Lowboy trailer modified/lengthened
Comments
9 June 2019, 04:39
Bill NewcomerChevelle project winding down. Going to start slicing and dicing this lowboy.
9 June 2019, 04:46
Bill NewcomerNot for the cars. Just the deck pieces. Photographic version of non-verbal communication.
9 June 2019, 04:55
Bill NewcomerWell I started the lowboy in earnest this evening. The decking over the trailer wheels shouldn't be much of an issue. I may figure out a way to make the rear section further rearward from the center section. I have learned that I am going to have to fabricate some I-beam(s) from scratch to extend the front section. Fortunately, I already have the right evergreen stock to do so.
10 June 2019, 07:05
Bill NewcomerPainted the axle parts last night. I am waiting for my I beam order to come in so I can extend the upper frame.
15 June 2019, 16:55
Bill NewcomerSwapping lowboy rims with Doubles Trailer rims. Removed flash, picked colors now ready to paint tomorrow.
18 June 2019, 04:52
BozzerNo problem Bill. Opened it to have a look. Won't be building it yet. Currently setting up my new man cave, because I've run out of display room. Everything is on hold for now, until I complete it.
21 June 2019, 09:21
Bill NewcomerMy I beams came in today so I started slicin' and dicin' the decks and extended the frame. I had to figure out what length to cut the rear deck so I could use the remainder to extend the front deck. Once I had all 3 pieces, I could then figure out how much longer to make the frame. A little fine tuning and I will be able to paint it.
22 June 2019, 06:22
BozzerWill do Buddy. What's your plans for the rear? Are you gonna fabricate ramps? If so, where do you plan on storing them? Or, are you gonna get trick and do some form of hydraulic arms?
22 June 2019, 08:15
Bill NewcomerThere is a plate that covers the steep rise to the upper deck. I am contemplating converting it into ramps or ramp storage.
22 June 2019, 16:53
Bill NewcomerThrough the miracle of CA glue, I was able to modify the frame in 2 days instead of 2 months. I will hopefully paint it tomorrow. I added 7 pieces and cut up/cut on 4-5 kit pieces. I also have the wheels and suspension ready to assemble.
23 June 2019, 06:29
BozzerBill, for a heads up. I picked up some HO chequer plate, from Hobby Lobby. It's perfect for ramps, steps etc. Cost me 7 bucks for 2x 7.5" x 12" sheets. It's made by JTT scenery products. Worth checking out bro.
23 June 2019, 11:54
Bill NewcomerI am interested. I tried finding it on their website but I could not find it.
23 June 2019, 17:18
Bill NewcomerBozzer, I decided to Google it. I found JTT diamond plate which is something I would like to have when modifying trucks.
23 June 2019, 17:35
Bob HallIt is in Hobby Lobby, On the Scenery Stuff, I almost picked some up last Thursday.
23 June 2019, 19:05
Bill NewcomerI will have to make a Hobby Lobby run as one of my near future projects will be my diorama. I need a floor, walls, wallpaper and such.
23 June 2019, 21:28
BozzerI was in Mega Hobby too and they have some awesome garage accessories. I was like a kid in there! Man, I wanted everything! The folks there were very friendly and helpful too. Definitely a place I will be going back to. If they don't have it, they'll get it.
24 June 2019, 05:21
Bill NewcomerIt was nice today, so I got the frame pieces in primer. I was surprised at how many coats it took.
24 June 2019, 06:20
Bill NewcomerI just found out that the Goodyear tires from the doubles trailer are taller than the Goodyear tires from the lowboy. AND... the tires for the White Freightliner are tall as well. So now I have to at least build the frame and suspension of the Freightliner before I can select the tires and/or set the ride height of the lowboy. In the future I am probably going to run into this problem when I put 1:25 trailers behind 1:24 tractors.
24 June 2019, 07:54
Tim HeimerHey Bill , for what it's worth Moebius makes truck tire sets, I believe in 1/25.
24 June 2019, 14:28
Bill NewcomerTim, I was aware of those. Thank you. I have decided to keep the short tires with the lowboy. As to the issue AMT has often had with the tires being too skinny for the rims, I came up with a solution for that. I bought some 3/8" backer rod which, Cut into lengths and cut lengthwise acts like an inner tube to swell the tire gently enough to fit the rims properly.
24 June 2019, 15:02
BozzerI had a thought about tyres. I heard of someone using expanding foam, but I thought of filter tips, from hand rolling cigarettes? They're light and cut easy with scissors or a knife. Gonna have to give it a try.
25 June 2019, 10:20
Bill NewcomerBacker rod is easier. $3-4 will do 4-5 semis. Plus you only have to stuff one piece in each tire.
25 June 2019, 14:15
Bill NewcomerFinished the wheels and tires. I was surprised how many extra steps it takes to get them to come out really nice and have strong glue joints too.
