• Another Cobra Trailer Gas Spring Question

    From Gianni Isotope@21:1/5 to All on Tue May 3 11:29:56 2022
    I was going to hijack Paul's thread, but thought better of it.

    I have the opposite problem with my Cobra trailer -- the gas springs are far too stiff, making it so difficult to close the top that I actually broke one of the top handles clean off.

    A couple of questions:

    1. I have some paperwork saying that I could tap a nail into one end of the spring several times to release some of the pressure, but I cannot fathom how to gain access to the spring, as it is completely buried in a rectangular box. Is there any easy
    way to gain access to the spring, or at least the end of the spring where pressure can be relieved?

    2. The broken handle was fastened to the metal top with rivets, and the backside of the broken rivet are buried behind another long rectangular box, which holds the horizontal locking bar for the trailer's top. Has anyone else had broken handle rivets
    on their Cobra trailer? If so, how did you reattach your handle?

    Thanks!

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Mark Mocho@21:1/5 to All on Tue May 3 12:34:35 2022
    I just noticed that you refer to "the horizontal locking bar for the trailer's top." I have never seen this on a Cobra trailer. Komets, yes, but not Cobra. Are you sure it's a Cobra?

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Mark Mocho@21:1/5 to All on Tue May 3 12:31:12 2022
    When was your Cobra manufactured? The "riveted" handle attachment is completely different from every Cobra I have seen.

    I was told by Alfred Spindelberger that pressure can be released using the nail method, but the end you need to access will require removing the spring. Also be aware that there is no way to determine how much the spring force is decreased except by
    trial and error.

    Prior to Cobra offering the dual strut system found on trailers that have two sets of wing extensions supported by the trailer top ((Like 18 m and 21 m tips on the Jonker JS-1), I remember one Nimbus 4 owner tossing a sandbag on the rear of the trailer
    next to the rudder box before lifting the lid and removing the wing panels. He used just enough weight to allow the top to open, but not close. The extra weight was enough to ease the pull after the wings were out.

    As a side note, the gas spring force on Cobra trailers can often be found marked on a triangular gusset on the inside of the trailer top about halfway along the length. It will say something like 1100. There are four other numbers that refer to the
    number of the front and rear locks, in case you need to get a key replaced.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Mark Mocho@21:1/5 to All on Wed May 4 05:07:33 2022
    It is also possible that the telescoping tubes are binding up due to damage or contaminated grease inside, or no lubrication at all. Before altering the pressure in the springs, try to determine if there is a mechanical issue that is restricting the free
    movement of the trailer top.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Gianni Isotope@21:1/5 to All on Wed May 4 08:00:47 2022
    Mark, thank you for all of your comments. Trailer's title indicates it is a Cobra was manufactured in 1989, which matches the age of my LS7.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Mark Mocho@21:1/5 to All on Wed May 4 08:56:13 2022
    Mark, thank you for all of your comments. Trailer's title indicates it is a Cobra was manufactured in 1989, which matches the age of my LS7.

    Roger that. It seems that earlier Comets DID have the horizontal locking bar. Also, the lift struts are externally mounted, which exposes the telescoping tubes to grit and dirt. This can cause the tubes to become difficult to collapse. Try taking them
    off and checking for crap inside or external damage that impairs their travel.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)