Trailer follies

3 years ago, when a spring broke on my Schreder trailer, I knew it was time to replace everything.

I bought a new 2000 lb Reliable Rubber Torsion Axel, turbo-lube hubs, wheels, and radial trailer tires from Northern Tool. It all came right to my door. The cost was under $600.00. I had some custom welding done to get it to fit the trailer and spread out the load better.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...-trailer-parts

I had the wheels spin balanced at a tire shop.

No need to worry about brakes. The trailer tows straight and does not sway at speeds up to 90 mph. It gives the glider a great ride. Standard American wheel bolt pattern and tire sizes so finding replacements is easy.

Steve Rathbun –R5

On 6/15/2012 6:30 AM, Bill D wrote:
The Cobra brakes have the traditional "star wheel" which automatically
tightens up the brake adjustment when applied in reverse or when
backing up hills with a surge hitch. Surprisingly, the trailer shop
tech said there was no hole in the back plate for manually adjusting
the brakes.

My 17 year old Cobra axle does not have self-adjusting brakes (they are
manual adjust only), and the brakes released automatically if the
trailer was backed up. This feature - automatic release - is why Cobra
trailers have a wheel chock mounted on each fender: you are supposed to
chock the back of each wheel when you are using only the parking brake,
otherwise the trailer can turn in the wind.

My 3 year old Cobra axles has exactly the same braking system: no
automatic brake adjust (manual adjust only), and releases the brakes
when backing up.

I suspect all Cobras have the manual adjustment opening, but the trailer
tech missed it on your trailer.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)

At 00:12 17 June 2012, Eric Greenwell wrote:
On 6/15/2012 6:30 AM, Bill D wrote:
The Cobra brakes have the traditional "star wheel" which automatically
tightens up the brake adjustment when applied in reverse or when
backing up hills with a surge hitch. Surprisingly, the trailer shop
tech said there was no hole in the back plate for manually adjusting
the brakes.

My 17 year old Cobra axle does not have self-adjusting brakes (they are
manual adjust only), and the brakes released automatically if the
trailer was backed up. This feature - automatic release - is why Cobra
trailers have a wheel chock mounted on each fender: you are supposed to
chock the back of each wheel when you are using only the parking brake,
otherwise the trailer can turn in the wind.

My 3 year old Cobra axles has exactly the same braking system: no
automatic brake adjust (manual adjust only), and releases the brakes
when backing up.

I suspect all Cobras have the manual adjustment opening, but the trailer
tech missed it on your trailer.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)


The following is a link to a pdf document which describes the operation
and adjustment of the Alko brakes as used on Cobra Trailers. I have not
heard of many complaints against this system here in the UK and have not
seen many if any glider trailers using electric brakes.

http://www.al-ko.co.uk/edit/files/ha...m-handbook.pdf

Terry Walsh

Am 17.06.2012 09:08, Terry Walsh wrote:
At 00:12 17 June 2012, Eric Greenwell wrote:
On 6/15/2012 6:30 AM, Bill D wrote:
The Cobra brakes have the traditional "star wheel" which automatically
tightens up the brake adjustment when applied in reverse or when
backing up hills with a surge hitch. Surprisingly, the trailer shop
tech said there was no hole in the back plate for manually adjusting
the brakes.

My 17 year old Cobra axle does not have self-adjusting brakes (they are
manual adjust only), and the brakes released automatically if the
trailer was backed up. This feature - automatic release - is why Cobra
trailers have a wheel chock mounted on each fender: you are supposed to
chock the back of each wheel when you are using only the parking brake,
otherwise the trailer can turn in the wind.

My 3 year old Cobra axles has exactly the same braking system: no
automatic brake adjust (manual adjust only), and releases the brakes
when backing up.

