Portable fueling ladder ideas?

[sj]

I have been thinking for some time about getting a lightweight step/ladder I can stick in the back of the 180 since I sometimes find the ladders at self serve pumps less than desirable.

I don’t have fueling steps and I’m not as spry as I once was.

Any ideas appreciated!

sj

P.S. I don’t have back seats so have some room, I’m also 6’2” so it doesn’t have to be an extension ladder…

 

[mvivion]

I have been thinking for some time about getting a lightweight step/ladder I can stick in the back of the 180 since I sometimes find the ladders at self serve pumps less than desirable.

I don’t have fueling steps and I’m not as spry as I once was.

Any ideas appreciated!

sj

P.S. I don’t have back seats so have some room, I’m also 6’2” so it doesn’t have to be an extension ladder…

Bigger tires, obviously……

MTV

 

[KevinJ]

https://www.amazon.com/APARECIUM-Al...=1&mcid=d115fc9b9c7232cb8445776548a5a9c6&th=1



No experience but looks neat. 10-11 lbs however for the three step.

 

[hotrod180]

SJ, atlee dodge sells boot cowl steps & handles.
Pretty reasonably priced & pretty easy to install.

Cessna Step for Boot Cowl - Atlee Dodge LLC (fadodge.com)

Cessna Handle for Boot Cowl - Atlee Dodge LLC (fadodge.com)

I installed some, and put some peel-n-stick non-skid on the struts.
I use mine to check the fuel, they're a bit awkward for actually fueling, but it's better than trying to stand on the tire - unless your shaquille oneill.
Or trying to stand on the junction of strut & fuselage.
It helps if someone can hand you the hose once you're up in place.

 

[sj]

SJ, atlee dodge sells boot cowl steps & handles.
Pretty reasonably priced & pretty easy to install.

Cessna Step for Boot Cowl - Atlee Dodge LLC (fadodge.com)

Cessna Handle for Boot Cowl - Atlee Dodge LLC (fadodge.com)

I installed some, and put some peel-n-stick non-skid on the struts.
I use mine to check the fuel, they're a bit awkward for actually fueling, but it's better than trying to stand on the tire - unless your shaquille oneill.
Or trying to stand on the junction of strut & fuselage.
It helps if someone can hand you the hose once you're up in place.

Not sure when I will get my left leg strength back, and these are not doable (at least for the left tank) in my current status.

sj

 

[OLDCROWE]

https://www.amazon.com/Telescoping-...fos.17d9e15d-4e43-4581-b373-0e5c1a776d5d&th=1

 

[BC12D-4-85]

Here's an opportunity for a carbon fiber manufacturer. Slip or telescoping joints? Two stacked sections of the same piece slipped together to form an "A" with a top piece to join plus side limiters? Invent!

Gary

 

[BC12D-4-85]

Amazon has several iterations. Same for a "carbon fiber ladder" search used by first responders and the military. There is a need for something better than ascending the airframe.

Gary

 

[cubdriver2]

These work great, strong and lite.



https://www.amazon.com/s?k=collapsible+plastic+stool&ref=is_s

Glenn

 

[BC12D-4-85]

Portable stump ^^^^

Gary

 

[Farmboy]

The good ideas seem to be listed above.
For bad ideas, can’t you just hand Laura the fuel hose while she is alighted upon your shoulders?

I was going to say sitting but alighted sounded so much better.


Sent from my iPhone using SuperCub.Org

 

[Steve Pierce]

Take the advice you gave me about staying off of ladders. Make Laura do it.

 

[OLDCROWE]

On the other side of reality, we have a rather nefarious individual that fell off his fueling step on his Super Cub, spun around and caved the boot cowl in with his arse on the way down all while there was a ladder handy...

 

[Steve Pierce]

On the other side of reality, we have a rather nefarious individual that fell off his fueling step on his Super Cub, spun around and caved the boot cowl in with his arse on the way down all while there was a ladder handy...

But he put a cool sticker over the dent.

I was removing my flags in a big hurry the other morning because there were 8 guys trying to mask the inside of my hangar to correct a spray foam issue in the ceiling. Got to the top of the extension ladder only for it to slide out from under me. Rode it 12 or so feet to the floor with a bench grinder breaking my fall. 5 stitches and some good bruises and I am still on the mend. Luckily I didn't break anything. I did use the 10 foot step ladder to put the flags back up and allocated the extension ladder for outdoors.

