My big expensive disappointment
 

Well I received my new container trailer and to tell the truth it is a big letdown not to mention overpriced for as cheap as Tamiya went with some of the parts. A pic of the box and it's contents.

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...r/100_0736.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...r/100_0738.jpg

First the vacuum formed and really thin side panels. Approximately .035in thick. I would have thought for the price the sides would have been injection molded like the cabs and thicker. Here are some pics.

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...r/100_0739.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...r/100_0742.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...r/100_0741.jpg

And here is how you are supposed to assemble the sides and top and then paint.

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...r/100_0745.jpg

They went the cheap route and sent plastic bushings. For what we do with the trucks and trailers their is no need for bearings they don't add much other than cost but that is my personal choice but they could have at least included the normal oil lite bushings which I got to day at the hobby shop for $4 enough to do all 3 axles.

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...r/100_0744.jpg

They also did away with the splined metal hex drives and used pin drive axles with plastic hexes which I here they did on the refer trailer as well, but I guess it was another way to save some cost.

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...r/100_0746.jpg

But with some changes such as dual wheels instead of the super singles, a different rear bumper and loosing the side skirt boards it will look much better. I am also thinking of making new side panel's.

Travis

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

Travis I've built two reefers & they had splinded axles.But they did have them plastic bearings.Other than that the reefer is built pretty good.
FGD

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

I would of thought the top/bottom and sides would of been one piece panels instead of two piece panels and thicker just and why would you put plastic bushings in a trailer when you have metal ones in a truck another let down for another expensive kit that keeps sucking your model funds that could of gone on another project they probably think no one will notice the cheap swap.
Anyway there is still alot of potential for this kit with a little make over :D
Keep us posted on the build ever step of the way :D

Cheers Tracy

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

How thick is the plastic for the sides?

I think it wouldnt be to hard to build the trailer out of aluminum as well as the container so you could have scale 53 foot containers

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

I thought the sides would've been made out of aluminum, more like the real ones. Well, I'll put this on my "not to buy" list.

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

:rolleyes:

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

A couple more pics.

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...r/100_0750.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...r/100_0749.jpg

Thanks for looking.
Travis

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

Oops was busy looking at the pictures

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

That blows.. thanks for the review...

I was kinda looking forward to this trailer

Alfy

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

Thanks Travis

I will not wast my cash on one of these.:(

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

I don't see the container holding up to much movement from a loader or crane. The discontinued wedico container boxes where thick metal at least. I wonder if the bruder containers will fit the trailer with some modification.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...wcontainer.jpg

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

I bet if they didn't get the Maersk logo on it, it'd either be half the price, or built better...since Maersk is apparently a celebrity company now, after the run-in with pirates on the Alabama.

I am kinda sorry to see that they cheaped out on the materials for the container...

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

I have a couple of Bruders that I am making a trailer especially for them. I will post some pics in the next few days. Do you want some measurements of the boxes? Well, here they are:

Length: 13 7/8"
Width: 7"
Height: 6 7/8"

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

Thanks Matt the rest of the container is metal and looks like it will be fairly solid so I think some better panels will be the biggest thing to make it a better container.

Travis

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

On the plus side it looks like the side panels make a nifty parts/tool tray.

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

Yes they do.:D I also use muffin pans that I buy at thrift stores usually around a $1 apiece and you get compartments to sort stuff out but these days I just throw it all in one pan and go to town.:D

Travis

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

Here is what my Bruder container looks like on a frame, yes it has the Bruder wheels, but once it is all painted, who needs anything fancy for a container trailer? The Bruder wheels do have some play in them, they have sufficient articulation to meet the need.

I have a 2nd container, I will be putting real Tamiya axles and wheels with this one.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i3...s/IMG_0927.jpg

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

thanks for the review. I was looking at getting one of those, but after working around containers all day long, can see a lot of issues and cheap ways tamiya foobied them. It sucks because there 1:48 scale kits are normally right on the money.

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

Hmmm aluminum sides someday :rolleyes: http://www.easyfreesmileys.com/smileys/idea-013.gif

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

Hey Guys,
Give Tamiya a break. I am about 80% done with my build. Overall, this trailer is done very well. Yes, the vacuform panels are a pain but they look very nice when joined and painted and it makes the trailer a lot lighter. The kit goes together well and I am having a ball with it. Pictures to come.. Tamiya has to cut corners as we all do in this economy. I don't want Tamiya to go out of business.
The only problem I had is with the decals. They are very hard to put on without wrinkling. On my trailer, one side is just about perfect but the other side is unacceptable to me. I will have to get another decal sheet and a new side panel to make it right. Tip: On the large MAERSK logo label, stick the center down first and work the decal to both sides and the letters, the R and S need to be cut in the appropriate places so it won't wrinkle. Start the A in the center too. I guess panel 1 was my practice piece.
Well, back to work.