I suspect all Cobras have the manual adjustment opening, but the trailer
tech missed it on your trailer.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)


The following is a link to a pdf document which describes the operation
and adjustment of the Alko brakes as used on Cobra Trailers. I have not
heard of many complaints against this system here in the UK and have not
seen many if any glider trailers using electric brakes.

http://www.al-ko.co.uk/edit/files/ha...m-handbook.pdf

Terry Walsh


Excelent manual that describes everything you need to know. Following
these instructions will guarantee a working brake system on your
trailer. Thanks for the link.

And BTW, the wheel chocks on the trailers are legally required in
Germany, so you will find them also on trailers that do not have an
automated reversing feature.
--
Peter Scholz
ASW24 JE

On Wednesday, June 13, 2012 9:52:11 AM UTC-4, Bill D wrote:
FYI...

The Cobra trailer for one of the two CAP ASK-21's had developed a
problem with the left tire and had a tendency to sway. The tire was
deteriorating rapidly, wearing on one side with severe cupping. The
tires were relatively new trailer rated bias ply. Theories ranged
from a bent axle to a bad tire with misaligned belting.

A trip to a professional trailer shop uncovered the real cause -
jammed left brake. The Cobra's surge brakes are purely mechanical
with a push-pull rod from the hitch to near the axle where two cables
run to the drum brakes. The left cable had become jammed with dirt
and wasn't releasing the brake causing it to drag until it could
barely roll. The asymmetrical braking was contributing to the
swaying.

There are no dust boots on the cable housing to keep dirt out so this
is likely to be a recurring problem.

All the towing vehicles have electric brake controllers installed so
I'm campaigning for converting the Cobra trailers to electric brakes.

Bill- could you please provide a bit more detail on where the cable got jammed.
Was it where it enters the guide at the center? My trailers have little wiper boots there- did yours, or were they worn out?
Second- what damage was incurred that could not be repaired?
Thanks for the info.
UH

On Jun 18, 6:29*am, wrote:
On Wednesday, June 13, 2012 9:52:11 AM UTC-4, Bill D wrote:
FYI...

The Cobra trailer for one of the two CAP ASK-21's had developed a
problem with the left tire and had a tendency to sway. *The tire was
deteriorating rapidly, wearing on one side with severe cupping. *The
tires were relatively new trailer rated bias ply. *Theories ranged
from a bent axle to a bad tire with misaligned belting.

A trip to a professional trailer shop uncovered the real cause -
jammed left brake. *The Cobra's surge brakes are purely mechanical
with a push-pull rod from the hitch to near the axle where two cables
run to the drum brakes. *The left cable had become jammed with dirt
and wasn't releasing the brake causing it to drag until it could
barely roll. *The asymmetrical braking was contributing to the
swaying.

There are no dust boots on the cable housing to keep dirt out so this
is likely to be a recurring problem.

All the towing vehicles have electric brake controllers installed so
I'm campaigning for converting the Cobra trailers to electric brakes.

Bill- could you please provide a bit more detail on where the cable got jammed.
Was it where it enters the guide at the center? My trailers have little wiper boots there- did yours, or were they worn out?
Second- what damage was incurred that could not be repaired?
Thanks for the info.
UH

This is second hand in that I have an aversion to crawling under
trailers with the cactus and stinging insects (and occasional
diamondback). The mechanic at the trailer shop said the cable housing
was jammed full of road dirt and there are no boots to prevent more of
it getting in. This leads me to suspect the boots aged out or were
removed and not re-installed by some previous mechanic.

I also suspect the damper inside the tongue is shot even though it was
replaced three years ago. There is a very annoying "clunk" on braking
and acceleration as the tongue slides in and out.

I take it the statement from the trailer shop manager who said "It
can't be fixed" really meant HE couldn't fit it since the system is
German in origin. I don't doubt it's fairly easy to restore the
braking system to the point it works as well as new. I'm just not
sure I'll be happy with that especially since it will be ME keeping it
working.

These trailers live and operate in a far harsher environment than
Spindleburger imagined.