 

[dgapilot]

But he put a cool sticker over the dent.

I was removing my flags in a big hurry the other morning because there were 8 guys trying to mask the inside of my hangar to correct a spray foam issue in the ceiling. Got to the top of the extension ladder only for it to slide out from under me. Rode it 12 or so feet to the floor with a bench grinder breaking my fall. 5 stitches and some good bruises and I am still on the mend. Luckily I didn't break anything. I did use the 10 foot step ladder to put the flags back up and allocated the extension ladder for outdoors.

Ouch!

 

[DENNY]

Get a nice safe ladder like Keven J posted whatever hight is needed so you can have a safe fun trip. The Cessna will fly just fine heavy, but they fly really crappy without fuel!!!
DENNY

 

[KevinJ]

Pierce, does that count as a half or one life? Your nine lives are getting whittled down.

 

[Steve Pierce]

Pierce, does that count as a half or one life? Your nine lives are getting whittled down.

I'm working on someone else's lives at this point.

 

[Troy Hamon]

This is likely too small but I like these because they are so stable.

https://www.acehardware.com/departm...7l2TlyEbgCljSJCyCDhoCOfQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[hotrod180]

... Got to the top of the extension ladder only for it to slide out from under me. Rode it 12 or so feet to the floor with a bench grinder breaking my fall. 5 stitches and some good bruises and I am still on the mend. Luckily I didn't break anything. I did use the 10 foot step ladder to put the flags back up and allocated the extension ladder for outdoors.

I worked in commercial building construction my whole life, but never liked & never was real comfortable using extension ladders.
It's always a good idea to have someone at the bottom "foot" them, esp on slippery surfaces like a concrete floor.
Also to tie the top of them off to a gutter or whatever when going up onto a roof with them.
Years ago, a guy I knew got stranded when the wind blew his aluminum extension ladder down while he was up on the roof of his box hangar.

 

[okmike]

Ive used this folding step stool for years. There is no name or info on it.

 

[cubdriver2]

Bottom step should always be tied off under ladder. Doesn't take much, even a 10" screwdriver pushed into the ground to tie to will keep it from skating. I've spent hundreds of hours on ladders. Best money you'll ever spend is on a Little Giant ladder. I've owed one for 40 years and nothing comes close to how stable and versatile it is.

Glenn

 

[Steve Pierce]

This is my normal go to ladder and the one I used the most building this hangar. Got in a hurry and grabbed the wrong end of the 30' extension ladder I had taken apart. I paid the price and am still sore.

 

[sj]

This is my normal go to ladder and the one I used the most building this hangar. Got in a hurry and grabbed the wrong end of the 30' extension ladder I had taken apart. I paid the price and am still sore.
View attachment 67734

Except I would need a Caravan to carry the ladder for my 180....

sj

 

[OLDCROWE]

Years ago, a guy I knew got stranded when the wind blew his aluminum extension ladder down while he was up on the roof of his box hangar.

Eaton got that merit badge a few years back, had to call me for a rescue, of course I rounded up friends along the way to witness the heroic rescue...

 

[Fortysix12]

I would fab a model of what exacatly you want, fits and works, then have a local aluminum fabricator make it. Think you end up with a lite and functional bit of perfection.

 

[h2oavi8r]

In 2012, I bought a GP Logistics 6’ folding ladder to use with my slide-in truck camper loading sea kayaks. It folds to 3”x 4.25”x 6’ and is aluminum so about 15 lbs. I’ve wondered about fitting it into the cub or fastening it to the wing struts. I bought it at Camping World but I don’t see it there or anywhere on the web so it may be discontinued. I found a similar one by Telesteps (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1149645-REG/telesteps_600fls_folding_single_sided_stik.html).

It might fit in your 180 if you have an extended baggage or fishing rod tube. You will want to secure it really well so it doesn’t become a missile in a sudden stop!

I also saw one that folds a lot smaller but it weighs 25lbs (https://www.amazon.com/Telescopic-A...mzn1.fos.17d9e15d-4e43-4581-b373-0e5c1a776d5d).

I’d love to hear what you decide to use.