Top Rated Product
Product Reviews
This product is no longer available. Continue shopping at LEGO.
LEGO Shop: TECHNIC: Tow Truck (8285)
This amazing, fully-functional Tow Truck is equipped with rack and pinion front wheel steering, and an operating crane, winch and lift -- just like the real thing! Its rear telescopic towing mechanism lifts pneumatically to rescue stranded vehicles, while the ratchet-regulated winch secures the load. Open the hood to reveal the detailed V6 engine with moving pistons and spinning radiator fan! Side compartments conceal manual controls for raising the hook or extending and lowering the boom.
Authentic model for skilled builders!
Pump the pneumatic cylinder to lift the telescoping boom!
Tow Truck measures over 26" (66cm) long!
Turn the wheels to see the realistic V6 engine pistons move!
Lower the stabilizers for towing heavy loads!
Telescoping boom extends, retracts, lifts and lowers!
Open the hood to see the detailed engine and spinning radiator fans!
Includes building instructions to rebuild into a heavy load flat-bed truck!
Also includes instructions for integrating #8287 Motor Set (sold separately) into the alternate model. The motor will lift and lower the arm and pull the string up and down.
Average Customer Rating:
out of
5
31 of 33(94%)customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for LEGO Shop: TECHNIC: Tow Truck (8285)
Overall:
of
5
Play Experience:
5
of
5
Value for Money:
5
of
5
Moreno
Location: Dordrecht, NL
Totally Addicted
Posted: December 1, 2008
"I bought this model after not having played with Lego for over 15+ years and it totally got me addicted again. Very nice model indeed, quite complicated to build but that was what I was hoping for. It took me a full saturday to put it together and another day to take it apart and sort the pieces. Very, very good set, excellent detail, especially looking back at the sets from my first lego-life (mid to late 1980's).
One minor point: the stickers. Although they add to the detail, pieces on which they are to be sticked need to be pulled apart for building the alternative model."
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Review 2 for LEGO Shop: TECHNIC: Tow Truck (8285)
Overall:
of
5
Play Experience:
5
of
5
Value for Money:
4
of
5
MrLoopies
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Amazing
Posted: November 15, 2008
"I love the working steering, which is pretty basic in a good Technic model, the working pistons and fanbelt blow me away! The air pump is really neat too. the building took about 8 hours, but it's really worth it. It's still pricey for not having anything motorized though."
Review 3 for LEGO Shop: TECHNIC: Tow Truck (8285)
Overall:
of
5
Play Experience:
5
of
5
Value for Money:
5
of
5
afjester8
Location: florida
great truck
Posted: November 14, 2008
"great set for and experenced builder. has a lot of cool features that are fun to play with."
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Review 4 for LEGO Shop: TECHNIC: Tow Truck (8285)
Overall:
of
5
Play Experience:
5
of
5
Value for Money:
5
of
5
elroditorematto
Location: Trebaseleghe(PD) Italy
Best lego truck
Posted: November 1, 2008
"It`s the best lego truck ever, it is beatiful and simple(not a lots).
Everbody can found funny with this lego."
Everbody can found funny with this lego."
Review 5 for LEGO Shop: TECHNIC: Tow Truck (8285)
Overall:
of
5
Play Experience:
5
of
5
Value for Money:
5
of
5
FugueDude
Location: London, UK
A Huge Set...
Posted: October 28, 2008
"This is definitely the biggest Lego set I've ever had! Even if you're expecting it to be big, you'll still be surprised by its size when you've made it... There are loads of features for good play value, but it also looks amazing on display like I have it. Although it is expensive, I've given it 5 bricks because there are so many pieces."
