son_of_flubber wrote:
One of the lifting struts on my clam shell trailer lid is failing
(partially or completely). It will not lock in the fully opened position
so the lid sags down a few inches on that side. I suspect that the
second strut is holding the entire weight. However, the lifting force
required of my body to raise or lower the lid is symmetrical, so maybe
both struts are providing some lifting force. Maybe the strut on the
right has just lot the ability to "lock" in the fully extended position??

Yesterday I was assembling in gusty conditions. Both wings were on and
when I turned around to get the horizontal stabilizer out of the trailer,
I found that the lid had slowly closed. I'm trying to get two new struts
ASAP and in the meantime I can live with a lid that slowly closes in gusty conditions.

What concerns me is the possibility that the lid will close suddenly and
damage the lid, the glider or a person. Does this happen? Can a strut
fail completely and suddenly, or is the deterioration gradual?

Maybe I should assemble the glider on a calm day and leave it tied out
until I can replace the struts. Or maybe I should make some sort of
brace from some 2X4's that will keep the lid from closing.

Some trailers (Eberles IIRC) have struts that are put into place to assure
the lid stays open. I wouldn't want to trust a gas shock to keep the lid
open. Go to Home Depot, and get a 2x4.

Pete