Cobra trailer tail skids

[BobWa43]

Has anyone installed the Cobra trailer skids sold by Wings and Wheels? Any info on how to properly place the threaded backing plates is appreciated.

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Solid steel small wheels are a far better idea.

[AS]

On Sunday, February 23, 2020 at 6:28:29 PM UTC-5, BobWa43 wrote:
> Has anyone installed the Cobra trailer skids sold by Wings and Wheels? Any info on how to properly place the threaded backing plates is appreciated.

Bob - I had a Schreder trailer and the solid skids it came with originally wore off quickly. Instead of replacing them, installed small, high capacity caster wheels under each corner. It had a solid Aluminum floor and I used carriage bolts with a 3/8" thick backing plate underneath the floor. It worked great on those pesky gas station entries, when the trailer's tail is actually moving sideways while making contact with terra firma.

Uli
'AS'

[John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net]

Here are some interesting heavy duty ideas to get your trailer over those nasty ups and downs.

https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Skid_Wheels-pm-Ultra%7EFab_Products.aspx

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On Sunday, February 23, 2020 at 5:28:29 PM UTC-6, BobWa43 wrote:
> Has anyone installed the Cobra trailer skids sold by Wings and Wheels? Any info on how to properly place the threaded backing plates is appreciated.

You can easily gain a couple inches clearance in the back of the trailer by lowering to tow ball installation bracket on your car. If you don't know, that thing works like a see-saw.

[BobWa43]

On Sunday, February 23, 2020 at 6:28:29 PM UTC-5, BobWa43 wrote:
> Has anyone installed the Cobra trailer skids sold by Wings and Wheels? Any info on how to properly place the threaded backing plates is appreciated.

Thanks for all of the helpful coomments(the seesaw comment not so much}. The castering wheels sound like the best solution if you could find one that stoutly built and not very tall.

[AS]

On Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at 10:18:18 AM UTC-5, BobWa43 wrote:
> On Sunday, February 23, 2020 at 6:28:29 PM UTC-5, BobWa43 wrote:
> > Has anyone installed the Cobra trailer skids sold by Wings and Wheels? Any info on how to properly place the threaded backing plates is appreciated.
>
> Thanks for all of the helpful coomments(the seesaw comment not so much}. The castering wheels sound like the best solution if you could find one that stoutly built and not very tall.

Bob - here are the ones I installed:
https://www.mcmaster.com/caster-wheels/mount-type~plate/caster-type~swivel/wheel-diameter~2/mount-height~2-7-8/tread-shape~flat/wheel-tread-material~iron/
They are low profile and made from cast iron. I never wore them out.

Uli
'AS'

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On Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at 9:18:18 AM UTC-6, BobWa43 wrote:
> On Sunday, February 23, 2020 at 6:28:29 PM UTC-5, BobWa43 wrote:
> > Has anyone installed the Cobra trailer skids sold by Wings and Wheels? Any info on how to properly place the threaded backing plates is appreciated.
>
> Thanks for all of the helpful coomments(the seesaw comment not so much}. The castering wheels sound like the best solution if you could find one that stoutly built and not very tall.

Bob, my comment was meant seriously and you should not dismiss it of hand. Banging the back of the trailer on hard concrete or asphalt will induce serious bending moments into the structure. Tow hitches had to be strengthened because they broke especially on long over-hang RV vehicles. I've seen numerous examples of round Spindelberger draw bars that broke likely because the end of the trailer was banged too often on a hard surface. The swivel wheels are just a crutch, they will hit earlier than the original skids.

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Second that on the wheels from McMaster. I use them on my 1981 (!) Cobra. Even though they are only rated at 150 lbs. each, they have held up well. I do make sure to keep the speed down when traversing a ramp so the impact load is minimized. Since they are steel, they still sound like a grinding crash when in contact with the ground, but the swiveling and rolling action is much better than a fixed, solid skid.

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On Sunday, February 23, 2020 at 6:28:29 PM UTC-5, BobWa43 wrote:
> Has anyone installed the Cobra trailer skids sold by Wings and Wheels? Any info on how to properly place the threaded backing plates is appreciated.

J7's suggestion is execellent. Mission 1 is do not load the rear trailer skids at all. Also consider adding a spacer between the trailer floor and the axle. I have seen both 1" and 2" used.

I've also seen dropped hitch inserts "made" to drag the ground first hoping to keep weight off the trailer skids. "drag tabs" were welded in front of the ball nut to protect the threads on the ball.

[JS[_5_]]

On Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at 1:31:36 PM UTC-8, wrote:
> On Sunday, February 23, 2020 at 6:28:29 PM UTC-5, BobWa43 wrote:
> > Has anyone installed the Cobra trailer skids sold by Wings and Wheels? Any info on how to properly place the threaded backing plates is appreciated.
>
> J7's suggestion is execellent. Mission 1 is do not load the rear trailer skids at all. Also consider adding a spacer between the trailer floor and the axle. I have seen both 1" and 2" used.
>
> I've also seen dropped hitch inserts "made" to drag the ground first hoping to keep weight off the trailer skids. "drag tabs" were welded in front of the ball nut to protect the threads on the ball.

Cobra sells the lift kits, I believe in 25mm and 50mm heights. Installed a 50mm on a long trailer and had a home made 2" lift kit on an older normal length trailer.
Dropping the tow ball comes with potential problems. Hitting the trailer tongue skid on the ground transfers a lot of energy onto the tongue.
Jim

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One size larger tires did it for me. I don't want to drag at either end of the trailer.

Chip Bearden
JB

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I have a torsion flex hitch on my motor home that flexes to protect the hitch and trailer combo. It might be helpful to flex a little when the trailer tail rubs in and out of the gas stations.

https://genyhitch.com/product-category/light-torsion-flex/