New Trailer for the MAN

I brought a new Reefer trailer a couple of weeks ago as I didn't feel the flat bed really suited the look I was going for. I was restricted by the colour of my MAN TGX as I swapped it half built and half painted (unfortunately poorly) for my Axial Exo some time ago, even though I got the better end of the deal.

I gave the MAN a repaint in the same Tamiya Chrome Yellow, and a few coats of clear and have wondered what theme I could go with. The only real options were Courier Post, NZ's division of DHL, who also mark their trucks with Roadstar and Pace as well. But I would have to make the trailer into a curtain sider, and I had a hobby expo two hours south to attend this current weekend. The other option was Route & Retails trucks which are commonly plastered with Foodstuffs (big NZ company that provides to 3 major supermarket chains, liquor outlets and has their own food brands as well) groceries all down the side of their trailers.

These guys run a vast range of euro trucks including the MAN T series, Scania R series, and DAF CF and XF's. I did a google search for supermarket chain 'Pak n Save truck' (which I believe originated in the States, I've seen those old ads) but which is a big player over here, as I have seen a couple of MAN trucks with their logo's adorning the sides.

Funnily enough the first image that popped up on google was the style I was looking for and also belonged to a sign writing company about 5 mins up the road from me. I approached the owner with my peculiar request and he seemed nearly as ecstatic as I was to see the trailer adorned with some of his handy work! I was really impressed with how easy it was to deal with them and also the finished decal, which he mentioned was a simple perfect downsize of the file for 1:1 trailer!

I have had loads of comments from people at the expo about the trailer (including a couple of Pak n Save employees!) which has confirmed for me my decision was a good one.

About trailer: Stock apart from, chassis shortened 50mm, servo plate for rear axle steering, running extra reciever and power from motorised support legs with switch for reversing. Countersunk screws in MSL switch to stop damage to rear guards and lifted 5th wheel.

Special thanks go to Steve @ Bay Hobbies for the truck trade, Stella @StellaModels for all the ancilleries (alloy wheels, motorized support legs, trailer lights, servos, MFC-03, bearings, etc etc, and David Blacke @ dbsigns for the wrap.
And all the inspiration from the UK, EU and US guys that take it further and make me want to keep modding and personalising these things! ;)