new project - 2 straight tank trucks
 

got an unfinished project tamiya tanker that was cut into 2 pieces, about 60/40 split, settled on the knight hauler to transform into a day cab.

started with 2 fresh cabs and got the dremel multi max out for surgery

http://photos.bigdogrod.com/i.ashx?g...rdsize=640x480

cut the cabs right at the stack mounts, and the back wall just before the fairing notch, then took about 1/2 inch from the width. taped it all back up and voila'

http://photos.bigdogrod.com/i.ashx?g...rdsize=640x480

started setting up the first frame, thinking 2 rear driven axles and 1 lift
http://photos.bigdogrod.com/i.ashx?g...rdsize=640x480

http://photos.bigdogrod.com/i.ashx?g...rdsize=640x480

then set up the longer tank, 4 driven axles looks a bit much, might try 3 and the lift

http://photos.bigdogrod.com/i.ashx?g...rdsize=640x480

http://photos.bigdogrod.com/i.ashx?g...rdsize=640x480

that's it so far, more rails to arrive today, still need a pile more parts, and trying to find shapeways lift axle, doesn't seem to be available anymore.

aiming for something like this:

https://usfarmer.com/2011-freightlin...alker-5800-gal

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/i...Vt9oClR54qONWg

thanks for looking... questions, comments, offers to buy.... all welcome

Re: new project - 2 straight tank trucks
 

If your going for a milk truck look it seems the more axles you can cram under it the better. If your going for a fuel wagon 2 drives and a lift is the norm on a standard 5000 gallon truck.

Re: new project - 2 straight tank trucks
 

Those are looking great, see a lot of these tanker trucks here in the Alberta oilfield. Nice to see some more Knighthauler daycabs. I'll be watching for updates on thes trucks.

Re: new project - 2 straight tank trucks
 

Very cool projects! As an option to Shapeways, Brian at http://www.exclusive-rc.com/ has lift axles and many other parts.

Ken

Re: new project - 2 straight tank trucks
 

got some more work done..

3 axles?

http://photos.bigdogrod.com/i.ashx?g...rdsize=640x480


naw, how about 4, started on the sides as well, debating on the cladding halfway or going less and seeing the tank supports...

http://photos.bigdogrod.com/i.ashx?g...rdsize=640x480

Re: new project - 2 straight tank trucks
 

I'm not sure what way you're planning on going, but i think this would be a great look.

http://i.imgur.com/bkbBAY7l.jpg

Re: new project - 2 straight tank trucks
 

it's strange how a fuel tanker like that only has 1 drive axle, but a milk truck has as many as they can fit underneath.... milk only weighs slightly more that fuel, maybe they don't want it shaken up much...

Re: new project - 2 straight tank trucks
 

I drove a milk truck on a route for a while. KW W900B, 4000 gallon tank, big floats up front, two pushers, twin screw and a tag axle. Those axles are under there for 2 reasons. Dairy farms aren't generally built on paved roads, and the bridges on those roads aren't the best. So in my experience, those were put on there more for ground pressure rather than legal scaling issues.

Chris

Re: new project - 2 straight tank trucks
 

Jet-A is 6.66 lbs/gal. That fuel truck spends its working life on a ramp that was rated for 747s at max takeoff weight, the 767 its under won't ever come close to that. As long as the axles are rated for it, it's good. That style is usually single or tandem axle. I think single might make it more maneuvurable for ramp traffic.

Normal fuel semi trucks take fuel from refinery or local storage to airport fuel farm, then this kind goes from the fuel rack to plane. Sorry if this was too much of a thread hijack.

Re: new project - 2 straight tank trucks
 

If you are going to build a milk truck like you showed earlier in your post, your fender cladding needs to extend the length of the tank in order to cover all axles. That is required for cleanliness, remember this is a food grade vehicle. When it came time to unload, you had to wash the tank area before you could open any valves or hatches.

Chris

Re: new project - 2 straight tank trucks
 

Good evening, how is this build going. Any progress?
Ken

Re: new project - 2 straight tank trucks
 

still the same. might be making big move so whole collection might come up for sale if i can liquidate in 1 shot

Re: new project - 2 straight tank trucks
 

Sent you a pm.
Ken

Re: new project - 2 straight tank trucks
 

Correct by both guys. Most trucks that have a bunch of axles are for road-loading regulations (aka bridge laws) for the roads they travel, it's independent of the GAWRs the truck is built with. For a single drive axle, GAWRs of 19k-23k are pretty common, yet almost all states limit the weight of a single axle at the GAWR, or 20k, whichever is lower (steer axles are generally quite lower on GAWR). If you've ever seen the cement-mixers with that funny drop-down axle-arm hanging off the back, that's to satisfy a bridge law for that region.

Then of course, if a truck's vocation requires it to have extra axles to avoid getting stuck, the manufacturer or bodybuilder puts them on, to make sure they can continue selling trucks into that job.

Re: new project - 2 straight tank trucks
 

I couldn't have said it better myself!

Re: new project - 2 straight tank trucks
 

Good day, still no updates?
Ken

Re: new project - 2 straight tank trucks
 

nope.. lol still sitting in the box. got that 3d printer and started playing with the flatbeds. was thinking about the tank trucks the other day though and seeing if i can make some lift axles on the printer vs carving them from styrene

Re: new project - 2 straight tank trucks
 

Okay, any time you want to sell the smaller of the 2 tanks let me know. Thanks
Ken