XTN

Here's my approach to solve 42128's fender gap issue. It's really simple and mady by Technic bricks only. The dbg cross axle 4M with end stop pushed in completely prevents the panel (the one with the "POWER TOW" sticker) from folding out.

Here are some images of the yellow wrecker and 42128 side by side. While taking these pics, I was really surprised how tough 42128 is. I expected it to be much weaker and way more fragile. Especially the underlift is something I might adopt for my own truck. Both trucks are almost identical in size but their "faces" are completely different. The yellow one has a wider grille (like Petes have) and headlights in the fender, like on Kenworth trucks. 42128 has a more Kenworth-ish grille but the headlights saying Peterbuilt. That´s def something that needs to be modded :)

Thank you very much for your kind words. Indeed the front wheel arches of the yellow wrecker are not the best concept for a classic American long nose truck. A truck like that needs to have a set-forward front axle configuration. 42128 does that pretty good, position seems ideal, but the huge holes in the fenders show, that it is really hard to find the perfect fender design. The yellow wheel arches on my truck are basically taken from @Timorzelorzworz 42108 Tow Truck alternate build - LEGO Technic, Model Team and Scale Modeling - Eurobricks Forums. They cant be narrower, bc for steering you still need the 9 studs clearance between the attachment points of the panels. This configuration, especially with the headlights at the fender like Kenworth or Western Star, makes you lose two studs compared to the ideal position. Im about to redesign the headlights and keep the wheelarches, but move them forward by one stud soon. Let's see if that will make a difference.

That's true. Here`s a collection of all my class 7 and class 8 trucks plus a school bus: In the pic there are 10 front axles, 25 rear axles and one lift axle. That means a total count of 122 wheels... Imho the biggest disadvantage of the narrow tires is, that in combination with the narrow rims, you can't keep the front wheel design with the two pulleys and the small connectors as wheel bolts. Of course there are more options for front wheel design, but i really fell in love with the one from 42078 and 42128. Another downside is, that you can't keep the rear axle design from e. g. 42112. I first saw this concept in the Corvette. There you have got two cross axles for each wheel, while the inner one is locked and safe from slipping out, which is important, if you dont wanna lose the small beige bevel gears inside the differential. I copied that design for almost all of my trucks. Unike that, all Mack models and 42128 have only one cross axle for each rear wheel. If the cross axle slips out, you lose the corresponding bevel gear from the diff. These trucks should be easily converted, like for example @Void_S already posted here and on rb for the Mack. If I ever start converting from super singles to duallies, I guess my K100 will be the first one.

Quick count... I would need 110 of these to equip my trucks and trailers - 42128 not included.

US Tow Truck [mod] Update I've modded my yellow wrecker to make it more authentic and to add some more fun. Minor tweak: I added brackets for tools and chains inside the storage compartments. Major tweak: I removed the single winch and replaced it by an independently working dual winch system. After watching some reality videos I realised, that this is crucial to finish the really hard jobs. I wanted to build it as narrow as possible. By using some half beams i was able to make it only 8 studs wide, even including ratchets for both winches. Now it is compact, strong, durable. This system is stron enough to lift a semi and pull it onto the underlift. But there's a lot more rescue and recovery work possible now. Therefore it is important to bring the neatly stowed away chains. Special thanks to @Timorzelorzworz, whos 42108 alt was the base and inspiraton for all this. I wonder how strong 42128 wil be and what recovery jobs they will do together :)

42078 was one of those. Two trucks, same scale, both, semi and low-ride are iconic representatives of their class. Ingenious design work, perfect merketing. Made me buy two sets almost instantly. Until this happens, you can have this one: https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-54686/Dadudi_Technic_Creations/42112-road-grader/#details This is really close to the blue monster CAT 120M2.

Thank you very much. That's the LEGO spirit!

Flatbed Trailer [MOC, alt of 42078 A sub-model trailer and container] Spread axle flatbed trailer, 15 studs wide, compatible with the Mack. As an alternative model it uses only the parts of... you know the deal. As usual aiming for the looks, I wanted to make it as flat as possible, the front part is only one stud high. Bending under load is still okay, so it's not breaking the overall impression. The landing gear can be raised and lowered, not tilted, which was important for me. It uses a small LA and can be operated from both sides. All in all it is pretty safe and doesnt collapse and fold over, even under heavier loads. The tricky part was to build a spreading mechanism for the axles without a worm gear, so I used the other one of the set's small LAs. By using a lever it was possible to multiply the range of the LA and the movement speed at the same time. It works absolutely smooth and can spread the axles really quick. Loaded: Back: Close axles: Spread axles: Close axles: Spread axles: Animation: https://i.imgur.com/VsUU7Ou.gifv Landing gear: Using some of the unused parts of the official trailer, I've built boxes and stuff to add more playability. Two boxes can be added or removed easily and can be stacked. They are definitely out of scale, espcially the one with the cover - my OCD is calling - but the kids like it. Boxes and bars for separating loads: Box behind the bulkhead:

Very much appreciated.

