KJ790

Timpte makes these with 66", 72", and 78" tall sides. This particular trailer is the tallest version.

Thanks guys. I thought about using an Italeri reefer, but they sell for so much and would need to be modified so much that I figured it would be easier and cheaper to just start from scratch. Tonight I roughed in the rear bumper and brake lights, as well as made the basic hoppers.

This is a build for a friend of mine. After finishing a model of one of his trucks, he wanted me to make a model of his grain trailer to go with it. So yesterday I started scratchbuilding this trailer. So far I added ribs to the sides and made the basic shape of the trailer. I still have lots of work to do, but it is starting to take shape.

That's great JT! What did you use to clean them up? My family had a few trucks over the years. We slowly grew from one truck in 1961 to about 60 trucks in the 90's on up. We were one of the last companies to hold out with cabovers. I was lucky enough to grow up right in the middle of it. Here is what my back yard looked like over the years: Around 1977 (10 years before I was born). Mostly Kenworth Cabovers. Around 1985. You can see the swingset in my backyard where I would sit and watch the trucks as they came in and out. Still mostly Kenworth cabovers. Around 1998. Mostly Freightliner cabovers at this point with a few newer KW and international cabovers. The switch to conventionals was beginning (there are a few in the background of the one pic) From around 2000 on it was all Freightliner FLD120's and KW T800's, then Freightliner Columbias and Centuries, and now mostly Cascadias with a handful of International Prostars. I have been collecting parts to build this T800 from the early 2000's.

Thanks! Also found this KW Aerodyne that is similar to the AMT kit. This one was white with red stripes and frame.

And a few more for the K123

And a few for the AMT Kenworth K123

I finally got around to scanning some of the pictures that I have of trucks that my family has owned over the years. I picked out a few that would be easy to replicate with available model kits. AMT Movin' On KW AMT Peterbilt Pacemaker AMT Mack Cruiseliner Revell Peterbilt 359 AMT White-Freightliner Dual Drive

Man, I feel like we are working on all of the same stuff! I started this Volvo about a month ago for a local trucking company, haven't had too much time to work on it though. Can't wait to see what you do with yours!

Snap Pete that I turned into a cheater 379.

Thanks Mark! For this one I am thinking the cheapest way would be to go with all styrene. I drew it out in CAD and had it quoted to have each of the sides, roof, floor panels, and front pieces all cut on a waterjet cutter out of sheet styrene. I had it quoted for being milled as well, but this was even more expensive. I figured if the sides were all sheet styrene then the "uprights" between each panel could be made by simply gluing styrene square stock every scale 2 feet. I do like your idea of individual panels, but I feel like that would end up costing too much to be realistic. Even with the waterjet cutting I am not sure how realistic this would be, it would put this idea up towards the $100 mark. I might make a couple and see how popular they are in that price range.

Right now I have a 48'x102" tandem closed axle version drawn up in CAD and quoted to have the sides made for me. I can make it a spread or a tri-axle for around the same price, so whatever would be most popular I suppose.

Looks great! I have thought about building my old Dakota, but it looks like you already did!

Would there be any interest in a kit for a modern punch side livestock trailer? If I were to make something, would you rather get a full kit with wheels, axles, etc, or would you just want to save a few bucks and just get the sides, roof, and front? What sort of price would something like this go for?

"Cheater" 379's actually work out quite well. This was a "cheater" 379 I made out of a snap kit 359. The cab dimensions are more 359 than 379, but the overall look came together.

Yeah, the skirts are supposed to help with fuel mileage. California became the first state to make it a law that all 53' reefers and box vans have to have skirts. Where I am about 1/2 of the 53' trailers running around have them, mostly because a lot of the large fleets have just decided to put them on all of their trailers so that they don't have to keep track of what trailers can go into Cali and what ones cannot.

Thanks! It actually needs brake lights as well, I haven't put any lights on it yet. I have to do that, glad hands, air hoses for the brakes, and a few more decals. I might add side skirts too, haven't decided yet.

Well I decided to start one of these. I'm planning on keeping it pretty stock other than the wheels and tires. I swapped out the kit parts for a set of super single wheels. I got the box together this morning, now to add all the little details.

Jon, I saw your screen name and wondered if you were the same "Junkman" from the Thumpertalk motorcycle forums. After you posted the motorcycle video I knew you must be! It seems strange, but I have seen a few guys from those forums over on model truck forums lately. Anyways, the KW is looking awesome! What are you using for the weathering on the frame and suspension? That looks great! Can't wait to see this finished.

This is going to be awesome! I'm going to be watching this one for sure. I am curious to see how you end up doing the paint as well. If you are looking for a lower profile tire than the Moebius tires, I just remastered my low pro tires. Once I get my first batch of lowboy kits out I will be adding these to my website.

Awesome! I started one of mine this past weekend. I'm going to add some trailer skirts and either 5-hole wheels or a set of super singles, I can't decide. Can't wait to see what you do with this one.

I have been working on some new tires lately. I remastered my Bridgestone drive tires to be new and improved, and also have a new flotation front tire available now. I will have a new standard size steer tire available soon as well.

The standard spread is 10'-6" in the US from center of axle to center of axle. This means only 7' from the rear of the front tire to the front of the back tire. Most tool boxes between axles are around 5' to 6' long give or take.

I have been working really hard to get these done, but I have had a few setbacks. I have a full time job, and the last few weeks I have been working and additional 20-25 hours per week just to fill other resin part orders. That has not left a lot of time to work on the lowboys. I haven't been able to keep most of my wheels in stock, and now the molds are wearing out, so I have to take time to make new molds for them. I may need to stop taking all orders for 2-3 weeks so that I can get everything caught up and try to get some lowboys done. As for how I am coming on these, I have frame rails, cross-members, and wood decking for 12 trailers right now. I finished the mold for the new low profile tires and have been casting a couple every day. As of this morning I have most of the resin pieces cast to make 4 trailers. I have to remake the mold for the rear bumper, as I accidentally damaged the original. I made a mold for the brake drums this week, but I am having air bubble issues with them, so I need to make a new mold with a slightly different design to rectify this. Once I get these all set it is going to be a lot of casting, and then I will have the first 12 trailers done. I have a feeling that I would not be able to keep up with demand if I add these to my website for normal purchase, so once these first 12 are gone I will likely make them one at a time as time permits and then put them on ebay for sale once each kit is complete. This way I won't be taking orders or money and then not coming through for a long time. I would rather have people mad at me because they want to send me money, than mad that they sent me money and have been waiting forever to get their trailer kit.