Ted Walters delivers his parade float to Six Flags Theme Park, Great Adventure, New Jersey.

What does it take to build a parade float?

In this case, the requirements were stringent.

It had to be tough, to ensure safety.
It had to be strong.
It had to be reliable, mechanically and electrically.

This parade float will be used 3 times a day, 7 days a week, and had to be built tough!

The steel framework being laid out on the level floor plate.

It also had to be easy to use.

The 2 independent electric motor systems could be used individually, or in tandem for extra power.

Electric engines are powerful. This electric motor system is capable of the same speeds as any automobile, however, for safety reasons, it was not only geared down, but Ted Walters engineered a special governor for the accelerator to keep the speed low for parade use.

In this side view, you get an idea of how large this unit really is!

The float is 24 feet long by 8.5 feet wide.

The framework is constructed of round roll bar tubing, the same safety tubing used on racing vehicles.

This extra strength is needed because once the float leaves the TRIX shop, the customer will be adding several hundred pounds of flooring, decorations, and a score of human performers who will perform on it's top!

To ensure everyone's safety, extra strength and stability was an important criteria.

The side view shows the electronic controls and the dashboard.

Here we can see the rear of the parade float.

Joe's Service Center has the perfect flatbed truck to transport this vehicle! This float was designed to fit on a standard flatbed truck for transportation.

Parade floats like this one are designed and custom built at TRIX Rods and Racers to customer specifications.

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