Tamiya truck questions

[Terry]

I am getting close to pulling the trigger on my first Tamiya truck but have a few questions first.
I saw on a site that when the MFU is installed the control panel is visible, is there a way to hide it?

It looks like a cord is connected from the trailer to the cab, is this to power the lights to the trailer? If so, is there another way to power the lights so you don't have to use the wire?

Are the trailer legs operable by the transmitter?

What I'm getting at here is I am wanting to know if you can operate everything from the transmitter and connect and disconnet the trailer without having to connect or disconnect anything by hand.

[1985 kenworth]

from my knowledge you can use a remote switch on your radio for the power landing gear and your switch for your fifth wheel to open and close it as long as it is a 4 channel radio.as far as the light cord .yes that cord powers the rear trailer lights which gives you the running lights signal lights and brake lights on the trailer although i think i saw somewhere someone had put lights on the trailer by a wireless remote.i can't think of where i saw it.hopes this helps you out

[Brian in PA]

There are all kinds of places to hide the controller. SS-tronix has a wireless kit that works with the MFU. It works great! I have had 2 of them.

[Terry]

Thanks for the info. It's funny, I've been in the rc hobby for 25+ years and never knew how insanely addictive this segment of the hobby was. I just need to start with a kit and take it from there. I've decided I am going to start with a Tamiya King Hauler, and am thinking about going with the drop deck trailer from gardentrucking. I will probably pick up a scale 4x4 pickup to put on the trailer for now.
I ended up selling off all of my other cars so I can invest everthing into this part of the hobby. As I get older, I am more interested in the detail and not in all out speed.

[REV73]

Terry, thats exactly the place that I am at right now as a 39 year old with about 25 years in the hobby. I love restoring vintage Tamiya buggies, and am loving the tractor trailers! I do however have a traxxas slash 4x4 that I enjoy quite a bit, I am also addicted to jumping stuff and that truck takes a beating. You won't regret the decision to get a truck.

[Lil Giants]

You won't stop at buying just one.. so get the 1st purchase outta the way, learn from it & continue on from there...

[1985 kenworth]

thats what happened to me ....biten by the truck bug!!

[SonoranWraith]

Terry spend some time reading through the trucking section and you'll see from the builds you can pretty much do anything to hide electronics or reconfigure the truck to what you want. The stock king is nice but some guys want a pete or a kw so they mod it. MFU is a nice piece and takes up a lot of space but you can cram that too, it will fit in a daycab with planning. There's nothing stopping you from creating what you want.

[Terry]

Thanks for all of the input everyone. I'm trying to get as much information as possible so when I do pick one up I have all of the accesories that I want/need.
And yes, I am planning on having a "garage" full.

[Bill 832]

Terry, welcome to the world of the truly addicted! I am just finishing my first truck now, and so far I love it. Also had about 20+ years in the hobby, and wish I woulda started the truck years ago. I have been able to squeeze the MFU into my knight hauler, and keep the interior. I made a wall that separates the cab and sleeper, and will use a black garbage bag piece to simulate the drape. I have seen some amazing builds on this site, just page back a ways, and it will give you some good ideas.

[Brel]

terry welcome to the forum but as a merchant banker I do not have a clue as to what you are referring too LOL

[hippy]

hi terry i am on my first ones too! enjoy, i am.

[Dreamweaver]

Hello Terry, Welcome to the forum. The sky is the limit as to what can be done with these trucks. Case in point, check out my build. (link is in my signature) Classy Shak is my first build. I did not start with a kit, I started with a cab and a few spare parts that were given to me by a friend.

One of the best things about this forum is the people. All you have to do is ask and I can almost guarantee that some one will have an answer for you. There are also several members that can make you just about anything you could want accessory wise.

[Terry]

Again, thanks to everyone for the encouragement. I have to admit, everytime I'm on this site (a few times everyday) I am absolutely amazed at the talent.

Dream Weaver, that is amazing what you're building, way beyond my abilities!

Brel, I was thinking about picking up a few trucks, but with what I'm seeing here, the amount of time I will probably end up spending on a build I am going to start with one.