Review 6 for LEGO Shop: TECHNIC: Tow Truck (8285)
Overall:
of
5
Play Experience:
5
of
5
Value for Money:
5
of
5
dirtcrusher67
Location: Waterloo, ON
A Favourable Choice
Posted: October 3, 2008
"This tow truck is huge! I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the box and when you see it your gonna' buy it too so here are some pros, cons, and tips about the tow truck: Pros: Metallic pieces, Hydraulics, Nice steering mechanism, V6 engine (actually moves!), Lots of cool and very different gears, Spare pieces that would help lego free building @ home, and months and months of happy playing and towing. Cons: So many pieces it drives you nuts!, Not for beginners who always wanted one, Pieces go missing easily, B model isn't as fun without power functions, May be frustrating if structure building goes horribly wrong without you noticing until the end, Sometimes gets you thinking ''Why oh why did I buy this?" when some thing small happens. Tips: Put stickers on last, if you don't listen and something goes wrong in building you'll know why I said this, rest your eyes after building for about 30 minutes I got glasses because of the tow truck!, Get more sets like the pick-up truck thing and use black and red pieces instead of blue, Have fun with it!!!"
Review 7 for LEGO Shop: TECHNIC: Tow Truck (8285)
Overall:
of
5
Play Experience:
5
of
5
Value for Money:
4
of
5
slicky
Location: Albany
Amazing set
Posted: August 4, 2008
"The lego Tow Truck is definatly my favorite Lego of all time. I can't get over how big it is and how many functions it has. The pump is really strong and the place where the wheels go is really strong and sterdy as well as the whole truck. The blue Off Road Truck fits really well in it too. The only thing i wish it had was that the back wheels tilted as it went over bumps like the Off Road Truck does. I like that the sides of the truck are pretty much even and it lookes really great. The holder raises up and down, steering,hood opens,boom raises and extends and hook goes up and down,holder folds up and two legos come down in the back to support it better when it lifts something. The truck is very srtong and i think it will nicely fit in any Lego Technic collection!!!!"
Review 8 for LEGO Shop: TECHNIC: Tow Truck (8285)
Overall:
of
5
Play Experience:
4
of
5
Value for Money:
4
of
5
ConstructionMen
Location: Melbourne, Australia
King of the Road
Posted: July 18, 2008
"This is great set for anybody up for a challenge. If you are going to build both models build model 2 first because of sticker issues. It does take a bit of wind fo the hook to go up and down but its easier with the motor. This set has amazing detail and what it can do. Something I find different to most truck sets is the back and front look and are even unlike lego creator Big Rig. Overall I would recomend this set for any lego technic fan."
Review 9 for LEGO Shop: TECHNIC: Tow Truck (8285)
Overall:
of
5
Play Experience:
5
of
5
Value for Money:
3
of
5
hans
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Hurry get this before it goes
Posted: July 7, 2008
"Really nice looking truck. Goes very well with the Model team Truck which came out more than 20years ago. I bought the motor box set (8287) with this set The set has instructions to fit the old style motor. The motor set also works well with the tractor I'd hurry to get this one before it's gone. Plenty of detail on the truck and it's nearly fully enclosed which is unusual for a Technic model."
Review 10 for LEGO Shop: TECHNIC: Tow Truck (8285)
Overall:
of
5
Play Experience:
5
of
5
Value for Money:
5
of
5
nslt
Location: Jakarta
AWESOME!
Posted: June 26, 2008
"Got this for christmas last year and it's just so awesome!! I was 10 back then...so it's a little hard to build for me. Still, I managed to finish it and I'm really happy to finish building it!(complex build!!)The product itself is awesome I can lift my other technic sets with this!! The best set I've ever purchased!! Get this quick!"
Review 11 for LEGO Shop: TECHNIC: Tow Truck (8285)
Overall:
of
5
Play Experience:
5
of
5
Value for Money:
5
of
5
75rich
Location: Elma,WA
King of the road
Posted: June 18, 2008
"WARNING: If you are going to build both modes, build the 2nd mode first. Sticker issues.
this truck is absolutely huge highly detailed and fully functional. the boom works great with no hangups and the lift has enough power to pick up any lego vehicle with ease. it is very sturdy and wont fall apart. the only complaint i have is the plastic hose for the fenders. takes a way from the over all realistic look of the truck. it took about 10 hours to build and I really didnt separate the pieces i just left them in thier bags. now the 2nd truck is a nice truck too. not as detailed but cool nun the less. the cab tilts forward and the tires turn thats it. the trailer is big enough to hall medium sized vehicles. the crane turns and rises but its fixed length makes it difficult to pick up loads and set on the trailer. the compaint I have with this mode is the front ramps, they are the pieces from the steps of the tow truck that you have to use stickers on. so you can either take off the stickers or do what I did and use 2 shorter pieces."
