16 foot single wheel unusual TD build

[3nero]

I second a shield for the bag
I've had a few blowouts and have seen the damage they can do.
I once had the rear suspension airbags on a large trailer shredded by a blowout

[KCStudly]

My first thought upon reading the idea about a shield was that, unless it can withstand a blowout itself, it is just as likely to slash the bag as the blowout alone. So if done, should be done stout and mounted very securely.

$.02 worth.

[WeirdDogGuy]

I second a shield for the bag
I've had a few blowouts and have seen the damage they can do.
I once had the rear suspension airbags on a large trailer shredded by a blowout

You talked me into it!

[WeirdDogGuy]

My first thought upon reading the idea about a shield was that, unless it can withstand a blowout itself, it is just as likely to slash the bag as the blowout alone. So if done, should be done stout and mounted very securely.

$.02 worth.

I think it will depend on what the shield is made of; I'm thinking aluminum, maybe 1/8 IN +/-. I think I have some 14 gauge AL that needs to be used up so that's just shy of 1/8IN. If I make a tub or wheel well that encloses the wheel area but excludes the air bag, I think I'd be OK. It would probably deform if the tire blew but I could just hammer it back out.Thx.Andy

[KCStudly]

That makes more sense than what I was envisioning. I had pictured a smaller shield local to the bag; i.e. a can opener if bent, or shrapnel if adrift. A full inner fender is a much better idea.

[WeirdDogGuy]

I had to move the bottom perch over to the side in order to have better access to the bottom anchor bolt:

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Making a cardboard template for the steel side bracket that will support the bottom perch:

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[WeirdDogGuy]

Laying out the template patterns so that I only have to drill one hole:

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Drilling the hole:

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Shaping the brackets. Close enough, ready for welding:

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[WeirdDogGuy]

As this is coming together, I'm realizing how over-designed it is. But that's OK; better too strong than too weak:

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[capnTelescope]

No one's saying much 'cuz you're breaking new ground here. (Smiley of a shovel throwing dirt out of a deep hole) But we're watching. You're doing good. Can't wait for the next episode.

[GuitarPhotog]

Have you done a proof of concept with a single wheel behind a single tow point?

<Chas>

[S. Heisley]

I can't tell much from the pictures so far. I'm waiting to see a "full body" front-to-back chassis picture. Even after I see that, I may not know what to say. For those of us who are bolt-together chassis people, you are way out of our league. We're in the Pee-wee league.

[WeirdDogGuy]

But we're watching.

You and the NSA both

Have you done a proof of concept with a single wheel behind a single tow point?

<Chas>

No, I have not.

I can't tell much from the pictures so far. I'm waiting to see a "full body" front-to-back chassis picture. Even after I see that, I may not know what to say. For those of us who are bolt-together chassis people, you are way out of our league. We're in the Pee-wee league.

I know a lot of what I'm doing now may seem boring but I'm posting it anyway so in the future, people can see how I built and learn from my mistakes or successes. I have to admit, I'm really eager to get on to coach building since that is when it really starts to look like a teardrop

Thanks for the comments.Andy

[dodgedartgt]

Happy 4th!

Now, you've only got two more build days before Monday... So get on with it already. He he he

Mike in FL

[WeirdDogGuy]

I'm almost done with the log splitter that I'm building so hopefully I'll soon have more time to devote to the TD build. I'm still trying to do a little everyday.

Eyeballing final clearances of the bag perch. I'm about 2-1/2 IN from the tire and about 1 IN from the frame:

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[WeirdDogGuy]

Band saw blades always know when it's a holiday weekend and the stores are closed because that's when they decide to let go. I knew an old time Maker who used to buy his blade stock in bulk and he'd silver solder his blades together as he needed them. He told me how to modify a door hinge for a jig and I always thought that one day, I'd try it. Today was that day. I used a flux of questionable parentage so I'm not sure how long this will stay together. I scarfed the ends like he told me, guessing at the angle. Seemed to work just fine:

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