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semi truck virgin


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hey all, well the title says it all, I have never built a semi in my 45+ years of building models. I think I am ready to jump in, problem is like everything else, I would like to jump in the deep end first. i have had a Kraco race car hauler for longer than i can remember and i want to build something to pull it.

I have been watching Clayton's build of his Moebius Prostar and that looks killer. a few guys in my model club build semis and they say to start with a snap kit, but they say there is more cons than pros with it. would the prostar be a good kit to start with? obviously i would not be modifying any of the motor stuff, but everything else is fair game. so a few questions for you all...

- does stretching the frame do anything besides make the truck look way cooler?

- i would love to lower it as well, is it easier to channel the body over the frame or drop the suspension?

- dropping the suspension means a lower hitch (receiver) point, what would i do about that?

- do you drop the trailer also or does it stay at the same height?

- are there any advantages to "super singles" over the traditional 2 tires per rim?

- the fenders for the rear tires, are they a resin piece or do you guys scratch them up?

right now, i am just testing the water, these semis can get mighty expensive and i really like that Prostar that Clayton is putting together. what is the cost of one of these? can anyone suggest another cool looking semi? i thought about an old school one, but the rig will be pulling a pro mod car (either a 99 ford lightning or a willys) and i thought going more modern would work better. this will be a total custom job, so the hacking of stuff is OK. i want it to look cool more than functional.

well, i guess this is enough for a while. sorry for the long post and any help would be greatly appreciated. i will be watching the traded section, except i have no semis to trade so that maybe kind of tough, we'll see what develops.

thanks in advance,

Tubbs

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Hey Al.the "snap" kits ain't all that bad,just a lil' lack of detail and some modelers have issues with the tires fitting but I have been fortunate on both of mine.When I came back to the hobby the Revell snap Kenworth was my first pick because it was cheap dollar wise and I thought of trying some "out of the box" ideas and I wouldn't be out of a lot of cash is I butchered it up ......I actually enjoyed working with them the only real big complaint I have with the kits is that yellow thing under the hood ;) and other little things like the marker lamp is mounted to the headlamp bezel when should be on the fender above the headlamp...easy fix , mounting tabs for the interior bucket on the back of the sleeper.... Baby Girl just bought me another "Kenny" so I can build the Bicentennial Kenworth and if ya want at the next meeting I can bring it in so you can see whats in da' box......

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Thanks for kind words man!

The Prostar kit is a bit pricey, about 60 to 70 bucks. Its labeled as skill 3. The directions from Moebius make it bit tough but doable. Ive the Revell directions are more clear. Trucks arent really hard to build, just more to them. If your looking for easy to build and simple, yet easy to customize, the snap trucks are the way to go. The Pete is a nice kit, plain jane, but im sure youve seen some dressed up very nicely, same with KW.

Now for lowering, i do the suspension. I cut the "axle blocks" off, like i did on the Prostar since i post a pic of the springs. On the little white and green snap pete i built, i cut the blocks, shaved a few leafs off and altered the shackles. Altering the cab should be left alone, or only to level the cab incase of something not fitting right. I did that too on the Prostar and my DIamond Reo. The PS i lowered the front a little so it was racked to back and the DR i lifted the back.

The reasons for stretching a 1:1 truck. It does look cooler. It allows for longer loads and changes how the weight is distributed on the axles. But mainly its for longer loads.

Super singles, again is for weight and fuel economy. You have 1 tire and 1 rim instead of 2. The SS is about 30% lighter than a set of duals. Only 1 tire, less rolling resistance, better fuel economy.

Fenders. The 1s i used on the Pas are resin from P&P. They are nice, just clean, sand and paint. You just need to make mounts similar to mine, dont have to be exact.

Stretching. Youll need to strengthen the frame, strips of styrene, i use channel that fits inside the kit rails. Then i put a long smooth deck plate to help with strength, i use .03 sheet. As far as how much to stretch it? Thats all in how long you think looks good, were in a styrene world. I just eyeball it to where i like.

Now the PS is a bit complex, if your knowledgable in building, and take your time, its very buildable. But if your nervous and dont want to spend a lot on an experiment, then the snap kits are the way to go. Hobby Lobby you can get the snap kits with the coupon very reasonable, about 20 bucks. Its totally up to how you feel your skills are. Research, like youve been doing is great. See how trucks go together. Whether its a snap pete, AMT KW, Italeri Aeromax, or a Moebius truck. The decisionis yours. Hope this info helps, if you have any questions feel free to ask.

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hey all, well the title says it all, I have never built a semi in my 45+ years of building models. I think I am ready to jump in, problem is like everything else, I would like to jump in the deep end first. i have had a Kraco race car hauler for longer than i can remember and i want to build something to pull it.

i thought about an old school one, but the rig will be pulling a pro mod car (either a 99 ford lightning or a willys) and i thought going more modern would work better.

