Cobra trailer stuck closed

On Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 10:34:57 AM UTC-4, wrote:
Uh.. ... hope the handles hold while raising it.

Plastic handles on my Avionics Trailer became brittle and broke after minimal sun exposure.

On Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 5:42:23 AM UTC-6, Auxvache wrote:
... So, I'm trolling for ideas...

Sell it as is where is?
Bidding starts at?

On Sunday, June 10, 2018 at 8:16:04 AM UTC-5, Dave Nadler wrote:
On Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 5:42:23 AM UTC-6, Auxvache wrote:
... So, I'm trolling for ideas...

Sell it as is where is?
Bidding starts at?

I will give a hundred dollars for it.
:-)

Steve Leonard

I have dealt with two Cobra trailers that have had one strut "blow out". one was spectacular sounding. Closed the lid, then PSSSSSSSTTTT! Thought I had pinched and popped a tire! The other died when I was not there, so don't know how quickly it went. Replacing them one at a time on a metal topped trailer for a 15 meter glider just required a prop to hold it open. Glider was out, no big deal. The one on the ASH25 trailer, well, that was another story!

I have dealt with two Cobra trailers that have had one strut "blow out". one was spectacular sounding. Closed the lid, then PSSSSSSSTTTT! Thought I had pinched and popped a tire! The other died when I was not there, so don't know how quickly it went. Replacing them one at a time on a metal topped trailer for a 15 meter glider just required a prop to hold it open. Glider was out, no big deal. The one on the ASH25 trailer, well, that was another story!

Most Cobra trailers have a hole drilled through one strut (the port strut for my trailer) so that a pin can be inserted to ensure the top stays fully open. I assume the purpose is safety, to prevent the top crashing down if a strut fails.

On Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 5:42:23 AM UTC-6, Auxvache wrote:
...So, I'm trolling for ideas...

Seriously, be VERY careful.
Even with an over-head hoist, incrementally support the top with 2x4s
under top's edge-channel to ground, and keep the trailer attached to a car
(with brakes/park set).

Most likely you're going to have to repeat this;
1rst time to get the old stuff out, 2nd time to install new struts.

Careful!
And don't forget to post pictures ;-)

The manufacturer does this all the time. It would be worthwhile contacting them for the correct procedure and equipment.

On Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 6:42:23 AM UTC-5, Auxvache wrote:
Anyone have any experience with the gas strut failing in the compressed position? My 2002 fiberglass top didn't quite open fully on its own in March, so I ordered replacement struts. Unfortunately, the next time out the top only opened a few feet, then progressively less as I tried to lower and then raise it. Now it is stuck closed and will not open even a crack despite two people hauling on it. Did I mention the glider is still inside? I can't get to the strut from the front door with the fuse and wing in the way.

So, I'm trolling for ideas on how to force the top open without damaging something. Thanks in advance.

Why does my cobra top not slowly close? it stays open until I drag it down.
I must admit ignorance of the internal demon that makes it work.
respect,
Scott

Why does my cobra top not slowly close? it stays open until I drag it down.
I must admit ignorance of the internal demon that makes it work.
respect,
Scott

Because it has two gas springs holding it up.

Or are you asking how does a gas spring work? That particular question was just answered and a link provided to a concise explanation with diagrams.

On Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 7:42:23 AM UTC-4, Auxvache wrote:
Anyone have any experience with the gas strut failing in the compressed position? My 2002 fiberglass top didn't quite open fully on its own in March, so I ordered replacement struts. Unfortunately, the next time out the top only opened a few feet, then progressively less as I tried to lower and then raise it. Now it is stuck closed and will not open even a crack despite two people hauling on it. Did I mention the glider is still inside? I can't get to the strut from the front door with the fuse and wing in the way.

So, I'm trolling for ideas on how to force the top open without damaging something. Thanks in advance.

Thanks very much everybody for the helpful replies. FWIW, the top definitely feels actively pulled down, not just mass + gravity. We'll try lifting and blocking it in steps as suggested. And yes photo documentation--probably going to be good for some laughs...

On Sunday, June 10, 2018 at 2:30:34 PM UTC-7, Auxvache wrote:
On Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 7:42:23 AM UTC-4, Auxvache wrote:
Anyone have any experience with the gas strut failing in the compressed position? My 2002 fiberglass top didn't quite open fully on its own in March, so I ordered replacement struts. Unfortunately, the next time out the top only opened a few feet, then progressively less as I tried to lower and then raise it. Now it is stuck closed and will not open even a crack despite two people hauling on it. Did I mention the glider is still inside? I can't get to the strut from the front door with the fuse and wing in the way.

So, I'm trolling for ideas on how to force the top open without damaging something. Thanks in advance.

Thanks very much everybody for the helpful replies. FWIW, the top definitely feels actively pulled down, not just mass + gravity. We'll try lifting and blocking it in steps as suggested. And yes photo documentation--probably going to be good for some laughs...

Even with no pressure in the cylinders, you'll still have damping force that will be resisting the rate of motion. If you lift slowly enough the damping force approaches zero; then all you'll have is gravity to deal with.