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