Cobra trailer aluminum vs fiberglass top

On Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at 11:00:30 AM UTC-7, wrote:
On Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at 11:45:05 AM UTC+1, Ken Payne wrote:
At 09:38 17 July 2018, krasw wrote:
I haven't ever seen metal top Cobra that requires painting. I have never
seen glass top that doesn't.


Do Cobra offer a paint finish on their fiberglass tops. If not why not?

Very good question!

Similar questions to "Do they offer LED lighting?" or "Do they offer felt instead of foam-backed carpet?"
Like a new sailplane, it seems there is always something the buyer needs to work on.
Believe they're all being delivered with "beer friendly" fenders (mud guards) now, so one less option to consider.
Interior lighting is nice.
After installing one of each, the IMI drawer seemed better than the Cobra.

Tom, if you're getting an ASH31 (or for anyone considering JS1C or perhaps other multi-span polyhedral wing) have a look at the wider "DoSi" trailer as an option. Things are awfully tight in the standard width trailers, a recipe for trailer rash. At least either trailer will be shorter than the ASH26 (or Duo) trailers.
But uncertain that the newer wide metal top trailers still have a seam along the top. The 2000-vintage ones do. Alfred's sheet metal brake is huge, but has limits.
Jim

On Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at 11:42:54 AM UTC-7, JS wrote:
On Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at 11:00:30 AM UTC-7, wrote:
On Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at 11:45:05 AM UTC+1, Ken Payne wrote:
At 09:38 17 July 2018, krasw wrote:
I haven't ever seen metal top Cobra that requires painting. I have never
seen glass top that doesn't.


Do Cobra offer a paint finish on their fiberglass tops. If not why not?

Very good question!

Similar questions to "Do they offer LED lighting?" or "Do they offer felt instead of foam-backed carpet?"
Like a new sailplane, it seems there is always something the buyer needs to work on.
Believe they're all being delivered with "beer friendly" fenders (mud guards) now, so one less option to consider.
Interior lighting is nice.
After installing one of each, the IMI drawer seemed better than the Cobra..

Tom, if you're getting an ASH31 (or for anyone considering JS1C or perhaps other multi-span polyhedral wing) have a look at the wider "DoSi" trailer as an option. Things are awfully tight in the standard width trailers, a recipe for trailer rash. At least either trailer will be shorter than the ASH26 (or Duo) trailers.
But uncertain that the newer wide metal top trailers still have a seam along the top. The 2000-vintage ones do. Alfred's sheet metal brake is huge, but has limits.
Jim

Jim,
I just looked at the Cobra trailer options, and could not find anything about a wider "DoSi." I will ask Rex about this tomorrow.
Thanks,
Tom

Jim,
I just looked at the Cobra trailer options, and could not find anything
abo=
ut a wider "DoSi." I will ask Rex about this tomorrow.
Thanks,
Tom

"Dosi" is German slang or a shortcut word for Doppelsitzer
(two-seater), so a trailer that was initially conceived to house a
two seater.

RO

I owned a JS1c 18/21 in a standard 15m type Cobra trailer and it was just OK for width except that I had to be careful to lower the top exactly centrally otherwise the flaperon horns at the rear of the trailer could get caught (never did). The problem for me was the lack of adequate storage space at the front of the trailer. A better option would be the same width but 40cm longer part no 031/030 trailer which also has a slightly taller top. I have helped to put a JS1 in one of those different and it makes more of a difference than it sounds. I am going to get that size for an 18m-only glider just for the extra storage.

I have also seen a JS1 in the Cobra "DoSi" Duo type trailer and it certainly was extremely roomy but it looked like overkill to me.

I asked Alfred about the wide "DoSi" trailer option for single seaters at Reno, he said nobody asks as it does cost a little more. Perhaps fixing trailer rash does too.
Rex could show you a 31 in a standard trailer, I'm sure. You're essentially squeezing 21m in a 15m trailer.
Believe the wide one for the ASH31 or JS1C would be the same size externally as the trailer for a Karat, if you know someone with one.
Jim

On Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at 6:31:06 PM UTC-7, 2G wrote:
On Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at 11:42:54 AM UTC-7, JS wrote:
On Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at 11:00:30 AM UTC-7, wrote:
On Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at 11:45:05 AM UTC+1, Ken Payne wrote:
At 09:38 17 July 2018, krasw wrote:
I haven't ever seen metal top Cobra that requires painting. I have never
seen glass top that doesn't.


Do Cobra offer a paint finish on their fiberglass tops. If not why not?

Very good question!

Similar questions to "Do they offer LED lighting?" or "Do they offer felt instead of foam-backed carpet?"
Like a new sailplane, it seems there is always something the buyer needs to work on.
Believe they're all being delivered with "beer friendly" fenders (mud guards) now, so one less option to consider.
Interior lighting is nice.
After installing one of each, the IMI drawer seemed better than the Cobra.

Tom, if you're getting an ASH31 (or for anyone considering JS1C or perhaps other multi-span polyhedral wing) have a look at the wider "DoSi" trailer as an option. Things are awfully tight in the standard width trailers, a recipe for trailer rash. At least either trailer will be shorter than the ASH26 (or Duo) trailers.
But uncertain that the newer wide metal top trailers still have a seam along the top. The 2000-vintage ones do. Alfred's sheet metal brake is huge, but has limits.
Jim

Jim,
I just looked at the Cobra trailer options, and could not find anything about a wider "DoSi." I will ask Rex about this tomorrow.
Thanks,
Tom