 | | Nooteboom box. |  |  | | Smart looking Mercedes-Benz. |  | | Big chrome exhaust. |  | | Detailed chassis. |  | | Tilting cab. |  | | Modules. |  | | Detailed console on the gooseneck. |  | | Tiny graphics on the edges. |  | | Spare wheels in the storage area. |  | | Deck posts can be fitted. |  | | Extendible deck. |  | | A bunch of gear chucked on by the Cranes Etc guys. |
|  Comment on this model.
This model is one of Nooteboom Trailers Red Line Series.
The tractor is a Mercedes-Benz Actros 8x4 and the trailer is a Nooteboom 4-axle EURO-PX + 2-axle ICP. The tractor has a model fleet number of T-030 and the trailer is OPL-025.
Packaging
The packaging is a high quality Nooteboom-branded windowed box.
There were no defects or missing parts on the review model.
An instruction sheet is included which is a welcome addition and it includes information about the real trailer on one side and the basics of assembling the trailer on the other, although not all aspects of the model are covered. A collector card is also included.
Detail
The Mercedes-Benz tractor has a very good chassis with the 8x4 transmission fully modelled and that includes the gearbox. The wheels are very detailed with different tyres on the front and rear axles.
The cab has windscreen wipers, orange beacon lights and light bar, number plate, and colour-coded door mirrors. The cab interior is very good and includes the Mercedes logo on the steering wheel and there also appears to be some coloured detailing on the instrument cluster although it is hard to see.
Under the cab is a detailed engine bearing the Mercedes Benz name.
The equipment tower is entirely plastic but it is very detailed including grab rails, tanks and lights. A chromed exhaust stack looks impressive. Coiled air lines and anti-slip surfacing extends to the fifth wheel and at the back the lights have plastic lenses.
The trailer is made up of the gooseneck, a 2-axle Interdolly, the flatbed and 4-axle Pendel X module.
The gooseneck is a metal part. The control console on the left side has tiny graphics and yellow reflective stripes run on each side. At the rear a set of hoses / cables are ready to plug into the Interdolly or deck section. Two spare wheels can sit loosely in the storage area on top and width markers can be clipped underneath.
The 2-axle Interdolly is a precision part. The detailed wheels are supported on metal parts with the sprung suspension neatly modelled with the spring inside the ram. The authentic look is highlighted by the use of many tiny graphics, and on top the painting of the casting highlights bolt heads around the access plates.
The 4-axle unit is similarly detailed. It features a deep central trough which is an advantage of this trailer design so that the boom of a transported load can be folded low. Graphics are used to provide the detail on the inner edges and tie-down loops are reproduced within the casting. A width marker board assembly can be added on top.
There is a detailed surface on the flat bed with plastic timber decking which has the screw pattern visible. The yellow reflective stripe continues along the edges. Tiny plastic outriggers for supporting timber edge extensions are modelled, and holes for deck posts are provided. The metal posts are included with the model also.
Features
The Mercedes-Benz tractor has very stiff linked steering and only a small range of movement is possible.
The cab tilts forward to about 45° and can pose in the tilted position.
The gooseneck has stiff working cylinders so different angles can be set. It can be connected to the Interdolly, and a spacer piece is provided for use if connecting directly to the deck section. However these connections are not very firm and easily come apart. The spacer piece was also not a good fit on the review model, but an acceptable result could be obtained.
Both modules have very good independent suspension and the steering is proportional on the 4-axle module and parallel on the 2-axle. The steering mechanism is not as precise as some previous WSI models and a moderate steering angle can be achieved before the tyres are fouled.
The deck can be configured with deck posts and extra plastic timbers to extend the width.
The deck is also extendible producing a model around 23 inches or 59cm long. The mechanism works smoothly.
Quality
This model is high quality with plastic used appropriately.
The paintwork is very good with many very small graphics adding detail and they only lose sharpness at closest inspection.
Price
The model is reasonable value for the flexibility offered.
Overall
This latest version of the Nooteboom Euro Low Loader is generally in keeping with the high standard of previous versions. It is highly recommended.
Footnotes
The model appeared in March 2013.
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|  |  | | The parts, collector card and instruction sheet. |  | | The trailer in basic configuration. |  | | Steering angle is very limited. |  | | Equipment tower is plastic. |  | | The rear end. |  | | Looks impressive. | |
|  | | The 4-axle unit. |  | | Highlighting of bolt heads by painting. |  | | Rear of the trailer. |  | | Configured without the Interdolly. |  | | Carrying a Volvo A40D. |  | | Impressive with a Liebherr LB 28 on board. |
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