The only problem is the KRACO "race car" trailer you have is also quite old (early to mid '70s), as is basically the old AMT moving trailer with new decals.

If you want a newer tractor trailer combo, either of the Moebius tractors and trailers will be fine.

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Hey Al.the "snap" kits ain't all that bad,just a lil' lack of detail and some modelers have issues with the tires fitting but I have been fortunate on both of mine.When I came back to the hobby the Revell snap Kenworth was my first pick because it was cheap dollar wise and I thought of trying some "out of the box" ideas and I wouldn't be out of a lot of cash is I butchered it up ......I actually enjoyed working with them the only real big complaint I have with the kits is that yellow thing under the hood ;) and other little things like the marker lamp is mounted to the headlamp bezel when should be on the fender above the headlamp...easy fix , mounting tabs for the interior bucket on the back of the sleeper.... Baby Girl just bought me another "Kenny" so I can build the Bicentennial Kenworth and if ya want at the next meeting I can bring it in so you can see whats in da' box......

Mike, that would be great. I remember you bringing in one. you are the one who really got this whole thing going. what would be great is if you have one of each (the snap and the full blown kit) so I can see what I am dealing with. had no clue these kits were in the $70 to $80 range, it just may have to be a snap kit.

thanks for the offer, now I have to remember to show up.

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The only problem is the KRACO "race car" trailer you have is also quite old (early to mid '70s), as is basically the old AMT moving trailer with new decals.

If you want a newer tractor trailer combo, either of the Moebius tractors and trailers will be fine.

AWWWHHH Casey, you party pooper. didn't realize that trailers changed. so I would have to get a "new" trailer and put all the racing stuff in it? this is a dumb statement, but people can actually tell older trailers from new ones?

well, what about old school rigs, what is the chance of getting an older one? like the Mack in the movie "duel". are they available? would that match my trailer better? maybe some old school rod and custom rig with up to date running gear. like a resto-rod semi.

oh, this is getting deep. really fishing for help now.

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Theres really nothing wrong with your trailer. It is only 40'. Your trailer has the spoke style rim not an alcoa. The truck in Duel is a needle nose pete. The snap trucks are from the late 70s early 80s. Either 1 of the snap trucks would be cool. Theres a guy on ebay, Ryan Mylnek, rhinos truck parts, not sure of his exact seller id. He has aluminum parts, bumpers, visors, air line boxes, bumper guides, stacks and some other stuff. I can hook you up with email, he does do special order. I order stacks from him that are 1" longer than what he sells on ebay.

AWWWHHH Casey, you party pooper. didn't realize that trailers changed. so I would have to get a "new" trailer and put all the racing stuff in it? this is a dumb statement, but people can actually tell older trailers from new ones?

well, what about old school rigs, what is the chance of getting an older one? like the Mack in the movie "duel". are they available? would that match my trailer better? maybe some old school rod and custom rig with up to date running gear. like a resto-rod semi.

oh, this is getting deep. really fishing for help now.

Just like cars. You can get pretty well involved, depending on what direction your going.

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You know, Buddy....As far as the trailer is concerned, don't fret.......The snap KW 900 would be right about the same era.....In which case the truck would be easier to assemble than the trailer.....And at $20, you can't lose.....Get on it, Man....

Here's a snap KW I stretched and added a drom to, just to show what's possible with that kit.....$20 and some extra plastic....Really, cheaper than that, as I used a 40% off coupon at Hobby Lobby.....I did use 2 KW kits for the fenders, though....

066a_zpsffa9082f.jpg

Edited by kilrathy10
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Gonna ditto JT's comments. The Revell W900 (or Pete) are just simply good (other than their tire/wheel arrangement which can be a challenge to get to look right). There so much potential with them and if it goes up in flames, no big deal. Lots of good parts with it can be used on other kits and you are not out big $. But period wise, it is right on the mark.

Good luck.

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thanks all for your encouragement. as Mike (badluck 13) mentioned, he will bring in some of his builds to our next meeting and I can see THEM first hand and figure out a path I want to take. from what Jessie and JT mentioned, it looks like the snap kit is the way to go for me. thanks for all your help and I will be back with more questions.

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I echo everyone else's advice, the Revell KW or Peterbilt would be a nice choice for that trailer era wise and also for ease of building. I haven't really checked in on Clayton's build lately, but if he lowered the Prostar and the belly of his livestock trailer isn't dragging, I'd try to mirror his technique. That would be the only issue I'd see arising with a lowered truck pulling those style trailers, the belly scrapping the pavement.

As for the length, us truckers would see it LOL!! The nice thing is though, trailers that short are rare but still in use today, so even a modern rig with a 70s era trailer is a possibility. One other note on that "racing" trailer though, when it was first issued they were moving vans, the racing options were added in the 90s.

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