Carson Goldhofer Trailer

[janderson]

So I was looking for a trailer to put behind my Grand Hauler. I had a unpainted Carson Goldhofer collecting rust here at work. I said its low and painted flat black it could go well.

So I figured it would be a good start, it will not have motorized legs but for now it will be a good match.

The one thing I did not care for was the rear ramps being manual, I have seen some motorized with homemade gear but no real detail on how it was done besides a very few images.

So I figured I will give it a shot.

I will be using one of our Tamiya planetary gearboxes and some creativity.

I hope you enjoy and it helps others

[janderson]

So you can see I have the planetary gearbox built

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7642/16761301260_e3005bd3ed_b.jpg

I picked up some all thread and used some old stainless breakline with a nut JBwelded to create my screw drive.

You can also see I have painted the trailer flat black

[janderson]

Mocking up placement, you can also see that there are a few wafers removed. You can adjust the gear ratio but removing or adding wafers.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7650/16922812406_a77fef5062_b.jpg

[janderson]

Created a mounting plate for the gearbox.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8694/16922814406_624ec582d7_b.jpg

[janderson]

Painted ramps
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7588/16328693933_51c5dfd615_b.jpg

Ramps mounted
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7620/16947447962_b017bfb386_b.jpg

I will go into more detail later on the hole design here.

[janderson]

Electronics

12v 4ch wireless switch
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7625/16326372884_e87681c556_b.jpg

7.2v to 12v step up board
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7608/16741405317_c5908ef569_b.jpg

Box for step up board
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8697/16947441122_2d95967c7e_b.jpg

[bigford]

more info needed about the 7.2 to 12 volt step up
i got the carson dropdeck from tam usa love it..

[janderson]

Well I picked it up from amazon, I imagine there are more than just this one. But Amazon gives me free 2day shipping and great returns with prime.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J03PBW0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Its more than just 7.2 to 12v, it is fully adjustable with the small blue onboard pot. The readout shows your voltage both input and output by pressing the micro onboard micro button.

[janderson]

Be warned I have gone through two of those step-ups so far. There are reviews on amazon that they can burn up easily. I am looking into other options as well. Luckily with prime membership I just returned them for refunds.

[1strodeo]

I saw Goldhofer and I was expecting to see a modular trailer,, Anyone ever built one?

[Serviceguyuk]

Great work. I share your annoyance about manual ramps and was wondering how to get over it.

Now I know . . . . .

I would say about your step up module that all electronics are twitchy about over-voltages and equally under-voltages although the former is most likely to fry your unit when you first fire it up. Maybe as it's only for the ramps without any real load consider a continuous servo with micro limit switches rather than your excellent gearbox idea. Might be cheaper too as it's all stock parts for just a few bucks

Just a thought and trying to help . . . . .

BTW how do I get a job like yours ? ? ? ? ? ? :D :D :D

[janderson]

Great work. I share your annoyance about manual ramps and was wondering how to get over it.

Now I know . . . . .

I would say about your step up module that all electronics are twitchy about over-voltages and equally under-voltages although the former is most likely to fry your unit when you first fire it up. Maybe as it's only for the ramps without any real load consider a continuous servo with micro limit switches rather than your excellent gearbox idea. Might be cheaper too as it's all stock parts for just a few bucks

Just a thought and trying to help . . . . .

BTW how do I get a job like yours ? ? ? ? ? ? :D :D :D

Thanks for the post, this project kind of got put on hold for now, but it was working fine. The biggest issue I was running into was the lines that fold the ramps.

The stock ones got worn out so I had to hunt down some new lines that did not stretch. Once I did that I was working out the lengths and adjustments to get the ramp-ends to fold again. I was making some good progress.

As far as the gearbox and electronics, everything was working well for me.

I will update this thread when I resume the project.

As far as getting a job like mine, 1st you would need to be in the USA. :D

[Serviceguyuk]

As far as getting a job like mine, 1st you would need to be in the USA. :D

I lived in the big easy a few years ago but had to come home.

Does that count ? ? ? :lol: :lol: :lol:

Keep up the good work matey

[janderson]

Ok, found some time and needed to get away in the man cave. Here are some updates.

