Accurate, Modern US Trailer Kits?

[vincen47]

I'm trying to come up with a list of accurate modern US trailers to plan out future projects. The list of modern US tractors is short, but the list of trailers seems to be even shorter. Yes, scratch building or modifying is an option, but I really want to consider all kit options first.

The Italeri US reefer is a no. Not accurate. AMT kits? No, not modern. So I only have a few I can think of:

1/25 Scale:

Moebius 53' Reefer

Moebius Smooth Side 53'

Revell Auto Transporter (I guess this is modern enough that you still see similiar trailers on the road today)

Revell Heavy Tank Trailer

1/24 Scale:

Revell Beall Tanker

 

Am I missing any other kits, in or out of production? Any resin conversions, etc? Thanks

[Petetrucker07]

The Revell and Italeri 3 axle dump trailers are modern. I think they are the same kit, just different boxes.

 

 

But a little modification is needed to make it more U.S. The little changes could make those kits look like this.

[gatorincebu]

 

    I guess it depends on what you consider modern? Also the type of trailer, box van reefer, curtain sider flatbed, drop deck, lowboy, and or specialized trailers.

For a more modern type dump Gary Wallace has a very nice frameless dump. And lowboys are a good scratch build project. Though there are a few resin offerings available. I just got one from KJ Humphreys. It seems a nice kit.

 

 

      Be Well

         Gator

   

Edited August 11, 2015 by gatorincebu

[plastic trucker]

There's the 48 footer from Revell of Germany.

[Jim B]

I heard the Revell of Germany 48ft trailer is too short (height).  Can someone confirm this?

[vincen47]

 

    I guess it depends on what you consider modern? Also the type of trailer, box van reefer, curtain sider flatbed, drop deck, lowboy, and or specialized trailers.

For a more modern type dump Gary Wallace had a very nice frameless dump. And lowboys are a good scratch build project. Though there are a few resin offerings available. I just got one from KJ Humphreys. It seems a nice kit.

 

 

      Be Well

         Gator

   

True, "modern" is up for interpretation. To me, it is what you typically see on the roads today. Yes, there are vintage trailers still used in certain cases, but I'm thinking about rigs you'll see at truck stops. I'll check out Gary's list, he emailed me his product line a little while back. I'll also check out KJ's website.

 

And Clayton, I do remember seeing some great mods of the Italeri dump trailer on this forum. I'll check them out again.Thanks

I heard the Revell of Germany 48ft trailer is too short (height).  Can someone confirm this?

If the RoG 48 footer is the same as the Italeri, then yes, way off. I have one, it'll be used as parts for a straight truck someday.

[Petetrucker07]

You could also modify the ROG/Italeri 48er into a grain hopper trailer. I have an old build from 15 years ago that I plan to do.

[gatorincebu]

 

       Another questions is . What tractors are you planning on building?  Aside from the two from Moebius. Or possibly some resin .I do not know of much that qualifies as modern?

So let's be a bit more specific for the sake of conversation. What time period are you talking about? I read what you are saying  as like stuff from the last ten or fifteen years??

 

    Be Well

    Gator

 

[Petetrucker07]

The Snap Pete can pass for early to mid 80s. But yeah, Gator is right about the Moebius trucks and some resin being as modern truck your gonna get.

[KJ790]

There's not a whole lot more than what you have listed. Luckily most modern trailers are pretty easy to scratch build, or to build by modifying existing kits. I would much rather scratch build a modern trailer than a modern truck.

[vincen47]

There's not a whole lot more than what you have listed. Luckily most modern trailers are pretty easy to scratch build, or to build by modifying existing kits. I would much rather scratch build a modern trailer than a modern truck.

Absolutely.

Specifically, I was looking at my options of what to put behind my Prostar and VNL 780. The Moebius trailers will work (though it looks a tiny bit small behind the Volvo in the pictures I've seen, but it'll do), but I was taking inventory of what else is available. Thanks

 

 

       Another questions is . What tractors are you planning on building?  Aside from the two from Moebius. Or possibly some resin .I do not know of much that qualifies as modern?

So let's be a bit more specific for the sake of conversation. What time period are you talking about? I read what you are saying  as like stuff from the last ten or fifteen years??

 

    Be Well

    Gator

 

 

Edited August 6, 2015 by vincen47

[Force]

There's not a whole lot more than what you have listed. Luckily most modern trailers are pretty easy to scratch build, or to build by modifying existing kits. I would much rather scratch build a modern trailer than a modern truck.

Absolutely.

Specifically, I was looking at my options of what to put behind my Prostar and VNL 780. The Moebius trailers will work (though it looks a tiny bit small behind the Volvo in the pictures I've seen, but it'll do), but I was taking inventory of what else is available. Thanks

The difference is most likely a scale thing, the Italeri Volvo VN 780 is 1:24th scale and the Moebius trailers are 1:25th scale.

Edited August 9, 2015 by Force

[kilrathy10]

Actually, now that you mention it, I set a smooth side Moebius trailer behind my Recent Volvo build....I looks pretty good, as far as height and length.....Definitely taller than that Italeri "misproduction" 48'er that they tried to later pass off as a 53'er (That's another story, though)......In 1/24 scale, it may look more like a 52'er, but if you use Italeri rims and tires, you'll get away with it....I plan on doing this to put behind a red Volvo I built years ago.....From what I can see, the Italeri wheels will fit the axles without much modification, if any.....

 

Also, Italeri did produce some race trailers for their Euro stuff.....If you splice a couple of them, together, you can build up a pretty good 53'er.....

Edited August 10, 2015 by kilrathy10

[Truck parts]

Does KJ Humphrey have a web site  ?

[Petetrucker07]

http://kdhumphr.wix.com/double-take-replicas

[Truck parts]

Thank you for the web site

[Force]

Actually, now that you mention it, I set a smooth side Moebius trailer behind my Recent Volvo build....I looks pretty good, as far as height and length.....Definitely taller than that Italeri "misproduction" 48'er that they tried to later pass off as a 53'er (That's another story, though). 

Italeri haven't directly been known to make true kits all the time, they take shortcuts both here and there and try to pass off many things for what they are not, so the trailers are just one thing.