 | | The Conrad brand box. |  |  | | On the road. |  | | Good graphics on the MAN. |  | | Steering movement is very good. |  | | Tilting cab, but the movement is limited and the cab cannot pose tilted. |  | | The trailer can be supported by front legs when disconnected from the tractor. |  | | Rear steering on the trailer. |  | | The trailer extended and shown here with the deck posts fitted. |  | | The trailer disconnected from the gooseneck. |  | | Carrying a Volvo A40D. |
| The German company Doll was originally founded in 1878. The 5-axle semi trailer featured here is the low bed version and it is used in a variety of industries to carry heavy or large loads.
The model is in the colours of Affolter, a Swiss haulier and consists of a MAN TGX 6x4 tractor and Doll 5-axle trailer.
Packaging
The model comes in a Conrad branded box which holds the model within a foam insert. The review model had one defect. A ramp pin was broken and spares were quickly provided.
There is a small label on the box with a picture of the model but nothing about real machine or the livery. There is little assembly to do other than attach some door mirrors and aerials to the MAN tractor, and deck posts to the trailer if desired.
Detail
The tractor unit is a three axle MAN TGX XXL which is marked TGX 33.680. Underneath, the transmission components are well detailed albeit in plastic, and the tyres are mounted on good hubs with different tyres on the steering axle. The cab is detailed with colour-coded door mirrors, windscreen wipers, aerials, horns and beacon light bar. There are no number plates on the model but the graphics look good and the livery is appealing.
Behind the cab there is a textured walking surface. The mud guards on the rear wheels are plastic, and the rear lights are formed of plastic lenses. There are two towing hitches at the rear.
The Doll semi trailer is a five axle unit and there is very little plastic used on it. The treaded tyres are mounted on small plastic hubs which look reasonable. The deck has a nice textured surface, and the headboard at the front has a couple of spare wheels fitted, together with a set of wheel chocks. Two ramps at the rear are cast well to include their structure.
Features
The MAN tractor steering works very well, and a very hard lock can be obtained if desired. The rear axles of the tractor are floating which give the impression of a form of suspension. The cab tilts to reveal an engine block inside, although the forward tilt is very constrained. A second towing hitch can be added at the rear of the tractor.
The axles on the trailer all steer together in an impressive way which is also proportional in that the rear axles steer more than the front ones, and this works very well with the rear axle achieving the 45° steering angle of the real machine. The axles also have a form of suspension.
A good feature is that the semi trailer is extendible which makes it much longer for certain loads and the overall length of the extended vehicle is 46cm. Additionally the gooseneck can be separated from the trailer by removing a plastic pin on the underside.
The trailer has plastic support legs front and rear which can support it when detached from the tractor or when being loaded over the rear end, and the ramps at the rear fold down nicely. This version of the Doll trailer has pinned ramps rather than riveted as in earlier versions, so the model can be displayed without ramps if desired.
Another interesting feature is that there are small plastic pull out horizontal extenders down each side of the trailer bed which can provide some additional support to wide loads although no deck planks are included.
A set of metal deck posts can be fitted to each side of the deck edge although these are not a tight fit so it is a little difficult to keep them straight and looking right.
Quality
This is a good quality model up to the usual Conrad standards. There is a limited use of plastic and the model has a solid feel. The paintwork and graphics are good.
Price
The model is good value for the quality and features offered bearing in mind it is a very limited edition.
Overall
This tractor and trailer look good in the colours of Affolter and it has many features which provide interesting display possibilities. It is easy to recommend.
Footnotes
The model appeared in the Heavy Transport Models shop in February 2012 and was made in a run of 100 models. A previous version of the Doll Trailer was produced in the colours of Bloedorn.
|
| |
|  | | The model in its wrapping. |  | | A number plate would have added to the detail. |  | | Plastic lights at the back. |  | | Light bar and aerials on the roof. |  | | Trailer steering has excellent movement. |  | | Deck extenders pull out but no planks are supplied. |  |  | | Smart livery. |  | | Posed without the ramps. |  | | Heavy haulage on the move. |  | | Unloading the Volvo. Ramps and stabilisers down. |
|
