On Monday, May 20, 2013 6:17:24 PM UTC-5, quietpilot wrote:
Curiously. how does a minden tube differ from a normal tube or clamshell?

Tubes and Clamshells are two subsets of trailers. Tubes and boxes open at one or both ends to let the glider in and out. Clamshells have all or part of the top swing up to let the glider in and out.

Minden Tubes are square alminum frame hoops on 2 foot centers, with skins running lengthwise along the trailer. One on each side, and one over the top. Interesting extrusion at the bottom, and generally have a wooden floor. They also added an extra skin to the inside of the trailer around the cutout for the vertical fin box.

Schreder Tubes are all 1 inch square aluminum tube frames (floor and hoops) with hoops on 4 foot centers, skins wrap from one side, over the top, to the other side. Generally have an aluminum floor.

Pfeiffer Tubes are steel tube truss sides, wooden floors, fiberglass hoops and skins.

Komet's are gnarly. Cobra's are Bitch'in.

Then, there was a Swiss company that made egg shaped trailers.

So, as you can see, there really is no "norm" for trailers. Other than two wheels is the generally accepted "norm". Have had a couple of 4 wheeled glider trailers. They are now two wheeled glider trailers, and I am much happier now. Ready for thread shift? :-)