If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
The bearings and seals are off-the-shelf parts that a good bearing or
auto parts supplier should be able to get for you. I carry a spare set in the front of my trailer just in case. From experience, it can be difficult to find them on Sunday evening...in a small town...in eastern Tennessee. The bearing numbers are stamped on the races. Not sure about the seals; I might have had to take one in for the supplier to match up. I had something similar occur on a Komet trailer years ago. The bracket welded to the front of the tongue (just before it exits the front of the trailer) broke, allowing the trailer to settle onto the brake actuating rod. The bolts at the rear of the tongue kept everything connected but it jammed the surge brake on. A bearded, southern good ole' boy pulled up beside us on the freeway in North Carolina in a tricked out van and pointed back at the trailer, which had smoke pouring from the hubs. He helped me lash a chain around the tongue and front crossmember which allowed me to limp into a nearby town for a quick repair. Lesson learned: Surprisingly, he knew it was a glider trailer. As he ferried me to the local Kmart to buy some chain, I was giving him the "how gliders fly without an engine, kindergarten version" speech when he allowed that he had just had a ride in a glider, a Grobee (sic). "It was last week; I've got some pictures here." At which point he pulled out a packet of prints with him climbing into and out of a Twin Grob at a nearby commercial operation! He refused any compensation for ferrying me around and being late for dinner, but I signed him up as an SSA member when I got home. Chip Bearden J.J. I know you were trying to make light of the situation and I didn't take the comment ofensivly. I found a brake shop in Riverside that will turn the drums reline the shoes, they have the seals in metric. They havn't located a perfect match for the return springs yet, close but not exact. The bearings were in good shape not blued or chipped and the same with the races. I'll look closer tomorrow. In the meantime I've been watching awsome Q's and lenticular clouds over the Big Bear and San Gabriels and can't get the trailer to roll!! Russ |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
|
#13
|
|||
|
|||
Sounds to me like it would be a good practice to secure the brake
handle in the down position by some means while hooked up. Mine does pull up rather easily and I'd hate to find out there's a problem by some fellow honking and gesturing from the next lane! 2NO |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
bart w wrote:
Sounds to me like it would be a good practice to secure the brake handle in the down position by some means while hooked up. Mine does pull up rather easily and I'd hate to find out there's a problem by some fellow honking and gesturing from the next lane! Does it use a gas cylinder on the handle? Perhaps it needs to be replaced. -- Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly Eric Greenwell Washington State USA |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
|
#16
|
|||
|
|||
Tom Serkowski wrote:
In the US, chains are required to attach the trailer to the tow vehicle. I have the chains a bit longer than the brake actuation cable, so if the hitch comes off the ball, the cable will actuate the brake, and the chains will keep the brakes-on trailer attached to the vehicle. That sounds like a good plan, especially since many/most US folks have inadequate chains. Until you've seen a trailer connected to the tow vehicle by only the chains, you have no idea how violent the swerving and bucking can be. Having the brakes applied should dampen it considerably. Has anyone had a trailer come off the ball while hooked up like Tom describes, and how did it work out? -- Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly Eric Greenwell Washington State USA |
#17
|
|||
|
|||
I use the same setup, but have elected to satisfy myself
with theoretical rather than empirical proof. 9B At 04:00 15 July 2004, Eric Greenwell wrote: Tom Serkowski wrote: In the US, chains are required to attach the trailer to the tow vehicle. I have the chains a bit longer than the brake actuation cable, so if the hitch comes off the ball, the cable will actuate the brake, and the chains will keep the brakes-on trailer attached to the vehicle. That sounds like a good plan, especially since many/most US folks have inadequate chains. Until you've seen a trailer connected to the tow vehicle by only the chains, you have no idea how violent the swerving and bucking can be. Having the brakes applied should dampen it considerably. Has anyone had a trailer come off the ball while hooked up like Tom describes, and how did it work out? -- Change 'netto' to 'net' to email me directly Eric Greenwell Washington State USA |
#19
|
|||
|
|||
On the subject of the safety chains, I've noticed that the metal tab
attached to the front underside of the trailer that anchors one end of the chain doesn't appear to be that strong. It looks to me like if the trailer came off the ball, the chain would yank that tab right off the trailer... |
#20
|
|||
|
|||
Eric Greenwell writes:
That sounds like a good plan, especially since many/most US folks have inadequate chains. Until you've seen a trailer connected to the tow vehicle by only the chains, you have no idea how violent the swerving and bucking can be. Having the brakes applied should dampen it considerably. Has anyone had a trailer come off the ball while hooked up like Tom describes, and how did it work out? You cross the chains over. Left chain to right shakle on the tow bar, and visa versa. This keeps the trailer centred when it comes off the tow ball. Bit of noise, and slow down *SLOWLY*. You dont want your trailer chewing on the boot! If you rub the chains straight, it can whip around like a demeted dog! -- Paul Repacholi 1 Crescent Rd., +61 (08) 9257-1001 Kalamunda. West Australia 6076 comp.os.vms,- The Older, Grumpier Slashdot Raw, Cooked or Well-done, it's all half baked. EPIC, The Architecture of the future, always has been, always will be. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Cobra Trailer Axel Replacement | Carter | Soaring | 7 | July 7th 04 02:06 PM |
Cobra Trailer Question | Deputy Dog | Soaring | 7 | January 3rd 04 03:11 PM |
Trailer brakes | Bert Willing | Soaring | 1 | October 31st 03 07:55 AM |
Cobra Trailer | Soaring | 1 | September 28th 03 01:14 PM | |
Cobra trailer fittings for different glider makes & models | John W | Soaring | 4 | September 24th 03 03:21 PM |