Converting A Goods Vehicle To Amphibious

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EagleII

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Good day one and all, I understand this is the best place available to ask the question my research leads me to ask, so I do hope some can help.
I have the task of converting a standard rigid goods vehicle, to allow it to drive legally on UK roads, whilst being able to cross rivers as well as a boat. I know the old military duck type vehicle, but I am not allowed to use one and have to do it with a lorry, of all things.
Does anyone have any idea how best to make it water tight and give it enough bouyancy to succeed ?.
Open to suggestions, from one and all.
Yours in desperation.
 
You must be desperate if you think this is the best place to ask, but welcome anyway.

No idea of the weight of the truck, but why not just stick a very big Rib tube round it, you should have a couple nailed to a transit somewhere :rolleyes: No need to worry about waterproofing, with big enough tubes it will float nicely with only the bottom of the wheels getting wet. You will need to have an onboard inflation system to keep them deflated and width legal for the road.

And don't listen to that amateur Steve when he tells you one 225hp Honda is enough, stick 3 on the back (with no-more nails) and it will definitely plane. :p

Having said all that, if you wait a few minutes JFM will be along with a fully engineered solution, costings and colour matched gelcoat all before you can get your name on the Doncaster ballot.

Good luck, you are going to need it.
 
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It will be fine as it is, just drive it into very deep water (better if fully loaded for stability) and as long as you keep the doors locked it will be fine. Or so some Chap called Milliband suggested anyway.
 
Why does it have to float?

Why not adopt the method used by both sides for the Cold War potential clash on the German plains - snorkles.

Simply drive the lorry across the river or lake on the riverbed itself.

I look forward to having my contribution acknowledged on your esteemed programme

J.May

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Gentlemen, thank you for your assistance so far, and yes, the Stalwart is the source of the idea. Though we have to use a standard 7.5 ton vehicle in this project. Certainly not my idea, but somebody thought it would be quite funny to watch the lorry sink. I have other ideas and would like to make this a go.
As to politics, I take this very seriously and let's be sensible and just say it wouldn't take much to be better than the current incumbent.
The vehicle in question must be capable of driving straight from road to water, then back to road, as does the Stalwart. So there would be no time for the inflation of any external aids. Also, I should like to remain dry.
 
So..is this the real JC:confused: Lack of any technical detail suggests this is genuine! As JFM seems to be an acquaintance, perhaps he can shed some light on this 'new user'?
In the meantime 'Jeeza' maybe you can pick up some tips from the Costa Concordia captain....
Pan
 
Before the DUKW (from design to prototype in 32 days) they used to drive a lorry onto a tarpaulin, pull the sides up and paddle. Should be simple enough to rig it on a roller in front, drop it on the water as you enter.
 
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