Jay's Brick Blog

A blog about LEGO bricks

  • Home
  • About Me
  • LEGO Reviews
  • News
  • SW Advent Calendar
  • HP Advent Calendar

Review: LEGO City 60073 – Service Truck

February 17, 2015 By Jay 6 Comments

The new 2015 LEGO City sets started showing up in Australian toy stores earlier this month. I took advantage of a Myer Buy 2 Get 1 Free sale to pick up some of the new vehicles at great prices, paying $20 each, which I think is the ideal price for these small vehicle sets. They’re great impulse-buys and while I’m not a huge fan of the LEGO City theme, I do indulge every now and again if the vehicles or sets catch my eye.

Today, we’re going to have a look at one of the most comical LEGO City sets I’ve ever owned, 60073 Service Truck aka the Portaloo Set!

LEGO 60073 Service Truck - Box Art

Name: Service Truck
Set Number: 60073
Pieces: 233
Price: AU$29.99 (Buy from LEGO.com [AUS] [USA])
Exclusive to: N/A
Minifigures: 2
Theme: City
Year of Release: 2015
Instructions: LEGO 60073 City Service Truck

What happens when your construction site’s portable toilet (or portaloo as they’re called here in Australia) breaks down? You call in a Service Truck to take it away for repairs! The Service Truck was a great mid-week build – it’s small so it didn’t take too much of my time and the build was varied enough (for me) that I didn’t get bored as well.

The City theme is primarily aimed at young boys and this year, the sets return to a very familiar locale – the construction site. Personally, I’ve always preferred Construction sets to police and thieves or firemen as they’ve always felt a bit more personal to me – construction sites and vehicles are a very familiar sight to me, as well as to other young kids.

LEGO 60073 Service Truck - Minifigures

There are two minifigures included in this set, a driver who could also be a site supervisor and a regular construction worker.

The driver looks pretty important with his tie and suspenders. He has a pretty manly ginger handlebar moustache and a thick leather belt which holds his tools such as a ruler. The driver’s torso printing is really crisp and I was quite impressed with how sharp the lines and colours are.

The construction worker comes in a standard issue orange fluorescent uniform which has a faded reflective strip on the front, as well as some minor details like zipper pockets and a belt. Being a manly construction worker also means having a 5 o’clock shadow as facial hair, and he comes with a new hard hat variant which has black earmuffs fused to it.

LEGO 60073 Service Truck - Minifigures Back

They both have back printing, which is always a nice thing. I particularly like the details on the construction worker’s back like the hoodie and walkie talkie in his belt holster.

LEGO 60073 Service Truck - Construction Worker Jackhammer Earmuffs

The construction worker comes with a jackhammer and the photo above also shows off the new hard hat-earmuff combo in better detail. I found it quite interesting as the last I came across these earmuffs in City sets, they were detachable. I much prefer this version instead – it’s probably great for kids as well, as I can imagine detachable earmuffs getting lost quite often!

LEGO 60073 Service Truck - Side View

Here’s the service truck which pulls along a small trailer where the portable toilet goes on. The service truck has plenty of space behind for equipment and a crane as well to help hoist the portable toilet.

I think the yellow and grey colour scheme go really well together – it’s a double achievement being bright enough for children to be attracted to it, while ensuring that it looks realistic with all the grey and dark grey elements on the back.

LEGO 60073 Service Truck - Front View

Here’s the front of the truck. Like most standard City vehicle, it’s width is 6 studs long to comply with LEGO City road laws. From the front, it doesn’t look very impressive – but I guess there’s not a lot that you can do with LEGO trucks. I do dislike the blue windscreen – I think it doesn’t blend with the yellow very well and would’ve preferred a regular clear glass instead.

LEGO 60073 Service Truck - Driver and Side Details

The Service Truck really shines from the side. I really enjoyed the steps below the door as it just looks like something a real truck would have. There is also a stickered round piece which is meant to be the truck’s fuel tank (I think) which is subtle but adds a nice amount of detail to the side.

LEGO 60073 Service Truck - Crane

Here’s the crane. If it’s one thing I really hated about this set, it was the painful number of stickers I had to apply. You would think having years of sticker-application experience would count for something, but it never gets easier. This set has a whopping NINETEEN stickers to apply, 6 of which are on the crane alone. I don’t have a kid of my own, but I would love to know what young children think of the silly amount of stickers they need to affixto their LEGO sets.

LEGO 60073 Service Truck - Crane in Action

Here’s a better look at the back. There’s plenty of stuff going on the back such as a control lever for the crane, a couple of barriers, a beautiful green bin, a fire extinguisher as well as a shovel and broom. The truck’s walls can be folded which gives the set a bit of functionality that’s nice to have.

