| Author | Message | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: |
I am planning on a BIG trailer behind my bird, I have been wondering if setting up for air brakes might be a good Idea. If I just buy a commercially-built trailer, of course this won't be an option, but I may build the trailser so the sky's the limit. Any Ideas? Don? Gary | ||
| Geoff (Geoff) (66.238.120.35)
Rating: N/A |
How big a trailer are you thinking of? I'm sure you don't want to haul over 10,000 lbs. Under 10,000 lbs. electric brakes (or surge brakes) work fine, the only hitch trailers I have seen with air brakes are the type hauled behind big rigs using pintle hooks. Used trailers are everywhere so building your own from scatch is not worth it, rebuilding one may be a better option. Another thing, installing an electric brake controller on your bus is much easier than installing the relays and controls for an air brake system. I have a 7,000 lb. enclosed car trailer and use a trailer brake controller that works off the air brake system. --Geoff '82 RTS CA | ||
| Peter Broadribb (Madbrit) (216.67.220.125)
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Geoff, Please can you give more details on this air to electric brake controller. Is it better than using a standard brake light connection? Thanks. Peter. | ||
| Geoff (Geoff) (66.238.120.35)
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Sure, Peter-- It is made by Hayes, part #100400B . You plumb it off the air brake lines coming off the foot treadle with a check valve. It works off the applied foot pressure and is adjustable with a hand lever. The ones used in automotive/pickup trucks is a gravity based controller, but a bus is so big it doesn't work as well. Mine works great. --Geoff '82 RTS CA | ||
| Mark R. Obtinario (Cowlitzcoach) (204.245.228.104)
Rating: N/A |
Greyhound in Canada have some of their buses set up to pull trailers--glad hands and everything. I saw a DL3 set up to do so in Seattle last year. GLI in Canada does a whole lot more freight business than they do in the US which is why they need the extra space. I am sure, since they are in revenue service, all of the bugs were worked out before they started to transport passengers with a trailer on behind. Mark O. | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
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I may in fact exceed 10K, and If so, I was already planning a ring and pintle hitch setup. In building my own, of course, I'd find a used trailer to reconfigure. I have seen low profile trailers for hauling tractors and such, that have smaller tires/wheels and air brakes. I was thinking about using one of these as a basis for a covered trailer. What I don't know is the plumbing required for the brakes. Is there a whole seperated system to handle the trailer, or does it just need a supply and a service line from the existing system? thanks, Gary | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
Rating: N/A |
I just had a couple of electronic brake controllers installed on a pickup and a Suburban. The new electronic devices no longer depend on gravity and a swinging pendulum as Geoff is familiar with. The only connection is to the brake lite line. Works great and is fully adjustable as to the amount of braking action and the amount of delay (if any) before the actual application of brakes to the trailer. If you are planning on building your own from scratch, I suggest you contact one of the local mobile home dealers. I contacted a local guy and he offered me three axles with tires for $150.00. Two of the axles had electric brakes, but he indicated I could have all three with electric brakes if I wanted. These vehicles weigh in the 15-20,000 pound area and electric brakes work fine on them. You do not need to go to air brakes. The axles are 120 inches long, so they would have to be cut down. I think that would be easy to do with a sleeve that would slide over the cut sections of the axle and welded in place. The tires are 14 ply and rated at about 2750 pounds, but they are marked for mobile home use only. I really do not know the significance of this. Richard | ||
| john wood (206.252.250.226)
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Don't use mobile home axles! the tires seldom last through one mh delivery. See 'em all the time changing tires on the road. Tires are an odd size and only fit mh axles! Ever notice that mh haulers always have 6 or 10 spare tires on the back of their rigs? There is a good reason. I'm sure that you could find some decent axles to your liking at a big rig gravesite for air brake style of an rv gravesite for the electric variety. | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: N/A |
Thanks John, I was in the Steel fab business for a long time, I know not to use temporary axles. I'll either get a whole trailer, and convert it, buy through a trailer supply house, or just break down and buy a Haulmark (A beauty sent for only $3,600 on Ebay last week), in which case, the Airbrake thing will be a moot point. Gary | ||
| Peter E (Sdibaja) (67.115.10.241)
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my brother has been using MH axles on a equipment trailer for many years, works fine. Heavy loads and lots of miles. The 14.5" tires are a bit hard to find but are heavy duty and last forever... long enough to rot, that is the reason that the MHs have problems with them. His tires are marked "trailer only" or some such | ||
