Zimm's Customs Flatbeds

[Zimms Customs]

Here is the start to some of the flatbeds I am working on. They will be scale 48', spread axle. One has the wood floor, one will have the aluminum polished, and the other will be painted black with an oak deck. Lynn is making my king pins, I only have 5 left, so I will need to be patient until I can get them in. I am also making some pallets to have the trailers loaded.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/ZCIS/Flatbed/HPIM6265.jpg

[Bigrigger]

Looks good Matt! I can't wait to see more!:D

[Zimms Customs]

Me either, got another snow day tomorrow, so I am spending all day tomorrow working on trailers. The grain trailer will get its suspension under it and these will get landing gear and wheels. I am working on my Coronado right now.

[Bigrigger]

Oh man! I'm watching all of your builds! I think I'll go cut up some styrene for my daycab.You've inspired me!:D

[Zimms Customs]

Working on getting the Bruder cab mounted. Here is what it looks like together. I will have most of the trailer done tonight. Then it is off to get sold as a unit.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/ZCIS/Flatbed/IMG_0425.jpg

[rockNmayhem]

Truck and Trailer look great Matt. How much snow did you guys get lastnight? We had just over 17"s dumped on us yesterday and lastnight. Made for one heck of a drive to work this morning but fun none the less.

~Tyler~

[Zimms Customs]

We had 10", shoveling the drive with the drifts really stunk. Now I know why people have heart attacks from shoveling snow.

[540-MAN]

Looks good but it has a bend in it.

[Cossett]

Looks good but it has a bend in it.

Hi 540-MAN,
Most flat beds do have a arch in them weather here or OS and even some Tautliners I've loaded have had a arch in them but with only a sutle bend :D:D

Cheers Tracy

[Cossett]

They are designed that way to be able to carry alot of weight while not using as much metal for the framework of the trailer. thus enabling a lighter trailer so they can carry that much more cargo similar to a arched bridge :D

Cheers Tracy

[Stylin n profilin]

Yes they are designed that way for weight..:D:D
http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/ac33/Stylinpete/Flatbed_brblk_800x157.jpg:eek::eek:

[Zimms Customs]

I got a lot of work done on this last night, but this post is worthless without pics. Will try to sneak out later and get some.

[Zimms Customs]

Here are some pics of the trailer bottom. I will be finishing up the air bags for the flatbeds and grain trailers tomorrow. I want to have them on their wheels by tomorrow night. We will see how things go, we are taking our twins into the doctor and getting tubes put in their ears, so I may not get anything done at all.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/ZCIS/Flatbed/IMG_0430.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/ZCIS/Flatbed/IMG_0431.jpg

Here is the Mack with the fuel and air tanks mounted, next is the hood and bumper, that won't be too bad.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/ZCIS/Flatbed/IMG_0429.jpg

Here is what I am going for with the air ride system. I am going to work on making it functional for my Coronado, these are not, they will have springs in them.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/ZCIS/Air%20Bags/bagsMedium.jpg

[Dreamweaver]

Lookin good Matt. What are the rubber parts on the air bags?

-Mike

[Zimms Customs]

These are caliper pin dust boot covers. If you do it right, they will hold air. I am hoping to get some working for my freighshaker.

[Zimms Customs]

The other caliper dust boots I ordered are too stiff. I found some others that work great. They are for a 1999 Lexus RX300. Here is what they look like. Oreilly Auto Part# 16086 - Brake Best part. Cost $5.99 each (4)

http://images.oreillyauto.com/parts/img/medium/bhh/16086.jpg

[petermoblin]

Trailer is looking good. I like the slight arch in it, makes it look more realistic. Great find/idea using the dust boots as air bags.

[rockNmayhem]

The other caliper dust boots I ordered are too stiff. I found some others that work great. They are for a 1999 Lexus RX300. Here is what they look like. Oreilly Auto Part# 16086 - Brake Best part. Cost $5.99 each (4)

http://images.oreillyauto.com/parts/img/medium/bhh/16086.jpg

Hey Matt, the trailer looks great and so do those air bags. If you end up needing more lemme know as I work at Bumper To Bumper and I can pick those up for ya maybe a little cheaper. :D

Also got the King today and can't wait to get the tranny for it. Hope all goes well with the twins and their tubes and hope they get better soon.

