Hobbs Reefer From a Tamiya Semi Trailer

[James007]

Are you going to fit a mfu in the cab, I’m a long way off yet but I have all the parts, just need to figure out how to cut the cab up and shorten it.

[bigdogrod]

i think i'm going beier instead. i trying one of their units now on another project. **** that sucks on the rc4wd front. keep an eye on ebay, bound to pop up from a chinese knock off.

i think i got the sleeper shortened pretty good.. still need to fill the roof a bit

[James007]

Looks amazing, I love the rounded corners on sleeper looks perfect, I will post my progress as I go thanks again

[Papy]

Originally Posted by James007

Where did you buy the Dayton’s from ? ...

3D printed wheels are available here : Shapeways/SmallScaleModelCollection/Wheels

[James007]

My trailer arrived today, can’t believe how heavy it is, been looking at how to move wheels back, looks pretty simple, but my question is did you lengthen the two shocks at the back of the trailer and what did you use if so ?

[mototodo]

Originally Posted by James007

Hi this is amazing, and I’m trying to recreate this truck also, I’d be greatful in some help if possible?

1/ on the cab how did you do the bumper as I think the real truck had round lights, also where did you get lenses from?.

2/ where did you or how did you make the Centre caps for trailer?

3/where did you get lenses for bumper on reefer?

Thanks James

1/ The front bumper is the stock Tamiya King Hauler bumper. The headlights are from Garden Trucking The rear bumper is scratch-made from aluminum with lenses cut out of acrylic.

2/ The Dayton look is created with styrene. I glued chopped rectangular pieces onto a styrene disk. The center is large enough to fit a nut driver onto the hub nut.

3/ Also from Garden Trucking https://www.gardentrucking.com/

[toniolillo]

Nice work

[toniolillo]

Well job, i like the rims

[mototodo]

This project was stalled for several years but here I am, back at it. I added nuts and weathered the Dayton wheel inserts and rims.

[Zabco]

Welcome back. Always good to see someone else's builds even if it has been several years. Will keep an eye open for your posts.

[mototodo]

Added light buckets and the Tamiya trailer LEDs to the tail lights. Also added a plug plate to the truck chassis for connecting the trailer lights.

[mototodo]

Paint, pinstriping, reefer, and LEDs. I installed an adjustable buck converter to drop the voltage to 5V. The buck converter is in stalled in the reefer for easy access to make voltage adjustments. Also added an auxiliary radio relay switch in the cab with a power lead directly from the battery.

[mototodo]

These are the mural decals from two different sources. This was a big part of the reason for the long delay in finishing the project. I was not happy with the original decals that I purchased (top). I was experimenting with color washing the decal to get better color from it, but I just didn't like them. Then recently, I found better decals from Alex in the Czech Republic (bottom). These are much more authentic, or at least give a more authentic look.

[mototodo]

I had been contemplating whether the finished sides would look like the original. A flat mural just wouldn't look right and I didn't think the vinyl would be thin enough to let the texture of the aluminum show through. After applying the decals to the sides, I used a blow dryer to soften the vinyl and rubbed with a tennis ball and then a Q-tip to conform the vinyl to the corrugated aluminum. It worked better than I had hoped. I didn't really like the glossy finish so I sprayed them with clear matte. I had let the vinyl get a little too hot in a few spots and the matte finish helped make those spots less visible. This photo is before the matte coat.

[mototodo]

The finished trailer hooked up and ready to get to Texarkana for some Coors beer.

[mototodo]

Night shots

[mototodo]

Snowman and Bandit - together again. Like Fred and Ginger, and Lester and Earl.

[Zabco]

The finished trailer looks really nice. You did a great job on it. Very nice looking rig overall. I'd skip the Coors though.

[Blender]

Mural turned out great. The effort to get it to really conform was a good call.

Variable voltage regulator is a really good idea within the LED circuit.

[frizzen]

That's a really sharp rig. I'm glad to see this one going again

You should be able to go run Coors anywhere in the country with that thing