| jim mci-9 (209.240.205.60) Rating: N/A |
i had my chris-craft 37' steel roamer moved on a 4 axle trailer made from a mobile home frame.... 4 axles... no springs... axles welded straight to the frame....boat weighs more than 16000 lbs...no brakes...lol....pulls good... no hitch weight... ask don .. he took pics of my boat.... | ||
| DonTX/KS (63.157.180.37)
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I used to haul mobile homes, and carry a rack full of tires. The rack of tires was primarily because when you drive a couple hundred miles on your own fuel, you want to have tires to put on the one you are about to haul, and do not need to be stranded along side the road if one blows. Also, we got paid a rate for changing tires, so we could often pick up ones from the guy we hauled in, then resell them later to another customer. The tires come in a WIDE range of load ratings and plys, the very light weight ones are not so great, the 12 ply and better are tough. The REAL secret of using them is to put a tube inside! They will last forever that way, a car and tractor hauling trailer I made in 1976 that way is STILL GOING with the same tires on it, been in constant use. | ||
| ralph7 (208.148.72.142) Rating: N/A |
Industral 8x14.5 an7x14.5 $65-75 in PA. If you use air you will have spring brakes. Check your state regs, most 1. over 3,001lbs brake-away req. 2. 7,000lbs 2in ball min. 3. 10,000lbs 2 5/16 ball [mobile home mover,5th wheel ball] 4.over 10,001 different rules an maybe CDL. WATCH that tongue weight on rear better look at how Canadans reinforce. Want to build a small double deck myself. | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: N/A |
I guess they're OK as long as you never have to service them, never need to find tires and need 8' or wider axles. cutting an axle is a real bad idea. Normally the axle tubes are real stiff, so there's too much camber in them, in my case that wouldn't be a problem, unless I was running empty. Actually, I thought MH (Temporary) axles were illegal on a permanent use trailer. I'm not trying to save a few hundred bucks on this one they will carry very valuable cargo. Gary | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
Rating: N/A |
I never knew that MH axles were considered temporary. I was concerned about the low price quoted for the axles with electric brakes, springs and what looked like new 14 ply tires. Guess I know the reason now. Thanks everyone. Richard | ||
| Geoff (Geoff) (66.238.121.152)
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I think Gary should think about how much his finished bus is going to weigh and how much power he has left over to pull a trailer. I pulled my trailer at only 5,000 lbs. when my bus was basically empty (26,000 lbs) and it was still a load on the 350 HP Detroit. Now that my bus gained 6,000 lbs of interior it feels like it did when I towed the trailer before and it was empty. I haven't pulled the trailer lately but I know it is not going to be a speed demon with all the weight (plus a lot more heat for the radiator). My personal feeling is that you should have 450 to 500 HP if you want to pull a 10,000 lb. trailer behind a fully converted bus, forget anything heavier. Oh, the new electronic trailer brake controlers work off gravity also, I don't know the particulars, but I have installed several of them in the past couple of years. --Geoff '82 RTS CA | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
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OK, thanks Geoff. Since the controllers I installed did not have to be level, as the old ones did, I thought they were not gravity operated. Thanks for setting me straight. Also, I totally agree with you on the trailer weigh. I have 450 HP in a 40,000 bus and I tow a Tahoe that weighs 5500-6,000 lbs and it is a load! I definitely would never consider going to more than 10,000 lbs. Richard | ||
| Mike Eades (Mike4905) (206.148.124.8)
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I pull a thirty foot trailer with electric brakes and the only problem I had was have the hitch on the bus redone. I will mention that if you are over 60' long in the state on Illinois you must by law not be coupled with a ball coupler. I will also say that most of the police won,t bother you if you are not trying to speed.Mike | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
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"I think Gary should think about how much his finished bus is going to weigh...." I have of course. My bus will weigh less than it did while in transit service, plus it's geared low. Bluebirds frequently tow heavy trailers. Gary | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
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"Bluebirds frequently tow heavy trailers" But what is heavy? 8,000, 10,000, 12000, 15,000? My heavy equipment trailer is rated at 18,000 pounds, but it is a pintle hook type system. Richard | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: N/A |
I'm guessing in the neighborhood of 12K. the Car is 5K, Tools and equipment and stuff are probably more than that. I'm thinking about having this setup ready to roll full-time, I don't want to run the trailer at full or near-full capacity. I have no problem with ring and pintle, Where I come from it's pretty common to have them on just about everyting. Gary | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
