8285-1: Tow Truck

King of the road!

This amazing, fully-functional Tow Truck is equipped with rack and pinion front wheel steering, and an operating crane, winch and lift -- just like the real thing! Its rear telescopic towing mechanism lifts pneumatically to rescue stranded vehicles, while the ratchet-regulated winch secures the load. Open the hood to reveal the detailed V6 engine with moving pistons and spinning radiator fan! Side compartments conceal manual controls for raising the hook or extending and lowering the boom. Authentic model for skilled builders! Pump the pneumatic cylinder to lift the telescoping boom! Tow Truck measures over 26" (66cm) long! Turn the wheels to see the realistic V6 engine pistons move! Lower the stabilizers for towing heavy loads! Telescoping boom extends, retracts, lifts and lowers! Open the hood to see the detailed engine and spinning radiator fans! Includes building instructions to rebuild into a heavy load flat-bed truck! Also includes instructions for integrating #8287 Motor Set (sold separately) into the alternate model. The motor will lift and lower the arm and pull the string up and down.

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Tow Truck

awesome!

Posted by krautboy in Netherlands on 14 April 2009

After building it,taking it apart and rebuilding the B-model all in all it's an amazing set.
What the previous people wrote about the B-model may be true,but they didn't mention the size and awesomenese.
It's a beautiful scale model,and like all lego models it functions only to a certain degree.If you want to motorize it just be creative,and have a stack of lego to do so.
If you don't have enough lego be creative and shorten the length,or let out the crane,that's what lego is all about.This is really one of the best sets ever made,get it if you can !
P.s.
Sticker it if you just gonna save it for A and B model,it doesnt require to remove any of them.

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Tow Truck

Also the review of the B-model

Posted by Lexhoya in Netherlands on 01 April 2009

Like aldredd mentioned the B-model is not discussed much, but this is not done for most sets. I do not have the motorset that can be used to automate the set, but I will not buy it for this one. The set on itself, both models are really cool and impressive if you build them and put them on a tabel.
What disappoints me most is the studiness of the cranes. They both can not handle a lot of loads (in fact most models are too heavy for the mechanism to handle) and the wire that comes with the set broke a few times, it is replaced by me for a normal cotton wire 0,3 mm gauge (a bit heavier). Now it at least can hold a model in the air, but it still tips over when something heavy is lifted.

Apart from this set, I really would appreciate it if Lego reintroduces the separate sets again with the different technic parts. There are only 2 in NL and they only contain axles and joints... Anyone else for this to be done?


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Tow Truck

The B Model lets it down

Posted by aldredd in United Kingdom on 25 March 2009

OK, don't get me wrong, this model is fantastic. If I was only reviewing the 'A' model, it would get 5/5 without a doubt. But seeing as the 'B' model hasn't been mentioned much, I though I'd focus more on that than the 'A' model - there isn't really anything I can add to that which hasn't been said already.

To start, it's very disappointing that the (optional, and expensive) motor set is only compatible with the 'B' model, and not the 'A' model. But I bought it knowing this. So after many hours taking the other model apart, I built the second model. It was OK - quite large and well detailed, but just didn't have the same 'wow' factor as the first model. It also left many parts unused - including the damper. I wasn't happy with the model, but though things may improve when I added the motor set and it's 96(approx) pieces.
Another disappointment. Other than the motor & battery box, it only used a few extra pieces from this set, and really didn't add a lot to the overall finish.
Add to that, the fact that they don't even manage to find a way to secure the battery box to the model, instead it's separate, and connected via the cable - looks a mess.
I spent a bit of time trying to modify the model to accommodate the battery box (with some success) but eventually gave up, took it apart and re-built the A model.

By all means get this set - it's fantastic, but I really wouldn't bother with the B model or motor set

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Tow Truck

Beautiful Model

Posted by hustla187 in United States on 08 January 2009

This set really reminds me of the old Model Team sets Lego used to make. This is a perfect successor to the Model Team sets because it is detail to the final pieces and and is in Model Team scale. The tow truck is really amazing and it looks flawless from top to bottom. At least 20 years from now, this set will be rereleased.

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Tow Truck

first place winner!

Posted by spike2 in United States on 01 October 2008

love this set fun to build. a bit hard at the start.
( was my first big technic set)but loads of fun! I entered it at the state fair and took first place in my class.

pros:
loads of functions
nice parts (motor,tires,etc.)
pneumatic parts

cons:
you may have to move some parts
(fenderson the hood need to be moved back one hole)
but other then that it's great!

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