I'm a trailerholic

[Rockford]

I can't explain why I did this but I opened the box and couldn't stop myself. It's another AMT Trailmobile Snap kit. I've already got about 8 projects on the go, I used to be one at a time! 

The rear suspension has fought me every step of the way on this. Rather than just move the axles closer to correct the appearance I decided to shorten the subframe too, what a nightmare. Nothing is straight on the rear tandems, from the slide rails to the axles, there's, half a mil difference on the axles alone. 

Had to fab a roller shutter door because I need the doors for one of the reefer versions I've got, one has a short shot on the door. I just scored a piece of sheet to form the slats and added straight pins for coachbolts. 

At least it's sitting square now. I've got to stop opening boxes though. 

[Gary Chastain]

Looking good

[Chariots of Fire]

That's a lot of truck to put on the shelf, Steve!  Nicely done!

[yh70]

Looking good

[TopherMcGinnis]

Sexy Rig.

[cifenet]

Haha, I think you do have a problem, Steve.

It would have been still fine if you said you had 7 projects on-going, but we all know the number “8” isn’t normal.  

I need you to stop opening kits and stay away from anything that says AMT, ETRL, or Revell!  ?

BTW, your trailer looks very proper!  Nice job, indeed!

 

 

[Pete68]

Nice Steve. Always enjoy your projects bring them on. 

[Rockford]

On 2/5/2024 at 4:21 AM, cifenet said:

Haha, I think you do have a problem, Steve.

It would have been still fine if you said you had 7 projects on-going, but we all know the number “8” isn’t normal.  

I need you to stop opening kits and stay away from anything that says AMT, ETRL, or Revell!  ?

BTW, your trailer looks very proper!  Nice job, indeed!

 

 

Thanks mate, pales into insignificance next to your stuff. 

8 is indeed the problem number because if it falls over it becomes:-

 

which is the mathematical symbol for infinity  - and then I'll never get out of this mess!!!!!!

I need to get back on with some of my older jobs, my Google photos is reminding of some from a year ago that are still patiently waiting on the shelf. The shelf looks like a scrapyard at the moment.

Anyway I carved a lock handle and added channels either side. I also dressed the rear of the slide rails using 5mm right angle and some strip cut from sheet to look like the real thing. The kit pieces make a poor attempt at this. I couldn't resist colouring in the rear lights 

 

[Rockford]

9 hours ago, Pete68 said:

Nice Steve. Always enjoy your projects bring them on. 

Thanks mate, this kit is so frustrating but looks so good. If things in this hobby were still affordable I would get some better [bigger] wheels and tyres for it but I have to make do with what's given to me.

[Rockford]

Got this kit to the paint stage today. Added air hoses for the sliding tandems and a load of marker lights. I can't resist colouring the marker lights, even before paint. I'm happy with this kit now, it's hard work but it looks great id you put the effort in. I'll now have to wait until spring to paint. I mustn't open anymore boxes until afterwards. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 11, 2024 by Rockford
Too many pictures!

[Gary Chastain]

Looks really good

[Rockford]

When I looked at this post I found about 30 pictures! Sorry men, I've performed a photo cull. 

Not sure what happened but I've found Google Photos is bundling pictures in threes and fours and when I've picked a picture to load it's loading the whole bundle. That's my excuse anyway!!!! Acting stupid has got me out of trouble a few times. ?

[Jürgen M.]

Wow, Rockford, that's a beauty! Nice work! Looks absolutely real! ?

[Rockford]

On 3/8/2024 at 1:08 PM, Jürgen M. said:

Wow, Rockford, that's a beauty! Nice work! Looks absolutely real! ?

Thanks Jürgen, it's a real contradiction this kit. The box is beautifully moulded but the underpinnings are utter garbage! It's worth the effort though. 

[Jürgen M.]

Keep going! I'm sure it's worth it! ??

Edited March 9, 2024 by Jürgen M.

[Rockford]

Would you believe it's only just turned warm and dry enough to paint in the garage. 

I bought this stuff in local cheapo shop (B&M for the UK participants) for £4 a tin.

Primered the trailer and it looked a bit dark never mind. Applied the white topcoat and it went on so smooth and glossy I was impressed except for the fact that it turned PINK! Just like the red plastic effect. You can see it in the difference between the rear shutter and the masking tape. I was so looking forward to having the white roller shutter framed by the aluminium shell and the ali side rails. I couldn't park it near a proper white trailer. 

There must be so much red in the "grey" primer. Tried a few coats but nothing helped. Slept on it and revisited it in daylight - awful. The poor thing had lost its self respect. I decided the only option was it had to go silver. Such a shame, it would have looked brilliant otherwise. Fortunately the aluminium saved the day although there's that much paint on it now it's in danger of becoming a Trailmoblob rather than a Trailmobile. 

[cifenet]

Pinkish indeed.  I wonder if the paint wasnt mixed well or simply defective where the pigment never created a proper layer. 
 

At any rate, the aluminum actually came out fantastic and clean!  Maybe it was meant to be.   Nice save at the end. 

[Rockford]

Saved! 

The pink has gone but there was so much paint on the thing the bottom rail looked terrible. There were gaps where the box mat the rail but then it had gathered where the locating tabs were. I employed Aluminium HVAC duct tape. It's a pig to work with but it covered the gaps and made it look presentable. Just the finishing touches now. 

[cifenet]

Successful recovery for sure and that must feel good knowing you got it back to where you wanted it! 

The use of the aluminum duct tape was a good decision, it worked very well here also.

[gotnitro?]

Nice save ! 

The HVAC tape really worked well, a trick I'll have to remember 

[Rockford]

All that's missing now is a license plate. Coloured the marker lights with Sharpies. Painted the rear light surrounds white and then tinted the lenses. Added home made Trailmobile logos. Very pleased with how things turned out when you think it's nearly been a write-off several times. So glad I could save it. 

[Gary Chastain]

Well done

[DRIPTROIT 71]

I always liked these trailers! Excellent work as always!

[Jürgen M.]

Looks fantastic! I agree that a bright white trailer can look quite majestic but the aliminium turned out great and the details are all still visible inspite of several paint layers.

A Job well done! ?