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Sounds like a good plan. At least you realize you are not going to set any speed records and will have to be careful getting into soft dirt in the campgrounds. LOL. Are you planning on a three axle with singles or dual axles with duallies? Richard | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
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Gary, the brakes on the mobile home trailers are electric disc brakes. I would suggest you try and find some of them. Richard | ||
| DonTX/KS (67.210.119.104)
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Wow Richard, I did not know that. In my time they were all drum type. How do they actuate the calipers with electricity? | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
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"Are you planning on a three axle with singles or dual axles with duallies?" I have a lot of experience with light trailers, up to 10 K, but not with the Bigger stuff. I've done repairs and stuff but not built any trailers with airbrakes. In the boatyard where my boat is, we have frequent deliveries, these guys have mid-duty trailers that are air brake, but small wheels, Like pickup-truck size. That's what I was thinking about. these are not like the lowboy trailer axles, lighter than that, but heavier than a normal trailer axle. I think we beat the MH axle issue up above, many have used them, but they have weird wheels/tires, are not meant to be serviced, and somewhere in the back of my moldy brain I think they're not even legal (Not real sure of that, may be only a commercial reg). Gary | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
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I didn't even catch the "Electric Disc" thing. I haven't heard of that either. Gary | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
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I did not actually look at the axle, but the manager at the mobile home office told me they were disc as opposed to drum. I believe the limiting factor is the tires themselves which are not rated for continous duty. I checked at the local tire shop and new tires rated for road use is $65.00 each. These are 14 inch tires. If I decide to go this route, I will cut a section out of the middle of the axle and insert a steel sleeve over the axle stubs that goes from hub to hub. Still just talking. Richard | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: N/A |
Interesting--I'll have to take a look at those. If the wheels are like the old MH wheels, the wheels don't have centers, the hub attaches to the rim itself (I can't for the life of me remember what these are called). Do you know if the Disc wheels were like this? Here are some other Axle types I have been looking at: http://www.tomcatmachineryinc.com/parts-national.html Very low profile, but low capacity as well. Gary | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
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Yes, the wheels on the axles he showed me are the same type wheels you describe. Neither do I know the correct name for them. Richard | ||
| jim mci-9 (209.240.205.60) Rating: N/A |
they are called "erie" wheels....truckers call them "spoke' wheels.... truck that have them actually have a heavier weight rating... per axle that is........ | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
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Hmmm....I never heard of erie, have heard another name, just can't remember. I've heard them called spoke wheels too, but there's another name.... Gary | ||
| Jason Windecker (198.81.26.38)
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Well guys i have always heard of them and referred to them as dayton wheels, maybe thats the term that you guys are looking for? HTH Jason Windecker | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
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Yes, that's it! Gary | ||
| Jeff Miller (205.217.70.42)
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If you're considering a convenional trailer, the Haulmark is available in twin 3,500lb or twin 5,000lb axles which is typical for car haulers. Mine is a 24' box / 27' 7" overall, empty weight is about 3880 for the 7,000lb GVWR version and 4300 for the 10,000lb GVWR version. You can pretty quickly exceed the capacity of a 10k# GVWR trailer with a 5K# car and 4300# trailer, might need to go custom to go over 10K# or build a lighter trailer. Also have to watch the length, most states are 65' overall, some 70'. The Race Hauler has a higher door/ceiling. Be sure you get a beavertail, drop axles are nice, and underfloor storage for spares etc. When you get into the triple-axle 2-deck I believe that air suspension is available. If the DOT gets bored, and sees any company names or stickers on your trailer you might get a ticket as a commercial entity without commercial plates and CDL. If you do get stopped by the trucker cops (rare), you'd better not be overweight. | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
