The International Cessna 170 Association

I was told , don;t ever do this.

Ladder NOT Available

at Google images for Cessna 170 B there is a photo of a man refueling while standing on strut.

Access to wing tank by stepping on tire then step onto the wing/strut juncture at fuselage then brace your self by putting other foot on mid point of strut, this for balance only not body weight.

Open Tank , refuel while balancing yourself

I used to keep a 4 ft ladder inside cabin to prevent this scenario.

Today What is the BEST method without a ladder?

Step on the strut.

What the hell is wrong if you break the strut efueling? You can't fly without gas anyway!

I step on my strut every time I fuel.
I try to keep my weight close to the plane. Not sure how strong a strut really is.

Not sure if the later 172's had heavier walls or if they just put the foot pad on there and crossed their fingers.

I've never seen or heard of a strut bending.

I weigh 305 and have never thought twice about standing on the strut. The small fuselage foot rest on a 172, yes. The cabin entry steps, yes (even at a much lower weight). If your struts are so degraded that a person of reasonable stature resting a foot on them would cause damage, then your airplane should have been grounded long ago...

The proper way to stand on a strut is illustrated here:

1) Don't get pant cuff caught in venturi.
2) Don't drip blood on plane when wrist is slashed by VGs.
3) Don't scratch strut with dirt on boot.
4) Have young limber nephew do this.

In rerospect, I'm thinking about the struts on an "A" or "B" model. I have no knowledge of the struts on a straight '48 C-170 (ragwing).

Also don't let the lower door hinge pin get stuck in your shoe laces....