The "Leftovers" Next two models are not in the list of the OP. I've built them quickly after I had the specific idea and a handfull of leftover parts, main goal in each case was to create a simple vehicle with playability for my kids. Killer Bee [MOC] I wanted to create a small, four-seated offroader with pullback motor, as simple as crash-resistant, to line up with my two other small buggies. Easily recognizable, most of the parts are from 2 x 42108 after building the wrecker and the school bus. Of course it features off-road tires, a bullbar with lights, big exhaust pipes and antennas - everything you need for off-raoding. Log Trailer [MOC] A simple semi trailer, as simple as a stick - just like these trailers are in real life. It is lightweight and so it doesnt break if it falls down or, if it does break, it is so easy to repair bc it consists of only a handful of parts. Bending is not an issue if you load logs that are as long as the trailer is. The landing gear is operated by a small LA. Of course it is 15 studs wide and compatible with the Mack as well as my K100 that shares the same fifth wheel concept and position. A closer look at some corners and colors might reveal that I'm almost out of parts :D

Looking at the tire tread... tires mounted the wrong way, maybe?

This is beautiful, im sooo hyped. It's amazing the truck even has got the pulleys to divert the cable for pulling the wrecked vehicle onto the underlift.

You read my mind :) Thanks for sharing this.

Cruiseliner?

Separately, def. Kinda funny, usually ppl complain about the models to be too colorful. Here both hooks have an orange accent, while in RL the hooks of these trucks usally have different colors, to make them easily recognizable while controlling them via control panel. I wonder if the underlift in the back is able to lift the Mack. No matter if yes or no, I'm really impressed how many features of a RL rotator wrecker are realized in this one. Can't wait to add this one to my garage.

Or maybe this:

That list is really useful and using this is way quicker than checking LDD :) Thank you very much for the work you have put into it. I'm still a bit confused by the use of different numbers of decimal places. Like the different specifications of rim diameter and rim width between the rim of the Wrangler wheel and the rim of the Grave Digger (and many others) wheel, which should be the same imho. I guess it`s bc of rounding to a different number of digits and at the end it makes no difference at all, but it distracts me when scrolling through the list. I assume changing it would mean a lot of work with no added value, soooo... I hope I didn't sound too bitchy.

Sry to hear that, but still happy that the projects are still alive. Cruiseliner sounds promising. Well, I think there's no need to hurry. Looking at 42078, 42112, and the upcoming 42128, the "15s" might face a bright future in the LEGO Technic world :)

For me 42078 was the re-invention of the Model Team and since that day I'm into 15-studs wide trucks too. Because of that I am really hyped about 42128. :) The Volvo rollback looks awesome too. As awesome as two more of your projects that appeared in a Mack Anthem thread... Are you still working on the Mack MR and the restyling of the F700?

Thank you very much. The "friendly Freightliner" (that expression made me smile for at least one hour by now) in your pic is a sheer beauty. You are absolutely right, with a nose like that my rollback resembles a class 6 truck, even though it appears to be more or less a chimera between representatives of class 6 and class 7. The Freightliner Business Class M2 is a perfect example for a class 6 truck. While the two axle configuration in this class is way more common, I was inspired by a three axle configuration like here: Source: https://jingletruck.com/2012-freightliner-business-class-135591

Rollback Truck [mod of 42098 alt Model C by LoMaC] As implied by the title, this started as LoMaC's alt of 42098: https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-33419/LoMaC/42098-model-c/#details At the end of the day I only kept the hood and the cabin, the rest is MOC. I had to replace the super cool steering with virtual pivot point by a conventional steering to make it kids-resistant. I flattened the bumper to change the Scania-ish look to a more American style. Last but not least I created a rollback. For pulling up the vehicles there is a winch wich locks via rubber part. When the rollback is tilted, the rear bumper with the taillights is retracted by a simple mechanism. At a certain point, I was about to replace the cabin with the K100 cabin, but now I'm really happy that I didn't, even though a K100 rollback would look badass for sure. Here are both tow trucks waiting for the arrival of 42128...

First Responder Wrecker [mod of 42075 A] I fell in love with the grill and the headligts, so I had to have it. Imho the pop up searchlight was pointless, so I moved it to the front and replaced it with a boom that was inspired by the one from 42079 B. I replaced the truck wheels with Corvette wheels bc now it looks more SUV-sized and this way it seems to fit better into my garage. A few cosmetics like rearview mirrors and that's it.

Escape Buggy [MOC] and Police Buggy [MOC] Two single seater pullbacks made of leftovers. Mack scale and absolutely playable. Both roll cages can be opened. The Escape Buggy offers a small compartment in the front for the stolen goods.

Red Shark Roadster [MOC] A pullback roadster made of leftover parts, turned out t be compact, sturdy, good looking (proportions, color combination, smooth surfaces, only few holes, roll-over bar with integrated wing) and absolutely playable. The wheels seem to have the perfect size for sports cars in Mack scale.