Peterbilt 379 RV Conversion

[vincen47]

4 hours ago, Gary Chase said:

Any progress on this stunning build?

Not much in the past month since I finished the primer and did the latest mock up. But, I managed to start the frame/floor for the stacker trailer. I’ll post an update on that, maybe in the next week or so. Thanks for checking in.

Edited April 5 by vincen47

[vincen47]

I’m beginning work on the stacker trailer, with the plan to paint the coach body and trailer at the same time.

The trailer will be loosely based on 24’ triple-axle models from Intech and T&E trailers, typical of what’s being custom-built today for use behind toterhomes and diesel pushers. It’ll match the 379 RV - all black with stainless lower sides. I plan to have a fully-detailed interior with cabinets and a 14’ lift.

For the frame and floor, I’ve sourced parts from a partially-built Galaxie Limited 5th wheel enclosed trailer kit. I modified the length to match a scale 24’, added the bumper pull tongue from another kit and lengthened the tongue to a scale 5’ (extended tongues make it less likely to hit the coach body in sharp turns).

Out of the box, the floor width is too narrow, so it was widened 1/8” on each side with styrene strip for an overall width of 102” (with the sidewalls in place) in 1/24 scale. I cut out the kit’s inner fenders and replaced them with taller and longer ones made from styrene sheet. The wheels and tires will be 19.5”, and the axles will have a 42” spacing, more typical of modern stacker trailers.

To lower the ride height of the floor to the more realistic 14” ground clearance of most stackers, I modified the frame for the axles. I’m using the kit’s inner wheels as rudimentary disc brake assemblies to add width to the axles. The wheels are oval hole 19.5s from Scenes Unlimited. Tires are 19.5 Bridgestone steer/trailer tires from Moluminum. Next, I’ll be working on the sidewalls.