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It is the haulmarks that I've been looking at. Here's one (Someone got a great deal IMO): http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=50063&item=2439441587 Here is another, bigger unit: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=6737&item=2441329773 What I'm thinking about building would actually be a shop, but I don't know wether or not I'm going that way. In any case, with the 12K# load, I was thinking about using airbrakes on the custom built trailer. What do you think about setting up a 31SP with gladhands? Gary | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
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Gary, I do not think you need to go to air brakes. Here is the link to my 9 ton equipment hauler, and it has 12 volt electric brakes. http://www.eagerbeavertrailers.com/pdf/B9%20DOW.pdf Richard | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: N/A |
It's an Eager Beaver, I remember those. I think that's what my buddy's backhoe rides around on. I think the reason that those have electric brakes is because they are meant to be hauled by hydraulic brake tow vehicles. I realize that I may not "Need" Electric brakes, this may just be an Engineering Excercise. On the other hand, why isn't Greyhound using Electric brakes? Gary | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
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Many of the large dump trucks that haul these with dozers or other heavy equimpment on them have air brakes, but many also have hydraulic brakes. By the brakes being electric, they may be used by either type of truck. It just seems easier to find or build an electric brake trailer than an air brake one. A major difference between a Greyhound and a trailer I think. I do not believe electric brakes would be practical on that large a vehicle. Also, with electric brakes, the vehicle must be moving to apply the brakes. There is no braking action if the vehicle is sitting still and you apply the brakes. Richard | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
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"...difference between a Greyhound and a trailer I think..." I am asking in reference to a Greyhound _Trailer_ mentioned earlier in this thread. Not sure if I made that clear. I wouldn't want anyone to think I was suggesting that MCI Busses should come with Electric Brakes. My whole reason for this line of thinking is some trailers that I've seen recently, low profile tires, hauling fairly heavy loads. The Tire/Wheel/Axle package was very well engineered, looked like they'd go a million miles and looked like SERIOUS braking ability. We still haven't gotten to my original curiousity. I guess I'll rephrase my question-- How easy is it to setup a bus to handle trailer airbrakes in a similar fashion to the Canadian Greyhounds mentioned above? Gary | ||
| Tom Connolly (Tomconnolly) (64.58.196.218)
Rating: N/A |
Gary, A 10k to 12K loaded trailer should be built with 2- 7k Dexter or AL-KO Kober Corporation axels with 8 lug ez-lube hubs, This gives you a 14K rating, or a 15,400 pound max trailer and cargo weight as 10% is needed for tongue weight on a trailer built with the axels on a 60/40 center placement. with a 11K combined weight and 10% on the hitch you should track good at 75mph. as the weight on the hitch goes down so does the max speed that you can pull without trailer sway. Tires should be 245 / 75R / 16 E rated. Electric brakes work just fine and I recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy controller. Stay away from mobile home axels they are not good for anything but mobile home delivery. The mobile home tires fly apart at speeds over 55mph because the rubber is so heavy, they are 14.5 inches and not easy to find when you need one, Low Boy tires hold-up much better and are used on most homemade equipment trailers. Disk brakes are hydraulic surge type, Electric drum brakes are cheep to replace and are sold as complete assemblies mounted on the backing plate for a complete easy change out in minutes. A pintal is easier to connect up to than a 2-5/16 ball as neither the tow vehicle or the trailer can be forced into alignment. A 14K spring loaded side wind jack is a must for easy coupling / decoupling, and DOT sealed beam lights all-around! I would go with slipper spring suspension over torsion the ride is better, torsion needs to be loaded at its full rating to ride good, an empty torsion trailer is in the air as much as on the ground. This of course is all my humble opinion, based upon my hauling a 7,800 lb mini-excavator plus 400 lbs of tools on a 3800 lb 4" drop axel skid-steer trailer behind a E250 100+ miles 330 days a year and has nothing to do with your original question. Richard, check the Tekonsha Prodigy controller spec's it not only has holding power and also has an adjustable boost setting! Tom C | ||
| Dale MC8 (66.81.128.174)
Rating: N/A |
"What I'm thinking about building would actually be a shop" Gary, some time ago there was an article in Bus Conversions Mag about a guy that bought himself a refer trailer with liftgate, etc. and built his shop in it. His thinking was that he didn't move often and when he did he would just hire someone to drag it to where he wanted it. when not needed, it went to the storage yard. He didn't bother licensing it, just got a trip ticket from DMV when it was moved. Just something ELSE to think about. Dale | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
