Just a word of caution: Trailer roof vent from HELL

sideoiler10 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-14-2007, 05:13 AM

I just wanted to share the incident that occurred to our Cobra this past weekend. Maybe you all are alot smarter than I am, but just in case, here goes.

While trailering the Cobra back from a 3 day car show in Branson, MO (Shepherd's Super Summer Cruise) the crank lever that operates the roof vent in the trailer apparently vibrated loose and took a chunk out of the top of the right front fender....OUCH!

Talk about SICK!

Soooo, I guess the lesson I have learned is to remove the crank lever each time I trailer the car. Even though I have many times checked the attaching screw to make sure it was tight, I probably should have used some locktight or other thread sealer. I think it best to just remove it.

Normally I have the cover on the car in the trailer but since the car had been used in th midnight cruise the previous night it was probably a little dusty and I was way too tired to wipe it down, especially at 2 a.m. in the dark.

Ron61 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-14-2007, 05:42 AM

Sideoiler,

That is to bad. When I had my trailer long ago, the cranks for the vents had a locking mechanism that held them from falling after you used them. Of course you had to remember to put them back into it.
You may have seen my old Cobra at that show. It is white with a red stripe and looks nothing like an original as I didn't want it to. I would like to come back there for a visit one of these days as I spent a lot of my childhood in that area and just across the line into Arkansas.

Ron

fsstnotch · #3 (**permalink**) 08-14-2007, 05:47 AM

That sucks man! Any pics of the damage?

trs900 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-14-2007, 05:48 AM

My crank also disappeared but my car wasn't in trailer, one day I went to open vent and there was no handle.. never did find it

Trueoo7 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-14-2007, 06:26 AM

The problem I have is I'll shut the vent tight but when I get to where I am going its open....not good when its raining.

sideoiler10 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-14-2007, 07:01 AM

Haven't taken a photo yet. The gouge isn't all that large but because of the location at the top of the fender it will be almost impossible to completely hide. The insurance adjuster is supposed to view it sometime today. I'm sure he will give us a hard time on repair costs.

I have already talked with my painter who has recommended refinishing the red base coat on the entire right front quarter up to the edge of the white stripe in center. Then after color sanding, clear coat the entire front clip from front door to front door to keep everything smooth.

A couple months ago I noticed about 3 or 4 small indentations in the clear coat on the side of the right fender that looked like someone might have leaned up against the car or leaned over it to look at the engine and damaged the clear coat. By refinishing the entire fender we can fix both problems.

Although the paint is over 7 years old, it is really great. Have received several best of awards including best paint last year.

Hey, this is way too much information...sorry 'bout that...Thanks for your comment. Have a good one! Bob