KJ790 Posted February 4, 2015 Posted February 4, 2015 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.
Superpeterbilt Posted February 4, 2015 Posted February 4, 2015 It looks great. Scale truckers have been waiting for this for years.
Petetrucker07 Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 Dude, you are amazing. I'm guessing this is the big project you've dropping hints about. I'll take 2 with a set of Alcoa and 255 tires. I'll be following this.
KJ790 Posted February 5, 2015 Author Posted February 5, 2015 Dude, you are amazing. I'm guessing this is the big project you've dropping hints about. I'll take 2 with a set of Alcoa and 255 tires. I'll be following this. 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.
Petetrucker07 Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 Well then, I'll take 1 of each if that's case.
KJ790 Posted February 5, 2015 Author Posted February 5, 2015 Got some air-ride axles fresh out of the mold:
rctruk Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 Great start...I'll be watching. I'd really enjoy building something like that.
Tesla Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 Great project KJ...as Terry said, modelers have been wanting this for a long time. Thanks for making it happen!
72 Charger Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 Looks very good I would love to have 1 or 2 . Q Will it be able to take the Pay hauler/ Dh 8 dozer and when you say affordable what ball park are we talking about?
KJ790 Posted February 5, 2015 Author Posted February 5, 2015 (edited) 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. Edited February 9, 2015 by KJ790
rsxse240 Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 Looks great! I may have to order one if it isn't in the hundreds of dollars when complete
mdlbldrmatt135 Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 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. Have you looked into having parts laser cut? I know there's places that can do Styrene. To me if there's a cost savings, gluing the flange onto the beam face might be worth it. Just a thought.
KJ790 Posted February 5, 2015 Author Posted February 5, 2015 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.
mdlbldrmatt135 Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 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 had some stuff cut out of laserboard... and it was pretty reasonable. Styrene might be more.. it was more of a passing thought. Some parts for detailing from the company that did my custom work: http://www.vectorcut.com/GenericParts.htm
Bennyg Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 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, $100 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 $120 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. That's a great price. Ben
gatorincebu Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 KJ, The modified frame rail looks much better!! I will take one two axle and three axle with the two hole wheels and suitable tires! You know now you are going to have to do something for a load on these trailers??? Like a small no name dozer???? Be Well Gator
Mopar - D Posted February 6, 2015 Posted February 6, 2015 KJ looking good. Your pricing is for the trailers is where I expected them to be. When do you think you will have them for sale?
KJ790 Posted February 6, 2015 Author Posted February 6, 2015 KJ looking good. Your pricing is for the trailers is where I expected them to be. When do you think you will have them for sale? 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.
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