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Tom--You're a guy that knows trailers: " Electric brakes work just fine and I recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy controller." I know I can get by with the electrics, If I go that way, I'll check the Teknosna offerings. "Stay away from mobile home axels they are not good for anything but mobile home delivery. " Now where have I heard that before.....? "A pintal is easier to connect..." Yep... "torsion needs to be loaded at its full rating to ride good," I hadn't thought about that, but I can see how that would be the case. Also, I forgot to mention that the airbrake trailer that I was looking at also had airbag suspension. Dale--I'm on the road, away from my home for months at a time. My Hobby (Read: Mental Illness) is musclecars, and I want to be able to do my stuff where I'm at. Also, If I leave my tools at my home, which is unattended for long periods at a time, I'll be robbed. My Dream Trailer/Shop would have wall that fold out and make a larger workable shop area. (Yes, I am drug free) Gary | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
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Tom, thanks very much for the detailed explainations. Sounds like you know what you are talking about, and I will take your word as gospel and forget about using the M/H axles and tires. Thanks again very, very much. Richard PS I will look up the Teknosna web page right now. | ||
| Johnny (65.224.20.110) Rating: N/A |
"Also, I forgot to mention that the airbrake trailer that I was looking at also had airbag suspension." That, to me, is the biggest benefit of this excercise: the superior trailer chassis, compared to the bouncy metal springs. I actually saw a pintle-hitched lowboy in Boston today, I think an Eager Beaver, towed by a 10-wheel dump truck. It was a 2-axle, had air lines attatched to the dumper, & had an enormous front-end loader on it. Tires were 265/70R19.5's on what looked like standard 10-lug steel Budd wheels, which should be available almost anywhere. This had the lowest deck I've ever seen--the top inch or two of the tires was covered by the frame of the trailer. Find a wrecked one & cannabalize the axles & suspension, & I'd bet a competent welder could sling the whole shebang under any kind of trailer frame you want--maybe even set it up to use the same wheels & tires as the coach. | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
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OK, Johnny's got the Idea of what I'm talking about. Also, forgetting to mention the airbag suspension was a big omission, it was what really piqued my interest in this design. I have seen the 19.5's and that is one option, but the ones I'm specifically thinking about are maybe like 16.5 10-plys or something like that. Also, they had mini-Alcoas (Way cool). The Trailer I saw last night, had like a 10-meter sloop on it. As boat transports go, it was a lighter duty trailer. the ring and Pintle lowboys have a lot of overhead (Weight of trailer is almost self defeating) but the even lower-profile ones are about right. Question: What is the Trailer on this page? (Maybe you've seen it): http://www.busnut.com I really like the "Trailer Matches the bus" thing. Gary | ||
| BrianMCI96A3 (69.34.170.202) Rating: N/A |
Gary, I think the wisest course of action would be for you to talk to a Bendix brake rep. If you explain what you are trying to do, I'd be willing to bet, that he'd tell you every last valve, tank and slack adjuster that you'd need to make it all work, and be happy to sell it to you too! Brian | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
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Yeah, I bet! This is a fully funded project, but it's not a gub'ment job.... I need to have my digital cam on me next time I see one of these trailers. Gary | ||
| bluegrass (64.215.196.187) Rating: N/A |
Gary Why dont you do that, you have used more space on this board than anyone that I know of, you would think that this Is your personal chat line, why dont you get off the Trailer thing and get on something else for a change and quit your b. s.ing | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
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Bluegrass, why don't you back off, please. Things like this is what keeps this board alive. Itf there are no posts, then nobody comes back and then the board dies. A good example is Jerry Russell's board. An excellent layout, but nobody visits it. Another example is the Eagles board which the moderator controls so close that it goes for days without a post. Even a little controversy helps to spice it up once in a while, right I@N? LOL I personally learned something and that was not to use M/H axles and tires for the trailer I am rebuilding and really appreciate everybody taking the time to post their views. Richard | ||
| Tom Connolly (Tomconnolly) (64.58.196.218)
