KJ790

Correct, some of AMT's trucks come with 10.00-20 tires and some come with 11.00-22 tires. Moebius models come with a modern 22.5" tire, which is the same size rim as the 10.00-20 tires from AMT.

No, many casters (myself included) offer both sizes of rims. Just let whoever you are buying the rims from know what tires you want to use with them and they should be able to tell you if they have rims to fit the tires.

Got the outriggers and D-rings casted and assembled:

I did some work on the front of the trailer. The detachable part lines up nicely, so that is a plus.

Thanks guys!

I have to finish making molds for the rest of the parts and get this first prototype built, then I will start taking orders. I will order the frame rails and make the rest of the parts as the trailers are ordered, so there will be a lead time of a few weeks to get them shipped out.

And assembly has begun:

Matt, I did look into a few options and I couldn't get a price that was decent. Everything seemed the same or more and I couldn't justify having to glue the flanges on the rails. I could always look again though. I have modified the main frame rails in front of the axles to give more "meat" to it. For now I will build the prototype with the rails I have since I already paid for them, but when I offer this as a kit it will have the updated rails.

I'm not sure how long the pay hauler or D8 are, the deck of this trailer will be 24 scale feet, so around 11.5". For pricing I am aiming for $75 for the 2-axle version with no rims or tires, $110 for the complete 2-axle version with rims and tires. For the 3-axle version I am aiming for $85 with no rims and tires, or $130 for the complete kit with rims and tires. Since the main rails are 3D printed I will have to buy those for every trailer I sell, so that accounts for a majority of the price. All of the other parts I will make.

Got some air-ride axles fresh out of the mold:

Yup, this is one of the big projects I have been working on. I will have a 2-axle version and a 3-axle version. They will be essentially the same trailer other than the length of the rear and the number of axles.

The first cast pieces:

Alright, I figured I would document my latest project. I have seen a lot of people looking for detachable gooseneck lowboy trailers, so I figured I would build one. As I build it, I figured I would make molds of all of the parts and assemble an affordable do-it-yourself lowboy complete kit. This has been a work in progress for a long time, but now it is time to start building. The goal here is to create a kit that will give builders a good base to build a lowboy. I want to make a trailer that can be built right out of the box that looks good on a shelf without being too expensive, but can also be given more detail by an experienced builder to create a show piece. This is the 3D model that I created when designing this trailer: The main rails are 3D printed, the rest of the parts will be cast or styrene.

Resin can be brittle as well, but I have found it is a fair amount stronger than Shapeways UFD material.

I used fuel tanks from a Moebius lone star, as they are the perfect size for the 150 gallon Peterbilt fuel tanks. I sanded off the molded in straps and made my own out of styrene. I also added a "weld" where the real Peterbilt fuel tanks have a welded seam. I also added some scratch built air cleaners and bumper.

Got the cab mounted with some of the chrome. Still need to finish up the fuel tanks, air cleaners, bumper, sun visor, mirrors, and a few other details.

Watch out for the yellow police if you start selling them.

The resolution of these cheap 3D printers (Makerbot, Dremel, etc) is not very good. I have a local guy that has been doing a lot of my 3D printing for me. He has multiple 3D printers, but the one with the best resolution (which gives the crispest detail on small parts) costs over $100,000. The cheap $1,000 machines do not give you very good surface finish or detail.

Thanks Justin. I am working on a project now that you had talked to me about at the Fulton show. If it works out then I am hoping to have some at the Utica show

1/25 scale 70" Peterbilt sleepers are now available while they last. http://kdhumphr.wix.com/double-take-replicas#!70-peterbilt-sleeper/cf6v

Those look nice Matt, I may have to pick up a set. The problem I have run into with frosted ultra detail parts from Shapways is that they are pretty weak and very brittle. It can make great parts as long as you are careful with them.

Thanks guys! Glad those tires fit the F-650 rims for you Matt.

Finally got a little more done. Here's a quick mock-up:

Yup, Line-O tape is what I use, looks great! This is a great looking build by the way Jeff. I can't wait to see it finished!