1986 Komet trailer lifting strut identification and replacement?

[Michael N.]

I'm looking for replacement lifting struts for my 1986 Komet trailer.

I was hoping for some help or knowledge on these. Replacements or any other information is appreciated.

See pictures, yes the trailer in need of some refreshing. Getting on that now :-)

Thanks!

Mike N.

[John Godfrey]

From an exchange I had a few years ago.

I had to replace the gas springs a couple weeks ago on my Komet when one froze.

 

The part I used is:

https://www.gasspringsshop.com/configurator/?ckie=MTQtMjgtMzUwLEFVMjcsQVUyNywwLDEzMDAsMSxNZXRyaWM=

 

Note: get the 8.1mm M10 eyes on the ends. The link defaults to the 10.1mm M10.

 

This is of course based on the wild speculation that the gas springs are the same.  If you have one you can take measurements.

 

If you need actual trailer parts from Komet that is more problematic.

The contact is:

Anschau Technik GmbH

Feldborn 4c

D-55444 Waldlaubersheim

+49(0)6707-915810

mailto:ma...@anschau.de

 

I corresponded with them re wheel parts and didn’t have much luck although I was able to get replacement drums through the axle/tongue mfgr Knott Autoflex (there should be an id plate on the axle and tongue)

Autoflex Knott, Inc.

100 Industrial Drive

Fox Lake, WI 53933

920-928-6875

engin...@autoflexknottinc.com

 

Hope this is some help.

QT

 

John Godfrey (QT), CFI-G

International Gliding Commission (IGC), Alternate USA Delegate

+1 412 759 5145 Mobile

mailto:quebec...@gmail.com

 

[Michael N.]

Thank you!

I'll double check the measurements, then order a set tomorrow.

Mike

[Tony Condon]

Year and a half ago I had no problem getting new struts from Komet. They just needed the serial # (i think) of the trailer and info about the top. Fiberglass/metal, winglets etc hanging in the top.

[Mitch Deutsch]

We used Gemini Gas Springs (https://www.geminigassprings.com/) in 2018 for four replacement struts for our club's Cobra-look-a-like K21 trailer. The pricing was very competitive but this company is in Canada so I suspect tariffs may affect that.

The struts still function well.

[Michael N.]

Thanks all.

After checking the measurements I did use John's suggestion and ordered the following:

https://www.gasspringsshop.com/product/gas-spring-10-23-stroke-350-stainless-steel-304/?attribute_force=1250%20Newton

These are the dimensions for my 1986 Komet trailer, fiberglass top, gas spring. Note the overall length is about 1/2" short hole to hole, but it is the closet they had to my existing spring.

My original spring is a 1300 N; this is a 1250 N. Should work fine. With the old springs the top would pop right up, almost too fast, and was a bit difficult to start pulling down.

[chris behm]

Hi, Mike-

Target here....

My lift cylinders on my Cobra are also getting a bit soft, and they seem to work differently between cold(er) temps and warmer temps.

I am wondering which Newton-meters of force you selected, and also if anyone used just slightly higher than the stock NM that came with their trailers, and if so, what the result was?

I hear that there are issues if you go too high with the trailer wanting to lift the tongue wheel off the ground when closing the trailer top with the plane not in it.

My cobra has a gusset at the lift cylinder mount, showing a "1000" which I believe is the rating in NM for the cylinders. My question is if going to 1050NM or 1100NM would be any advantage and/or a problem.

Hope to see you doing more flying soon and maybe even share a thermal one day.

Kind Regards,

N304DD

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[Mark Mocho]

I have replaced many Cobra and Komet lift springs. I do not recommend going to a higher lift force than is suggested on the gusset inside the trailer. If it recommends 1000 Newtons, go with that. A higher lift spring is actually worse, because the increased gas pressure is more likely to overwhelm the seals. And a higher spring force will make the top more difficult to close. I recently replaced a set of springs with ones I had in stock because there are price and availability issues right now. The recommended rating is 1100 N, but I only had 1200 N springs. The increased force makes it difficult for the trailer owner to close the top, but she is rather slightly built. Right now, she is forced to put a couple of shot bags on the rear section of the trailer top in order to get it lowered without help. The only other option for her is to use a ratchet strap to pull the top down.

In case you are wondering, the makings on the gusset inside the trailer show two numbers (like 1000 / 500) the 1000 refers to the spring force. the second number is the number that identifies the key needed to lock/unlock the front hatch and rear door in case you need replacements.

I have been looking for another source for gas springs, since Wings & Wheels is out of them and because of tariffs, the price has doubled. Apparently, it could be several months before they will have more in stock. So far, I have inquired with a number of gas spring suppliers in the US, Canada and even China. I have received no response from most companies or, in the case of the Chinese supplier, been informed that they have a minimum order quantity that is not feasible. Some companies do not provide springs with the required force or dimensions. For reference, a typical Cobra trailer (single seat glider) requires a gas spring with a 10 mm diameter rod, 22 mm tube diameter, M8 threads on the ends and a 500 mm stroke. (noted as 10 22 500) the Newton force can be from 800 to 1200 Newtons.

[Michael N.]

Luckily the label on my existing gas springs was intact enough to see 1300N as the spring force.

I did notice that with those springs, the trailer did require a decent, but not horrible, pull to start it down.

I do recall having the tongue come up a bit or getting a little light in front when closing it unloaded. Nothing difficult though.

That being said it also required a bit of a pull to start it up and get it moving upward. So I think in my case it was balanced out; raising and lowering, fairly well.

My new springs are 1250N instead of 1300N, plus I am reinforcing and repainting the fiberglass top which should add a few pounds. So I am optimistic they will work well.

I don't know about current pricing vs pricing a year ago. I ordered my set of two, in stainless, with new ends, and the total cost was $315 including shipping and taxes.

Mike

[Mark Mocho]

I looked at the gas springs shop you recommended. Unfortunately, the 10 mm 23 mm gas spring is not available in a 500 mm stroke. The only 500 mm stroke units have a 14 mm rod and a 28 mm tube body. These are too large to fit inside the Cobra square tube housings. I'm still looking.