56303 Tank Trailer build thread

[Mouton]

As you might have seen in this (http://www.tamiya3speed.com/forum/showthread.php?t=420) thread I have a Knight Hauler metallic special with the MFU. I have been thinking about what trailer to get. The chrome effect would make the tank trailer the ideal partner. The box trailer would perhaps be more usable and as I have two scale boats (one RC Graupner Chris Craft Constellation 39" and a wooden sail boat) in 1:14 I could modify a pole trailer as well. Hm, decisions, decisions... The ability to modify the tank trailer to actually hold fluid won me over, although I have not decided on how to do that.

These two arrived last week:
http://rsb.se/gallery/files/3/tt01.jpg

The Trailer lights set was out of stock at our Swedish distributor, Eber Toys AB, but will arrive in March. As usual I added rubber sealed ball bearings, albeit these models have no real use for them.

The box is really heavy, which is an indication of how strong these tractor trucks really are. Opening up the box you see the tank and a box containing the chassi rails:
http://rsb.se/gallery/files/3/tt02.jpg

The tank is stuffed with parts:
http://rsb.se/gallery/files/3/tt03.jpg
http://rsb.se/gallery/files/3/tt04.jpg

This is how far I got during the first build session:
http://rsb.se/gallery/files/3/tt05.jpg

[janderson]

Cool, I have one sitting in my Garage that needs building, just got to find time

[Mouton]

Here is a close up of the boggie:
http://rsb.se/gallery/files/3/tt06.jpg
As you can see they have the same realistic construction as the tractor trucks.

The Motorized Support Legs is an option that is highly recommended to all trailers but the Pole Trailer (as that features another construction). The Motorized Support Legs allows for coupling/decoupling a trailer remotely and raise/lower the support legs too. They operate on battery power supplied from a separate batterypack (which can be seen behind the right chassi rail in the picture):
http://rsb.se/gallery/files/3/tt07.jpg

The pin that connects to the tractor trucks fith wheel has a double micro switch that is operated by a double action pin on the fith wheel. One switch raises the legs and the other lowers them. The other function the pin has is to open/close the fifth wheel.
http://rsb.se/gallery/files/3/kh01.jpg

Here is the end result:
http://rsb.se/gallery/files/3/tt08.jpg

Please note the orange/yellow rubber wheel chock that you use when you hook up/unhook the trailer.
http://rsb.se/gallery/files/3/tt09.jpg

One thing puzzles me, and disappoint me somewhat. Why does a tank trailer not come with Texas plates? That if any in the 1:14 series should come with Texas plates, right? Not a big issue, I Know, - but stil...