Half way there B-Double my first trailer build

[STI-REX]

Well 5 weeks ago I inherited a 56318 Scania R470 4x2 metallic edition in a trade for a Quadcopter

So I decided to go the whole hog and build a B-Double for it

so from this lot








To this lot
First up R470 prime mover soon to be 6x4 flat top and full trailer
shown here hooked up to the the "B" trailer



And now the almost finished "A" trailer







More to come as I get time I currently have a brand new Scania R620 kit with MFC and a new 2.4 ghz radio sitting on the bench to be assembled this weekend (Mr's is out of town so lots of peace )

And I just got a 2 axle dolly and assembled a flatdeck trailer to make it a sort of 4 axle full trailer

And I have ordered some gear to convert the R470 into a lwb 6x4 flat deck truck to pull the full trailer

I have been into R/C and Tamiya models since I was 5or 6 (now 46)
But this is my first ever semi trailer build so still plenty to learn

I am also an ex Driver having driven for BP and Mainfreight whilst living in NZ operating Tankers, Sideloaders (container swinglift ) along with curtainside B-Doubles and truck and trailer 8x4 with 4 axle trailer for over 20 years

Now off the road due to disability from falling from truck I stuffed my right shoulder and elbow 2 surgeries and many more to come

[bigford]

great start to a cool build.. one question why do you guys use this set up
instead of converter dollies. seems like you lose half of your trailer for each unit
most multi trailers here in the u.s. are doubles or triple pups

[STI-REX]

This type of setup is small for Aus at 25 mtrs total length 1:1

But it needs to be taken into very tight spaces to load and unload and will be backed into and out of customers premises 10 or more times a day on metro work

also negotiating some of our roads 2 x long semi's on converter dollies would not make the turn in the metro areas

In the Outback (desert or mud hole seasonally dependant) they use some converter dollies on the Roadtrains but they do not generally come into big cities

Coupling over axle sways less than coupling after axle and is more stable under emergency braking (less jackknife prone )

[datsbig]

It's a sheepish load you've got on the B trailer ;-)
Great looking build on that A trailer. I'd almost pick it as perfect for my king colour scheme.

[STI-REX]

I got my rails From some one in Caloundra on the sunny coast

[datsbig]

Were the rails pre-cut and drilled for a lead trailer?

[STI-REX]

They are cut and mostly drilled
The main difference being is that the B trailer is 870mm long so is a bit longer than a flatdeck semi

the deck on the A trailer is 440mm

to make a 3rd axle you would need to cut a set of springs almost in half (dremel with safety glasses)

[aussietruckerguy]

Looking great :-)