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Gary, I'm wondering if you have considered the trade-offs? Basically you have 2 options that affect the usability of the trailer you are contemplating that I haven't seen addressed. Are you thinking of building a trailer with the deck between the wheels or over the wheels? There is a significant difference in the floor height and center of gravity between the two designs. Between the wheels you can get as low as 15" loading height on drop axels, but probably won't have room to squeeze in the air ride or air brakes. Over the wheels your probably going to be around 36" floor height, but get a full width floor. Over the wheels you have room for air bellows and brake cans, also I think that the air brakes may be better suited for use on dual wheel configured axels, which of course will fit under the floor. Can you live with the steeper ramp to a 3 foot deck? Less head room? And a higher center of gravity? Or does the lower floor and more head room have more value? Maybe you could get 5 inches lower with low profile tires, I think 30 inches is still a climb for you to work out of and to load. What Say You? Tom C | ||
| jim mci-9 (209.240.205.60) Rating: N/A |
i have also wanted a "tool trailer"... something to put all my tools in... welders.. drill press...tool boxes...saws. planer... lots of stuff.. i bought a 26" holiday rambler travel trailer... (matches my motorhome.... i'm pulling the floor out... going to use wolmanized lumber for it....and planning on installing an overhead type door in the back....maybe 1 i've cut down.... at least it'll look decent... and the axles are trailer axles... i've had several trailers with MH axles...i didnt particulary like them,....but they are cheap...legal here in texas....and serve the purpose.... most of the time. my tires dry-rot way before thet wear out.... just something to consider.... and... gary..keep on postin.... | ||
| jim mci-9 (209.240.205.60) Rating: N/A |
've also been thinking about finding another bus shell.... and using just the body for a trailer.... make it a 5th wheel... gooseneck... bumper hitch... whatever.....cut it down to just the right lenght to be legal...you'd have underbody storage...put whatever axles underneath as you want.....i't be cute.....paint it just like your coach...... | ||
| Sam Sperbeck (206.230.105.230) Rating: N/A |
Hi Jim mci-9, With your bus body trailer you can even have room in the back for an auxiliary engine to push all that weight around. LOL Thanks, Sam Sperbeck La Crescent, MN | ||
| jim mci-9 (209.240.205.60) Rating: N/A |
cute.....lol... i needed a laugh....realy, tho if you think of it, take half of an mci body...make the front sheet metal and glass look good... only light framing...and make the rear look good... put it on a couple of i-beams for frame rails... put a set of axles in where 1 of the bays were....its an idea??? | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
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Mr. Bluegrass, Please allow me to explain how this works. 1) One of us posts something. 2) Others reply 3) The reply usually causes more questions or clarifications to be posted, so we basically start over at 1) If others are not interested, #2 never occurs and the process halts. In this case, there are about 16 others participating in this dialog, and I don't think anyone is standing over them with a gun, forcing them to post. This is not my list, neither is it yours. I'm sorry if we have failed to entertain you, but if you look over on the right-hand side of your keyboard there is a "Delete" key. I encourage you to explore the wonders of this magical device. Gary | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
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Hey Tom-- I was thinking deck between the wheels, but that depends on final design, I have considered both. the air on the trailer I saw aw amazingly low-profile, I hope I see another one soon, I have the digital camera in my pocket. As far as less headroom, I have ground to roof height of 9' (Air Dumped) on my bus, so even if the floor height was 3' (Same as by bus), I'd still have 6' interior height. It wouldn't be an issue if I install a four-post lift, as the roof would have to elevate with the platform. LOL. Gary | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: N/A |
Jim, If I get a "Tool Trailer" I might just buy a haulmark and get it over with (Likely). I actually know where there are two busses that are twins to mine (I guess they'd be triplets then?), but I still have nightmares of the tearout process of my shell (Shudder). I think I would rather just make some plywood bucks that I can bend 1.5" box-tube around for ribs, and re-skin it. I think your converted trailer thing is a great Idea, have thought of doing the same, but I need to carry a 5,000 lb car too ('71 Sport Fury). Gary | ||
| Johnny (67.242.221.202) Rating: N/A |
"I have seen the 19.5's and that is one option, but the ones I'm specifically thinking about are maybe like 16.5 10-plys or something like that. Also, they had mini-Alcoas (Way cool)." I just did the math: a 225/70R19.5G is about an inch taller than a 235/85R16E. 225/70R19.5's, in a duallie configuration, are good for over 12,000lbs/axle. Singles should be good for 6000+/axle. | ||
| Johnny (67.242.221.202) Rating: N/A |
Were I to do this, I'd probably want to start with an air-braked, air-suspension flatdeck, with 19.5" Budds & a pintle. Swapping to the 225/70R19.5 tires would drop the deck a good 2 inches (still with plenty of weight capacity). Considering the use these trailers see (like heavy equipment hauling), it will probably outlast your grandchildren used as a mobile shop or car hauler. |
