Scratch Build of W900L - Simulated Air Ride Suspension - Scale 53' Trailer

I started by getting some parts and piecing this together. I made my own frame rails and got the other bits fairly cheap. I have the beginnings of the tranny, but also have a tranny from a Revo 3.3. I am toying around with the idea of putting this in there, 2 speed tranny with reverse and it is automatic as well. I am still not sure on this though. I am going to make it with the Studio Sleeper with a National Carriers Trailer, 53' to scale with the reefer. I am wanting to make the trailer lights and all to be wireless, found a great site to be able to do that. I am also working on the idea of getting the sound of a reefer turning on and off and running to a digital recording so a company I found can put it in a chip and then I can also have those sounds. I know the MFU would not work with an automatic tranny, so I may scratch that idea. From my previous posts, you may know that I am one that loves to do my homework before I jump into anything. I am trying to sell off my 1/10 Tamiya F150 Crew Cab and the trailer I made to go with it to fund this project. I am also going to be selling my 1/8 buggy when I get it done. Got a lot going on, I just love to build these things, playing is fun, but the journey is 99% of the pure enjoyment.

Sorry to rattle on, enjoy the pics of what I have so far. Oh yeah, I am using Axial AX10 axles for this thing.





This is the look I am going for.





My dad drove for a company called Trans Am, which was started by the son of the owner of National Carriers. I just always like these guys better, seemed to be more classy and they started right in Kansas.

I went to the aluminum place the other day and got some sheet and tubing. I am making the fram rails for the trailer and will be working on the drawings for the base and body of the truck. I like the way Wedico makes theirs out of aluminum. I don't think I will go with the MFU, I am going to go with something else that is programmable via USB.

I will be making the body out of aluminum and then making the top removable. I plan on making a very detailed interior as well. The battery will be accessed via the side panels. The ESC will be in a box on the passenger side known as a Rig Master. It has a heat sink and the box will be breathable. The sound unti will be in one of the step sides and the speakers will be two, maybe four small ones molded into the interior of the truck. I am planning on taking my time on this, I really want it to act and look like the real thing. Just ideas right now, but I can pull it off, give me enough time. Here is where I am getting my idea for the top. I want to be able to access everything inside. The lights will still be functional on top, when the top is removed, they will be unplugged.

Did some more work today. This shows the base of the cab and sleeper out of paper.



Got the engine today. You will also see that I am working on mounting the motor the other way. May not get to do as much detail to the interior, but it will be worth it to open the hood and see the big C15 in there. I moved the axle forward about 1/2", didn't take much and I think it looks much better.

Here is an update on what I have done. Looks so much better with the rails painted. Engine is in, tranny mounted, working on reversing the electric motor. I am thinking of putting the shifting servo in the passenger side step.



You can see I mounted the steering servo up front. I am going to detail more of the engine and put in a radiator that will cover the top of the servo.



You can see the base for the body is started, it is .100 aluminum, aircraft grade. Living in the air capital of the world has its benefits, cheap and plentiful aluminum. I am going to be putting angle aluminum around the outside of this base and the building the body from there. I mounted the base on the frame rails using grommets, this gives it some suspension and lifts the body off the frame, just like the real trucks have air suspension for the sleeper.



I know the body base is a bit wavy, but when I put on the angle aluminum, you won't even be able to tell.

I angled the frame rails and put in a piece of angle aluminum to connect the two sides, I don't like tamiyas angled plastic. They seem to like plastic for everything. I was going to get a King Hauler kit, but there are too many things about it that I would have changed. I have learned my lesson over the years, "If you want something done right, do it yourself." I am not knocking Tamiya by any means, its just I have owned many of their kits and I mod them to the point that it really didn't make sense to buy the kit.

I got some drawing done today. Here is what I came up with.



Then I am transferring it to the aluminum and then I will cut it out sometime this week.



I am also working on the AX10 diffs and I will post progress of them as I get them done. ( I got rif of those and went with regular semi axles)

I finally sold my ol' Mustang and now have a cleaned out garage. It is great to have all that space to work in. I am working on custom trailers for some customers and in between that and spending time with my family I work on my truck. Here is what the trailer looks like so far. I need to get the axles done on the truck so I can move onto the suspension, I want to get the truck setting on its own soon.



Here is what I am going for with the rig.

Here I added the supports for the trailer. I have since finished the body filler and primed and painted it.



Here is the new suspension, and even since this picture I have modified it. It has taken a true to airglide suspension form. I want this to look as close to the real thing as I can, even though the rear wheels will be covered by fenders.

It is crazy how the little details can take forever to get done. I have been working pretty solid on this thing today and it doesn't seem like I got much done. I am still messing with the air bags. I am going to have to go into town tomorrow and get some other things to make them smaller. Enjoy the pics.

Truck is now 2.5" longer, looks better I think.

VS.

I will get a more detailed pic of the suspension once I get thing finished up.





Gonna be working on trailer lights next, I am working on making lenses myself. Should have my IR trailer light system next week.

:bacondance:

Well, things have been slow for me. I have been working on our house a lot since it looks like we may be moving in a few weeks since I may have a principal job. Here are some pics of what I have done on the truck.

I bought some reflectors from Wally World and then cut them up to use them as my leneses on the trailer, I will do the same for the truck. I found that using my little hack saw worked the best, then I can shape them from there using my file and a lot of patience mixed with a little bit of time.





Wanted to go with the aluminum floor look that reefers have in them. It will look much better once the insulation is put in and then the kemlite is installed.



This is the look I am going for on my dash. I am working on getting the tanks mounted and then the lights put on the truck, then I will mount the cab and start in on the fenders and the interior.

So I got some minor things done on the trailer, I wanted to see what the logos would look like so I printed them off on regular paper and then taped them on. I also got tail lenses and DOT tape put on the bumper.

I got some wiring done, here is the bottom lights "glued" in. I am using clear silicone. Once it dries, I will drill holes in the bottom of the trailer and run the wires inside, I am using project foam board from Hobby Lobby for the insulation for the reefer and then it will be finished off with Kemlite.

I am working on the hood, I need to sand out the paint and shoot it again.



I think this is what electricians call a rats nest. Hoping to get it buttoned up tonight.

Here I am finally getting to the lights. I have the back doors cut out, just need to hinge them on and get some things buttoned up on them. The reefer is in progress as well to hide the light unit.

No Flash



Flash

Got the wires tidied up a bit.



Somebody needs to sweep this things out. If that is one thing I hate, it is dirty trailers! Ha, Ha!

Looks a little different than a little while ago.

I have employed a driver for my rig. He is all business right now, I am sure after the interview, he may wear some truck driver clothes. You know how it is, impress the boss and then slack off after you get the job.

Some pics with the trck with the trailer. I am itching to get this thing worked on, but I have been busy working on customers trailers. Not much to report, just working on the hood when I get a chance. This thing is so much fun, I am thinking of going with a 2.4ghz radio.

[tc1cat]

Very impressive and intricate build. Will keep an eye on this one. Don't see many all metal (I hope) truck builds.

Yes, it is all aluminum. The hood will be styrene as the original hoods on these are fiberglass. I am trying to go for as much realism as I can. I have not been able to do too much on it since I have been working on customers trailers. I will post some pics of the work I have done on these trailers. Here is a gooseneck I just completed.

[RCTech9]

Nice Truck!!! and trailer!!!

[firefighter30]

The gooseneck trailer is really nice you do excellant work.