A Trains.

[plastictrucker]

I have two Lindberg flat beds that I want to connect using the converter dolly from an amt u.s.mail ford kit.How long can this combo be.I know that the u.s.mail trailer is 27 feet .Is this the maxi mun length for doubles?Also thinking of rack and tarp for these,how can I make the tarps.I'm also thinking B trains,can the first trailer be a tandem or does it have to be a tri Axel?I don't have the parts for a tri.

[78KW]

I don't know about maximum lengths for these, but you will need to add about 9 scale feet to each 1/2 of the Lindberg trailers to get them to 27'. I think the 2 sections are 18 scale feet long each. As for B trains, I've always seen the forward trailer as a tri-axle.

Longer doubles are allowed in certain areas of the country only. Here is a little list along with where you will see these(from my travels anyway)
Rocky mountain doubles:40-53' trailer pulling a 27' trailer. You will see these in the western states, hence the name.
Turnpike Doubles:2 trailers the same length with each being 40-53' long. I 90 from Boston to the NY/PA state line, Ohio and Indiana tpks, and I 44 in Oklahoma(any toll road in OK for that matter, and some on I 35)
A train: Twin 27' trailers. Operate in all states as vans and reefers. All other body types will be found as doubles in the western states, like the flatbeds you're doing(VERY COMMON site in Cali)
B train: I tend to see these in states that border Canada, as well as western states.
Triples: OH and IN Tpk only in the eastern states. Oklahoma toll roads, and the western states.

I hope this list helps you some. 27' 0r 28' are the typical sizes I see for these.

[rwaldram]

here in australia the overall length for truck and trailer (b double) is 25 metres, this is the same for COE's and conventionals, keeping in mind we dont have the stretched trucks you have in the US with an entire house as the sleeper. The B trailer is usually a 'standard length' trailer and as for axle grouping, they come on "Bi-Bi" 'Bi-Tri" or "Tri-Tri" config... with this, the 'Bi' or twin axle is always the front trailer.

Also, the Ford motor company operates B-Triples (two A's and a B) to run parts from their engine plant in Geelong to their Broadmeadows assembly plant 150 km's away, and let's not forget the good old road trains, you can expect to see a B Double with two additional regular length trailers attached behind (3 1/2 trailers all up)

[plastictrucker]

What I had in mind is a 70's truck,long before 50 foot trailers or long trucks(on the east coast anyway).

[sourkraut]

Not sure of overall length limits for that era, but certain roads (New York state Thruway and Pennsylvania turnpike to name a few) could run double 40' trailers with a certified tractor.
These combinations were required to break down in a "tandem area" before proceeding to other roads.

[plastictrucker]

plastictrucker said:

What I had in mind is a 70's truck,long before 50 foot trailers or long trucks(on the east coast anyway).

Here's what I'm planing.www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/dmckenzie/a_trains_a13_macksteel_mack.jpg      or    www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/truck/dmckenzie/a_trains-a12_kenworth_icl.jpg

[ajy]

when i was at burnham trucking,we had 45' flat bed doubbles.

[78KW]

sourkraut said:

Not sure of overall length limits for that era, but certain roads (New York state Thruway and Pennsylvania turnpike to name a few) could run double 40' trailers with a certified tractor.
These combinations were required to break down in a "tandem area" before proceeding to other roads.

I know that on the Thruway there was a regulation that the truck had to be able to maintain a minimum of 25MPH uphill to pull the turnpike doubles, at least in the 1960's. I guess that is where the certified tractor comes in to play.

As for the 1970's doubles, you will be ok to go with 27' trlrs. I know in the East, the length laws were strict enough that many carriers were more apt to run a straight truck and trailer combo to deal with the laws. By the 1970's, if I'm not mistaken, 27' doubles were ok in Eastern states.

[plastictrucker]

Thanks for all the input.I'm going with 27 footers.I think some were even shorter.I'm making a steel hauler. If I was using a newer truck would go bigger.The trailers don't seem very accurate.does any one have any ideas about this.I still thinking of making a rack and tarp system.I'm at a lose about the tarps,really need some help with it.

[41chevy]

As for tarps, I use the tank modelers trick. Plain white paper towel (single ply) or tissue cut close to the shape you want. Make a 50 / 50 mix of white glue (Elmirs) and water. Soak the paper towel in it ,and roll or fold to the shape you want and let dry for a few days. Paint with choice of color, flat paints give the look of canvas, semi gloss gives the look of plastic tarps. Then add ties or bungies and your done. Paul

[plastictrucker]

Thanks for the info,some times something that seems hard ends up being fairly easy.