~Tyler~

[Zimms Customs]

I ordered some from Oreilly's here in town, they about had a heart attack when I told them I wanted 10 sets. I got three from them and then ordered the rest. They came in and I am working with them now. Gluing them up, just a matter of time before I have the trailer sitting on their own. You know, things go slower than I want them to.

[Izzy]

Matt - great concept on the air bags ...... are you going to assemble to defined size or are you going to try and power them?? They look a very real!

[Zimms Customs]

When I make them functional for my Coronado, I will use a small pump for them. I am using them as they are, I will post some pics as soon as I get some put together. I will share how I did them too, nothing to hide here.

[Zimms Customs]

Here is what they look like. I had to caliper boots, cut em down, and glue em together. I still need to put caps on both ends and a spring in the middle.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/ZCIS/Air%20Bags/IMG_0472.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/ZCIS/Air%20Bags/IMG_0473.jpg

[Zimms Customs]

I am working on applying the oak veneer for the bed of the trailer. It is a slow and tedious process ironing this on, but I have learned some tricks of the trade.

http://www.band-itproducts.com/media/images/adgrafx/retail-wood-left.jpg

[Bigrigger]

Can't wait Matt!:D

[Zimms Customs]

Here is the progression of getting the frame rails to the trailer bed. I also have the oak decking on, just need to iron it on to get it to stick. I have one of them done, and it sticks really well.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/ZCIS/Flatbed/HPIM6284.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/ZCIS/Flatbed/HPIM6293.jpg

[Izzy]

Matt theY look good - I'm impressed - a nice bit of detail

[Bigrigger]

Sweet! Will you be selling these? Or keeping them? I would keep 'em, just curious! :D

[Zimms Customs]

Keeping one, selling the other two. One of them will be going to Germany when it is done. The other will be sold with the Mack that is in some previous pics.

[Bigrigger]

Sounds good, those guys are very lucky to have something like this!:D

[Zimms Customs]

Matt theY look good - I'm impressed - a nice bit of detail

Thanks Izzy, that means a lot coming from you. The trailer I am keeping for myself will be highly detailed. This way people can choose the amount of detail they want, the price will then be reflected upon the amount of detail.

[Zimms Customs]

Here is where they are now. I hope to have them on their own by Friday. Paint Saturday maybe. Cross my fingers.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/ZCIS/Flatbed/IMG_0532.jpg

[BRICKNICK]

These trailers are really coming along, Zimms do you make reefer trailers?

[Zimms Customs]

Yes, I make reefers. I am working on the mold right now for the Thermo King reefer unit.

[Zimms Customs]

Got one of them painted. This will be the trailer that will be coupled with the Mack truck to be sold later this week. I will post in in the Buy thread later. I got the driver set up here and his trusty side kick. Made some pallets too, all of which will be available to those who want some.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/ZCIS/IMG_0544-1.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/ZCIS/IMG_0546.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/ZCIS/IMG_0545.jpg

[Zimms Customs]

Here are some finished pics, I have it for sale in the Buy/Sell section.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/ZCIS/Flatbed/IMG_0550.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/ZCIS/Flatbed/IMG_0551.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/ZCIS/Flatbed/IMG_0553.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/ZCIS/Flatbed/IMG_0554.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/ZCIS/Flatbed/IMG_0555.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/ZCIS/Flatbed/IMG_0556.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/ZCIS/Flatbed/IMG_0558.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/ZCIS/Flatbed/IMG_0559.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/ZCIS/IMG_0545.jpg

[scalelover]

Looking good I like how you did the coiled wiring to look like the air lines on the 1:1 versions. Keep it up it's inspiring.

--Dan

[Zimms Customs]

Looking good I like how you did the coiled wiring to look like the air lines on the 1:1 versions. Keep it up it's inspiring.

--Dan

I have these for sale in my Vendor section. Would make a nice addition to anyones ride.

[mmman67]

These trailers are very nice looking !!!!

Mike