King Hauler Tanker Project

[Kenny G 243]

Starting a new project that I probably won't finish 😅 

Starting with a stock Grand Hauler chassis. Used the brass spacers from a trailer kit for the rear shocks so I can attempt tu use the chrome fenders that come with fuel tank trailer.

[Kenny G 243]

Extended the frame with parts from a 1850l Mercedes. I then mounted the rear bumper parts from the fuel tank trailer. Since the tank portion will sit much lower the mud flaps will drag on the ground. I think I'll try another solution. 

[Kenny G 243]

Still need to cut the tank. Fortunately the hospital i work at has a metal fabrication shop. They have a fancy ban-saw that i am hoping they'll let me use. 

[Kenny G 243]

Day cab cut, now to measure and cut the tank

[Re-Bugged 8999]

6 minutes ago, Kenny G said:

Day cab cut, now to measure and cut the tank

Good luck 🤞🏻 👍🏻

[Gebbly 501]

22 hours ago, Kenny G said:

the hospital i work at has a metal fabrication shop

Blimey, really? 

Looks like a very different and interesting build so far. Have you had thoughts on the colour scheme? 

[Kenny G 243]

4 hours ago, Gebbly said:

Blimey, really? 

Looks like a very different and interesting build so far. Have you had thoughts on the colour scheme? 

It's a psychiatric hospital so have a lot of facilities fortunately, and the fabrication shop guys are nice. As for a colors I am just thinking bright and shiny. We have a lot on local fuel companies and retail outlets so you see a lot of trucks around with some unique livery's which help for inspiration.  Some, like the top photo, are a little garish. I do think I'd like to keep the tank chrome or partially painted. 

 

[Beetlemankurt 516]

That second paint job looks like a cool colour combo. Am following your build, coming along well 👍. Nice work. 

[Mad Ax 7878]

Wow, that looks like a cool project - good luck cutting the tank, that's an expensive part to take a saw to  

[Kenny G 243]

On 8/10/2023 at 5:24 PM, Re-Bugged said:

Good luck 🤞🏻 👍🏻

Thanks, I'll need it. 

[Kenny G 243]

On 8/15/2023 at 8:26 AM, Mad Ax said:

Wow, that looks like a cool project - good luck cutting the tank, that's an expensive part to take a saw to  

Indeed....

[Kenny G 243]

I gave it a go. Things were going great until the last second, the saw kicked back and now the cut side is out-of-round. I am optimistic it isn't as bad as it looks. Wont know until I get it home and cleaned up. I'm hoping that the end cap will smooth it out. 

[Mad Ax 7878]

Augh, that's a shame!  But hopefully the end cap will help to reshape it.  I don't know how the caps look, could it be pushed through to act as a former?  It may be repairable if it hasn't left any kinks in the metal.

[Kenny G 243]

Well, it is what it is. I cannot get the cap on, but I'm also exhausted from work so I'll try again in a bit. 

[Kenny G 243]

[Kenny G 243]

Got it on, ugh. Not very pleased, but thats okay. 

[Beetlemankurt 516]

Looking good. I wonder if you could use a piece of thick Styrofoam (like underfloor insulation), to make an imprint on the foam of the correct shape using the uncut end, then use your saw at work to cut it out (slightly larger than required) and push it through to support the required shape from the inside. Then throw your end cap on. This type of foam is pretty dense and should work mate to help hold its shape.

I know it can be frustrating but these setbacks will be the ones you'll be most proud of overcoming in the end. Looking good mate, keep up the good work.

Kurt

 

[Kenny G 243]

5 minutes ago, Beetlemankurt said:

Looking good. I wonder if you could use a piece of thick Styrofoam (like underfloor insulation), to make an imprint on the foam of the correct shape using the uncut end, then use your saw at work to cut it out (slightly larger than required) and push it through to support the required shape from the inside. Then throw your end cap on. This type of foam is pretty dense and should work mate to help hold its shape.

I know it can be frustrating but these setbacks will be the ones you'll be most proud of overcoming in the end. Looking good mate, keep up the good work.

Kurt

 

Good idea. Thanks for the kind words 

Silver lining- i have two end caps so maybe I can sell the other half once the top rail is cut. 

 

[Kenny G 243]

My plan was to use Globeliner fuel tanks as the forwar steps. I put Globe Liner exhaust on since it is a little shorter than the King Hauler exhaust. On my last build I did this, but ended up cutting off the bottom of the exhaust. Unfortunately the shorter exhaust still didn't work  

[Kenny G 243]

So now I am thinking I'll get some Grand Hauler tanks (since it doesn't need the steps) and some king hauler front steps. It doesn't appear the tank mounts will not interfere with the tanker braces. Here's a quick mock up. 

[Kenny G 243]

Thought I'd start disassembley and prep the cab. Went to 3 different hobby stores that were quite a.distance from my house and none had Tamiya TS paint. Boooo...the closest hobby store that does is 45 miles away. Riding there on my motorcycle is like taking my life into my own hands, so I guess I'll resort to Amazon. 

[tim.senecal 356]

I just saw your work on this...  and wondered why you and i had so many problems with fuel tanks and exhaust pipes...  perhaps this close up of a real truck might provide some inspiration...

[Re-Bugged 8999]

That’s some elaborate plumbing @tim.senecal. Due to the Dangerous Goods regs here in Oz there are a lot of shrouds covering gaps between the engine and exhaust pipes to minimise the potential of a spark reaching the barrels on the back.

Most Trucks here (that still have Stacks) the elbow at the bottom goes over the top of the chassis rail and under the cab as the cab is lifted a bit higher with air tanks also under there. This helps in that the cab floor doesn’t get as hot and gives more space on the side of the chassis for fuel tanks. 

[tim.senecal 356]

I did notice that a LOT of the pictures of tankers i came across only had a single exhaust stack.

[Kenny G 243]

It's too bad that Tamiya didn't just mold all those bends in. But if they made it easy then where's the challenge?