Trailer follies

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that accompanies that outdated overpriced unreliable system.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

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.

So- Failure to do some routine preventative maintenance constitutes a poor product result.
I've had excellent results with Cobra trailers with surge brakes over the last 15 years or so. Have 4 of them now and satisfied with them.
Just looked at the one in my driveway and it has boots where the cable enters the guides and is well closed off at the brake housing end.
Different experience being reported
It certainly would make sense for people to pick up on Bill's finding and take a look.
UH

I have a similar problem recently on my Cobra.
The extreme outer edge of contact area of the left tire is wearing and cupping.
The right tire is fine.
The trailer is from around 1997. Aluminum top.
I estimate I am doing about 1000 miles / year.
Behind my Blazer, this trailer runs rock solid, even significantly past 65mph.
No swaying.
I contacted Spindelberger, who replied immediately and suggested to check the bearing, wheel balance and alignment.
The bearings seem fine. No roughness in the bearing and no knacking sounds.
Also the break does not engage.
I have had no problems backing up.
I still need check the balance, the tire alignment, shocks and boots.

Any ideas how/where to check the alignment ?
And how do I test the shocks ? The suspension seems very stiff.

Paul, I would not endorse your "Letter to Spindelberger"

3U.

Perhaps the boots sealing the cable ends on the trailer in question were removed or never installed, but it's likely a one-off.
In the handful of Cobra and Komet trailers I've owned so far, the properly maintained surge brakes have not been a problem.
Paul, perhaps if you want German manufacturers to use electric brakes which nobody in the rest of the World uses, you should also campaign for 4-wire trailer lighting which nobody else in the World uses? Start by applying to the European equivalent of DOT for approval in your spare time.
ALKO in Indiana sell replacement axles for German trailers with different brake options. Dexter have options. You can buy a German mechanical brake axle or many of the parts involved from Williams Soaring.
Jim

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 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.