Review 12 for LEGO Shop: TECHNIC: Tow Truck (8285)
Overall:
of
5
Play Experience:
5
of
5
Value for Money:
5
of
5
DHbuilt
Location: Vancouver, BC
Bigger really IS better.
Posted: March 10, 2008
"This is a very large truck!
The realistic level of detail is amazing, making it a lot of fun to build and use. The 1877 pieces make for a physically large vehicle with a good weighty feel to it. If you get only 1 Technics model, this is the one. This truck easily handles towing the other Technics trucks like the Fire truck (#8289) and Cherry Picker (8292).
It took me a few hours longer to build than the 6-7 hrs that I expected it to, but time went by quickly. A great way to use a rainy day. I used 4 bowls to hold and sort the many smaller parts. And there are a lot of them!
The instructions are among the best I've seen from Lego, with only a few potentially confusing moments, and 1 instruction mistake near the end of book 3/3. It calls for 2 large pieces that are the same size, even though only 1 is left, and only 1 is used in the actual build step. I lost a few minutes looking for that "missing" part before noticing only 1 was actually needed!
With this many pieces and options, even if you get tired of this truck, there are enough parts here to build almost anything else.
I don't like the long thin tow line provided, and replaced it with a thicker shorter line that doesn't tangle so easily.
The details I really liked:
BIG hollow rubber tires.
Rack and Pinion steering.
A functioning rear differential.
The Lego engine uses mechanically correct pistons, connecting rods and crank shaft, which are turned by the rear wheels.
The doors open and close.
The boom can be extended, as well as raised and lowered.
All the controls are hidden behind side doors.
There is a releasable rachet system for the winch spool, preventing hooked loads from unwinding the tow-line.
The metal tow hook is nice and heavy, which helps keep the tow-line tight.
The wheel rest for the vehicle being towed flips out of the way when not used, and can be raised and lowered on its own pneumatic system.
The pneumatic system is a nice option.
Did I mention it's BIG?"
The realistic level of detail is amazing, making it a lot of fun to build and use. The 1877 pieces make for a physically large vehicle with a good weighty feel to it. If you get only 1 Technics model, this is the one. This truck easily handles towing the other Technics trucks like the Fire truck (#8289) and Cherry Picker (8292).
It took me a few hours longer to build than the 6-7 hrs that I expected it to, but time went by quickly. A great way to use a rainy day. I used 4 bowls to hold and sort the many smaller parts. And there are a lot of them!
The instructions are among the best I've seen from Lego, with only a few potentially confusing moments, and 1 instruction mistake near the end of book 3/3. It calls for 2 large pieces that are the same size, even though only 1 is left, and only 1 is used in the actual build step. I lost a few minutes looking for that "missing" part before noticing only 1 was actually needed!
With this many pieces and options, even if you get tired of this truck, there are enough parts here to build almost anything else.
I don't like the long thin tow line provided, and replaced it with a thicker shorter line that doesn't tangle so easily.
The details I really liked:
BIG hollow rubber tires.
Rack and Pinion steering.
A functioning rear differential.
The Lego engine uses mechanically correct pistons, connecting rods and crank shaft, which are turned by the rear wheels.
The doors open and close.
The boom can be extended, as well as raised and lowered.
All the controls are hidden behind side doors.
There is a releasable rachet system for the winch spool, preventing hooked loads from unwinding the tow-line.
The metal tow hook is nice and heavy, which helps keep the tow-line tight.
The wheel rest for the vehicle being towed flips out of the way when not used, and can be raised and lowered on its own pneumatic system.
The pneumatic system is a nice option.
Did I mention it's BIG?"
8 of 8 people found this review helpful.
