Truck Converted To Pulling Wagon

Truck converted to pulling wagon TRUCKS Conversions 13-4-16 "Converting old trucks into pull-type wagons gives you most of the benefits of hauling grain with a truck but without paying for a truck license and insurance," says Don Kamen, Farmington, Minn., who custom builds "truck wagons" by mounting conventional gravity wagon boxes on the shortened-up frames of old junked out single axle trucks. Kamen strips the truck of everything but the chassis, which he cuts to match the length of whatever gravity box wagon he plans to use. Then he bolts the box onto the chassis and mounts a telescopic hitch on the front axle. "The truck suspension and tires provide these wagons with several benefits over conventional gravity box wagons equipped with flotation tires," says Kamen, who so far has built four "truck wagons" using International, Chevrolet and Dodge trucks. "Truck tires are built heavier than flotation tires so you can pull a `truck wagon' at greater highway speeds. Flotation tires of-ten blow out when pulled at highway speeds, and replacing them is expensive. The rear axle is equipped with duals which help stabilize the wagon, and springs on the rear axle create a `rocking bolster' effect that allows the wagon to ride smoother. Removing the springs from the front axle reduces sway so the wagon won't tip over easily." Truck tires are taller than flotation tires, which provides more unloading clearance, notes Kamen. "The unloading spout is about 2 ft. off the ground compared to about 1 ft. on a conventional gravity box wagon. It's much easier to clear the hopper on a grain auger." Kamen first came up with the idea for building "truck wagons" when he replaced the bed of an old Chevrolet truck with a gravity wagon box. He used the rig to fill the fertilizer hoppers on his planter. The idea worked so well that when the truck's engine failed, he stripped away everything but the gravity box and chassis, which he converted to pull-type. Kamen says the truck frame can also be equipped with a flat deck `to haul liquid fertilizer nurse tanks. He says it costs about $400 to make the conversion. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Don Kamen, 19941 Blaine Ave., Farmington, Minn. 55024 (ph 612 460-6867).

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