Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Started on the roof skin today. Man am I going through some drill bits. by the time I'm done I will have used in the 600+ range of 3/16 rivets, yeah I bought a air powered rivet gun. Really with I would have had one of these when I built the FFR Cobra a few years ago. That thing had over 2000 in it.
Rob
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...t/DSC00305.jpg
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Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Its looking great .

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Very nice work

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

ok, so is the next project to make the garage door taller ?

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Yeah, I know it doesn't look like it will fit, but it does . In the pictures it's sitting on 3" tubing. I roll it in/out on the PVC tubes sitting below. It worked for building the pyramids so I guess it will work for me. Most people don't realize they had PVC back then. LOL. What I really need is a taller shop.
Rob

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Be careful with that PVC Pipe ,Im sure you saw what it did to Atlanta traffic .What a bunch of dummys our DOT was for storing combustible materials in a homeless camp.Sorry ,I could not resist ,keep the pics coming .

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Wow, what a beautiful job, was wood last time I looked, nice work, keep at it.
Mudman.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

That is looking great! I bet you are going to use some rivets in that beast! :lol:

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

good old King Tupp....erware.


looks great as per yoosh

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

I just read the entire post. Great job and fun to learn all your tricks. I will keep looking for updates.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

OK, so I've been on a mad push lately. I got the top skin on, one window in, one bed frame in. one light in, a new compressor mount for the air compressor, a rear facing camera and two new rear tires mounted. Keep in mind I'm driving this beast around 4000 miles in 7 days. So this means again I will head West with very little testing. I aint no afraid. There is a lot more to be completed but I needed it road ready so other things will have to wait.
Rob
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...t/DSC00310.jpg
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Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

It's coming along nicely!

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

looking greeeeat! I think it looked smaller in wood?

dear lord imagine the standing wave in that behemoth going down the highway, it would sound like those turtle guys in The Dark Crystal uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu


did you go to a higher load range on the tires?

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Yes E rated 10 ply

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Looks nice, will be Cool when done.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Good idea!!!

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

very cool - how's the inside?

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

That looks great! Are you going to add seam sealer to the top edges? It does look bigger on the truck than on the ground for sure. :lol:

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

All the edges have silicon and exterior glue right below the rivets. The rivets are self sealing rivets from the trailer industry. All the seams also have overlap so I hope this will be enough. All the rivets also go into steel tubing so hopefully that will be enough. Time will tell. For the inside barren to say the least. But hey, I've got maybe 24 hours of shop time available before I drive this beast 4 thousand miles and camp out of it for 10 days so what could I really need? Ahhh the life of a hot rodder, gotta love it.
Rob
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...t/DSC00265.jpg

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

So will your rear camera be functional while driving, or only in reverse, reason I'm asking is looks like it may be difficult to see behind with the side mirrors only while driving city or highway for lane changes or whatever. She is a big unit.
Mudman.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

You have done an amazing job so far!!!! Hey in the last pic of the inside how did you fit all that stuff in a cubby hole with it flat outside? ;)

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Grease, lots of grease.
Rob

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Again, great fabrication and it looks awesome!

Regarding the sealing - with my trailers and campers, I think most of my sealing issues came from the flimsy frame and the camper moving, twisting and shaking while driving, especially over bumps and bad roads. The roof seams on my previous 20' trailer kept loosening up and the roof vents would start to leak so I was always up there with caulk and elastomeric coating. I would think that with your really solid base of the truck bed you will be in much better shape, you just have to keep the upper part from wagging around too much.

I see a couple of diagonals - of course more of those will help and I would think even some triangular gussets where the roof and wall tubes join would add a ton of stiffness for that edge joint. Of course, built-ins could also brace it up very well. Good thing you have that nifty lifting system to get it on and off the truck!

Have a great trip!

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Thanks Scott, I will actually be in you neighborhood next week. My brother lives in Black Forest, Sisters in Arvada and Aurora, so keep an eye out and you may see us cruising down the back roads. Getting a few other thing wrapped up. Put A/C in,(a late change in plans) the second bed stand is in, front shelf is in, some more lights are in and the steps are ready. Ill pop up some pictures later.
Rob

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Rob,

Holy crap - you work way faster than I do!

So - any way you go (Hwy 83 or I25) you'll be within a couple of miles of me! If you have any time stop by and say hi. My '51 is scattered all over the garage but I'm sure seeing your rig will give me even more inspiration to get it running and it would be great to meet you and see your truck!

We can even reminisce about China - while I didn't live there like you I felt like I did at times. I was there 2-3 weeks about 6 times/year for 4 years and I've logged >1.3 million miles managing suppliers and partners all over Asia and much of the world. I'm very happy to be mostly staying home now.

And seriously, if you need anything while you're out here do not hesitate to call. I'll shoot you my number in a PM. The shop is open if needed and yes - beer counts as a need! :welcoem:

Again, have a safe trip.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

What are your plans for a generator and water?

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

A gallon or two in a jug for water. Not planning on a generator at this time, all the lights in the camper are LED so they don't use up a lot of power, I also have a 12V power supply and 110V for use when I camping where there is hook ups. A generator would be nice for the AC but I can live without it for the time being. Think of it as a really sturdy tent, a really expensive and labor intensive tent. It's an upgrade!
Rob
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI1340.jpg

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

I'm sure you'll appreciate it a lot better than your tent! :lol:

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Well it shouldn't leak like a tent.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

are you gonna patina the aluminum when you get the time? looks great.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

On the road. For the first part of this journey I have my sister with me as my co-pilot. Her and my wife pitched in and built cushions for the beds in the camper. Somewhere on US-45 we ran across a shoe tree. No idea what this is about but there are 100s if not a thousand pairs of shoes hanging all over this tree. I had to donate a pair while she felt the needed to check out some new shoes for size. The last 2 shots show where the air ride comes in handy to level the camper for the night. and the other necessities, AC and some steps I built out of a set of old industrial steps. More to come.
Rob
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Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Looks great .I know what a single pair of shoes on the power lines mean but not a bunch in trees .

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Rob, looks comfy inside, enjoy the trip...Jim

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

You built a great rig. Could you tell me if anyone sells sheet metal parts for COE's. I just picked up a 51 and 52. Thanks

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Just need tail fins to complete
You made it happen !!

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Half assed chicken somewhere on I-70? So we ending up at 9200 feet and camped for a couple of nights. Set up for the night and woke up to this white stuff. I have an electric fireplace for heat and we put it to use for sure. Now my son...not so lucky.
Rob
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Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Looks cold .

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

hahaha classic father son pic. father being more prepared!!! I love how you just get it done and utilize the stuff you build. To me money takes a big back burner to those simple things in life.

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

looking good and already put to use, way to go

Re: Loadmaster '47 COE
 

Looks very cozy and relaxing in there. Being in a tent when its below freezing is not that bad it's the getting out of your sleeping bag that's the bad part. I've had some of my best sleeps in a tent when it's snowing. Does the defrost work good in the truck?