Alan

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

Al If you are happy with the kit great. This is my thread and I am very disappointed with the trailer. First off this trailer is a lot more expensive than even a truck kit where you get axles, transmission, and more detailed parts not to mention the metal drive hexes and metal bushings which they use on the other trailers kits. The side panels could have been made of one piece aluminum just as they are on the box trailer. They could have also used injection molded styrene to keep cost down which they did not do. The parts tree for the light buckets and front bumper could have been molded in black as well instead of white which just adds something to paint black. My review of this is an honest one so prospective buyers know what they are getting. Tamiya would not have gone out of business by keeping the same quality in this trailer as thay do in the other Tractor Truck kits. If you are looking for a decal sheet I know where you can get one.

Travis

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

Well said Travis :D

Cheers Tracy

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

so bruder comes out ahead again? lol

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

Vacuum formed parts are not something you'd really expect on a scale model Tamiya kit, I guess. Yes, it would have been nice to see the container made at least of injection molded plastic of any kind! I could live with that, as understandable, and aluminum sides would have required the container to be either a smooth side version, or a very, very expensive ribbed version. To make dies for stamping aluminum parts would have been pretty costly. More so then dies for injection molding plastics. All of Tamiya's kits seem to have long lives, which span 15 to 20 plus years, so it is to bad they didn't make the dies for injection molding. They would have got their money's worth.

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

I've been reading what's been said about this trailer, and maybe somewhere down the road I might get one:rolleyes: who knows?
But I thought I would tell you all, when I got my pole trailer, it also had plastic bushings.
Vacume formed parts on a trailer...It's not a static...:confused:

Big John

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

im sure you will turn it into a peice of art

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

The pole trailer is one of the three trailers I don't have what did they vacuum form on that kit? The pole trailer, refrigerated, and tanker are the three I don't have. I am thinking of getting the tanker trailer but just have no interest in the other two.



Travis

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

Travis, the pole trailer didn't have any vacume parts.
And as far as the tanker, you won't be disapointed.
But it could have more detail on the frame such as
valves, tool boxes, ect...But I changed all that;)

Big John

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

Question for you cnc type's? Has anybody thought about milling out a wall mold and hydro forming, thin aluminum with a pressure washer? Just a late night brain cramp!
Later, Neil#2 aka doodlebug.

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

Not sure about the pressure molding but Tamiya could have had extruded aluminum side and made everyone happy! With all of the extruded aluminum I have seen out there, it can't cost that much to have made when you are talking the quantities Tamiya would want.

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

Shoot, with the combined resources and capabilities of this forum, a group of you should be making trailers, by truckers for truckers!

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

Freddy and the gang are debating that as we speak!:D

As for the trailer, disappointed as well. It decreases in realism with plastic panels, as well as becoming weaker. I see reasons why they would however, such as the weight and noise issues. I won't buy it until it has a metal container, and it loses an axle!:D:p Just my 2 cents!:D

If it keeps Tamiya alive(Probably not), however, I don't mind it.:)

Keep on mini-truckin'!:D

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

That would be awesome, being in the hobby who know what scale truckers need better than scale truckers.
Plus with a group working on them it shouldn't be too much burden on any one individual. Screw licensing, most modelers are capable of, or know someone that can paint/decal/brand etc.
Any who, I'm always more than happy to throw in my $.02 or a hand.

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

well the die making is not an issue with me . It's the time to do it and the $ for the tooling , I'll have to take a good look at a sea can tomorrow .

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

well I need dimensions of the container and some carbide at least I got the material to make the die and IF I do this , I'll be the 1 selling it I don't deal with dealers

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

dimensions of the container pdf I made this morning. 20ft 1/16 and 1/14 scale
printable on D size paper.

HTH

Carl

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

Well here are some pics of the trailer all most done I just need to figure out something different for the rear bumper I just don't like how low the lights are. Now to figure out what to do with the container as well maybe I will find some hardware or get some made and have two twenty foot boxes.

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...r/100_0764.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...r/100_0766.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...r/100_0765.jpg

Thanks for looking
Travis

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

Carbide? 4140 should hold up for aluminum - don't make them steel - nobody's suspension (except a few guys) will hold up.

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

Izzy I believe the carbide is for the tooling to make the die to form the panels.

Travis

Re: My big expensive disappointment
 

Are you planing on 8' or 9'6'' tall, high cube version? Just had to "muddy the Water"
Later, Neil#2 aka doodlebug.