Project EconoTow

Doug around the opening for the 5th wheel do you have any aluminum J trim around the ATP we used it to put around the Stone Guards on the front of the cargo trailers. We also used Aluminum silicone caulking around them also and at the seams to help with water getting behind it to keep it from oxidizing and turning it white around the edges. You might have already have the J trim or thought about it I looked at your pics and zoomed in but really couldn't tell if you had it or not. Just thought I would throw that out there for you.

Thanks for the advise, but aluminum corrosion is something I'm all too familiar with. I had considered using J channel but decided I wanted a clean, almost seamless look on the top deck when the fifth wheel doors are closed.

I spent the morning out in the shop to finish installing the fifth wheel doors. I used some HD stainless steel piano hinges and a stainless "T" handle latch. Most of the time was making the internal latching mechanism, works great. When the hitch is installed the doors are held in place by Quick-release "T" pins. Next I'll have to get some rubber bumpers to install on the deck so the doors don't rattle.

QtrWarrior wrote:HMMMMMMM....

Some of that hardware sure looks like it's "aircraft grade".....  

Nope! It all came from McMaster Carr   . Of coarse I'm not going to say there won't be some aircraft stuff on there     

That is just awesome.

I can't spend any money on the project right now, but I have plenty to do without spending $$$. The latest I have done is the rear taillight design. My inspiration was the Navy's Chief Boiler Tech insignia. The chevrons will be the brake and turn signal and will blink in sequential order and the rocker will be the reverse light. Seemed fitting since I was a Boiler Tech 3rd Class on a Destroyer Escort, plus I think it's cool. I still have to cut in the boiler tech insignia which is a Aeolipile or Hero Engine as it is more commonly known ( a Greek, Hero of Alexandria gets the credit for the first steam engine).


Taillight buckets with LED lights.


Rear bumper I've been working on.

This thing is just plain TRICK.  

Looking good Doug

It's looking real good! As always your work is well planed out and you have the skills to follow thru.

The only thing I would have done different was put the storage compartment door hinge's on the bottom.

jones wrote:It's looking real good! As always your work is well planed out and you have the skills to follow thru.

The only thing I would have done different was put the storage compartment door hinge's on the bottom.

I almost did that. But I got to thinking if I loaded something heavy in there, I didn't want to be bending over and reaching over the door to put it in there. You know how us old folks are     .

looking great Doug!
Did you find a cab yet?

Yes I have. I went to Alabama back in 2012 and picked this up from a guy I bought it from on Ebay.

I know you're busy and all but do you think you could move this project along??? Between this one and all the ones Dave has started I think we all would like to see them done!!! You are a true master at what you are doing and I know I can't wait to see it finished. Oh and I love the tail lights/ turn signals!!

jeffgfg wrote: Oh and I love the tail lights/ turn signals!!

Same here on the taillights! Speaking of Navy, Just got back today from touring the U.S.S. Slater Destroyer Escort. Great time. The kids loved it. Very interesting. Its moored on the Hudson in Albany N.Y. No boiler though, just a diesel/electric.The last floating WWII destroyer in the U.S.
Sorry for the hijack Doug, but figured you wouldn't mind being a navy man.
Regards.
Al

72mav wrote:

jeffgfg wrote: Oh and I love the tail lights/ turn signals!!

Same here on the taillights! Speaking of Navy, Just got back today from touring the U.S.S. Slater Destroyer Escort. Great time. The kids loved it. Very interesting. Its moored on the Hudson in Albany N.Y. No boiler though, just a diesel/electric.The last floating WWII destroyer in the U.S.
Sorry for the hijack Doug, but figured you wouldn't mind being a navy man.
Regards.
Al

Not a problem! I have been known to ramble on about my Navy days     

Bump for an update!!

No updates, it's been too damn hot and humid here. I haven't been out to my shop in about a month. Once the weather cools down I'll get back to work . The older I get the harder it is to deal will the heat.

Doug Rahn wrote:No updates, it's been too damn hot and humid here. I haven't been out to my shop in about a month. Once the weather cools down I'll get back to work  . The older I get the harder it is to deal will the heat.

X2, I can totally relate, especially after working on other peoples junk all day. It makes it really hard to get motivated

Doug Rahn wrote:No updates, it's been too damn hot and humid here. I haven't been out to my shop in about a month. Once the weather cools down I'll get back to work  . The older I get the harder it is to deal will the heat.

I know what you talking about I got where I do most of my work in the shop at night when I get off at 10:30.

Doug

Any updates?

Doug, go ahead and ramble a bit...What was the name of your Destroyer Escort? I ask because my grandad used to help build 'em at the "Duffy Canoe Works" (Defoe Shipbuilding Co., long since defunct) in Bay City, MI. When they were finished, he'd shake 'em down and deliver them via the St. Lawrence Seaway. Just wondering if you manned one of Grandpa Joe's boats.

jbozzelle wrote:Doug
Any updates?

