photo #7395657

10-2-'24, WBR Live, ''Daily Constitution, ''Hillbilly Friday'', (pics on wimkin) ''Hillbilly Friday'' comes on Wednesday this month! This is kind of a special edition today. There is a lack of 'repair' in the NC events of the past week., and the area requests my early response. Architects and engineers have a tendency to ''pile on'' some details and extra/unneeded material and market components to keep the variety of supply available for their industry (just look at ''Lowes'', and ''This Old House''. I'm sure the ''engineers' club'', and the military industrial complex can tolerate the embarrassment of this 'left behind/not profitable enough'' showing them and their greed up again. So here is my bid: This river barge can be made from a existing trailer, 4 (spoked?) auto rims, and some various size of tubing (mostly reworked steel oil drums). If you can tow it, you can float it. The flotation pontoons are towed on a (existing?) trailer with the structural supports attached to the flotation itself. It is suggested to fill the drums with foam, but that may be time limited. Drive the loaded trailer to the water and place the pontoons on the side. Locate the trailer in the water to just retain the ''tang'' secure on shore. 4WD the truck(?) onto the trailer. Set into rear wheel drive, and set front brakes if available. Steering is controlled by independent rear wheel braking. Drive off the trailer with the 4WD and leave the device for the next -similar size- truck to go back across, if required. The pontoons should be able to be adjusted (before production?) to keep the wheel rims able to move enough water, deep enough, for effective control on most water. The (spoked?) rims would have plates welded at an angle to move water from the side of the pontoons to the rear with the auto engine providing all the power and control. ''Batman'' can go pound sand. We need materials developed for a budget, not showcase. We now return you you to our regular scheduled program (tomorrow).