Trailer follies

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.