No real updates worth posting about, but now that I'm on Christmas vacation and retiring after the first of the year, I'll get to spend way more time working on it.

maverick wrote:Doug, go ahead and ramble a bit...What was the name of your Destroyer Escort?  I ask because my grandad used to help build 'em at the "Duffy Canoe Works" (Defoe Shipbuilding Co., long since defunct) in Bay City, MI.  When they were finished, he'd shake 'em down and deliver them via the St. Lawrence Seaway.  Just wondering if you manned one of Grandpa Joe's boats.

USS Bowen DE 1079, it was built at Avondale Shipyard, Westwego, La. and commissioned on May 22, 1971 at Boston Naval Shipyard. That officially makes me a Plank Owner being one the commissioning crew.

The crew on board in 1983 did have this distinction for the records.

Bowen was part of the Naval expeditionary force deployed off the coast of Beirut during the Lebanese Civil War. In early September 1983, U.S. Marines at the Beirut International Airport came under artillery fire. After repeated warnings, Bowen was ordered to fire in defense of the Marines. On 8 September 1983, Bowen opened fire with her 5" Gun, destroying several artillery pieces and a fire control tower in the mountains, 9 miles south-east of Beirut. Bowen's action received international media attention and cemented her place in history as the first Naval Warship to engage in hostile fire in the Mediterranean since War War II. In all, Bowen made 6 firing runs, firing a total of 75 shells at hostile targets. For their actions, Bowen's crew was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation, the Navy Expeditionary Medal and proudly adopted the slogan "First to Shoot in Beirut". In early October 1983, after one month on the "Gun Line", Bowen was relieved by the USS New Jersey (BB-62).

Specifications:
Class: Knox
Type: SCB No. 199C / 1964
Number in Class: 46
Displacement: 3020 tons (std), 4065 tons (full)
Length: 415' (wl), 438' (oa)
Beam: 46' 9" (extreme)
Draft: 24' 9" (draft limit)
Propulsion: 2 Combustion Engineering 1200psi boilers; 1 Westinghouse geared turbine; 35,000 shp; 1 shaft
Speed: 27 kts
Range: 4,500 nm @ 20 knots
Complement: 16 / 211
Missiles: 1 8-tube Mk25 Sea Sparrow BPDMS in DE 1052-1069, 1071-1083, 1 8-tube Mk29 NATO Sea Sparrow IPDMS in DE 1070, Harpoon missiles from modified ASROC launcher
Guns: 1 x 5"/54 cal. DP Mk 42 (600 rds)
ASW Weapons: 1 Mk16 ASROC launcher (16 missiles), 4-12.75" (324mm) Mk 32 (4x1 fixed) tubes / Mk 46 torpedos (6)
Radars: AN/SPS-10 (surface), AN/SPS-40 (air), AN/SPS-58 threat warning in some ships
Sonars: AN/SQS-26CX, AN/SQS-35 IVDS in FF-1052, 1056, 1063-1071, 1073-1076, 1078-1097
Fire Control Systems: Mk68 Mod. 11/13/14 Gun FCS, Mk114 Mod 14/16 ASW FCS
Helicopter: 1 - SH-2 LAMPS Helicopter


Bowen (DE 1079) Building and Operational Data: •25 August 1966: Building contract awarded to Avondale Shipyard, Inc.
•11 July 1969: Keel laid at the Avondale Shipyard, Westwego, La.
•2 May 1970: Launched
•22 May 1971: Commissioned at the Boston Naval Shipyard, Cmdr. Donald L. Howard in command
•30 June 1975: Reclassified Frigate (FF 1079)
•30 September 1991: Assigned to Naval Reserve Force, Atlantic, at Norfolk Va.
•15 December 1991: Reclassified Training Frigate (FFT 1079)
•03 June 1994: Decommissioned at Norfolk, Va. after 23.1 years of service; Leased to Turkey, renamed TCG Akdeniz (F257)
•11 January 1995: Struck from the NVR
•22 February 2002: Sold to Turkey under the Security Assistance Program
•2011: TCG Akdeniz (F257) Decommissioned; Sold for scrapping

Hi.

New guy here.

I've been lurking and watching this project with anticipation. It looks like its going to be a great tow rig etc when its finished! I love the details in its construction and, like a great deal of people here, i have looked forward to seeing each new post on this.

So, i hope to see some new progress on this soon!

Well, the weather is not cooperating , it's not exactly how I wanted to start off my retirement. The plan today was to break out the big Miller Plasma Cutter and start separating the cab from the bed and unibody but unfortunately it's raining and it's suppose to rain for the next 4 days. No way am I going to hold that thing in my hand in the rain .