Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Having a steel flat bed may allow you to weld fixtures to it for such things, then cut them off, bring the weld, and repaint.

But maybe installing some 2 inch trailer hitch type receivers strategically located would allow for different fixtures to be used without the need to cut them off, grind, and repaint...

I have my trailer hitch set up so that the usual receiver gets the tow ball, but either side of the hitch frame can also attach tow balls, for storage of different size/type.

-Izzy

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Making a little progress on the frame. I have the 2 main arks bent and now working on adding the studs. I cant seem to find the windows or doors I'm happy with, may make my own. I will be cutting the bottom 2 inches off the frame as is mounted to the main floor frame.
Rob
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...t/DSC00195.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...t/DSC00196.jpg

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Loadmaster

What you are doing is such a treat, I looks great, I'll be following along smiling the hole way..

Keep on keepin on

NC

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

More progress on the Blue Turtle.
Rob
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...t/DSC00199.jpg

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Nice. Is the short arc the top of the door?

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

LOL "blue turtle" is looking great.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Better than Mud Turtle, lol. Love the ingenuity as always! Great work!

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Yes, the ark is for the door. Picked up some more steel today so I can continue. It looks like a lot of supports but keep in mind you are looking at 2 walls.
Rob

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Do you have an idea on how much it will weigh?

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Weight? nope no idea. If I had to guess maybe 900-1300 pounds. I'm really more concerned about the aerodynamic effect going down the highway. A lot of unknowns in this project. I've had a few heavy loads on the truck, 1000-1500#, and dragged a few trailers with no issues but never something with this large of a wind foot print. Then again, I never built a COE until this one either.

I aint no afraid....hey y'all, watch this. LOL, famous last words.

I got this idea: because the top is shaped somewhat like an airplane wing and should provide lift, when I hit about 80MPH the rear of the truck should lift the tires off the ground thereby reducing friction between the road and tire which should in-turn increase gas mileage by maybe 50 %. Now if I could just find one of those turbo things for the intake pipe I should be looking in the range of 83 to 85 MPG....Right?
Might be time to get to work.

Rob

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

80mph will be fine..........it's 88mph that you have to watch out for!

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Your thinking sounds right to me;)

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Measure, cut, weld....repeat.
Rob
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...t/DSC00205.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...t/DSC00206.jpg

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

you are pretty handy with that roller. great artistry

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Yes. cool stuff!


Brian

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

That is going to look great .

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

puts me in mind of graceland, if you quit now you could use them as arty driveway gates! :P

looking good!

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Arcs and circles. That framework is impressive!

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Thank you all, I really wanted to follow an old style theme on this thing. Round window are one of those things you just can't seem to find these days. The new T@G have them but only in the door, everything else is all plastic. I still need to figure out the tilt open system and screens but I have some ideas. Using the roller isn't so bad, you just have to learn to creep up on your desired radius.
Rob

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

A little more progress. I wanted to weld the walls on while the base was on the truck just in case the flat bed has any twist in it. I will also do the floor and wall sheeting this same way. Now getting it back off the truck at this point is gonna be a pain. Anybody got any used truck camper jacks they wanna sell? I need some with a 30 inch range.
Rob
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...t/DSC00208.jpg

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

That is going to look so Kool.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

that thing is going to be crazy!

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Proportions look right on! I'm digging it!

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Love It !!

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

That is absolutely awesome! I'm curious how you're going to match/compliment the patina of the truck.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

All I can say is :metal:

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Sweeeeeet :clap:

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

So the main frame is complete and I've started on the floor.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...t/DSC00212.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...t/DSC00210.jpg

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

That looks great ,I want the weiner guard dog.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

great progess. how much tubing did you use? 200ft+ would be mine guess

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

A bunch. Around 280 for the walls and the cross tubes for the roof and around 80 for the floor. Like most things I build, I'm starting to think I'm over building this thing. Weight is starting to add up quickly, I'm guessing around 400# at this point. If I can keep the whole package below 1500# I'll be happy. I'm sure the rear bags are gonna get a work out.
Rob

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

More progress, over 200 screws, 3 drill bits, 2 tubes of glue, another 12 feet of tubing and one side is on. Question: small window at the front or not? It's just sprayed boomed on for now.
Rob
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...t/DSC00214.jpghttp://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...t/DSC00215.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...t/DSC00216.jpg

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

47, doesn't look bad, big question is do you need it for additional light, or cosmetic...Jim

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Front window does help visually break up that space. A little larger in size would look more balanced. And, if the window isn't needed for extra light, perhaps an exterior design element could be used to break up the space.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Actually, a little of both Jim. I'm sure it will offer a little more light but I will also have one in the door on the other side for obvious reasons and I was thinking having 2 on both sides would be a good match. Looking back, I kinda wish I would have moved the larger window forward a few feet. Not something I will change at this point for sure. For size 99, that's a tough one, I would like a larger window but I'm not wiling to drop that amount of coin.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

I would go with the 2 windows. I added one near the front of my trailer and we like it so much more.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

This is a great project and your doing a great work

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Thanks all, So after some skichy lifting to get on the bed we finally get a view of how it's turning out. Today a will work on a more stable system to load and unload the camper overall I am very pleased.
Rob http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...t/DSC00228.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...t/DSC00226.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...t/DSC00222.jpg

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Looking great. Whats the overall height?

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Looks cool.