I fixed it! The hinge bolt is welded to a plate that is 1/4 inch back
from the cross bar (on a newer Cobra) On my trailer this plate was
touching the cross bar. With the trailer open and the hinge bolts
loose, I inserted two 1/4" shims, closed the trailer and tightened up
the bolts that hold the hinge plates. Problem solved, my Cobra now
closes and latches,OK.
:) JJ

(JJ Sinclair) wrote in message . com...
I'm finding it increasingly harder and harder to latch the aluminum
top of my Cobra trailer after closing it. Investigation revealed the
whole top has moved forward about 1/4 inch (5mm) I believe this was
caused by the gas struts that hold the top in the up position, when
extended, actually apply considerable forward force when in the
closer, or down position. The hinge points look OK and there are no
cracks, but I can see some bending in the aluminum skin just forward
of the pivot bolts (bent forward)
Help, what's the fix?
JJ Sinclair