8 Car Transporter (71 Mopar’s)

[Mopar - D]

In my collection of car transporters I have a 5 car hauler with 62’s, 2 - 6 car haulers with 67’s &69’s, 7 car hauler with 70’s, future 8 car hauler with 71’s, 9 car hauler with 68’s and of course they are all Mopar cars. Because I didn’t have a 8 car transporter or a load of 71’s I’ve decided it time to make one. I’m going with the Mack R685ST for my cab and will be using the Revell transporter to start with. I’m still checking transporter designs to determine what modifications will be needed. It looks like at least one car will be on the cab with the remaining 7 on the trailer. I’m looking at making it a Convoy Company truck in green. I’ve seen pictures of them with 71 Mopar’s. As always your comments are always welcome and appreciated. 

[vincen47]

This will be a fun one to watch.

[BK9300]

I agree - going to be a good build!

[Scott Eriksen]

[Mopar - D]

Thanks guys here’s some of the rigs I’m looking at. 

[David G.]

I'm really looking forward to seeing how you make this conversion happen Dan. I'm glad I was able to find your WIP on this.

David G.

[Mopar - D]

I’ve  started on the trailer by adding 40” on the front of the trailer and removing the slanted section in the front lower part. This is going to allow me to get 4 cars on the bottom of the trailer. 

[hct728(Bob)]

Cool project! Just note that I found the stock kit is pretty weak with a load on it, and really shouldn't be moved when loaded in my experience, so some brass angle under the lower frame might be good insurance. Good you got some reference pics, they are a big help

[Pete68]

Nice combo Dan looking forward to the build. 

[David G.]

This should be a good opportunity to correct some of this kit's shortcomings.

David G. 

[Mopar - D]

On 2/9/2025 at 6:49 PM, hct728(Bob) said:

Cool project! Just note that I found the stock kit is pretty weak with a load on it, and really shouldn't be moved when loaded in my experience, so some brass angle under the lower frame might be good insurance. Good you got some reference pics, they are a big help

Thanks Bob, I know what talking about I’ve run across that with my other haulers. By the time I’m done it’s very well supported. 

21 hours ago, Pete68 said:

Nice combo Dan looking forward to the build. 

Thanks Lee

14 hours ago, David G. said:

This should be a good opportunity to correct some of this kit's shortcomings.

David G. 

Thanks Dave , I’m going to do what I can to make it right. 

 

Here’s a ruff mock up of where I’m going with this. 

[David G.]

That looks good Dan but how does the one on the front get loaded?

David G.

[Mopar - D]

4 hours ago, David G. said:

That looks good Dan but how does the one on the front get loaded?

David G.

David I’m looking to have the ramps drop  down to the bottom deck. I’m still in my conceptual stage to see how the 4 cars fit. Still have a lot of details to work out lol. 

[Mopar - D]

Just a little building but a lot of designing and testing at this stage. I’m going to add hydraulic cylinders for the front lower ramp and after looking at a lot more pictures it looks like they use some short removable ramps to get the car up the ramp with out bottoming out. Still working on how I’m going to do the middle ramp. I’m also going to have to raise the top front car up. Thanks for the comments.  

[Mopar - D]

[BK9300]

Your mock up a couple pics back looks very cool with the cars in place - going to be very impressive with a full load!

[David G.]

Good progress on this Dan. It's going to fun watching you sort all this out. 

It must have been a nerve-wracking task to load trailers like this in real life.

David G.

[Rockford]

Excellent stuff. USA car transporters have always fascinated me, they're so complex. This should look great. 

[gotnitro?]

Looking good so far Dan! I remember my dad constantly welding supports on their transporter at the Dodge dealer he worked for. Always amazed me watching the drivers unload the brand new vehicles off the upper decks 

[rattle can man]

I would think if there were hydraulics on all of the ramps it would work without separate ramps.

[Mopar - D]

On 2/17/2025 at 8:01 PM, BK9300 said:

Your mock up a couple pics back looks very cool with the cars in place - going to be very impressive with a full load!

Thanks Brian, I’ve got the front 2 on the bottom figured out and the front top one just need to make the hydraulic’s for them. 

On 2/22/2025 at 7:51 AM, David G. said:

Good progress on this Dan. It's going to fun watching you sort all this out. 

It must have been a nerve-wracking task to load trailers like this in real life.

David G.

Thanks David, yeah I don’t think I would like to try loading one of these trucks with brand new cars lol. 

On 2/22/2025 at 4:58 PM, Rockford said:

Excellent stuff. USA car transporters have always fascinated me, they're so complex. This should look great. 

Thanks Steve, this is going to be my most complex transporter yet. 

11 hours ago, gotnitro? said:

Looking good so far Dan! I remember my dad constantly welding supports on their transporter at the Dodge dealer he worked for. Always amazed me watching the drivers unload the brand new vehicles off the upper decks 

Thanks Jeff. I can see why they had your dad welding supports on them. 

10 hours ago, rattle can man said:

I would think if there were hydraulics on all of the ramps it would work without separate ramps.

Thanks Harry, the front ones are short and I don’t think that the middle section will reach them. I’ve got a picture of the extra ramps on one of the transporters. 

[Mopar - D]

Here’s my progress on the front 2 cars working on the hydraulics for the short ramps and I figured out how I’m  going to raise the top car as well. Received my paint for the rig it’s going to be Scale Finish’s Dodge Medium Green. 

[cifenet]

Progress so far looks very promising!   And the color looks super cool, I can see metallic flakes!

[Mopar - D]

On 2/27/2025 at 6:33 PM, cifenet said:

Progress so far looks very promising!   And the color looks super cool, I can see metallic flakes!

Thanks Steve, you’re correct there’s some metallic flakes in the green. No progress this weekend or next I’m on vacation getting some R&R and sightseeing in. 

[David G.]

I'm amazed by your engineering and fabrication skills Dan.

Impressive work so far.

Enjoy your time off.

David G.

Edited March 15 by David G.
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