Re: how much for auto-tow gear?

[Steve Leonard]

Do we really need one, or would it be enough to keep
a pair of cutters handy?

Johan Larson

I would highly discourage that approach. There can
be a LOT of energy in a rope under load and cutting
it may not be so easy.

We use a Schweizer release on a standard 2 inch receiver.
Takes a spacer to fill the gap where the shank of
the trailer ball would go. You might need to put something
on the hitch so that your release cord can pull straight
forward instead of up to get into the car. The itch
can also be mounted so it will always align with the
pull on the rope.

How long a runway will you be operating from? You
will probably want a rope that is not more than 25to
30% of your available runway or towing area. We are
able to buy 3/8th hollow braid polypropelene for about
10 cents a foot. It has a breaking strength of about
1800 lbs, so we must always have a weak link.

If you are operating from pavement, and do not roll
up the rope after each launch, we have found that driving
back slowly seems to make the rope last longer. Keep
the speed down under 20 MPH on the drive back. And
if you are operating from a runway with grass along
the egde, se about mounting a pole that will stick
out to the side of the car so tecar can drive back
on the pavement, and have the rope dragging in the
grass.

Auto towing is fun and a cheap way to get ito the air.
But, it does require a fair amount of available space.

Steve Leonard
Wichita, KS

[BT]

http://www.lvvsa.org/events.htm
we do ours off the dry lake.. overnight camp out is part of the festivities

1800 ft 3ply twisted poly, Schweizer release mounted on a tow hitch as
described, it can tilt up and swivel to stay aligned with the rope and the
tow release is aligned for the proper release from inside the tow vehicle

Diesel trucks work best for acceleration, Chevy Avalanche does great with
the back window down.

One the lake bed we can run for miles, 1800ft tow rope normally gets 1100 ft
altitude with a 2-33.

BT

"Steve Leonard" > wrote in message
...
> Do we really need one, or would it be enough to keep
> a pair of cutters handy?
>
> Johan Larson
>
> I would highly discourage that approach. There can
> be a LOT of energy in a rope under load and cutting
> it may not be so easy.
>
> We use a Schweizer release on a standard 2 inch receiver.
> Takes a spacer to fill the gap where the shank of
> the trailer ball would go. You might need to put something
> on the hitch so that your release cord can pull straight
> forward instead of up to get into the car. The itch
> can also be mounted so it will always align with the
> pull on the rope.
>
> How long a runway will you be operating from? You
> will probably want a rope that is not more than 25to
> 30% of your available runway or towing area. We are
> able to buy 3/8th hollow braid polypropelene for about
> 10 cents a foot. It has a breaking strength of about
> 1800 lbs, so we must always have a weak link.
>
> If you are operating from pavement, and do not roll
> up the rope after each launch, we have found that driving
> back slowly seems to make the rope last longer. Keep
> the speed down under 20 MPH on the drive back. And
> if you are operating from a runway with grass along
> the egde, se about mounting a pole that will stick
> out to the side of the car so tecar can drive back
> on the pavement, and have the rope dragging in the
> grass.
>
> Auto towing is fun and a cheap way to get ito the air.
> But, it does require a fair amount of available space.
>
> Steve Leonard
> Wichita, KS
>
>
>