A question for the remote truck guys...

[Axiomhead]

I'm looking at purchasing a remote trailer (semi) from the west coast and moving it to the midwest to be refitted with equipment. I know most of the remote guys on GS use their own trucks to haul their trailers, but this is a case where I'll need to hire someone to p/u and deliver the trailer. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a west coast company that could do this sort of thing, or what questions I should be asking any potential companies I spec for the job. I've been a studio owner for a while, and have worked on remotes, but I'm kinda new to the "owning a remote truck" way of life.

I love the remote forum on GS! I'm amazed by the wealth of information and talent here. I've been lurking on the forums for 1+ years now but this my first post. Thanks for the great forums!

[Remoteness]

Is this "trailer" a trailer that would be part of an eighteen wheeler tractor/trailer deal or is it a trailer that can be pulled by any kind of vehicle?

Also, how long/tall is it and how much does it weight?

[Axiomhead]

Remoteness, thanks for the quick reply. It is a 40-ish foot semi trailer, not sure of the height. It will require a tractor trailer and a class A CDL to to haul. I'm not sure of the exact weight, but I know its around 15,000 lbs. I'm currently in the process of getting my CDL, but that won't happen before the trailer has to move, so I'm stuck paying someone else to get it for me. Thanks for any info in advance!

[Jim vanBergen]

Make sure it is an AIR RIDE trailer and pack your gear like its going to be dropped from an airplane.

What else... oh, Strap your own load. Bettter safe than sorry!

Jim

[Axiomhead]

Update: I purchased the remote truck... and I'm shipping it back east via train.

This should be an adventure.

[Remoteness]

What did you get? Got any pictures?

[Axiomhead]

It's a 40' trailer on a Gerstenschlager chassis with reinforced roof for cameras, two ducted industrial heating/cooling units, double floored, wiring troughs, removable floor panels, separated front control room/rear studio section, recessed interior lighting, exterior floodlights, locking storage compartments, cable doors, and access doors. It has electric pop outs on both sides of the studio portion and a 4 corner hydraulic leveling system.

She's really rough inside, but I plan on fixing that asap.

Some of you may know this truck, it used to be over at CBS.











Oh.... and the best part... Air Ride Equipped!!

[Remoteness]

Beautiful -- I love projects like that...

Good luck and best wishes!

When CBS was in the facilities business they had a utility/tech trailer for every CBS field production truck. What type of of trailer design is yours? Did I read you right? Are there studio and CRM spaces in there or are you thinking of turning those spaces into a studio and CRM areas?

Blvd. Body in NJ has built and maintained CBS trucks on the east coarst.

I've been on board a few of those trailers -- they were built well.

I'm so happy for you -- It's gonna be a great demo and build project.

[Jim vanBergen]

NICELY DONE!!!!!!!

[Axiomhead]

The inside currently has a machine room, a control room and a popout studio...

After the renovation, the setup will be essentially the same, except part of the machine room will become a producers area desk/lounge.

I found out today that this truck is registered in New Jersey, but was built in Cincinatti by EW.

I've toyed with the idea of a remote since I was a student @ Sheffield (many years ago), I loved their SSL truck. Recently my girlfriends father has gotten back into being the eic on some trucks down in Clearwater and has passed the bug along to me again.

I can't wait to tear into it!

[Remoteness]

Mike,

How's your build out coming along?

Got any pictures?

[Axiomhead]

Originally Posted by Remoteness

Mike,

How's your build out coming along?

Got any pictures?

Mike?... My name is Wes, but I own a lot of Mics....


The Trailer is @ my Farm in central KY. We've spent a few days tearing out the old carpet and what-not. We need to get some good inside pics before we go much furthur. Unfortunatley, we haven't been able to spend much time on board because the studio has been hopping nonstop this fall/winter. We intend to get busy remodeling her when the temperature increases about 20 degrees.

Some outside pics are here:

She's arrived!

Here's her older sister which should be what she'll look like from the outside in the not so distant future...



Our biggest issue right now is the drivers side pop-out worm drive. One of internal gears are buggered and I'm having problems locating a new one.





Anybody know where I can get one?

[Remoteness]

I assume you already contacted the original manufacturer...

If not, (and, I'm sure you tried this but...) do a search for expanding wall trailer builders. In your part of the country. Then span out from there until you find someone that can direct you to used or new parts.

If that doesn't workout you may have to have someone forge a new part for you. Make a few extras while you're at it. I'm sure you can find a metal works shop that can help you.

Blvd. Body Works on the Eastcoast has built and repaired many CBS trailers and many others that matter. Give them a shout if all else fails. 908.757.3110.

All the best "Mike", I mean, "how's your mics Wes?"

[Axiomhead]

Originally Posted by Remoteness

Blvd. Body Works on the Eastcoast has built and repaired many CBS trailers and many others that matter. Give them a shout if all else fails. 908.757.3110.

Thanks for the tip... I'll give them a call on Monday. I've tried to find contact info for the worm drive manufactuer (Morse) but I haven't had much success. I called Gerstenschlager (the manufacturer) but they didn't have any usable info.

Apparently this was a major problem with these particular trailers... I spoke to an EIC that has replaced them in the past, unfortunatley he didn't remember where he had sourced the replacement.

[Remoteness]

I did say, "We have your back."

I spent about seven minutes and found these links for you...

I feel you have a fair amount of homework to do.
Keep us posted if you need anymore help!

Worm Gearing

Gear manufacturers

Dalton Morse

Worm Gear

Force America

[Axiomhead]

nice... Thanks for the effort

I've been to all of those pages... and many, many more in my countless hours of research. The internet is both a curse and a blessing. The problem isn't finding worm gears, its finding worm gears with the proper Ratio, HP and RPM to match the other 3 drives on the truck. I've come to find out that these particular units are non-existant.
It seems I can't contact Morse directly, I can only go through one of their distributors. I have a few more calls to make, and if nothing pans out I'll head over to the machine shop.

Thanks for your help guys!

[Remoteness]

Have you considered replacing all the gears so they can be matched with current models/ratios?

I'm sure the distributors could lead you to the manufacturer. Just don't give up until you drop.

[Axiomhead]

Thats plan B...

[ClickTrackAudio]

Another manufacturer you can try is PK Van Bodies in Oshawa, On, here in Canada.

They do custom work there on site. So if you need all the worm drives redone, they may be able to do it fairly cheaply.

PK is turning into Ontario's mobile manufacturer. Not only did they do our truck, but they've built many trucks with custom built expandos. From trucks for DOME productions, Rogers Television, and, of course, Livewire, PK has done some great work at reasonable cost.

Their website and contact information is Here

Cheers

Click.

[Remoteness]

So, how's this project coming along?