Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Car Hauler Door warning and Mystery Solved

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Car Hauler Door warning and Mystery Solved

    I'm north at my friend's house to dig up some small evergreens, and the first thing Charlie asked me to look at was his rear door on his Cargo Mate trailer. The cable had come completely off the spool, and he couldn't figure out why or how to fix it. The first thing we did was remove the metal cover over the shaft and springs. Right away I didn't like to see the 8' shaft with no center support. When he lowered the door I could see the middle of the shaft wobble around at least an inch. So, we made a wood support and used grease on it. BTW, the shaft appears to be no more than a 1" diameter conduit, and with 2 coiled springs wound up, and no center support, it just seems to be a poor design for a lightweight 8 foot shaft.

    The spools for the cable have a thread type groove to feed the cable and hold it in place. The other thing I didn't like about this single shaft having two springs and a spool on each end, all working in unison, is when you lower the door on a perfectly flat surface and the trailer is also parked on the same flat surface, everything is fine, but if the ground by the door is slanted just 2", then one end of the door will rest on the ground, while the other end is up 2". Now, when you drive out of the trailer the other end of the door will lower 2" while the other end of the door doesn't move because it's already on the ground. Since both cable spools are clamped to a single shaft, the shaft will unwind the 2" for the door to drop down, but the other spools will also unwind 2" of cable and leave lots of slack. This amount of slack allows the end winding to slip off the end of the spool. Now that spool has all the rest of the cable with lots of slop, and when you raise the door all the rest of the turns fall off the spool.

    It would have been smarter to use two half shafts each winding a spool, so they each keep tension on the cable at all times, even if one end of the door gets pushed down an inch or two. Anyway after a lot of hassle I got both spools adjusted with the door closed so they have no slack, but I told Charlie to be sure he only opens the rear ramp on level ground.

    Another problem I encountered while trying to adjust the springs, is the springs were built with no space between their coils. Lets say the springs are 20" long and have 100 turns. Now, when you lower the door the spool will unwind 10 turns of cable. This means you have just added 10 more coils to the spring, so the spring is now 22" long. So when I first adjust the spring I had to pull the spring to stretch it 2 1/2" (1/2" extra safety measure) plus give it one turn to keep tension on the cables. The spring should have been made with air space between the coils in the first place. I don't ever recall having to pull garage door springs to stretch them before I clamped them in place. Anyway, I finally got the job done, and Charlie said the door never worked so good, so I hope this helps if you ever have a similar problem and wonder just why the cable suddenly came off the spool. The second picture also shows a 1/2" hole we discovered in each corner, which let water get inside, so we had to patch them also.

    T 001.JPG002.JPG003.JPG004.JPG006.JPG007.JPG008.JPG
    Attached Files

  • #2
    Maybe CargoMate is a brand to avoid.

    I would chime in that the flange on the spools is inadequate

    nice repair, tho

    Comment


    • #3
      It's best to never load or unload unless the door is on an even surface, this can easily twist the door or cause cable issues.. I do carry a couple wood blocks just in case i need to shim under one side to compensate for an uneven surface.
      nice job on making that center support, it certainly will help stabilize things
      3~ Tudor's & 1~ Coupe
      Henry Ford said,
      "It's all nuts and bolts"
      "Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible."

      Mitch's Auto Service ctr

      Comment


      • #4
        Tbird cargo mate is ok a lot of the trailers are built this way, this is why i am building my own trailer and why i do not like those type of doors for problems like that and what Mitch mentioned as well. My trailer build is coming along nicely and should finish up late next week and post some more pics at that time. I am not knocking anybody or their choices either I just have my own preferences.

        Comment

        Related Topics

        Collapse

        • Poor Boy
          Door upholstery pockets
          by Poor Boy
          Good morning guys. My 31coupe has an older upholstery kit in it which is still in very good usable shape. The one place that is a bit shabby is the two door pockets. The elastic at the opening on both of them has failed and they hang loose and baggy. Has anyone had success in repairing it without totally dismantling the door panels. I do not have access to a heavy enough sewing machine to restitch...
          04-27-2019, 07:30 AM
        • Tom Wesenberg
          Removing Door Handles and Repairing Door Latches and Locks
          by Tom Wesenberg
          I had to replace some broken springs in my 1929 Tudor. To remove the handle, just remove the 2 screws on the outside, then turn the handle 45 degrees, wiggle it as you pull outward. Spraying Kroil on the square shaft helps during removal, as does holding the flap inward to relieve some pressure. Then you can remove the screws on the latch assembly and work the latch out of the door. It's very tight...
          You do not have permission to view this gallery.
          This gallery has 4 photos.
          09-02-2017, 10:48 AM
        • pAAt
          Door lube
          by pAAt
          What kind of lube should be used on door hinge pins and door opening components ? Thanks in advance.
          08-24-2017, 08:11 AM
        • Bill G
          Footman loops
          by Bill G
          I didn't want to hijack another thread so I started this one. My 29 Tudor had no footman's loops with it when I bought the car almost three years ago. During this restoration, I got a hold of the rather thick rubber loops that all the vendors sell. They are certainly going to hold that door from flying open, but they are so thick and un-pliable that they really get in the way of my feet when I...
          05-13-2020, 02:53 PM
        • albjerryg
          Door aligment
          by albjerryg
          Having trouble aligning passenger door so it will close properly. I tried flowing the manual but it gone from bad to worse. I had an idea of losing the screws on the hinge door side then closing the door with the screws loose so the door will fit correctly. I gotten that far and door fit good now I need to get in the car with the door close and tighten the hinge screws. Does that sound crazy??????...
          06-28-2019, 05:42 PM
        • BNCHIEF
          Door panel replacement
          by BNCHIEF
          I got new door panels for my 30 tudor from mike my car had the door lock on the driver side and not on the passenger side as it is supposed to be according to snyders, the problem is this the panels i got from mike if I used his cut out would put the door lock opening on the passenger door. I have to wonder if he did not make a mistake or if I got something wrong but I do not think so. I will call...
          10-01-2019, 07:51 AM
        • gdaquilina
          Door pulls- Fordoor
          by gdaquilina
          I'm thinking of getting some repro door pulls for my 155-C. The originals have lost much of their plating and are pitted. Are the repros of good quality and fit?...
          02-29-2020, 06:58 PM
        • albjerryg
          Passenger Door mechanics
          by albjerryg
          I have the 1955 Victoria just got it and trying to fix the little things wrong with it. The passenger door does not close properly. It hits like a thud. The wheel on the door is loose and the door button stays pushed in. Does any one have a good diagram or picture that shows how the door mechanic work are a site that might have it. I have ordered a new/used door latch assembly. Thanks for any help....
          06-16-2019, 10:42 AM
        • Hawaii Pro 31
          31 Ford Door no second click when closing
          by Hawaii Pro 31
          I’ve changed the striker, door latch too but it will not click two times as it closes. I, clearanced the outside of the door frame so there is space around the door and adjusted the striker a few times too. You push the door in, click but it will not click again to close the door. Is the door still contacting the body or is the striker the culprit,,,Thank you...
          01-16-2019, 05:36 PM
        • Supergnat
          Bent hinges - DUMB MISTAKE
          by Supergnat
          I am really embarrassed to write this but I desperate need of advice. I accidentally drove my 28 Fordor Leatherback into the garage with the driver side rear door open. The door caught on the edge of the garage opening molding and bent the door back over the rear fender. I was able to straighten the edge of the door where it contacted the fender but the door will not close anymore. The upper and...
          03-14-2018, 07:27 AM
        Working...
        X