help with wheels and tires

[Jim Deggys]

To follow up, I have not dueled out the tires yet, I was waiting to see how the current 14.5R20’s would handle the load before I make the purchase. The sketchup pic is kind of what I am trying to achieve.


This is the wheelbase widened 13',6" to accommodate the Container




The attached container weighs 6,000 lbs and is 8’X24’, Overall height is 13’,0.5”, the right side of the container “roughly 700lbs” was removed and will be replaced with doors as in the sketchup pic.



My initial concern was that the width of the rear axles “outside of tire to outside of tire” was too narrow. My outside tire width is 84” and the box is 96”. I felt a 12” narrower base would not handle the load in less than ideal conditions. The suspension “squatted” 2.25” when the box was added. We drove it around the yard and I felt that it was swaying too much. We removed the containers’ side-corrugation-panel and I thought it was going to flip over. I did not get any pics of the lean “out of balance” but it was pretty drastic. I estimate about a 9” lean to the left.



I am by no means a mechanic but think the major problem is the “off road” type suspension needs to be “stiffened” to be more like a box truck. Then widening the base by adding tires if needed.

Any suggestions?

 

[gimpyrobb]

Air bags.

 

[Jbulach]

What was the reason for moving the rear bogie so far back? Will you be running this truck in the city?

 

[red]

If you dont need the front axle powered then it would probably be cheaper for you to swap in a set of 5 ton axles. They are wider and without powering the front axle it would be a simple install.

 

[Jim Deggys]

The reason for moving the bogie back was to allow space for the drop down and storage. The pic is difficult to make out but I am dealing with 3 different heights or levels if you will. (1st level) The customer will walk up at street level and place their order on the. (2nd Level) The waiter stands in a cutout that is 18" off of the ground and has access to the 3rd level via steps. The (3rd level) is 36" up the steps and is the main level.

 

[Jim Deggys]

The wheelbase is less than a school bus and my turning radius is less than desirable. I didn't take into account that the Deuce doesn't turn as sharp as a school bus. This truck will likely never leave Fort Polk so not much city driving planned.

 

[Jim Deggys]

The neighbor owns a salvage yard and has a 5 ton, I don't think the 5 ton axles would swap out without some major reconstruction.

 

[Jim Deggys]

Air bags.

gimpyrobb, I think airbags will solve my problems. I am going to have a suspension shop look at it and give me some advice.

 

[Jim Deggys]

Quick update. I dualed the rear axles and replaced the 14.5x20 with New G272 MSA's 12.00x20 with tubes. The overall width from outside tire to outside tire is 96" and is much more stable. The bogie trunnion cap hasn't rubbed on the rear inside tires as of yet but I'm not too concerned since this beast is permanently "On-Road" from now on. The project continues and the truck grew from 12' 10" -to- 13' tall and still leans slightly.

To ask a question. On the rear axles, If I bypass the bogie and add double leaf springs kinda like the bobbed suspensions would this stiffen the rear suspension and remove the "off-road" characteristics? I have access to free leaf spring suspension parts. However, If that won't work I think i will use airbags in conjunction with the bogie setup.

Thanks for the input.

 

[gimpyrobb]

I think air bags would be your best bet. I was amazed at how little pressure in them can have such a wonderful effect on ride quality and stability. Just don't make the mistake my buddy did, he tied the left and right bag together. That lets the truck lean considerably in corners.

 

[rustystud]

Wow ! You have some great fabrication skills !
I agree with Gimpyrobb about the air-bags. Those along with some weight down low will help with the sway problem. Busses have the same problems and air bags are the only way to go.

 

[Jim Deggys]

I think air bags would be your best bet. I was amazed at how little pressure in them can have such a wonderful effect on ride quality and stability. Just don't make the mistake my buddy did, he tied the left and right bag together. That lets the truck lean considerably in corners.

I was thinking of going cheap and adding 4 new airbags without any fancy controllers. Just plain old bags that I manually fill from the air hose I tied into my CTIS tanks. Then level it out on flat ground fully loaded. The suspension width is just right but I need to take out the "give" or "off-road" characteristics. I was thinking about keeping the bogie set-up, adding 4 bags under each rear axle where the "bottom-out stoppers" meet the frame, with a set bag pressure to "lessen" the left to right lean or give caused by the "off-road suspension". What do you think?

 

[Jim Deggys]

Wow ! You have some great fabrication skills !
I agree with Gimpyrobb about the air-bags. Those along with some weight down low will help with the sway problem. Busses have the same problems and air bags are the only way to go.

Thanks, Me and a welder buddy have been building it at his house out of a lean-to shed for the past 5 months. No special tools or equipment, just his basic metal home shop tools and the use of the neighbors forklift as needed. We have stuck to the original concept and overall plan but the in-build details, materials to use, limitations of a remote location, tying things together have been what we call "figuring-****-out".

 

[gimpyrobb]

I think I would look into find a way to put some shock absorbers on first. I'm not sure if the A3 has them, but I know the A2 does not. That should help more than bags imho.

 

[Jim Deggys]

To update my project. Construction is about 95% complete but the kitchen is functional. We had our first "soft opening" the other day and it was a very quick sell out
I had to widen my base since the outer wheel width was 84" and my container was 96". I am probably the first person in history to revert from singles to duals. I used some MSA G272's. I have to say, they made the rig very impressive

As you can see the side door fully open



We added some bling, cabinets, and oven.



The oven still needs a wrap

A pic at our soft opening with a local professional who helped me with the administrative portion of the build.

 

[skinnyR1]

Very impressive effort put forth here!