Semi Trailer Mechanic

Romell For the most part Les is correct. On some there are two bags per side a small one up towards the hanger and a larger one directly over the axle as the main air bag inflates that pushes the axle down taking weight off the steering axle and the two drives. The smaller air bag up by the hanger will be deflated. As the main bag deflates the air escapes out the exhaust port of a solinoid valve. At the same time the smaller air bag inflates pushing the front of the trailing arm causing the axle to lift on a pivot. There are air regulators that control the amount of pressure exerted on the axle. Here's a problem I had to correct in the past. The regulator failed and too much pressure was on the two axles on a quad axle East dump trailer. Loaded there wasn't a problem. For some reason when the driver dumped (contaminated soil) he didn't raise the two lift axles and the two rear ridged axles were barely touching the ground. When the driver hit the brakes w/ the trailer hand brake those rear axles locked up. There are a few different configs. 1 A non steer axle w/ dauls basically a trailer axle. 2 A steerable. Which is alot like a steering axle. This has a tie rod/cross shaft. The difference between that and a steering axle is there are coil-over shocks the bolt to the spindel and the axle. The pressure of the shocks on both sides keep the wheels straight. As the truck turns the drag steers it. After the truck has completed the turn the pressure from the shocks straightens it back out. Drivers say that when a coil over shock fails the truck feels like it will flip over. I can tell you from experience it's not fun trying to compress those shock to install them. 3 Strong arm which is an axle mounted to a frame that's attatched to the rear of a dump trailer or dump truck mixer and so on. This is raised when not in use Pusher refers to a truck where the lift axle is in front of the drive (s) Puller refers to a truck where the lift axle is behind the drive (s)

1969 Camaro Funny Car 1985 28' Wabash F.R.P. trailer (pup) 2006 Ranco bottom (belly dump) trailer

Well Done Tim... I'm certain I've seen the 1:1 on the road before.

Welcome to the forum. Here's a grain/hopper trailer I built years ago. http://www.flickr.com/photos/9495602@N02/sets/72157604357570572/

It's a toss up between... This one here ... Or this ...

The collection has grown slightly since these were taken.

Latest Pics... Still have some work to do and some weathing mistakes to correct!!!

The overall modifications to the cab shows!!!

Lookin' Good!!! The Fruehauf tri axle dump trailer painted the same color would look right at home hooked to this truck.

Ron Any ideas on how you're going to build this truck? Line Haul,Heavy Haul, Owner/Operator,Custom, or box stock.

AWESOME!!! I'm taking notes on some of your techniques. I can really learn from them.

Those cabs are looking good so far. In post #3 the picture of that double bunk throws me off. I've never seen anything like that before. It actually looks cool. The truck w/ the bullbars and the two additional sleepers was definitly one of a kind. However I completely understand why the driver had it done. One of my former co worker's brother was an O/O w/ Atlas Van Lines (I think that's the company). He hired two extra hands that helped him move both residential and commercial. His truck was a COE Freightliner w/ a single bunk. This guy made his helpers sleep in the trailer using moving blanks for their bedding and covers. He refused them to sleep in his truck. I'm gonna guess the owner of this 4070 put the extra bunks on there for his hired help. Both sleepers look a little like 359 sleepers and also mounted under the bull bars looks alot like a pair of headlight buckets from a 359 as well.

Hey Scott Well Done. The Fruehauf Van sounds like a winner to me. Here's how I recommend painting the trailer.Roof - Model Master Aluminum Metallizer. Polish and Use a Dull Coat Clear Coat.Upper/Lower/Nose Rails - Tamiya Bare Metal silver (gives the best dull aluminum appearance IMO)Side ,Nose, and Radius Panels - Model Master Classic White w/ dull coat clear coat.Door Frame,Fan Tail, I.C.C. bumper - Model Master Classic White. Don't dull coat this.Dolly Leg Assembly,Bogie/Axles, - Tamiya Semi Gloss BlackCoupler Plate, Kingpin,Slider Rails (underside) - Model Master Magnesium MetallizerUnder Carriage,Crossmembers Underside of the Floor - Tamiya Light Grey (To represent RPC Sealer)

VERY COOL!!!

I use the 1 to 1 rule of thumb when working w/ 25th scale. 1 actual inch in 25th scale is 1mm. Extend your frame 36mm.

Cat5 comp harness. Wind the strands around an 1/8" drill bit or metal rod of some sort. Hold it there and heat it w/ a micro torch or a lighter then cool it instantly. You'll want to warm it so the insulation is somewhat soft but don't scorch it. I do this next to the sink so I run cold water on it right away. This will retain the coils.

Thanks I was going to make glad hands for the air lines but instead I just drilled a couple holes just next to the glad hands (base mount bolt on w/' shut offs) on the rear of the trailer. This way I just feed the end of the air lines thru the holes and it looks just as good.

Here's a couple pics that might help ya . I took these a few years back to build but never got around to it.

Will the cab,and power train from the SD Freightliner fit on the DD Freightliner chassis w/out alot of modifications?

#2????? What do ya by mean #2??? Please note I became a member ( for the second time after changing ISP's) on 26-August 2006. Scott S. joined on 17-October 2009. I have seniority and by default I would be #1 I'm gonna have to correct you by saying that Scott S. would be #2. Ok? Get it straight! Thanks for the compliment!!!

Here's the converter dolly found in the AMT Trailmobile double header kit. This will be used w/ the Wabash FRP and Trailmobile rib side trailers. Thanks for looking!!!

Here's the converter dolly found in the AMT Trailmobile double header kit. This will be used w/ the Wabash FRP and Trailmobile rib side trailers. Thanks for looking!!!