I have an AMT 1/25 Trailmobile Tandem Vans kit and I was wondering what truck would be pulling it? I'd appreciate a kit still being made were suggested.

Gary,

For this kit, really any of the currently available AMT tractors would be appropriate. Currently available from AMT over at Hobbylinc are the Peterbilt 359, White Western Star, Kenworth W925, White Freightliner dual drive & single drive tractors, Mack R685ST, Mack Cruiseliner, & the GMC Astro. AMT also offers the Autocar A64B & the Mack DM800, but these are more for construction vehicles as opposed to highway tractors. The Revell USA Kenworth W900 & Peterbilt 359 would also be appropriate, as would be the Revell of Germany Kenworth W900. The offerings by Italeri & Moebius are too "new" for this style of trailer.

If it were me, I'd go for the White Freightliner SD tractor, or maybe the GMC Astro converted to a SD daycab tractor; but that's just me.

Good luck with your project.

Jim

Thanks. It will probably be some time before I get to it but I keep remembering to ask after I've shut down the computer!

No problem, glad to help. I see that you're from California. Southern California has some unique tractor/trailer combinations. One thing that seems really popular is a single drive axle conventional daycab tractor with tandem trailers like this:



This one is hauling flatbeds, but I've seen photos of this style of truck hauling all sorts of trailers. Should be realtivly easy to make that style of tractor with either the AMT Kenworth W925 or the AMT Peterbilt 359 (the would actually be a W921 & 289, but that's another discussion). Something to think about.

Jim

I think the instructions mentioned single-axle. Is there a reason for that?

It looks like the White-Freightliner SD is the one to go with. Most of the vendors (Squadron, Sprue Bros, Lucky Model) don't seem to carry a lot of trucks. Can you suggest a vendor?

[quote]I think the instructions mentioned single-axle. Is there a reason for that?[quote]

I suspect that is because the 2 trailers are short (27') wheel base, so a heavy dual-drive truck would be overkill. In saying that, the "Double Header" AMT boxing shows a dual drive truck, so either option would work.



Cheers, D

For what it’s worth D,

I think your answer is right, or makes sense. I remember seeing lots of CF (consolidated freight) trucks running all around in California as a kid - often a COE tractor with a single rear axle - (White Freightliners/day cab), and not as many non COEs with sleeper as shown on the box art.

All of that said, aside from aiming for 70’s vintage, I wouldn’t hesitate using whatever long haul or day cab tractor I wanted! As Jim notes above, there seem to be an almost endless set of variations on the road.

Those two trailer sets were very commonly seen. Not so much anymore - now either long box, or short singles. I live near a major Port so, I see lots of long/short containers too - probably more than typical trailers.

Fun talking trucks!

Cheers
Nick

Ok, for fun I looked some of these up:

a single:



and a double:



I remember those green tractors clearly! Seeing them on Highway 80 in the Sierras -

though again, if were building the kit, I'd choose the tractor I like -

cheers
Nick

I believe that the short, daycab, SD tractors were used due to the length laws that were in effect in the 1970s. The tractor/trailer combination could only be so long, so the less length used for the tractor meant that the freight company had more room for cargo.

The trailer kit instructions say to use a SD tractor? I do not have this kit, so I'm not familiar with the instructions.

For online vendors, I would recommend Hobbylinc, Scale Hobbyist, or Model Roundup.

Jim

Just bought an AMT White Freightliner Single-Drive Tractor. I am on a quest to reduce my stash by building and am trying not to buy any kits, but this one needs a tractor to haul it, so I am happy to finally get it.

Thanks!

That should work out fabulously as it has CF decals already in it from what I see, if you go the CF route that is.