I have seen a few 3D dump trucks that actually look like they are resting on the wheels, but I know there has to be some kind of support system underneath. Any suggestions on what that might be? It would be cool if you are not able to see it unless you are at eye level.

Here's one that I saw:

http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=coppermine&file=displayimage&meta=favpics&cat=0&pos=-56185

Where's Doug...he'd know what to do? Is he back to school yet? I saw his ticker the other day and it didn't look good!!! Ha Ha Ha!!

I've never done this, but what about styrofoam?
You could cut it down to fit under the cake. Maybe someone else can offer better advise.

Cindy

doug is near panic.....

a "classroom fix up brigade" would be most welcome
(four years -- four classrooms. I HATE moving)

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anything solid enough/strong enough to support cake would work

styrofoam has advantage you can carve it to complete the shape of the cake and then cover in BC or fondant easily.

can't find it now, but there is a pic somewhere showing a carousel horse done this way w/ lower half of body and legs from styrofoam.

I will be making a 3D dumptruck for my son's birthday and got the directions from the Wilton book Celebrate with Fondant. This is what is says to make the base (will vary depending on size of your truck)

To make base, cut three 2x2x5 in. pieces of craft block. Wrap craft blocks and 6x12 double cake board with foil. Glue craft blocks in place at wheel areas around truck on bottom of cake board.

HTH!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You guys are so awesome!!! I just knew you would have the answers!!!!!

Doug- as soon as I finish these three cakes for this weekend, I'll be down to help decorate your classroom!!!

Msauer,
Off topic, but we're pretty close to each other, I live in Dublin.

I have one other idea that I used when making a school bus cake last week:

Cut a cake board to fit the base of the vehicle then balance it on one of those disposable "gladware" containers. I found a generic brand about 2"wx5"Lx3"h?... and then I cut the lip off with scissors until it was the right height upside down. It was perfect because it was clear--couldn't see it!

I'll see about getting that cake posted to my pics to maybe better explain. Looks like there are lots of good ideas.

Hmmm what do you use for wheels though? and how do you "attach" them to this "creation"? And what is craft block? Is that styrofoam?

Do you have a picture of your "tupperware container" cake holders?? It's not "clear" in my head....

Hi! I just made a dump truck cake for my son's 1st birthday. I cut a cake board the same size as the bottom of my cake. I then covered it with alum. foil and then wrapped three wooden blocks together in packing tape and alum foil and use one set for the front of the truck by the wheels and one set by the back wheels. I then glued the wrapped blocks to the bottom on the cake board. I justed fondant for the wheels and let them dry over night before I put them on. I will attach a picture for you to see. If you need more pictures let me know. I would be happy to send them to you. Good luck!

Sandy

(TSG177)

I used chocolate covered donuts for the wheels.

I made a dumptruck cake for a friend's grandson and I used donuts for the wheels and cut the cake board the same size as the truck. I then glued wooden blocks under the wheels and iced it in royal icing the same color as the bottom cake board. It gave the illusion that the wheels were supporting the cake. Here is a picture.

Thanks for all the great ideas! I actually had already decided to use the choc. covered donuts like Kiddiekakes suggested, but the sad part is that the customer doesn't want any fondant
I have gotten quite attached to the stuff, since I have started to overcome my fear of it!

DianaMarieMTV- we should get together and take a class sometime! Maybe even start a buddy network in case one of us gets in a pinch with too many cakes! Have you ever seen the work that "Sueperb Creations" does over there in Dublin! YIKES!!! Incredible stuff!!!

Wow, ladybug...you really can't see that darn tupperware container, can you? Did you carve your cake as well?

I just did a large dumptruck for my grandson's 1st birthday. I used three 2x2x8 styrofoam wrapped in silver. They were attached to the silver base where the wheels went, like axels. I did attach everything to another base because this cake was large. The axels were almost invisible once the chocolate donuts were attached. I used regular wooden cooking skewers that I broke off to shorten a little, pushed under the cake (between cake and truck base) where I wanted the wheel, leaving the pointed end out to attach to the wheel. Also used a little icing to act as glue. (I also notched the donuts a little because my truck base was a little wider than the cake. The notches fit over the edge of the board.) If you use the skewers, be sure someone knows to pull them out as the cake is dismantled. They're sharp!! The children at the party were very interested in getting their hands on the "wheels". The basic base directions are in the Wilton Celebrate with Fondant book. It worked really well!

Just wanted to take a moment and thank all of you for helping with your wonderful ideas for the support system for my dump truck cake! It was an absolute hit and the customer told me that it was better than she could have anticipated. As you can see in the picture, I did slip in a little MMF eventhough she said no fondant (she has had the Wilton stuff and didn't care for it). I think she mainly wanted to avoid the whole cake being covered in the stuff.

I just posted in my photos it if you wanted to check it out. (this was one of three I did this weekend...I will post the cowboy cake and Elmo cakes soon).

Thanks again....I appreciate all of you!