Tow Mater for Little People

Tow Mater for Little People figures

This toy Mater, based on the character in Pixar's Cars, was created in the style of my Little People vehicle series and is compatible with Little People figures (although individual figures can vary in size, so fit is not always guaranteed). All pieces can snap in with a little force, so glue is not required. However, since tolerances can vary across filaments, you may want to glue any pieces that seem loose.

Printing Recommendations

This model was designed to be printed with 0.2mm layer height and a 0.4mm nozzle. I print with 15% infill and 2 walls.

Supports are recommended for the wheel wells and top window frames on the truck. The .3mf file has specific support settings for each object that I thoroughly tested and recommend.

The tow hook has a painted seam down the middle of the hook. Seams on the edges of the hook led to repeated failures in my testing, so I strongly recommend you use the painted seam.

Assembly and Play Recommendations

To assemble, glue the eyelids, irises, and pupils to the white part of the eyes first. Once it has dried, insert the assembly through the front of the windshield at an angle. Carefully press the edges of the windshield into place. You will likely hear a click when they snap in.

Assembly of the rest of the truck is straightforward, but it may take some force to snap the pieces into place. If small children are going to play with this, I recommend gluing any small pieces. The hook assembly can be snapped in without glue and later removed so that kids can put characters in the back if they want to. The wheels will likely feel stiff upon initial assembly, but they will loosen up as you spin them. To help them spin even more freely, I recommend lubricating the axles with something like Super Lube synthetic oil.

If you like this model, be sure to check out my Little People series:

Most parts in my Little People series are interchangeable. One vehicle can be used as a truck, pizza planet delivery vehicle, or ambulance, depending on which topper you choose to use. Other design variations, such as headlight shape, allow you to customize your vehicle according to your tastes. (The exception is Lightning McQueen, who can only trade wheels with the other designs.)