One of my favourite builds. Many moving parts, complex gearing, largest footprint so far after I put it on display. The pneumatics are great, along with the gear set, and the overall playability is like the real thing.

42128 Heavy-Duty Tow Truck fills a peculiar niche in the Technic product stack. On one hand, it emphasizes play functions and its sticker sheet features designs that are... "kid-oriented," to put it kindly. On the other hand, 42128 is a challenging build with complex assemblies and a high-ish part count. This set is rated for ages 11+, and 11-year-old me would have been able to build this set. However, it would have been by far the most difficult set I had built to that point.

42128's split target audience lands it in the sweet spot for Technic set design. By walking the tightrope between youth-oriented set and AFOL-oriented set, 42128 brings out the very best attributes of Technic. It is simultaneously a competent plaything, and a technical tour de force.

Building Experience: HOLY COW! A PAPER LEGO BAG! I am pleased to see a sign that LEGO is actually trying to switch to paper bags. This set contains one paper bag, which contains all the pneumatic hoses.

The build works from the back of the chassis, moves forward to the cab and engine, then goes back to finish the crane and aesthetic parts.

The rear of the truck houses the complex array of gears, shafts, and linear actuators that make up the bulk of the play features. Pneumatics come later in the build, but also integrate tightly into this rear section. Here is what you'll have at the end of bag 1:

I have only one complaint regarding the building experience. Like all large sets these days, this set has numbered bags. However, the numbers only go up to 4. Of the 11 numbered bags in this set, 4 of them are marked "3." Sure, two of these bags are physically smaller than the others, but they have a lot of parts. I didn't count, but I'd reckon that about 35% of the set is included in the bags marked "3." Get ready to sift though a lot of parts, looking for something very specific.

Despite the infernal bag 3 issue, this might be the most fun I've ever had putting together a Technic set. The designer has resorted to some mad-scientist techniques to cram all the play functions into the rear of the vehicle. It's really a shame that the designer's work gets shrouded by a bunch of panels at the end - it's really a sight to behold. The pneumatics are far less finicky than I expected them to be.

Side Note: AFOLS and experienced Technic builders already know this, but here's a PSA to the folks diving into advanced Technic sets for the first time: make sure all the linear actuators are at the same length before you attach them to other things! You'll end up with nasty problems if you don't get this part right.

This is wrong:

This is right:

Playability: There are many different ways you could count this, but by my count, this set offers 10 play "functions:"

• Functioning steering
• Retractable axle
• Outriggers
• Pneumatic raising/lowering crane
• Pneumatic extending/retracting crane boom
• Pneumatic raising/lowering tow hook
• Raising/lowering tow boom
• Two ratcheting crane hooks
• Rotating crane base (about 180 degrees of articulation)
• Working doors/hood

It also includes a functioning engine (with a comically long drive shaft) and two differentials attached to the rear wheels. Nothing wants to fall off while playing with the truck - it feels very solid.

This is an incredible array of features for a sub-$200 model. All the play functions work very well. The crane, with its rotating base, ratcheting hooks, and pneumatic extensions, is a lot of fun. The tow beam at the rear of the truck takes some serious pumping to get it to raise up, but all other functions work great.

Value for Money: Other Technic sets near the $160USD price point include:

• 42096 Porsche 911 RSR (1580 pieces, $180 USD) - I also own this set
• 42160 Audi RS-Q e-tron (914 pieces, $180 USD, powered up)
• 42140 App-controlled Transformation Vehicle (772 pieces, $150 USD, powered up)
• 42144 Material Handler (835 pieces, $150 USD, pneumatics) - note that 42144 is far more expensive in the US than it is in Europe.

The tow truck's staggering array of play features, and the complex mechanics that facilitate those features, set it apart from every other Technic set at this price point. 42157 costs $40 more, but is very similar in size, complexity, inclusion of pneumatics, and exclusion of electronics.

42148's $0.079 PPP is excellent for a Technic set that includes an assortment of pneumatics, linear actuators, and large panels. Such large, sophisticated sets rarely present such an excellent per-piece value proposition.

Concept: The Technic theme isn't known for adventurous design. The overwhelming majority of Technic sets are automobiles, construction machinery, and planes. In that regard, this set isn't anything special. One could argue it's a unique combination of common Technic motifs, including a crane on a non-construction vehicle, but this set clearly isn't exploring any new thematic territory. The tow truck's execution is so good that I can't criticize it for sticking to the (thematic) basics.

This set's spiritual predecessor, 42008 relied on a Power Functions motor to drive its play features. I also own 42008, and I can say that it is inferior. The sizable battery box takes up precious space that could otherwise be used for more sophisticated mechanical design. 42128 has maintained the same (inflation-adjusted) price point as 42008, while offering substantial upgrades to part count, physical size, appearance, and play value.

Appearance: The sticking point for many folks will be the stickers. I like them, in theory. They're fun to look at, exceptionally detailed, and well color-matched to the orange and white Technic parts. Yet, I didn't apply most of them. They're a little too silly and over-the-top for my tastes. Thankfully, the truck still looks quite good without the stickers - see Huw's review for photos. This set isn't meant to be a display piece, but it's nice to look at nonetheless.

There is a peculiar center-stud on the top of the grille. I suspect this was supposed to be for a hood ornament that got nixed before the set got produced. Regardless, a pick-a-bricked minifig trophy makes a cool hood ornament:

To me, the tow truck is aesthetically superb. It bears a striking resemblance to the revered Peterbilt 379 - note the curved-tip exhaust stacks, horizontally-straked grille, rectangular headlights, and the cylindrical chrome fuel tanks. These are some of the most coveted trucks on the road, and so they are often accessorized accordingly: note 42128's colorful paint job, and the gratuitous roof-mounted horns and lights. I'm American, so this truck's silhouette feels familiar. It reminds me of when I was a kid, and I saw colorful, highly-accessorized semi trucks on the highway.

