Random set of the day: Tow Truck
Posted by Huwbot,
Today's random set is 60056 Tow Truck, released during 2014. It's one of 41 City sets produced that year. It contains 227 pieces and 1 minifig, and its retail price was US$19.99 / £17.99, which equates to about US$28 / £25 in today's money.
It's owned by 8,283 Brickset members. If you want to add it to your collection you should find it for sale at Brick Owl, BrickLink, where new ones sell for around $87.50, or eBay.
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23 comments on this article
Business must be light because in the past, wouldn't there at least be a vehicle to tow included?
EDIT: Yeah, so the Tow Truck tag showed that solo tow trucks are basically the norm and including a vehicle to tow is a rarity unless part of a larger narrative taking place at a gas station or a garage or something. I guess LEGO has pretty much always rigged the system.
Got it, because...well, tow truck...seriously, between these, Ice Cream Trucks, and Ambulances...I'm gonna' have a weird 'City' if/when I ever build it.:)
@MCLegoboy said:
"Business must be light because in the past, wouldn't there at least be a vehicle to tow included?"
Well, this is the kind of truck they use to tow big rigs and the like. Including a vehicle for it to tow would have doubled the price.
@TheOtherMike said:
" @MCLegoboy said:
"Business must be light because in the past, wouldn't there at least be a vehicle to tow included?"
Well, this is the kind of truck they use to tow big rigs and the like. Including a vehicle for it to tow would have doubled the price."
Even more, since the vehicles they're designed to tow are themselves designed to tow large trailers. When they break down, they're probably hooked up to one of those.
60467-1
@HOBBES said:
"60467-1"
I’m calling crane on that one.
Holy Hydro-Turbo Sky Ray Instructions Batman! This set combines with 70723 to create a Ninjago Sky Ray!
This was one of my favourite tow trucks that Lego has ever put out. I absolutely love this thing. Love everything about it.
This one has a nice design to it. As is the case with mobile cranes, these always look good too.
@Zordboy said:
"This was one of my favourite tow trucks that Lego has ever put out. I absolutely love this thing. Love everything about it. "
Same here. Part of what I like about it is the color scheme.
Saw the back and thought the ol’ crane combo of parts 2350 and 2351 had made a resurgence. My nostalgia is very disappointed it isn’t
I encountered this somewhere recently. Maybe it was someone's comment or maybe it was on a bidding site. But the set turned from one of many City sets from that era to one I actually took some time to appreciate for its uniqueness.
It's quite good. The colors are standalone but it's quite complete for what it's going for. The colors actually complement the service worker's outfit with an addition of white, which isn't overdone like on some City vehicles.
He's going to smash up a car with that broom because he's not had much work.
This looks huge. Some engine detail would be nice, or some sot of storage on the side.
@Lego_lord said:
"This looks huge. Some engine detail would be nice, or some sot of storage on the side. "
There is a clip on each side for an accessory. Storage lockers would indeed be nice though.
Or a small 'firemans' hosereel would also be useful to clear up all the mess on the Highway after the tomato spill. My son had this and it is very long for a city vehicle and only 227 pieces, mainly caused by the size of the long lift arm which is unique to this vehicle, but there must be a few slight variations as seen before in the City cranes. This lift arm would make for a great teller handler B-model, and there are lots of useful bricks and plates for other mocs.
Fun fact: Pierre Normandin designed this set inspired by one of his older MOC-s from 2000-2005 I guess. You can find it on Brickshelf.
@Zordboy said:
"This was one of my favourite tow trucks that Lego has ever put out. I absolutely love this thing. Love everything about it. "
I agree! I think the line roll needs to be secured a little more, especially under strain. Also @Lego_Lord is right, it would have been awesome to see some engine detail. I love the design to look like an International truck.
Recently reviewed this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYj0dTH1GOE
@ambr said:
"teller handler"
*Telehandler. From "telescopic handler".
@ambr said:
".... it is very long for a city vehicle and only 227 pieces, mainly caused by the size of the long lift arm which is unique to this vehicle, but there must be a few slight variations as seen before in the City cranes. This lift arm would make for a great *telehandler* B-model, and there are lots of useful bricks and plates for other mocs."
The long lift arm is not unique to this vehicle; the exact same version can be found in 10 other sets, in black: https://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemIn.asp?P=57779&colorID=11&in=A
The funny thing, regarding your post: The first time this version of lift arm was used in a set, was a type of telehandler, in set 7992-1 (from 2007)
The other time -before this RSotD got released- it was used on a tow truck was in set 7642-1
But I especially like the way this type of lift arm was used in set 7747-1 !
@MusiMus said:
"Fun fact: Pierre Normandin designed this set inspired by one of his older MOC-s from 2000-2005 I guess. You can find it on Brickshelf."
And could it be that the colour scheme of Technic heavy-duty tow truck 42128-1 was inspired by Pierre Normandin's 60056-1 ? (I cannot find info on who designed set 42128-1)
I have this one! I recently dismantled this set a few months ago to make way for new vehicles, including 60467 Tow Truck from 2025-which that set is arguably superior to the old 2014 truck, especially with the rotary crane boom and better-designed wheel lift. 60056 is still a very good set for its time with the color scheme and nice functions.
I also attempted to tow this truck with 60467, but it doesn't quite work due to the front bumper being too close to the ground and the wheel lift in the way in the rear. I would also want to point out that although 60056 can handle most smaller vehicles, the lift can sometimes slide out when towing something heavier, but it's nothing too annoying.
@Zordboy said:
"This was one of my favourite tow trucks that Lego has ever put out. I absolutely love this thing. Love everything about it. "
Agreed completely! This was literally the set that brought me out of my almost 20 year dark ages and I haven't looked back since. I recently acquired some display cases for some of my LEGO sets, and I am planning to rebuild 60056-1 to sit in front of 42128-1 in the case.