Tractor-flat bed trailer MOC

[DarkShadow73]

I was thinking about taking a 9397 and removing the crane and log sides and putting on a fifth wheel and building a trailer to make a realistic looking semi tractor-trailer. Only things that are stumping me is how to install a kingpin on the trailer bed (plan on using black flat panels from parted out 8041 Race Truck sets, probably 2 sets on either side about 3 or 4 long(similar to the 8063's trailer, just without the sides) and a middle three wide setup of beams for attaching the setup for 2 sets of dualies on each side at very back of trailer, how to install landing gear underneath when trailer is unhooked and how to set up the dualies on the rear, then a rear bumper(no-brainer there, just a 15L beam with brake/running lamps, all red like all N. American tractor/trailers. That would make the trailer 15 studs wide. There isn't much room on the back of the 9397 for a full 5th wheel like on the 8436, 8041 Race Truck and the 'why is it there' one on the back deck of the 8258, all I would need is something for either a 3/4 dk grey pin to fall into, or at worst a 3L axle with stud, or 4L newer style with stop, but I kind of wanted realism, so the 3/4 pin would be my choice as I could just guide the 9397 back until the fifth wheel hit the pin and it hitched to the fifth wheel. Also, I wanted to make it so the 9397 fifth wheel and the trailer were exactly level with each other like flatbed trailers usually are.

Any and all ideas appreciated.

[DLuders]

I would look at Han's various Lego Technic trailers for ideas. He's got some wonderful designs. The 9397 Logging Truck has an open frame, so you could probably innovate:

[DarkShadow73]

I would look at Han's various Lego Technic trailers for ideas. He's got some wonderful designs. The 9397 Logging Truck has an open frame, so you could probably innovate:

Thanks DLuders - I will check it out. I figured with the openness in the frame that the 5th wheel would fit in fine, even if I had to make a stud or two narrower than other models fifth wheels, that were basically for looks, not usefulness. Its just the trailer part I'm stuck on, the deck I have figured out to the tee, just the underpinnings for the wheelbase, kingpin and landing gear I am bit confused on how to implement so it all comes together. Saberwing gave me an idea on the landing gear in a PM using mini LA's which sounds good, and I might use that, only problem is the gearing for the LA's would come up above the deck, where I was hoping to have completely flat like real-life flatbeds. I'll check out Hans's collection.

[Alasdair Ryan]

Here is a idea I had.

[DarkShadow73]

Here is a idea I had.

Alright, I looked at the pic good, but can't exactly tell what parts are in the middle, do you happen to have instructions on how to build this assembly?

Never mind, I didn't think of clicking on the pic itself, I got the full pic, thanks...

Thanks Alasdair - I can't make out the pic of the landing gear clearly and my computer can't open the attached file...it looks like exactly what I want. I have trailer almost completed, it is impressive, I created a unique wheelbase for the double set of dualies on the rear, nothing like anybody would have guessed but it works perfectly, each dualie has independent suspension, not spring loaded, just independently they will rise just enough that they don't hit decking. Decking, underside reinforcing are done, and side marker lights and rear bumper with USDOT type brake and driving lights as is the kingpin assembly (hope it lines up with the 9397's rear end, haven't built the 5th wheel yet mainly because I don't have the 9397 built yet, just might have to raise it up as I look at the 9397 pics, they look a bit on the low side, but the I have the rear dualies on the trailer right within about a bushing length to the deck above so it should line up I would guess, I'm using the same size tires and rims as the 9397 utilizes, but the 5th wheel will be easy when I look at the frame of the rear of the 9397 with log holders and underpinnings removed, maybe I'll keep the crane on it, seems to be pretty compact right behind the cab, only 1 question, does the crane fold up somewhat? I'm sort of guessing no since it is a claw assembly and not really a crane, if so, might remove that as well, got a few other 9397's for the real main and b models. Also plan on removing the bottom bar of the bumper on the front to install some driving lights, put more heavy duty lighting on the either side of the cab topmost sides and put some lights on the back of the cab to face backwards to aim at the load to make sure it is safe with straps (plan on using some light duty zip strips to tie down loads or the 16L dk grey chains for smaller items on the deck, got enough holes on the decking to use the chains. If you ever watch Ice Road Truckers it will be identical to their lighting setup. I hope to add a couple of LED light kits to power some of the lights on the tractor, and might install another battery box with more light kits to attach to the rear lights. If you can blow up or make your landing gear pic into a jpg or something to that effect I might use it, looks more realistic than the mini LA setup that Saberwing suggested. That might be a lot as I would have to do a lot of gearing and figure out how to anchor it to the bottom of the deck.

Can't wait to show my first real MOC to the forum, should be done by the weekend or early next week if time allows, it along with the 9397 will be large and impressive. I'm real happy with my work so far, frustrating with the wheelbase attachment, but worth it in the end.

Edited August 1, 2012 by TechnicFreak

[Alasdair Ryan]

This part?

The file I have attached is a LDD file,if you open it with Lego digital designer you can get make instructions on how to build it.

It was really easy to build this,even Timr could of made this.......

Edited August 1, 2012 by Alasdair Ryan

[DarkShadow73]

This part?

The file I have attached is a LDD file,if you open it with Lego digital designer you can get make instructions on how to build it.

It was really easy to build this,even Timr could of made this.......

Update: Got the LDD downloaded from the internet, was able to open the file and explode the assembly, thanks much for your reply.