28 June 2019, 07:17
Tim HeimerBill, you should be tired after all that tire work! There was a lot of them!
28 June 2019, 11:47
Bill NewcomerGot the frame interior surfaces painted. Found out the axle/suspension subassembly places the center axle both too low AND askew. I have to build a jig to square it up because if I leave it, it will drive me crazy every time I look at it.
1 July 2019, 06:54
Bill NewcomerSo far so good. The results are still on track. Timewise... All my projects have been delayed due painting my house this summer. I have not had a weekend off since the middle of May!
9 August 2019, 14:14
BozzerNo problem buddy. All my stuff is on hold due to work and home commitments too. The new man cave is coming along though! Hopefully I'll be able to move my stuff in there soon and get some projects finished. Stay safe brother and keep us posted.
11 August 2019, 09:22
Bill NewcomerI was on call this weekend at work. Didn't get home until after 5PM. I did manage to paint the lighter color on the deck plates and also final red on the passenger side of the frame.. If the humidity stays low tomorrow, I can paint the drivers side frame and let it cure. The axle assembly is complete and ready to attach to the frame. Good luck with the mancave. 🙂
12 August 2019, 06:41
Bill NewcomerI finally got some free time to work on my Lowboy. After letting the tan dry on top of the dark brown, I got to sanding on the decks to reveal the woodgrain texture. (I hate sanding). Overall they turned out reasonably well. Plan B, using staining and grooving balsa wood, will not need to be implemented. (Whew!)
20 August 2019, 04:29
B RHell yea i am actually going to do a truck after the 2 builds i have going atm, for something different i have never built one before so i am keen as being a ex truck driver myself
20 August 2019, 06:00
Tim HeimerB R, being an ex truck driver will give you an advantage for detailing that others won't have. That will be great to see!
20 August 2019, 15:16
Bill NewcomerI made a tiny bit of progress this evening. I freed the 9 chrome D-rings from the sprue and touched them up with my Molotow chrome pen. I also glued on the short angled ramps to the frame. I also prepped the tail light lenses (Nubs removed, sanded and Future applied).
22 August 2019, 03:37
Bob HallQuestion, I hear every one say they use Future on clear parts, so what i would like to know is what is the purpose and advantages ?
22 August 2019, 06:01
Bill NewcomerClear parts that have been scratched or lenses that need bumps or pins removed, will need to be sanded smooth. Sanding regardless of grit, leaves the part dull and cloudy. Future returns the part to transparent clarity after fine sanding.
22 August 2019, 08:17
B RThey also make clear parts look thinner like real glass 2 coats is the best result make sure you let dry for around 24 hours its also called Pledge or Gemini you can even airbrush your finished model of a protective varnish if you dont have varnish.
22 August 2019, 09:34
SpanjaardYou can make it look transparent if you polish with 12000 (after using some others not as thin, of course) but using future at the end, is a good idea
22 August 2019, 19:35
Bill NewcomerGot to do a little work on the trailer today. Laid down scale reflective tape and got creative to get the D-rings to lay/hang correctly.
24 August 2019, 05:57
Bill NewcomerWell the Lowboy is DONE. I added finished pics and removed a bunch of in progress pics.
12 September 2019, 04:26
Bob HallWhoa ! EPIC ! If I Ever saw that Rolling Down a Texas Highway, I'd have to "FIND" a reason to pull that Treasure Sled over !!!!!! Jk !!!!!! AWESOME WORK BILL !
12 September 2019, 04:44
Bill NewcomerBob and Chris, Thanks. I am pretty happy with it. Next up, the Freightliner TD. (The KW in the pics is just a place holder)
12 September 2019, 08:33
Tim HeimerReally? I like the red, white & blue! It kind of punches the American Muscle car theme. Nice work by the way. LOL
12 September 2019, 14:37
MunkyslutThat's awesome Bill, the loading deck is just perfect size for the cars, well done mate 😉
12 September 2019, 18:25
Chris GreathouseWhen are you going to break out that FLD truck in your stash? That looks epic 😄
12 September 2019, 19:40
Bill NewcomerNigel, James and Munkyslut, Thanks. Chris, the FLD will not be built until I am ready to tackle the Revell car transporters. Next up is both White-Freightliner COEs. (Modified and built differently). I'll start them after this weekend. My son is getting married.
12 September 2019, 20:17
Album info
AMT Lowboy trailer: I have had this kit for awhile. I sold off the transformers and reels and obtained an extra center deck plate. I modified the frame and deck(s) to hold 3 cars. The pretty red metallic paint is from an auto parts store. I swapped the rims with my Doubles Trailer kit. The red and white reflective tape I got on ebay. The woodgrain deck was done by spraying them with dark metallic brown then oversprayed with tan. I carefully hand sanded until the wood grain relief showed through. Future was brushed on all of the red surfaces and details but not the "wood". Overall it turned out pretty well.
