Review of Tow Out Wing Wheels

[John DeRosa]

This thread is based on a look at three different brands of tow out wing wheels.  This look started within the recent "IMI Top Line Wing Wheel vs SoaringXX Wing-Walker" thread.  

I try to sort out the pros and cons of each brand.  There is also a middle-ground for things that don't quite fit into a pro or a con (or the jury is still out).  Finally, there is a IHMO section for my thoughts.

List is sorted by price.  Estimaded price is based on US retailer's web sites and does not include shipping, taxes, and possible tariffs.

Let me know of any other comments, pros, cons, middle grounds, or IMHOs.

- John (OHM)

https://aviation.derosaweb.net/

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Manufacturer: Cobra (I have owned one)

Cost: ~$445
Seller: Cobra (unsure if anyone is still selling in the US)

Weight: 13.2 lbs / 6.0 kg
Construction: Aluminum and fiberglass.

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Pros: Lightest.  Least expensive (from $250 to $404 less). 
Middle Ground: Thinner padding. Secure steel wing latching mechanism.  Pneumatic mid-sized tire. Collapses easily. 

Cons: Non-castering tire which can "scrub" on pavement if not attached snuggly, and inline, with the wing - potential to cause damage to the wing.  Need to add extra weight to prevent wind guests allowing the wing to rise (I saw this happen at an event which caused the opposite wing to hit a runway light which swung the tail around and swung into the tow vehicle which broke the horizontal and vertical stabilizers).

IMHO: Weak fiberglass cradle (broke mine - had to be repaired and reinforced). 

========================================

Manufacturer: SoaringXX (Friend owns one)

Cost: ~$700
Sellers: Craggy Aero and Cumulus Soaring  
Construction: Aluminum and fiberglass
Weight: 26.5 lbs / 12.0 kg

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Pros:  Casters. Smallest collapsed size. Thickest padding.
Middle Ground:  Cannot lock caster.  Small solid tire. Non-metallic wing latching mechanism.  Suspension.

Cons: Heaviest. Cost. No suspension.

IMHO: I have no direct experience with this newest wing wheel.

========================================

Manufacturer: IMI (I own one now)

Cost: ~$849
Seller: Wings and Wheels
Construction: Steel, aluminum and fiberglass
Weight: 24.3 lbs / 11.0 kg (I weighed mine)

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Pros: Castering locks/unlocks.  Secure metallic wing locking mechanism.  Suspension.
Middle Ground: Thinner padding. Uses heavy (but strong) steel components.  Castering locking mechanism can be "fiddly".   Pneumatic mid-sized tire.   Collapses easily. 
Cons: Costliest. Heavy.

IMHO:  Why would you lock it during use? Cumbersome to drag around the flight line when uncollapsed, and castering - I helped this issue by adding two simple "modifications"*.

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*Modifications to my IMI Wing Wheel ...

1) Carry handle (inexpensive Kayak) attached to the upper steel bar.

2) Velcro strap attached to the lower steel bar which captures the collapsed wheel.

[christopher behm]

Ummmm, the SoaringXX wheel DOES have suspension. 

Kind regards, 

Chris. 

Sent from my T-Mobile 5G Device
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From: rasp...@googlegroups.com <rasp...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of John DeRosa <jhde...@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2025 6:40:45 PM
To: RAS_Prime <rasp...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [RAS_Prime] Review of Tow Out Wing Wheels

 

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[John DeRosa]

Chris - Well, heck.  Yes, you are correct the SoaringXX wing wheel has suspension"  Mea Colpa!  

The "no suspension" was intended for the Cobra wing wheel's "con" group.  Skipped a gear there.

What I meant to say (based on my friend's experiences) is that the SoaringXX's smaller suspension system has significantly less shock absorbing capacity than IMI's.  That being said - is this a big deal?  IMHO No as every runway I have been on, grass or hard surface, wouldn't have needed much suspension smoothing in the first place - especially so at the slow tow out "walking" speeds we use.  

So, a comment on the SoaringXX's smaller suspension system should have been in "Middle Ground".

Now I know why my grade school teacher kept saying, "Johnny, check your work!".  

John (OHM)

[Ian Molesworth]

On both the seperate, partially hinged leading edge mount is not ideal. I think this came about to compensate for walkers being mounted on either wing and being out of true with the towing line. The separate nose piece allows the user to line up the unit with the chord line. 

And then castoring was added making it redundant!

I have had a walker slide slightly over the leading edge and ding the finish on the ali bar. 

Needs protective foam on the ali bar at least.

My XX system folds by withdrawing a 10mm diameter steel pin with R clip. Once folded it carries nicely balanced with the ( standard ) carrying handle. I agree that none of them are easily moveable without folding, they track sideways on the wheel etc.

Solution? A press button folding latch or similar solution. I have some steel folding sawhorses that are rated to 250kg load that use push button dimple releases so it must be doable.

Ian

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rasprime/9d4ef09e-77a6-4a20-89bd-ea495bb25e9bn%40googlegroups.com.