Replaced the voltage step-up unit and this one is working nicely.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8803/17540422364_94f91f4f20_c.jpg

Added a clear coat to wood and a rotating beacon light to ramp bottom.
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7755/17540419684_62109dbeb0_c.jpg

[janderson]

A couple more updates

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8890/18308249020_f08aa36f4c_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8839/18491605122_59c15bf53c_b.jpg

[Wiskybilt]

You really have the trailer looking good, now send us a video with some action😎

[janderson]

You really have the trailer looking good, now send us a video with some action😎

Video will come when I get it buttoned up a bit more. :D

[Mustang46555]

Your trailer is looking really good so far. I've been following this thread with a lot of interest as I just picked up a used Goldhofer and am starting to rebuild it. Mine was in pretty good shape except for the ramps. One of the plastic pieces that bolt to the end of the ramp was broken and all the cylinders were removed. I machined new hinges from aluminum but am struggling with the cylinders. The manual I found lists one as A the other as B. How do you know the difference? I don't want to hijack your thread but any help would really be appreciated as I'm having a heck of a time getting the ramp ends working.

[janderson]

Your trailer is looking really good so far. I've been following this thread with a lot of interest as I just picked up a used Goldhofer and am starting to rebuild it. Mine was in pretty good shape except for the ramps. One of the plastic pieces that bolt to the end of the ramp was broken and all the cylinders were removed. I machined new hinges from aluminum but am struggling with the cylinders. The manual I found lists one as A the other as B. How do you know the difference? I don't want to hijack your thread but any help would really be appreciated as I'm having a heck of a time getting the ramp ends working.

I do not have it infront of me here, but the difference (for lack of a better description)is one pushes and one pulls.

It's all based on the spring location inside shock unit.

A= is the collapsed unit that you have to pull against spring
B= is a sprung unit that you have to push against spring to shorten.

Hope that helps.

[janderson]

Some updated photos. Working on some smaller details at the moment.


https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/359/18905752620_b54fb707b9_z.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/511/18470882224_014385ec82_z.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/288/18907248089_9c6d191b4b_z.jpg

[Mustang46555]

"I do not have it infront of me here, but the difference (for lack of a better description)is one pushes and one pulls.

It's all based on the spring location inside shock unit.

A= is the collapsed unit that you have to pull against spring
B= is a sprung unit that you have to push against spring to shorten."



Perfect! That explanation was exactly what I needed. Thanks
Your trailer is looking awesome. I like the tire rack.

[janderson]

Thanks, While little things dry and get buttoned upon the trailer. I am working on what will be sitting on trailer. LOL

[Backlash]

Nice build...

But I have a silly question...

Instead of using the voltage step-up board, why not use a 3S 11.1V LiPo battery mounted under the Goldhofer instead.. A small, plug in low voltage alarm would take care of any over discharge issues...

You could use the same LiPo battery to run any lights etc as well..

Just a thought...

[janderson]

Nice build...

But I have a silly question...

Instead of using the voltage step-up board, why not use a 3S 11.1V LiPo battery mounted under the Goldhofer instead.. A small, plug in low voltage alarm would take care of any over discharge issues...

You could use the same LiPo battery to run any lights etc as well..

Just a thought...

And while that is a great question, the reason is the motor that runs the ramps would be fried at 11.1v.

You see the motor is supposed to be run at 3v, I am kind of pushing it at 7.2v. :jaw:

So the Step-up is only to really run the wireless controller. There are many ways you could wire something like this and it all depends of course what what your planning on running.

[Backlash]

And while that is a great question, the reason is the motor that runs the ramps would be fried at 11.1v.

You see the motor is supposed to be run at 3v, I am kind of pushing it at 7.2v. :jaw:

So the Step-up is only to really run the wireless controller. There are many ways you could wire something like this and it all depends of course what what your planning on running.

Sorry, My bad... I just assumed that the motor was 12V (as well) and that's why you chose to use a 12V wireless controller..

[janderson]

Sorry, My bad... I just assumed that the motor was 12V (as well) and that's why you chose to use a 12V wireless controller..

I had that around extra from another project years ago. It was easier to recycle. :D