On Monday, August 11, 2014 2:46:26 PM UTC-4, shkdriver wrote:
Does anyone have any opinions about the relative benefits of an

"alligator"

style opening trailer vs a full opening top?

the Luebke plans trailer I am building will be 31 feet long and 53

inches wide with a 17.5 inch tall lower sides. the top would be 37

inches taller in the front half and taper down in the back half. Steel

square tubing frame with aluminum skin. if I build the front half fixed

and open only the back 16 feet, I could dramatically reduce the weight

of the opening portion, with a small penalty of limited access.

The problem of the top weather seal is more difficult, but not

impossible.

Also the ability to control the opening top "shake" while on the road is

much easier.

I think the full opening top might easily get to 300 lbs, while the

partial top could be as low as 120 lbs.

Last year I saw a online article of a Lak with a partial opening top and

it seemed to be a good solution.



Thanks,

Scott


Getting a good sealing of the center joint is a meaningful complication.
It also means that the roots get close to the top of the trailer as the wings go forward which is a problem the full clam shell type does not have. They are easier on the back of the tip carrying person,
UH






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shkdriver