Review 13 for LEGO Shop: TECHNIC: Tow Truck (8285)
Overall:
of
5
Play Experience:
4
of
5
Value for Money:
4
of
5
timvw
Location: Lexington, KY
Tow Truck
Posted: March 6, 2008
"This Tow Truck is a beautiful lego module, but i do not fact that it does not have any motors to raise crane, extend crane, ect. what you have to do is turn an axle alot of times before you reach your desired height, legth of crane or whatever you doing with it. which, after a while get extremely anoying. but besides that i think this is an excellent module to add to you collection"
3 of 5 people found this review helpful.
Review 14 for LEGO Shop: TECHNIC: Tow Truck (8285)
Overall:
of
5
Play Experience:
5
of
5
Value for Money:
5
of
5
Jon09
Location: seattle,WA
the best set ever !!!!!
Posted: February 26, 2008
"I got this set for x-mas it took all day to build but it was a vary challenging build and lots of fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review 15 for LEGO Shop: TECHNIC: Tow Truck (8285)
Overall:
of
5
Play Experience:
5
of
5
Value for Money:
5
of
5
hutandcold
Location: Philippines
One of the best LEGO TECHNIC model ever created
Posted: February 10, 2008
"This is one of the few models that has many functions. I been playing different technic models but this is the most unique and you can play with other models.
The size is HUGE!!! and you can make this model in 6 hours. I really like to create both original and alternate models in a day.
You will learn a lot on this model. Think about it."
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review 16 for LEGO Shop: TECHNIC: Tow Truck (8285)
Overall:
of
5
Play Experience:
5
of
5
Value for Money:
5
of
5
brownie998
Location: Ontario,ON
big,fun,and cool!!!!!!
Posted: February 9, 2008
"If you dont have a cool technic like this you should get one! this truck is detailed ,big , fun, and cool!!!!!!!!!!! it's loaded with details like the 6V engine with working pistons, rack and pinion steering, several metallic parts,lots of gears,and days of fun with it's metal hook it can tow anything so if you dont have it get it!!!!!!!!!"
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Review 17 for LEGO Shop: TECHNIC: Tow Truck (8285)
Overall:
of
5
Play Experience:
3
of
5
Value for Money:
5
of
5
gmshades
Location: Rochester, NY
Big Tow Truck!
Posted: February 6, 2008
"This truck took me 8 hours to build. One of my longest builds I can remember. And I enjoyed every minute of it.
Pros: Size is great, all the functional areas were covered from the boom to the engine.
Cons: Thing that bugs me the most is the placement of the knobs for the boom area. My big fingers take a long time to "winch in" the hook.
Overall, great product for the money."
Pros: Size is great, all the functional areas were covered from the boom to the engine.
Cons: Thing that bugs me the most is the placement of the knobs for the boom area. My big fingers take a long time to "winch in" the hook.
Overall, great product for the money."
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Review 18 for LEGO Shop: TECHNIC: Tow Truck (8285)
Overall:
of
5
Play Experience:
5
of
5
Value for Money:
5
of
5
mainanogiant
Location: Turnhout, Belgium
Worth every cent !!!
Posted: January 31, 2008
"I got this truck last year, and I have to say... if you buy it, don't be affraid of the price, because this model is absolutely worth every cent !!! I love the pneumatics and the engine, and I am very happy it's in my age rate too ! Anyway, this is a MUST for every LEGO fan !
Hope you'll enjoy or already have enjoyed..."
Hope you'll enjoy or already have enjoyed..."
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Review 19 for LEGO Shop: TECHNIC: Tow Truck (8285)
Overall:
of
5
Play Experience:
5
of
5
Value for Money:
5
of
5
Rick3388
Location: Gatineau, QC
Excellent choice
Posted: January 12, 2008
"This was my second LEGO Technic and let me tell you that this was the best one yet. Not too complicated yet very fun to build."
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review 20 for LEGO Shop: TECHNIC: Tow Truck (8285)
Overall:
of
5
Play Experience:
4
of
5
Value for Money:
5
of
5
StephenVW
Location: Lexington, KY
Great Set
Posted: January 9, 2008
"Overall this is a great set but I would like lego to have put in a motor for the crane or something. It is kind of hard to use. Anyway this is a fantastic set and I would for sure recomend it to a friend."
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