LEGO 60073 Service Truck - Trailer

The trailer is a pretty simple but effective build. It has four studs which the portable toilet easily fastens to.

LEGO 60073 Service Truck - Portable Toilet

And here’s the star of the set – the portable toilet in all its glory. Honestly, it’s a really basic build but it’s such a regular sight at festivals and construction sites that it does the job perfectly.

LEGO 60073 Service Truck - Toilet Sign

Perhaps the best part of the toilet is the 3 stickered tiles that have the male and female toilet symbols – this is going to be so useful for any restaurant or cafe MOCs that it’s great for LEGO to give us 3 of them. While it would’ve been great if these were printed tiles, I’ll take the fact that we get 3 stickers as a minor win.

LEGO 60073 Service Truck - Toilet Bowl

Wonder what’s inside the portable toilet? A toilet bowl complete with a toilet paper roll at the side! I’ll be honest, I bought this set purely for this toilet. The truck is just a bonus extra.

LEGO 60073 Service Truck - Driver inside toilet

Be sure to knock before opening the door!

LEGO 60073 Service Truck - Lifting Portable toilet

Kids should have a lot of fun playing with this set and using the crane to load the portaloo onto the trailer. I do wish that the crane was longer, as its articulation feels quite restricted, but this is a pretty minor grievance.

LEGO 60073 Service Truck

What I liked:

  • A quick, easy and fun build
  • The truck has a nice colour scheme
  • The glorious toilet
  • 3 toilet stickers

What I didn’t like: 

  • Too many damn stickers

Final thoughts: The Service Truck is a pleasant and quick build that checks all the boxes when it comes to what I look for in a City set. The truck has a decent enough design and plenty of accessories in the back that greatly improves the set’s playability and displayability. The Service Truck really is a means to the portable toilet which is the standout feature of the set.

If you’re a City fan, I feel the Service Truck will be an excellent addition to your sprawling LEGO metropolis. The truck is quite versatile, you can use it for a myriad of purposes beyond just picking up faulty portaloos and the portable toilet is jut hilarious. Toilet humour aside, this is a set that both adults and younger kids can easily get into.

The only thing I really hated about this was is the stupid amount of stickers that I had to apply. 19 stickers in a 233 piece set is just plain silly. To put things into perspective, that’s approximately 1 sticker per 12 LEGO pieces.

All in all, if you find that your LEGO City construction site is in dire need of sanitation services, the Service Truck will deliver in spades. Do try and wait for retailers to discount this set – the best possible price you could get for it is $20. These sets go on sale pretty frequently, so there’s no harm in waiting to pick one up unless your LEGO City inhabitants really, really, really need to go.

Rating: 4/5

For more LEGO set reviews, be sure to check out the Review Hub!

Filed Under: City, LEGO Reviews Tagged With: 2015, 60073, lego, lego city, portable toilet, service truck

« Introducing BrickPak, a monthly mystery LEGO loot box
LEGO 75095 UCS Tie Fighter Australian Price and Release Date »

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Redbit64 says

    October 19, 2016 at 3:13 PM

    Thanks for the review!

    Reply
    • Jay says

      October 22, 2016 at 3:00 PM

      You’re welcome!

      Reply
  2. Sarah says

    May 27, 2016 at 11:33 AM

    ” I’ll be honest, I bought this set purely for this toilet. The truck is just a bonus extra.” Me too. I got this for my son but it was all about the porta-potty (as we call them in Canada).

    Reply
    • Jay says

      May 28, 2016 at 2:17 PM

      You and me both! Porta potty is such a cute name! ?

      Reply
  3. starwarsfolder12 says

    February 18, 2015 at 8:00 AM

    WOOHOO! We can make a (custom of official) construction site! Using the toilet! And the truck! And the people! I must get this.
    #HailHotDogMan

    Reply
    • Jay says

      February 18, 2015 at 6:43 PM

      There are a few construction site sets available with the new wave of LEGO City. They’re pretty impressive!

      Reply

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to Jay's Brick Blog. In here, you'll find independent LEGO set reviews, commentary on LEGO trends & news, bargain hunting tips and an inside look into the life of an average LEGO fan. Find out more about me here

Subscribe for updates

Enter your email address here to receive updates about new posts from Jay's Brick Blog - straight to your inbox!

Join 1,782 other subscribers

Like my page on Facebook

Facebook Pagelike Widget

Buy LEGO

Buy LEGO

jayong28

Jay Ong | Jay's Brick Blog
More photos of the upcoming #LEGO Amelia Earhart T More photos of the upcoming #LEGO Amelia Earhart Tribute are now available!