All that said, everything that makes this truck look so familiar to me may also make it look very foreign to audiences outside North America. For folks in Europe and elsewhere, maybe the aforementioned 42008 would invoke this sense of nostalgia. Maybe I'm biased, or maybe this truck is truly, universally, aesthetically pleasing.

Summary: This set sticks to tried-and-true Technic motifs, executing on them exceptionally well. Its back-to-basics approach avoids both electronics and IP licensing, which keeps costs down. It is aesthetically inspired, and the goofy stickers provide just a sprinkle of whimsy. It provides tremendous value as a plaything, display piece, or parts pack. Five stars across the board.

I got 42127 1 year ago on my birthday. It was my first big LEGO TECHNIC set. When I saw it, I was surprised, and I started building this LEGO tow truck immediately. The build took me about 7 hours, but don't forget that it was my first TECHNIC set in more than 2000 parts. The build wasn't that difficult, but pneumatics were tough to be installed. As a result, I received good functional and detalised model of heavy - duty tow truck.

P.S.

I must say that this set was built by me 3 times and practically every time when I built it, there were some difficulties with pneumatics, otherwise, it was quite fine to build.

I've been annoyed lately by the number of uninteresting licensed set Technic has put out, where appearance clearly have taken priority over functions. That's why I was happy to see Technic release an old-school generic tow truck packed with features.

To me, this tow truck looks just like I would expect a traditional American truck, Peterbilt-style, to look. Being a trucking enthusiast, the styling with the colour scheme, stickers, and cool trucker accessories feels just right to me. The downside is that all the great and educational Technic features are hidden behind panels.

The number of functions included is impressive given the very limited space these have been fit into. The ratio features/brick is second to none, which also gives great playability.

Unlike 42043 Mercedes Arocs, the previous truck with pneumatic functions, this set is very sturdy in all directions, which gives it a great and solid feel. Albeit not perfect, the instruction booklet is much clearer and easier to follow than its predecessor's.

The building process is nice, but with Technic you are often worried that you have made a mistake somewhere, as that often means you have to take apart the entire build and start over to correct a mistake. This is especially so for the pneumatic functions which can be a little extra difficult.

Having a second build for this set would have increased the value. Similarly, a build where the technic features aren't obscured would have been nice. Yet I'm very happy to have purchased this set which I think will be considered one of the best Technic sets for years for come. I hope Technic continues on this path.

I have no doubt that the Heavy-Duty Tow Truck will go down in history as one of the greatest Technic sets ever made. Here to back up a statement that bold is my review:

Aesthetically, the Heavy-Duty Tow Truck is the standard for modern Technic: it looks great, with a lot of pieces dedicated to a clean and realistic final product. It's proportionately perfect, and the color scheme draws a lot of attention to the boom arm. The orange, Hulk-like mascot and lightning pattern stickers aren't for everyone, but I personally love the bombastic nature of these stickers, possibly due to how they wouldn't be out of place on a monster truck. Perhaps this tow truck contributes to the cleanup of demolition derbies!

Of course, the aesthetically attractive nature of this set would mean nothing if it couldn't perform- it is Technic after all. I am happy to report that this truck pushes the limit of how much playability a Technic set can have. It boasts ten splendid functions, from the lifting hood to the pneumatic boom.

Seeing how the functions around the bed are built first, I'll start with those. All of these functions are actuated with a turnable gear and clearly labelled with stickers above them. The yoke can be lifted to raise the front of a would-be nonfunctional vehicle off the ground; the first set of rear wheels can be raised as to provide for a tighter steering radius; the boom can be rotated 90 degrees to either side; and the outriggers can be extended. The outriggers are the most complex of these functions, and it took some finagling to ensure that both the two side and two rear outriggers would touch the ground simultaneously.

The cab section is built next, and it has an opening hood that reveals an engine with six pistons driven by the intermediaries on the two rearmost wheels. The engine is detailed with more parts than were necessary, but it's still appreciated. Front steering is driven by a gear on the top of the cab. This steering works surprisingly well given the size and weight of the tow truck.

Since this is the first pneumatic set in three years, arguably the most important things to get right are the pneumatic functions. These are controlled by three 3-valve pneumatic actuators (labels to the sides of them) powered by a pump cylinder behind the cab. Each of the pneumatic functions work with a couple presses of the pump. The yoke is completed first (even before the cab) and extends downward to allow for a vehicle's wheels to be placed in front of it. It may be raised up when not in use through the same actuator with the lever flipped up. The boom arm comes last. Four pneumatic tubes are threaded through a turntable in order to connect with the large piston that changes the boom's elevation and the small piston that extends the arm. The boom can be raised to an impressive angle, but the arm doesn't extend as far as I'd like it to have. A new, longer pneumatic piston would be needed in order to accomplish greater extension, so the limitation is understandable. Lastly are the two winches containing cord cleverly unlocked with a couple levers that would otherwise keep the cords in place to prevent unwanted extension when towing. The cords can be slung under two small wheels on the yoke to accomplish a more horizontal tow. These pneumatic functions combined with the boom's rotation make for a truly versatile piece of equipment.

42128: Heavy-Duty Tow Truck is a classic in the making that utterly blew me away. The fact that around 70% of the review is simply me describing the functions speaks volumes to the playability of the Heavy-Duty Tow Truck. My only real issue with the set is that the yoke can't really attach to other Technic vehicles without some modification. The lack of an alternate build is also a bit of a disappointment, but with how impeccable the tow truck is, it's excusable.