Tamiya Haulers - Update day

[Rich]

Apparently owning a billion custom WPL trucks wasn't enough, and I spotted this Tamiya King Hauler locally for not a lot of money. I've always wanted a 1/14 truck and when this came up up the road for buttons I had to have it. As you do. has very basic radio gear which I haven't yet tried, but it's mechanically all there. Never even had lights fitted. Part of the reason it was cheap though is the paint which is coming of in sheets. Still, easy to remove to repaint. Pics from the advert.



















Sprite cans went straight in the recycling, and the Guy Martin sticker peeled all the paint off the cab back which sped that up a smidge.

Body off to see what the score is. T-Cut for scale.



Stripped the cab to bare bones to attempt to remove the rest of the paint. Been painted directly over the un-prepped plastic.

[vanpeebles]

That looks a perfect project buy! I quite like the idea of the pop cans for a load

[Rich]

Nov 29, 2021 9:05:43 GMT vanpeebles said:

That looks a perfect project buy! I quite like the idea of the pop cans for a load

It’s in the build booklet for the trailer as a suggested load

[vanpeebles]

Nov 29, 2021 12:59:00 GMT Rich said:

Nov 29, 2021 9:05:43 GMT vanpeebles said:

That looks a perfect project buy! I quite like the idea of the pop cans for a load

It’s in the build booklet for the trailer as a suggested load

I didn't know that! You can keep an eye open for a bargain Hauler for me too

[Rich]

Nov 29, 2021 13:25:51 GMT vanpeebles said:

Nov 29, 2021 12:59:00 GMT Rich said:

It’s in the build booklet for the trailer as a suggested load

I didn't know that! You can keep an eye open for a bargain Hauler for me too

Seen a few cheapish ones through my local clubs but still £400-500 for just a tractor and they are nearly always European units, Scania R line etc. I think I got quite lucky, although I think the US units are less popular anyway compared to the licensed cab over designs. Mind you the KH tractor kit is only (only, lol) around £375 as a kit without RC gear.

[markbognor]

Awesome find!

[Jonny69]

Wow, that is huauge! I always wondered what these were like in real life. How is the 3-speed gearbox operated? Is it done by a servo or just manually set it in a gear?

Edit: this looks unbelievably complicated!

[Rich]

Nov 30, 2021 16:13:23 GMT Jonny69 said:

Wow, that is huauge! I always wondered what these were like in real life. How is the 3-speed gearbox operated? Is it done by a servo or just manually set it in a gear?

Edit: this looks unbelievably complicated!

They are indeed huge. Gearbox is servo controlled, so I’ll need to set it up with my transmitter. Hoping to use my wheel and trigger setup than moving to twin stick, and not have quite a complicated setup. The system I have coming has an app for Bluetooth control. You can get a CVT transmission for these too which is interesting.

[vanpeebles]

Nov 30, 2021 16:13:23 GMT Jonny69 said:

Wow, that is huauge! I always wondered what these were like in real life. How is the 3-speed gearbox operated? Is it done by a servo or just manually set it in a gear?

I have a Tamiya F350 3 speed and you just move the stick up or down for the gears. Top, middle or bottom A switch button one would be better, as steering and acceleration is all on one stick, and the gears are on the other.

[Rich]

Nov 29, 2021 13:25:51 GMT vanpeebles said:

I didn't know that! You can keep an eye open for a bargain Hauler for me too

This any good on the 'bay, vanpeebles?

[vanpeebles]

Dec 4, 2021 15:53:56 GMT Rich said:

Nov 29, 2021 13:25:51 GMT vanpeebles said:

I didn't know that! You can keep an eye open for a bargain Hauler for me too

This any good on the 'bay, vanpeebles?

Gah did it have a buy it now?

[Rich]

Dec 5, 2021 8:15:23 GMT vanpeebles said:

Dec 4, 2021 15:53:56 GMT Rich said:

This any good on the 'bay, vanpeebles?

Gah did it have a buy it now?

No, was cheaper when I linked it but no BIN. Just got to look for poor listings and whatnot. I found that one window shopping for trailers on eBay. They do pop up from time to time.

[Rich]

Got the radio gear working and set the gearshift and steering servos back up. Threw in a TBS mini I had previously programmed to go in my WPL URAL4320 just for the noise. Chuffed with that!

[vanpeebles]

Love it! What's the plan for the paint work??

I have a second F350 with no gearbox and I'm wondering if a hauler gearbox would fit to make it into a rwd f350. They look very similar.

[Rich]

Dec 6, 2021 7:53:16 GMT vanpeebles said:

Love it! What's the plan for the paint work??

I have a second F350 with no gearbox and I'm wondering if a hauler gearbox would fit to make it into a rwd f350. They look very similar.

I have some Vauxhall Mustard Yellow and the original stripe kit for a 70’s vibe. Just starting to struggle with the paint on the cab. Where it’s adhered it’s like rock hard. Nothing will shift it so lots of careful sanding is now the order of the day. Can’t say for sure with the gearbox. I know people must be able to either 4/6wd-ise this gearbox or use a different similar box though. I know you can get a CVT transmission for these too which is pretty cool, I suppose.

[vanpeebles]

Are they RWD, but with the drive to both rear axles? Or just a single powered rear axle?

[VIP]

If you don't mind the smell, Dettol is a great paint stripper for plastic models.

[Rich]

Dec 6, 2021 8:57:18 GMT vanpeebles said:

Are they RWD, but with the drive to both rear axles? Or just a single powered rear axle?

6x4, drive through centre rear axle so both rears powered.

[Rich]

Dec 6, 2021 9:11:54 GMT VIP said:

If you don't mind the smell, Dettol is a great paint stripper for plastic models.

Shall try it but I don’t hold out too much hope. It’s proper on there is that black. In places anyway.

[VIP]

Dec 6, 2021 14:24:10 GMT Rich said:

Dec 6, 2021 9:11:54 GMT VIP said:

If you don't mind the smell, Dettol is a great paint stripper for plastic models.

Shall try it but I don’t hold out too much hope. It’s proper on there is that black. In places anyway.

I've stripped previously painted plastic models, and even pre-painted metal bodies with Dettol with great success. Has to be the old school generic Lucozade coloured stuff though.