{"product_id":"moc-246143-american-heavy-duty-truck-self-steering-3-axle-trailer-building-blocks","title":"MOC-246143 American Heavy-Duty Truck \u0026 Self-Steering 3-Axle Trailer Building Blocks","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecreate the look and mechanics of a classic American highway tractor with the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMOC-246143 American Heavy-Duty Truck \u0026amp; Self-Steering 3-Axle Trailer Building Blocks\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Designed and authorized by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNico71\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e880-piece\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e model combines a long-nose American-style truck with a functional three-axle trailer, rear-wheel drive, rack-and-pinion steering, suspended center axle, and a switchable self-steering trailer system.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBuilt at approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1:30 scale\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the tractor measures around \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e24 cm long\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, extending to roughly \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e52.5 cm when connected to the trailer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, creating a compact but highly functional freight-transport display.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eClassic American Heavy-Truck Styling\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe tractor draws inspiration from heavy-duty American trucks from manufacturers such as Western Star and International, featuring a long hood, upright cab, prominent grille, exhaust stacks, mirrors, and traditional highway-truck proportions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRear-Wheel Drive with Differential\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe drivetrain powers the rear axle through a differential, providing a compact mechanical layout while preserving the characteristic rear-drive configuration of a highway tractor.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSmall-Radius Rack-and-Pinion Steering\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe front axle uses rack-and-pinion steering designed to maximize steering angle within the limited chassis space.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis gives the truck a surprisingly tight turning radius, improving maneuverability when operating with the long trailer attached.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCenter-Axle Trailing-Arm Suspension\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA simple trailing-arm suspension system is incorporated into the middle axle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis allows the axle to move over small bumps and helps prevent the powered rear wheels from losing contact with the ground on uneven surfaces.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSelf-Steering 3-Axle Trailer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe included trailer features a mechanically controlled steering axle linked to the truck-and-trailer articulation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs the tractor turns, the trailer steering mechanism responds automatically, allowing the long combination to negotiate tighter turns more naturally.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFixed or Steering Axle Modes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA locking pin allows the trailer to switch between \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eself-steering and fixed-axle operation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe fixed mode is especially useful when reversing, while the steering mode improves maneuverability during forward driving.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWide Trailer Articulation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe coupling system allows the tractor and trailer to articulate through a wide angle, giving the combination greater flexibility when turning and positioning the trailer.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eManual Landing Gear\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe trailer includes manually adjustable landing legs operated through friction gearing, allowing it to stand independently when disconnected from the tractor.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOpening Hood \u0026amp; Cab Doors\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe hood and doors can be opened, adding interactive details and providing better access to the cab and front structure.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInside, the truck includes seats and other small cabin details that help complete the scale appearance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom the Designer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNico71 originally developed this compact heavy-duty truck for a truck exhibition in France, with the goal of demonstrating how much functionality could be incorporated into a relatively small scale.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe design process focused heavily on maneuverability. A tight steering system was created for the tractor, while testing led to the addition of trailing-arm suspension on the center axle to improve traction over uneven surfaces.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe trailer became another major engineering focus, using a fifth-wheel-linked steering mechanism inspired by real multi-axle transport solutions. Nico71 further refined the concept with a lower mechanism, increased steering range, and a locking system that lets builders choose between fixed and self-steering operation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Compact American Freight Engineering Build\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e880 pieces\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, rear-wheel drive, tight-angle steering, center-axle suspension, a switchable self-steering tri-axle trailer, and detailed American truck styling, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMOC-246143\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e offers an engaging build for trucking enthusiasts, transport collectors, and builders who enjoy functional scale vehicle mechanisms.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"LesDiy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67599182528686,"sku":"3755428","price":117.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0063\/2232\/3545\/files\/3a2a47df-3a02-4a83-bdd3-4d8da1c5297e.jpg?v=1790662045","url":"https:\/\/www.lesdiy.com\/en-ca\/products\/moc-246143-american-heavy-duty-truck-self-steering-3-axle-trailer-building-blocks","provider":"LesDiy","version":"1.0","type":"link"}