 | | Conrad box. |  |  | | Reasonable detailing behind the cab. |  | | Tilting cab poses tilted. |  | | Proportional steering on the axles. |  | | Ramps removed and deck posts fitted. |  | | Loaded with a Cardem demolition excavator. |  | | Extended length with Eurovia equipment on board. |  | | Impressive when loaded. |  | | Unloading on site. |
|  Comment on this model.
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.
This version of the model is in the colours of Cardem which is a demolition company and part of the VINCI Group.
Packaging
The model comes in a Conrad branded box which holds the model within a foam insert.
The review model had no defects or missing pieces.
There is no information on the model or real vehicle provided. Assembly is limited to attaching door mirrors and roof aerail to the MAN cab, and deck posts to the trailer if desired.
Detail
The tractor unit is a 6x4 MAN TGS. Underneath, the transmission components are detailed in plastic, and the tyres are mounted on good hubs with wider tyres on the steering axle. The cab is detailed with colour-coded door mirrors, windscreen wipers, aerials and beacon lights.
There are no number plates on the model which is a surprise for a fleet vehicle, but the simple Cardem livery is appealing.
Behind the cab there is a metal equipment box and a textured walking surface. The wheel arches on the rear wheels are plastic, and the rear lights are formed of plastic lenses. There is a towing hitch at the rear and an alternative is also supplied as a spare.
The Doll semi trailer is a five axle unit and there is very little plastic used. 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. A set of 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.
Features
The MAN tractor steering works very well, and a very hard lock can be obtained if desired. The rear axles are floating which gives the impression of a form of suspension.
The cab tilts to reveal an engine block inside, and the cab can pose tilted.
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. Additionally the gooseneck can be separated from the trailer by removing a plastic pin on the underside. The trailer also has plastic support legs front and rear, and the ramps at the rear fold down nicely.
The ramps can fold down, and are also removable.
Another interesting feature is that there are small plastic pull out horizontal extenders down each side of the trailer bed which could provide some additional support to wide loads, although no spanning timbers are included.
Deck posts can be fitted if required.
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 very good.
Price
The model is good value for the quality and features offered.
Overall
This is another good addition to the collection of VINCI Group models, and when it is loaded with a suitable piece of machinery it makes a great display piece. It has a few small worthwhile revisions compared to earlier versions of the model and is highly recommended.
Footnotes
The Doll trailer was first announced at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in February 2009 and appeared at dealers in August of the same year. A version of the Doll Trailer was also produced in 2012 in the colours of Affolter. This version in Cardem colours appeared in March 2014 in a limited edition of 300 models
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|  |  | | The parts out of the box. |  | | The MAN has very good steering movement. |  | | Underneath view. |  | | Running empty. | |
|  | | Support legs down. |  | | Rear view. |  | | No number plates. The deck posts are difficult to keep straight. |  | | Loading a Cardem excavator. |
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