4 Axle Low loader

[apfubar]

Hi,

Firstly you might be aware that I have a tri-axle Carson drop deck... which occasionally is overloaded... with a Liebherr 944 excavator, Cat 966 loader or both(which makes it really interesting).

The RTA(Road & Traffic Authority) over here is a little strict and take a dim view (apparently) of the axle loads! Who would have thought...

So hopefully this thread will outline the build up of a quad axle low loader. It might even extend to a dolly.

So a few weeks ago (back in March) an order was placed... and paid for... a week later it was in Aus... 2 weeks later it cleared customs... last night it arrived...



I think I have some work to do!

Cheers,
AP

[WhiteWolf McBride]

Holey moley...

Alloy rims, and those suspension bits, looks like a nifty kit. I'm just surprised no-one makes a 'stretch' kit for the Goldie. That or a dolly designed for her.

I may havta see what I can do on the dolly front, as stretching the Goldie looks like a serious redesign at the chassis level, and I don't have the tools.

Can't wait to see this go together... where'd you get it? And what was the damage?

WhiteWolf

[apfubar]

To be clear my Carson trailer is the drop deck and not the Goldie... I bought Carson trailer a couple of years before that was released.

As to what I have purchased, it is from a guy in Germany, called Ivans Model workshop(http://www.ivans-modellbauwerkstatt.de/), not cheap.

Unlike the Carson, it does require a lot of finishing work.

Anyways onto some photos:
Axles with springs -

Gooseneck - partly assembled


Rear Frame - suspension mount



Cheers,
AP

[Claus]

Looks like a very nice trailer. How well does it match your Wedico truck in scale?

[apfubar]

All,

Some more progress with the gooseneck 80% complete, and the work started on the widening bed.

It has taken some time to get here, and a lot more effort to complete... I am leaving the carson drop deck in the frame for reference.




Claus,

There is a 1:16 option as well. I like the larger trailer with the smaller truck, especially with a dolly sharing the load.

Cheers,
AP

[dabears]

That's a nice looking trailer so far! keep the pics coming

[Espeefan]

Looking around at Ivan's website, I'd agree. These are some pretty nice trailers! Definitely European, but not so European that they wouldn't look good behind an American truck too. I like that. Looking forward to seeing some more photos, as you build.

[apfubar]

Apologies for the lack of updates, my birthday celebrations are getting in the road... Last weekend was the relatives... This weekend is the friends...

Both require time for prep and recovery....

I did get the axles mounted along with the two servos... I will try take some pics tonight.

BTW anyone considering a kit, just be aware that the majority of the screws aren't supplied... Not a major concern but something to be aware of.

Cheers,
AP

[apfubar]

A photo or three:




I did have to move the spring mounts, so that the axles didn't hit the servos.

Cheers,
AP

[apfubar]

A couple more photos:
Behind the Aeromax


Unloaded Suspension - note the gap. I had to move the suspension mounts for more travel so the axles don't bottom out on the servos or frame.


Loaded Suspension:


Gooseneck with box...


More Euro look with the rear tyres covered etc.


Suspension, axles and servos:


Full lock:


Side on showing how much I have raised the spring mounts:


All loaded up:




On the todo list:
- decide what mods to do to make it "Australian"
- complete the mounting of the ramps and deck
- add something to stop the decks from over widening
- mount the lights(inc beacon) and other items
- Wiring up the lights, neck and the steering servos
- rotate the springs so they are trailing on the slippers rather than leading
- correct the geometry of the wheels(toe-in, and steering angles)
- ideally change the suspension to add in equalizing
- paint.
- add signs and other items.

Then onto the dolly...

Cheers,
AP.

[apfubar]

Hi,

A little bit more done:
The ramps(with wooden bed just sitting in)

The end plates

Ground Level View

The trailer as it currently stands:


Other items:
- The servos are in, but I am not 100% happy with them, they don't have much throw, I will hook up a receiver and battery to see how they fare.
- The gooseneck storage box is on, not sure if I like it... but it can be used to put the additional 944 buckets on.


Thoughts?

Cheers,
Andrew P

[Espeefan]

I am ejoying your build, Andrew. The trailer looks great. The rear axles, with all the steering linkages are nicely assembled. The length is perfect for your Liebherr 944. That's a beautiful model too. Are you planning on keeping the leaf spring suspension on the trailer, or are you going try something else to help equalize it?

[apfubar]

I don't want to go wild trying to equalise it... Just leave the leaf springs in place and add some rockers. I might have to try and find some shorter springs to keep the axle spacing correct, or have very short rockers.

Going for hydraulic or air would be a larger challenge than I am willing to embark upon, I think...

Cheers,
AP

[apfubar]

A little bit more progress:
- Completed the rear section


- Completed securing the Gooseneck section properly

Now which style of lights?

Thoughts? Left or right?

Then onto the electrical... I will try using two Servonaut AMO units, one on the Gooseneck to control the screw drive, and one in the tail for the lights and steering. Hopefully that will work.

Also I modified the dolly, moving the king ping forward and up. It will help with traction.


The deck height is a bit high (the Carson drop deck is in the background for reference). I may drop the suspension and deck back down...



A couple of additional shots:



Anyways interested to hear thoughts etc... especially about those lights.

Cheers,
AP

[Bigrigger]

Looking great! Your craftsmanship is outstanding!

[Stuff]

that amount of height difference is nothing to be worried about!! better then dragging the trailer!!

[Espeefan]

Right side type of trailer tail light for sure! The height looks good to me! A little higher or lower wouldn't bother me one bit. A trailer this long will probably benefit from a little extra ground clearance! You don't want to get hung up on railroad tracks, or little bumps in the road.

[apfubar]

All,

Thanks for the feedback and advice. :-)

I do like the idea of making it equalized across all four, and I have picked up two sets of reefer suspension parts. That will be the next project...

So after a little bit of wiring:
- Lights - (no side markers yet)

- A view of the wiring under the deck:

- The gooseneck (separate receiver to make it easier to control for the moment)


I am having some problems trying to find a good spot to locate the IR receiver for the trailer... I may have to revert to a 2nd AMO and AIR4 in the gooseneck...

It does work and later(possibly today) I will try and shoot some footage, of the loading process, and the trailer in action.

Cheers,
AP

[apfubar]

Hi,

I had the new trailer our last weekend at the Hawkesbury Hobby and Model show... A video of around the main hall:
http://youtu.be/MsZnBxEUCHM

It was heavily used across the weekend, with the only failure being a grub screw working loose in the gooseneck. Over the weekend it carried:
- a 20+ kg tub of rubber
- the 944
- the 966
- folding chairs
- radio equipment, parts boxes etc.

I did have to tighten some of the screws in the axles on Saturday night though.

I had some fun with a reversing challenge or two, makes it interesting with the rear steering, and a dolly. Does the head in a little, but with a bit of patience it all works out. It also turns heads of the people whom decided to challenge me to reverse it into one of the parking bays...

I am using a DX8 with a switch to either mix in the truck steering or not, and then I use the knob on the top to steer the trailer axles. It makes it a little easier to use. Also having the M20+ with cruise control means I can take my hand off the throttle, and adjust the rear as required(I just wish the knob was on the left).

I am working on a 2nd video of the trailer, which should be up later today (the laptop is encoding it now, then I need to upload it).

Cheers,
AP

[flamefighter47]

Your trailer is nice, keep up the pics...