASI or FF indicator.
Click to expand...
Well put (y)
On top of that it also hurts most pilots eyes, and I have yet to find glasses filtering protuberances out when looking at a sleek airplane.

Man, this Winter sure stretches, and I'm outta popcorn 🍿
 
I just can’t justify not having them in all the time. Seems crazy to have a precious toy that the wind can blow away without a way to hold it down. I think they are cute.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0250.jpeg
    IMG_0250.jpeg
    2.5 MB · Views: 130
  • IMG_0247.jpeg
    IMG_0247.jpeg
    2.2 MB · Views: 127
Last edited:
Mikeyb said:
I just can’t justify not having them in all the time. Seems crazy to have a precious toy that the wind can blow away without a way to hold it down. I think they are cute.
Click to expand...
They look very nice!

Cleaveland rings https://cleavelandtool.com/products/stainless-tie-down-ring
are very low profile, almost can't see them from 10 feet away.

The only issue is that at some airports the tie down ropes are too thick, so may need to bring my own.

not too concerned about the drag with these
 
Last edited:
I wonder if anyone has made pressure recovery rings or some type of snap on pressure recovery cover. I need tie down rings at least 6 times a year and would prefer to leave them in.
 
Webb said:
I wonder if anyone has made pressure recovery rings or some type of snap on pressure recovery cover. I need tie down rings at least 6 times a year and would prefer to leave them in.
Click to expand...
I keep my tie down rings in the same bag as my tie down ropes and other tie down hardware. Takes 10 seconds to install them. No drag when they are in the bag. I'm curious why there is so much resistance to removing the rings before flight - is there something I'm missing?
 
ve0kog said:
They look very nice!

Cleaveland rings https://cleavelandtool.com/products/stainless-tie-down-ring
are very low profile, almost can't see them from 10 feet away.

The only issue is that at some airports the tie down ropes are too thick, so may need to bring my own.

not too concerned about the drag with these
Click to expand...
I have the Cleaveland tool micro tiedowns also. Very low drag if left in, but you do need either full length small diameter ropes, or a leader to tie off with big ropes or chains. I almost always have my handy bag of tiedown stakes packed with me, since you never know where you'll end up stuck. Tie down rings no good without tie downs either if you're in the wrong place...and , all too often the ropes at the airport not of your choice sometimes are in such poor shape they are false security.
 
Since the original question was where to stow the rings, it got me thinking. Dangerous.
How about some sort of bracket(s) on the rollbar or roll bar brace? Screw them in, slip a velcro strap between them. Instant grab handle.
I love stuff that serves multiple uses.
 
Toobuilder said:
To the OP's point though, my 8 had regular nutplates that the builder just ran a NC tap through to make new threads.
Click to expand...
That's what I did as well, but like Paul said, awkward. I put them in a side pocket I made under the fwd seat belt bar.
 
wirejock said:
Since the original question was where to stow the rings, it got me thinking. Dangerous.
How about some sort of bracket(s) on the rollbar or roll bar brace? Screw them in, slip a velcro strap between them. Instant grab handle.
I love stuff that serves multiple uses.
Click to expand...

I have been noodling the same (multi use) for the Rocket. I’d like to incorporate their storage as a means to tie down stuff in the back. Not real keen on having them up front where they may contribute to a head injury in a crash though.
 
I hope y'all don't mind a slightly off topic question, but I am in the middle of the wing build right now (tanks done - phew!) and was wondering what everyone does with the gap between the wing skin and the tie down bracket screw location. Do we have a big hole in the skin for the tie down shaft to go thru, or is a spacer required, and if so, how is it retained?
Thanks
 
TimSPEED said:
I hope y'all don't mind a slightly off topic question, but I am in the middle of the wing build right now (tanks done - phew!) and was wondering what everyone does with the gap between the wing skin and the tie down bracket screw location. Do we have a big hole in the skin for the tie down shaft to go thru, or is a spacer required, and if so, how is it retained?
Thanks
Click to expand...
I installed the tie down bracket so it was flush to the skin inside. No gap.

One option for those past that point is a hex socket head 3/8-16 bolt. Screw it inside to the depth you want with some blue Loctite. It will live there and act as a stop.
 
What Larry said.
Or simply screw in the ring until it’s just near the skin, a couple mm or ⅛ inch or so.
With the rope attached, it will not rotate or go anywhere.
 
After reading this thread, I removed my tie down rings. Then I started to think about the hole it left behind. First, I purchased 3/8-16 nylon nuts and cut off the head and ground a slot to screw in the hole and leave it flush. That worked pretty well but there is still a small open area because the hole in the wing is slightly larger than the tie down ring. Not being someone who can leave success alone, I started 3D printing 3/8-16 screws so I can print one the color of my wing (orange). Eventually, I printed one that works pretty well. It sits pretty flush with the skin, flares to fill the gap, and works with a flat head or Philips screw driver. If anyone is interested, PM me and I'll send the file. I can't seem to attach an .stl file. If anyone knows how, let me know and I'll attach it

.375-16 Tie Down Plug.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top