kevstechnic

Just been wrestling with the problem of needing rectracted LAs and found this. Thanks - this is perfect- although I still don't quite get how it has been done.

My remaining parts just arrived from Brick Takeover, so I finished building the truck this evening. It is fantastic. I love it. Thanks Madoca.

Thanks very much for the positive feedback. I will try try turn signal system - maybe rig it up so the FJ40 and trailer have turn indicators that operate together. I love details like that. Will check it out. I really appreciate the feedback. I have only been doing Lego for six months and feedback like this is most encouraging. Thank you. Thanks for the comments. Good to see another Aussie on here.

Thanks for the help. I had already seen this process but when I try it I get a square with the red X in it instead of the pic. I have managed to embed a pic in another pst I have done so not sure what is wrong. This trailer is not to any particular scale and is not modelled like any real trailer. I just built what seemed OK. The gooseneck does not detach. It attaches to the towing vehicle with a turntable that is built into the trailer as shown in this pic http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=6287505. I built a modified version of the Crane Truck model from TLG (although I did not have the set). Trailer looks OK with that. My model is definitely quite basic compared to some of the sophisticated models I have seen that are scale accruate and powered. However this is my first MOC and I have only been bulding lego since six monbths ago. Still lots to learn.

This trailer is the first MOC I have developed. It is not based on any real trailer. It is fairly large but not very complicated as I am fairly new to lego and still developing my skills. A key challenge was buoilding the deck so that it was rigid enough to take a significant load without sagging. After a number of rebuilds it can now easily hold quite large models such as 42030 Volvo loader with hardly any sag. Sorry but it seems I have to use links for pictures as I can't attached any more files. Trailer picture is at : http://www.brickshel...y.cgi?i=6287700 The trailer has parking wheels to support the front end when not attached to a towing vehicle. These were tricky to design so that they worked, held enough weight and retracted with a very low profile. End result is simple and works quite well. Picture of underside wheels in the lowered position is : http://www.brickshel...y.cgi?i=6287507 I have produced a full LDD file for instructions. There were three small items that LDD would not allow me to connect how I did on the actual trailer becasue they don;t line up perfectly the way LDD requires. LDD file is at : http://www.brickshel...ler_full_v1.lxf If I can work out how to put the actual pictures here, I will update this topic with them.

I was inspired by building the excellent Toyota FJ40 model designed by rm8 which can be found elswhere in this forum (at http://www.eurobrick...howtopic=103380). I developed a mod for the FJ40 to place the battery on the roof rack so that the interior is not too packed (and you can see the rear seats). Then I decided to build a camper trailer in the same colour scheme to go with it. This is what the whole thing looks like: The trailer has a parking wheel that is retracted when hitched to the FJ40 and lowered when stand alone. A removable pin structure holds it in either the retracted or lowered position. Picture of trailer standing alone with parking wheel lowered is : http://www.brickshel...y.cgi?i=6287054 The roof of the trailer sits on locating pins and can be removed. This is to allow further development into a working pop-top camper trailer. LDD for trailer is : http://www.brickshel...ailer_whole.lxf

Firstly the beams have to be lined up like the two opposite sides of a rectangle. This way the distance between each pair of ball joints to be linked is the same. For the first link- Place the first link increasing or decreasing the space between the beams to get to the length required for the link to attach to the balls at both ends. For subsequent links- Attach the next link at one end. When you select this link with the hinge tool, you get three variables you can adjust to rotate three ways. The one on the left rotates along the length of the link (tilting it one way or the other). Don't use this variable. Use the centre variable to move the link so that the unattached end "touches" the ball joint to which you want to attach it. Then use the right hand variable to move the unattached end of the link up or down to so that it clears the ball joint. Then use the centre variable again to rotate the link further so that the cup is in line with the ball (above or below it). Then adjust the right hand variable again so that the link end moves onto the ball.

Trying a link to LDD file for the camper trailer stored on Brickshelf. Don't know whether this will work http://www.brickshel...ailer_whole.lxf. Yay it seems to work OK. Will post in a proper topic with some pix when I get access to those features (after some more posts). Seems appropriate to put it here though as it is the FJ40 MOC that inspired me to do the trailer.

Some pictures of the FJ40 with mods and camper trailer The whole rig (did not have a white slope poiece for the roof so had to use black) close up of FJ40 with battery box on roof and spotlights at front of roof rack Trailer on its own with park wheel lowered Showing underside of battery box and wiring I have full LDD model for the trailer and the battery box but next have to work out how to publish these. Let me know what you think.

I have built this excellent model that captures the real thing so well. I actually used to own one so I have a soft spot for the FJ40. I have built a camper trailer to go with it using the same colour scheme and will publish some pictures along with LDD building instructions that I have done. Also built a battery box to go on the roof rack that is intended to look like a storage container. This allows the back of the FJ40 to not be packed full of battery, wires and remote so the seats and other details are not covered up. I have built it with all the accessories and added some working spotlights at the front of the roof rack. The whole thing looks very cool. Thanks so much for the great design and sharing the instructions. I am new to Eurobricks so as soon as I can start a thread and figure out how to post pictures and instructions I will do so.

About to start building the Compact CUV. Just waiting for some parts. Another well designed, good looking model. Thanks for sharing instructions.

I am a new member to Eurobricks. Have started to build this fantastic model and now just waiting for some more parts to enable me to continue. The instruction pictures are really good quality and laid out so that building is reasonably straight forward provided that care is taken. The parts pictures were also excellent. Thanks for such a great MOC and publishing build instructions. Will publish pictures of my build when finished. I have some of my own MOCs although I am fairly new to Lego as an adult and will publish these on the site as soon as I can including LDD build instructions.

This is a really outstanding model. Rock solid design, great detailing ideas and looks great. It will drive over anything. Absolutely expert stuff. The instructions are top quality too as is the LDD file (and I know these take time). Have attached a picture of my build with the dump truck add-on. I love it.

Will be posting some of my builds shortly including my first MOC attempt.