New Cobra trailer - - which top?

On Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at 4:36:10 PM UTC-8, wrote:
I've only owned glass tops (3). IMHO the work to keep it looking nice makes Alum look appealing. Glass is like waxing four cars...unless it needs rubbing out, then it's like ten cars......"Wax on, right hand. Wax off, left hand. Wax on, wax off. Breathe in through nose, out the mouth. Wax on, wax off. Don't forget to breathe, very important".

As Andrzej says, one thing that could be done is to wait a bit for the glass and gelcoat to settle down, then scuff and shoot the whole thing with PU. I think that would cut the maintenance by quite a lot for 10 years or so anyway. Add that to the cost of the trailer. Good PU finishes don't require waxing (and it will not extend their life in any case), just wash it once in awhile. Which costs more to begin with, FRP or ALU?

One fairly consistant problem I have seen in a number of aluminum trailers, is a distortion near the front hinge on the top. It allows the top to shift forward and creates interference at the rear with hard closing and misalignment of the latches. The distortion appears right at the corner. I believe it occurs with the forward loading on the top coming from the rather strong gas struts over time.

Of the five aluminum Cobra trailers parked at the field, three have this problem. None of the fiber glass top trailers show a similar problem.

Buzz Graves

On Thursday, February 12, 2015 at 2:29:33 AM UTC-5, BG wrote:
One fairly consistant problem I have seen in a number of aluminum trailers, is a distortion near the front hinge on the top. It allows the top to shift forward and creates interference at the rear with hard closing and misalignment of the latches. The distortion appears right at the corner. I believe it occurs with the forward loading on the top coming from the rather strong gas struts over time.

Of the five aluminum Cobra trailers parked at the field, three have this problem. None of the fiber glass top trailers show a similar problem.

Buzz Graves

Plenty of fiberglass tops have the same problem;
actually any trailer produced prior ~ 2010 IIRC.
Later trailers have a small block carrying loads
from top's lower side-rail and pressing against
front hinge plate.

I designed a fix with Alfred and can post info if
anyone is interested...

Hope that helps,
Best Regards, Dave

On Thursday, 12 February 2015 07:17:26 UTC-7, Dave Nadler wrote:
On Thursday, February 12, 2015 at 2:29:33 AM UTC-5, BG wrote:
One fairly consistant problem I have seen in a number of aluminum trailers, is a distortion near the front hinge on the top. It allows the top to shift forward and creates interference at the rear with hard closing and misalignment of the latches. The distortion appears right at the corner. I believe it occurs with the forward loading on the top coming from the rather strong gas struts over time.

Of the five aluminum Cobra trailers parked at the field, three have this problem. None of the fiber glass top trailers show a similar problem.

Buzz Graves

Plenty of fiberglass tops have the same problem;
actually any trailer produced prior ~ 2010 IIRC.
Later trailers have a small block carrying loads
from top's lower side-rail and pressing against
front hinge plate.

I designed a fix with Alfred and can post info if
anyone is interested...

Hope that helps,
Best Regards, Dave

Dave, please post the fix designed. I remember the discussion from a few years ago but know that I have a Cobra trailer again I am interested

Ron Gleason

On Thursday, February 12, 2015 at 9:36:57 AM UTC-5, Ron Gleason wrote:
On Thursday, 12 February 2015 07:17:26 UTC-7, Dave Nadler wrote:
On Thursday, February 12, 2015 at 2:29:33 AM UTC-5, BG wrote:
One fairly consistant problem I have seen in a number of aluminum trailers, is a distortion near the front hinge on the top. It allows the top to shift forward and creates interference at the rear with hard closing and misalignment of the latches. The distortion appears right at the corner. I believe it occurs with the forward loading on the top coming from the rather strong gas struts over time.

Of the five aluminum Cobra trailers parked at the field, three have this problem. None of the fiber glass top trailers show a similar problem.

Buzz Graves

Plenty of fiberglass tops have the same problem;
actually any trailer produced prior ~ 2010 IIRC.
Later trailers have a small block carrying loads
from top's lower side-rail and pressing against
front hinge plate.

I designed a fix with Alfred and can post info if
anyone is interested...

Hope that helps,
Best Regards, Dave

Dave, please post the fix designed. I remember the discussion from a few years ago but know that I have a Cobra trailer again I am interested

Ron Gleason

I just had my 30 year old cobra trailer's flip door fixed. I replaced the gas struts and sure enough it cause the top to shift even more then it already had. I had them weld braces in the front corners and repainted it. All the riding over bumpy roads over the years works the aluminum because it has insufficient bracing.

Dennis

Please post, I am looking for a fix

Buzz

Yes Dave please post all info you have on this!

I am also in need of this fix.

On Friday, February 13, 2015 at 12:17:26 PM UTC, joesimmers wrote:
Yes Dave please post all info you have on this!

I am also in need of this fix.

I don't know whether Dave's fix is the same as Steve Koerner's fix that was linked here a few years ago but, just in case, here is the link to the latter:

https://app.box.com/shared/9dvnt7qgs8

John Galloway

Fiberglass tops do not totally block UV damage to gel coat on the glider! I kept a glider, stored in a fiberglass top cobra trailer outdoors for several years in France. The wing facing south had much more crazing and yellowing than the north facing wing. Mold or mildew was also becoming a problem.. If you plan on keeping the rig outdoors, I would suggest aluminum.

On Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at 9:14:19 AM UTC-8, Ben wrote:
So, if you were ordering a new Cobra trailer, would you order a fiberglass top or an aluminum top? For sake of discussion, lets exclude obvious price difference.

I've never seen an aluminum top with insulation. What type of insulation is used and is it worth the 1000 plus euros?

For those having a reasonably new Cobra trailer, in your opinion, what options are "mandatory" and what options are "losers"?

Thanks for your feedback.

I'm curious, what does one pay for a 15 meter Cobra Trailer delivered to a West Coast port?