Scratchbuilt flatbed

[Rockford]

I've wanted a flatbed for my 1/32 fleet for a long time but the only trailers available are vans, reefers and the tanker. I suppose I could look for a diecast I could modify but I couldn't see anything suitable so, after seeing the work done on here I decided to build my own. I really shouldn't, I've got four jobs on the go already. 

I bought various channels and profiles along with two 14mm I-beams for the main structure. 

I built a subframe for the steel suspension fashioned after a Trailmobile unit. I fabbed balance beams and spring mounts. Built two axles with brake chambers and slack adjusters. I'll use AMT wheels and tyres from a scrap K100 Aerodyne. I still have to build the track arms that locate the axles.

I was going to taper the frame at either end but decided to go for just the neck at the front with the full depth running the rest of the length because I hope to be able to have the suspension sliding. A very rough mock up looks ok. 

[Mopar - D]

Steve your off to a great start on this flat bed trailer. Your suspension looks awesome. 

[Rockford]

Thanks mate,  your bottom-dump trailer inspired me to  jump in

[Mopar - D]

I kind of figured that you were referring to my bottom dump trailer. Lol. 

[Jim B]

Nice scratchbuilding, Steve.

[PHPaul]

Very nice!  Like the suspension set up.

[yh70]

looking good so far

[Rockford]

Thanks for the kind comments gents, but as usual with me it's one step forwards two steps back. The ride height was far too high so I took a few measurements and found I could drop the subframe between the main rails, as I've seen on some trailers. I cut the siderails of the subframe into L shape rather than a box section, then I cut out the inner flange of the main rails so the tandems can sit inside. Drops the suspension by 4mm but makes a big difference! I was terrified I'd ruin it but all went perfectly! I canstill slide the tandems, but I won't because I love the "bridge law" stance.

[Mopar - D]

Nice adjustment Steve looks better now lower. 

[gotnitro?]

Awesome work Steve ! The suspension fab looks great, and the new height sits much better 

[Rockford]

Finished building the tandems, added the air tank and track rods, on the track rods there's an adjustable one and a fixed one on each axle. To me it looks an utter shambles but it's the best my fat hands and middle aged eyesight can do. I can't seem to cut or file anything straight! 

Fitted the axles which was a bit scary because I wanted to rectify something that taints the Trailmobile van trailer for me. Because the wheels and tyres are smaller than scale, they look too far apart at the scale axle spacing so I wanted to bring them closer together. The AMT spacing is 8mm at the tyre tread; I settled on just under 6mm for the right look. Seems to have worked when you put them side by side. 

Fabbed landing gear using the 'extended' legs from the Monogram Fruehauf van. By using hollow square tube I can make them operate too. Still to do the reduction gearbox and winding handle. 

Edited June 10, 2022 by Rockford

[DrKerry]

Looking awesome!!!!

[Rockford]

Added all the crossmembers for the deck. Had to do each one in three pieces, on the real thing they punch holes through the main members but that was not happening. Bit of preparation setting up some wooden jigs meant that I could get my cuts pretty much the same, just a little fettling required with a file. Taped a side rail on to see what it looks like. I'm quite pleased! 

Landing gear works well. I'm pleased to say it actually looks like a trailer! The small AMT tyres look better too with the proper spacing between the axles.

I have to admit, I did back Kermit the KW up to it and picked it up. I remembered that feeling as the fifth wheel flattens out as it slides under the hitch plate. You're never too old...

Got to do the ends now. I'm going to build a headboard for it. Will try and mimic a Trailmobile rear end setup too. I've thought about the stake rails on the outside but if I did them accurately they'd be so fragile they'd break, so I might think of doing them in a solid rail and see if I can fool the eye. 

[Mopar - D]

Awesome progress Steve! Have you decided on what color you want to paint it yet?

[Rockford]

Colours 🤔 I was thinking red with white wheels, though most steel framed flats appear to be black. Black would hide a multitude of sins but I think red looks great on flatbeds. Definitely not silver because it's not an aluminium unit. 

Had quick look tonight, made a gearbox for the landing gear out of three layers of card stock, so I could get the seam down the middle. Then fashioned a winding handle out of copper wire adding a little piece of the wire insulation back on at the end for the handle, or should that be handle-handle? Not bad.

 

[Jim B]

This is looking great.  Very impressive scratch building.

[Rockford]

Although I had reservations about adding the stake pockets and tie rail at this scale an American flat just doesn't look American without them. So, I opted for a deeper side rail to accommodate it all. Then I cut 28 little sections for the pockets and a rail and painstakingly located it all using templates made from coffee stirrers. 

However, as I had planned my width on having plain rails I had to take 3.2mm off each end of every crossmember. That was scary but I managed it. I also had to raise the ride height because of the deeper rails, I just added a strip under the main rail.

Overall stance is just right in my opinion. I'm thinking of using coffee stirrers for the bed. 

[gotnitro?]

Fantastic work!!!! Really like all the eye candy

[David G.]

Excellent scratch-building work!

David G.

[Mopar - D]

Steve your added details with the stake pockets is awesome it really makes a difference. Add a little wood stain to the coffee stirrers and it will look perfect. 

[Rockford]

Gave attention to the rear end today. Fitted a rear section of the bed perimeter and added stake pockets and tie rail. Fitted corner pieces to the bed, as well as rear light fittings and mudflap brackets. Added electricians tape mudflaps, Mansfield bar and brackets. Fabbed a central panel with the three clearance lights. 

I honestly can't believe that I've built something that looks so correct! It sits just right, it's all square and straight! Probably one of the best purchases recently has been an aluminium mitre box so I can cut square sections and 45 degree angles accurately, it's really helped today. 

Next time it's the front end. I need to build a headboard and front crossmember. 

[Mopar - D]

Steve your making great progress can’t wait to see how it looks with some paint on it. 

[Rockford]

Had a second bite of the cherry this week. I desperately wanted to get the headboard sorted as soon as. I scoured the interwebs for examples of headboard setups. I used 2.5mm square rod as a frame for the stock card. I made a basic flat headboard then added some 45 degree wings with the end pieces of the frame acting as a final location for the side rail. 

I also cut 1mm slices of round tube to form the rear light bezels. I'm still over the moon with the way this build has gone. 

[David G.]

Foursquare and firm as the saying goes.

It all looks great, I'll bet you can't wait to get some paint shot.

David G.

[Rockford]

I've got a few things to do before paint but I'm torn between black, which seems to be the modern colour, and a brick red, not quite red oxide but not a bright red.