ORIGINAL: MTK

Stiff gear contribute more to fuselage damage....Many gear struts today are too strong and stiff, and of course heavy, and tranfer loads directly into the fuse mount without absorbing much of it.....

You guys should demand gear that is just strong and stiff enough for the task and no more. And BTW, you can save a heck of alot of weight from properly designed landing gear. It is one area still being overcooked by most airplane makers out there. Coupled with some of the light wheels in this thread, landing gear RTF shouldn't weigh any more than 5 - 5 1/2 ounces and that includes the fuse mount and pants......And 2 3/4'' wheels...

Another pet peave of mine is gear rake. Too many struts have too much which requires more fuse and stut strength and weight than necessary. Rake also makes TO and Landing more difficult. The guy who came up with that dumb move should be hung by his toes