Alasdair-

I thought it looked like a gear rack of some sort that the 12-tooth gear was meshing to...what is Lego digital designer? How would I get this program, there is a lot more to this assembly that even turning and rotating and zooming with the installed programs on my computer doesn't work, a lot of parts are hidden. If you could direct me to that program and how I would go about grabbing the image or whatever you have to, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Eric

Edited August 2, 2012 by TechnicFreak

[DarkShadow73]

I am attaching a reply to one of my topics below about adding a landing gear to my MOC trailer that will be finished once I have LG in place. No offense to Alasdair, don't mean to copy and paste his reply and image. He indicated to use Lego digital designer to get or make instructions for this, but I'm not sure where to grab them and I'm itching to get this project done. It looks simple enough to build, I just don't know all the parts involved and how everything pins together as all I Can see is a 360 degree image, I can rotate and zoom on it, but need to see all the parts I would need and basically how it all pins together. Again Alasdair, don't mean to one-up you, please don't take that it that way at all, I just like this design, its much better than the simple, I don't think would work anyway, mechanism I had planned to use...if anybody has instructions I could readily download, or whatever, I'd much appreciate it. Thanks. The pic and link won't copy and paste, so here is the URL,or you can scroll up to Alasdair's reply, not the gear rack pic, but the whole image of the assembly.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x248/Terexdemag/LDDScreenShot61.png

This is a pic from somebody with the handle Terexdemag, not sure if he is a member of this forum or not, but his design is excellent and I'd like to use it. They can be emailed to me as well. E-mail: ehulliberger@live.com

Thanks, Eric

Posted 27 July 2012 - 09:25 AM

Here is a idea I had.

trailer legs.lxf (16.91K)

Number of downloads: 13

[Alasdair Ryan]

Don't panic Alasdair is here..........

Download Pdf Instructions

This is a pic from somebody with the title of Terexdemag, not sure if he is a member of this forum or not, but his design is excellent and I'd like to use it.

I have just looked at his photo album,and wow some of his moc's are just brilliant!

Edited August 2, 2012 by Alasdair Ryan

[DarkShadow73]

Don't panic Alasdair is here..........

Download Pdf Instructions

I have just looked at his photo album,and wow some of his moc's are just brilliant!

Thanks Alasdair, got it, and printed in a lighter color so I could make out the pieces, when I tried last night to print them in black, well they were so dark I couldn't even read them, I did changed the color to light pink (don't laugh buddy)and it showed up much better...late last night I located all the pieces required and will build tonight and hopefully the triangles will be able to be pinned to the underside of the trailer deck w/ no issues. Yeah his creations are unbelievable, might download some of them to see if they have instructions attached, I particularly liked the yellow tractor with forks and an upper grabber...Thanks again Alasdair...

[TimH]

Terexdemag MOC's sure look like your your MOC's (Alasdair R) posted on here a few weeks go?

[DarkShadow73]

Built the trailer legs assembly and also one of mini LA's, unfortunately both won't work. I thought my only problem with the assembly would be to pin it with the 2 open holes on the triangle on the outer sides would be to the underside of the decking(with the panels). Except those panel undersides have holes that for pins or axles but I cannot attach anything, the holes are partially up into the panel itself on the underside, making it impossible to attach anything. Same problem with the mini LA setup I tried, should have known it wasn't going to work, the large flatter gears that mesh with the smaller single bevel 12-tooth gears are too high off the top of the assembly to work and same problem with attachment, also there is that issue with the 3L wide span of beams going in between panels to reinforce them, they are level with the panels underneath, and still the holes being partially obstructed on the underside of the panels. I don't know how to do a landing gear and I got the trailer perfect otherwise, super frustrating, I tried forcing the pins through the obstructed holes, but only succeeded in whatever I attached to the pins to come partially out, the mini LA's were a nightmare, they kept twisting one way or the other. Guess I'm SOL on landing gear except for sliding some blocks under it, which is way unrealistic when the trailer itself is ultra-realistic...all I think of is all the work in creating a great wheelbase for the dualies and independent suspension, sucks...

[Alasdair Ryan]

Could you show a picture and some rough size's (studs)?

Mayby it might be a good tip to start with the legs first and then the rest of the trailer.

Edited August 4, 2012 by Alasdair Ryan

[DarkShadow73]

Could you show a picture and some rough size's (studs)?

Mayby it might be a good tip to start with the legs first and then the rest of the trailer.

[/quote}

Alasdair - yeah, that probably would have been a better idea. I don't have the USB cord for my cell phone, though I took 7 pics of it with the phone, very good jpg quality and I could go buy one, all it needs is a cord with a smaller USB on the phone and a larger input for my PC, both are rather new, and I might just do that. When I wrap myself up in an MOC, which is rare, I don't finish it until its done, I was pissed so I went out and forced a 9L grey axle through the partially obstructed studs on the bottom of the panels, then through the 3L wide lengthwise bracing, and forced on a 9L beam straight downwards with a full bush on either side of the 9L axle, then used the same 'feet' that the trailer legs had on them, so although it doesn't rise up and down, I can fold it back when the trailer is attached to the logging truck I am going to modify with taking out the crane arm and the log holder sides and put in a fifth wheel. The landing gear assembly does work, you have to occasionally straighten it, but I put another 9L axle at the 3rd hole up on the assembly to give it more stability and used the turning pieces used on the assembly you attached of terexdemag's one. It hold the trailer up fine while detached, so I'm ok with it, I just will fold it backwards when its attached to the 9397's fifth wheel. THe 9L axle I mentioned is slightly bending because of the obstructed holes on the bottom of the panels, but it has stayed on and I have folded it up numerous times. Occasionally I have to 'force' the bushes back against the 9L beam going down, but so far ok.

Again, thanks for all your ideas...

Eric

Edited August 6, 2012 by TechnicFreak