Trailer follies

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 Jun 14, 10:05*pm, Eric Greenwell wrote:
On 6/13/2012 7:56 AM, Grider Pirate wrote:

I totally agree! *Ever tried to back up a hill with your mechanical
surge brakes?? Good luck with that!
My tow vehicle weighs roughly 5 times my trailer with the glider in
it. I don't really think brakes are all that helpful.

My understanding is the brakes release when the wheels turns backward.
Doesn't that happen when you back up a hill?

I have 170,000 miles on my Cobra trailer, and I can't recall ever having
trouble backing up; however, I don't recall how steep the inclines were.
I did have dragging brakes on one side from misadjusting the brake on
that side, but I don't know if that is also possible with electric brakes..

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

Perhaps the Komet brakes work differently, but mine don't release.

Am 15.06.2012 15:37, Grider Pirate wrote:
On Jun 14, 10:05 pm, Eric wrote:
On 6/13/2012 7:56 AM, Grider Pirate wrote:

I totally agree! Ever tried to back up a hill with your mechanical
surge brakes?? Good luck with that!
My tow vehicle weighs roughly 5 times my trailer with the glider in
it. I don't really think brakes are all that helpful.

My understanding is the brakes release when the wheels turns backward.
Doesn't that happen when you back up a hill?

I have 170,000 miles on my Cobra trailer, and I can't recall ever having
trouble backing up; however, I don't recall how steep the inclines were.
I did have dragging brakes on one side from misadjusting the brake on
that side, but I don't know if that is also possible with electric brakes.

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

Perhaps the Komet brakes work differently, but mine don't release.

This is normally due to wrong settings of the brake adjustment or some
parts inside the brake have corroded. Usually it is easy to fix, and I
can give you detailed isntructrions yif you give me the exact brake
type/manufacturer (look at the brake type plate near where the brake
cable goes into the brake)
--
Peter Scholz
ASW24 JE

Am 13.06.2012 16:33, sisu1a wrote:
I'm campaigning for converting the Cobra trailers to electric brakes.

+1 -and let me help you get it started...

Dear Mr Spindelberger, surge brakes suck. I'd rather have no brakes
than deal with the large range of well known and predictable nonsense
that accompanies that outdated overpriced unreliable system. Cobra
should at least offer electrics as a stock option, or at least without
any brakes so we can convert them ourselves with the extra 2 grand
that wasn't wasted on junk running gear. These aren't your father's
electric brakes...

-Paul (guy who's towed a lot of trailers a lot of miles and also knows
of accidents directly caused by Cobra brakes)

ps. I have a 10 point list I've thrown out a few times around here in
the past, of why electrics are clearly a better option for glider
trailers in case anyone still clings to the notion that their surgies
are better simply because that's what they have. I mean, the most
expensive glider trailer would obviously come with the best system,
right?

You have to take into account, that these trailers are fabricated for
the german/european market, and that the only brake system that you will
get approved in Germany are surge brakes. There are no things as
electrical brakes in Europe. We do have air pressure brake systems on
truck trailers, but on these light trailers we only have the brake
system that Spindelberger is using. And yes, they work very well if
properly maintained.

--
Peter Scholz
ASW24 JE