drinkone2 Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 I just finished this one up for a club build on another forum after about 6 months of "builder's block". Someone on there had posted a detailed article on the history of Monfort's trucks. The first batch ordered had the Cummins six and torsion bar suspensions so I didn't have to do a whole lot of modifications. I started with an original amt torsion bar kit, added some 2 hole budds from AITM and scratched a few things. The only thing left to do is the door decals but I'll wait to do them when I finish the reefer trailer. I'm starting the trailer now, which is the old amt "Watkins" reefer and I could use some help. Does anyone have any pics of the inside of a reefer trailer showing the front wall where the refrigeration unit is mounted? I have also heard that the floor was not wood but channeled metal to help disperse the cold air around the trailer. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Jim
Turbo590 Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 Jim... I saw some "prelim" pictures from the other site...I was waiting to see this one finished...your paint job(s) once again are the "bomb" right on. I hope you can make it to the NNL this year...we always have a blast...I'll touch base with you soon Again, great workmanship...and I hear you on the builders block....Kurt
chuckyr Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 (edited) II'm starting the trailer now, which is the old amt "Watkins" reefer and I could use some help. Does anyone have any pics of the inside of a reefer trailer showing the front wall where the refrigeration unit is mounted? I have also heard that the floor was not wood but channeled metal to help disperse the cold air around the trailer. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Jim Excellent subject, excellent build. Momfort KWs are classics. Reefer trailers have aluminum floors. Wood would harbor mold when moist. The cold air is blown across the top of the cargo area and then when warmed, sinks to the bottom of the cargo area to be recycled. The channels as you describe allow the warmed air to be drawn under the cargo. The front bulkhead would have a rectangular opening to mount the cooling unit's evaporator. The Ertl Great Dane reefer is spot on accurate and has a detailed Thermo King NWD unit of the mid 1970s. The AMT reefer has a generic looking Thermo King cooling/heating unit of late 1960s vintage that has no detail. The AMT reefer trailer looks accurate for a late 1960s early, 1970s subject on it's exterior, but is just a dry van on the interior. Didn't Monfort use Fruehuaf reefers? Edited March 14, 2012 by chuckyr
drinkone2 Posted March 14, 2012 Author Posted March 14, 2012 Excellent subject, excellent build. Momfort KWs are classics. Reefer trailers have aluminum floors. Wood would harbor mold when moist. The cold air is blown across the top of the cargo area and then when warmed, sinks to the bottom of the cargo area to be recycled. The channels as you describe allow the warmed air to be drawn under the cargo. The front bulkhead would have a rectangular opening to mount the cooling unit's evaporator. The Ertl Great Dane reefer is spot on accurate and has a detailed Thermo King NWD unit of the mid 1970s. The AMT reefer has a generic looking Thermo King cooling/heating unit of late 1960s vintage that has no detail. The AMT reefer trailer looks accurate for a late 1960s early, 1970s subject on it's exterior, but is just a dry van on the interior. Didn't Monfort use Fruehuaf reefers? Thanks for the info! Truck# 392 is the one I built, except in slightly newer condition! In the early days Monfort used Fruehauf trailers but at some point they switched to Utility, just not sure when. I have never owned an ertl Great Dane reefer but I have an old built up of the dry van. I'll have to see if it has a channeled floor in it that I could possibly alter to fit the Fruehauf. If not, I'll have to fab one myself. Also in all of the pics I found it looks like they all had curbside doors which is something that amt left out. Would the inside of a modern reefer be similar on the front wall to the older ones? If so, could someone post a pic of one? Jim
chuckyr Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 Thanks for the info! Truck# 392 is the one I built, except in slightly newer condition! In the early days Monfort used Fruehauf trailers but at some point they switched to Utility, just not sure when. I have never owned an ertl Great Dane reefer but I have an old built up of the dry van. I'll have to see if it has a channeled floor in it that I could possibly alter to fit the Fruehauf. If not, I'll have to fab one myself. Also in all of the pics I found it looks like they all had curbside doors which is something that amt left out. Would the inside of a modern reefer be similar on the front wall to the older ones? If so, could someone post a pic of one? Jim The picture I posted has the same reefer unit that as the Ertl reefer unit. Modern reefer trailers are similar to older trailers. The newer models may have composite materials as liners, but they are virtually the same. Below are photographs of interiors of reefers.
drinkone2 Posted March 14, 2012 Author Posted March 14, 2012 Thanks for posting those pics, they are exactly what I was looking for. Now if I can just find a reefer unit off of the ertl kit.... Jim
BigBad Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 Your truck actually looks better than the real one! Nice detailing, clean build, nice clean stripes. I like the "open" horns!
Ben Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 Very nice!!!!! I made resin copies of that reefer unit from the ERTL Great Dane but gave them all away. Wish I could help. That's my favorite little reefer unit as it was used on the Smokey and the Bandit rig and the BJ and the Bear rig. Plus it has engine detail!
maxwell48098 Posted March 15, 2012 Posted March 15, 2012 Very nice build. I remember the mid-to-late '70's very well driving I-80 acrooss Illinois and Iowa and hooking up with these guys. They'd always be in the left (Monfort) lane doing 70 - 80 mph in the days of 55 being the imposed limit for cars and 50 for trucks. Me in my little "four wheeler" would usually pull into line between a couple of them and enjoy the ride. Again, very nice build. A.J.
scummy Posted March 15, 2012 Posted March 15, 2012 I remember reading about this company in the detroit deisel newsletter in the 70's and thought they had mickey mouse equipment , youve done a very clean job , very nice .
TUFF TIN Posted March 15, 2012 Posted March 15, 2012 (edited) Your attention to detail and paint is super. Mike Edited March 15, 2012 by TUFF TIN
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