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Does anyone know why there has been so much wheel camber designed into the Sonex undercarriage?? If the legs were longer and could bend more like a RV4 I could understand it. The only thing I can see happening is I will be scrubbing tyres out real quick. A friend asked me this question but I could say "this is what the plans show". What am I missing.
Thanks
Phil

Phil

I dunno the idea behind so much camber but it appears to work.

I also don't know how many cycles a tire should be expected to last? The original Cheng Shin tires in the photo have over 400 landings on them. 99% of those on ashphelt. Turned around they are probably good for another 150 or 200 landings? I only replaced them to go to a larger tire. It may or may not have any affect on tire wear but I never take off in the 3 point attitude, I always raise the tail.

Wow, thanks Steve. I would have put money against that being the case, what do I know.
I had put the good tyre wear on my Corby Starlet down to the fact I have no toe in/out and no built in camber.

Corby202 wrote:Does anyone know why there has been so much wheel camber designed into the Sonex undercarriage?? If the legs were longer and could bend more like a RV4 I could understand it. The only thing I can see happening is I will be scrubbing tyres out real quick. A friend asked me this question but I could say "this is what the plans show". What am I missing.
Thanks
Phil

If talking about a tail-dragger with its longer legs than a tri-gear, those stout looking titanium bars bend a lot more than you might think, and that camber goes away with load. My gear geometry is per the plans and works great. would not change anything.

David A.

The camber works even though it looks extreme. The titanium bends nicely, even on my shorter legged tri-gear.

I too have over 400 landings on my tires with no scrubbing or uneven wear. My tires don't look quite as good as the photo above but they will get me through this season of flying.

By looking at the wear, could be the "toe adjustment" I would check that
And adjust if needed. I have a ONEX and there is none for that plane. I don't
Know about the Sonex plans, though. In the auto industry, as camber changes so does the toe angle.
Camber has proven to cause less wear than toe. A tire can be "0" toe and wear slowly. A tire out of proper toe will cause the scrub effect and wear tires significantly.
I'd check the toe first.
Just butting in.
Frank
ONEX 090