tamiya trailer questions

[SuperDutyScaler]

as we all know the tamiya flat bed is too short so i want to stretch mine to a 1:1 scale. Question is what is a normal length US flat bed usually? and what length would i need my new floor and sides to be so i can have the steel shop cut me some new parts tomorrow

[CrimsonCorsair]

Doing a bit of googling I see three common lengths - 45', 48' and 53', with 48' being the 'standard' length.

53’ trailer would be 636 inches / 14 = 45.43 inches in length
48’ trailer would be 576 inches / 14 = 41.14 inches in length
45’ trailer would be 540 inches / 14 = 38.57 inches in length



What I can not tell you is how long to cut your rails for this - as I don't know how the length is actually measured on a trailer - but I am assuming the length is from the front rail of the flatbed to the back rail of the flat bed. Some more googling might answer that question as well...

[CrimsonCorsair]

Maybe this will help:
Dimensions of Flatbed Semi Trailers: Composite Platform

The composite platform trailer measures 48’ x 102” and weighs 10,600 lbs. The flat bulkhead is 48” high. The side structure consists of 5/16” aluminum side stake pockets on the 24 centers. The depth is 1 5/8” x 3 ½” x 4”.

The king pin is situated 36” from the front. The main beam is fabricated steel (grade 130KSI). The flanges are 3/8” x 5” with high tensile 25” web that comes with a 2 ½” arch. The floor is 1 1/8” aluminum with four apitong wood nailing strips. It is rated at 53,000 lbs within a 10’ area.

From this site.

[SuperDutyScaler]

thanks crimsoncorsair, i asked this same question on scale4x4rc three days ago and only got post to people who have stretched their flatbeds. At least tomorrow i can get the pieces cut so i can stretch it now.

[CrimsonCorsair]

Just to be clear - I just got the information from the Internet and did a little math - I have not stretched a trailer myself. Still saving for my King Hauler (bonus please get here soon...). Keep that in mind - if you get stuck you may need more help than I can give you. However, you are in the right place for help - there are plenty of guys here who have done this before you and they are all very helpful.

[Brian in PA]

Scaler if you go to home depot or lowes you can get the aluminum to build your own trailer. Just get some axles off the 'bay . I bought a trailer kit to stretch it, but once I found out all I was going to use, I sold the trailer (stock one) and built my own. here is pics of mine. I built it to a scale 40 foot Its longer than stock and still maneuverable.

Brian

[roadranger]

I'd suggest you get a second flatbed kit and use the 2 kits to make your stretch flatbed, with enough parts leftover to make a second trailer.
You can never have enough trailers!
I've built 3 trailers out of 3 flatbed kits;

a 48 ft. flatbed (lift axle has been removed since pic taken)


a 24 ft. flatbed pup (makes a Rocky Mountain Doubles set)


and a 24 ft. container chassis

[SuperDutyScaler]

thanks brian i have to go to home depot today anyways so ill look around for the aluminum.

[SuperDutyScaler]

brian how much stretch is your king frame? it looks really good and i cant decide on what length to go

[roadranger]

Hey Brian, DOT's gonna put you out of service on that rig - if no headboard on the trailer, you gotta have a headache rack on the tractor!

just kidding... outstanding looking rig!