Coming March 2021 globally, but if you're in Australia, it's available from today onwards from @legocertifiedstores_anz!
Very impressed by the minifigure designs of Chief Very impressed by the minifigure designs of Chief Mammatus and Thunder Keeper from the new #LEGONinjago 71747 The Keeper's Village.

Love the Polynesian influences that have inspired #ninjagoseason14 - The Island!
Hey @lego, I think i understand what #vidiyo is al Hey @lego, I think i understand what #vidiyo is all about now.

Step aside @musicbyllama!
Really enjoyed building and reviewing the new #LEG Really enjoyed building and reviewing the new #LEGONinjago 71747 The Keeper's Village from Season 14 - The Island 

Hit the link in bio to read the full review

For #Ninjago fans, it doesn’t get much better than this. 71747 The Keeper’s Village is packed with value and is a great centerpiece to Season 14 – The Island.

I have a soft spot for location, or structure-based Ninjago builds, so The Keeper’s Village strikes that itch in the best of ways.

The jungle lair sets the scene and provides a rich backdrop that works really well as a small playset and display piece.

Combined with a very generous helping of 5 minifigures, there’s a ton of value and playability built into the set, especially the stone pillar which works remarkably well as a “big enemy” for the Ninjas to deal with – it very much gives off a “mini-boss in a video game vibe”.

The highlights for me would be Chief Mammatus and Thunder Keeper’s designs. As a big fan of the Islanders theme, I love that #LEGO could callback to those designs in a fresh new way, utilising the tech and innovation that’s now possible through minifigure design.

Whether you’re an adult fan looking for a set that’s a bit more kiddy, outlandish and fun, or you’re planning to buy this for a young child who wants an engaging playset, I can highly recommend 71747 The Keeper’s Village.

Rating and score: 4/5 ★★★★✰
Thanks @lego for sending over the new #LEGONinjago Thanks @lego for sending over the new #LEGONinjago Season 14 sets ahead of their March release!

My first review of 71747 The Keeper's Village is already live on the blog! Speed build is live on YouTube as well! 

@justhypeofficial Kai Plushie just chilling as he's now a regular fixture on all #ninjago videos!
Happy Valentine's Day to this 10/10 stunner. 🌹 Happy Valentine's Day to this 10/10 stunner. 🌹 

Sharing photos from Japan because we miss travelling (and food!) but being in lockdown with you for 5 days isn't too shabby of an alternative.
Happy "Niu" Year! 🐮 May your hongbaos be fat, Happy "Niu" Year! 🐮

May your hongbaos be fat, cookies be crunchy, and mandarins juicy 🍊💦
Swipe to check out @LEGO's Lunar New Year sets!

恭喜發財 

Just missing the Dragon Dance and Dragon Boat Race as they're in storage!
Mail day today! Very happy that my #legoideas Medi Mail day today! Very happy that my #legoideas Medieval Blacksmith is here, and @little.ong couldn't wait to get into the new Duplo Chinese New Year set!

Special thanks to #LEGOAustralia for sending the Duplo set over - expect more photos and a review in the coming days!
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Recent Posts

  • LEGO 40450 Amelia Earhart Tribute Gift with Purchase revealed!
  • Review: LEGO Brickheadz Pets German Shepherd, Shorthair Cats, Goldfish & Budgie (40440, 40441, 40442, 40443)
  • Is LEGO planning to announce a NASA Mars Perseverance Rover?
  • LEGO Fan Media sites caught up in Australian Facebook News Blockade
  • First look at all the new LEGO Vidiyo sets – Beatboxes and Bandmates!
  • Review: LEGO Ninjago 71747 The Keeper’s Village
  • Review: LEGO Duplo 10943 Happy Childhood Moments

LEGO Reviews

Review: LEGO 853990 Easter Bunny House

Review: LEGO 76039 – Ant-Man Final Battle

Review: LEGO 40289 Diagon Alley (2018 gift with purchase set)

Review: LEGO Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts Minifigures

Review: Chris McVeigh’s LEGO Brick Sketches

Review: LEGO 76050 Crossbones’ Hazard Heist

Review: Lego Batman The Movie Super Heroes Unite DVD

Categories

Archives

Jay

Jay is passionate about LEGO and the endless creative adventures made possible by this complex interlocking brick system.
Learn more →

Popular Posts

Copyright © 2021 · WordPress · Log in We may earn a commission when you use one of our offers/links to make a purchase.