Product Description

The Tech Deck Dude Van Playset looks like a cool van until you open it up to discover it turns into a skate park ramps and coming with loads off cool accessories such as a turntable and out house.

Ages 9+

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19852 in Toys & Games
• Brand: SpinMaster
• Model: 6009770
• Released on: 2008-07-01
• Dimensions: 4.40 pounds

Features

• LED, sound effects for maximum fun and enjoyment
• Includes Dude + skateboard.
• Cool and fun for kids of all ages
• You can trade and collect with your friends
• Authentic and detailed in every way.

From the Manufacturer
Van transforms into playset

Customer Reviews

A Van Full of Fun!
We got this van for our nine year old son for his birthday. He had a couple of the Tech Deck Dudes and he loves to use them on home-made ramps, so this seemed like it would be fun for him. Well, when he opened it, his eyes got very big, he smiled, and asked if he could open it...right now! You have to put a few pieces together and the instructions aren't that clear but it was pretty common sense, especially if you look at the pictures on the box.

When it is assembled it is a van that rolls. When you press a button, the van opens into a skate park with various ramps and rails and a few imaginative details. There is a DJ/dance floor area, complete with record player and a small wall of boom boxes. Spin the record and the dance floor spins. The bent antenna of the van holds a disco ball. One side has a "Skateboarding, Oh Yes!!!" sign/ramp and a muffler system for rail grinding. One quarter pipe has a flip up ramp to make it even longer. The van seat can also be on wheels to go (you need an extra board) or attaches as a high place to watch the action for extra characters. There are a lot of little details that are creative and fun to explore, like plastic trash cans for the 'boarders to "bowl" down. Crushed soda cans you can attach. A Port-A-Potty with a pop-up 'surprise' (a monster looking thing). Best of all, everything stores in one place. The 'potty attaches to the back of the closed van. It does include a Dude and board. The other smaller pieces can store in a compartment in the ramp. The rest stores inside the van when you fold it. No loose parts kicking around!


A word of advice...keep the box around to check out some of the features. My son was excited to play with the toy and after a while he finally checked out the box and discovered where you can move or change some of the things. Just added fun! Overall it seems like it will be durable, though it is new. I don't forsee any problems. My three year old thinks it is pretty cool, too. The age says 9+, but outside of a choking hazard for very young children, I think younger kids would definitely love this toy as much as the 9+ crowd.

I don't get it, but kids love it
Purchased for my son's 6th birthday, as he said he wanted some tech decks, but the regular tech decks seemed a bit old for him.

Pros:
-The "Dude", in this set a guy dressed as a hot dog, is magnetic, so he sticks to the board and to the dance area (the black circle). He likes the guy being able to ride the board.
-Lots of obstacles and things for the dude to ride and "grind" on
-Everything can fit inside or attached to the van, so no pieces laying around.
-Geared to the younger kids interested in Tech Decks, but no microscopic wheels, nuts or screws.

Cons:
-The board isn't customizable, the same size, nor does it have the textured grip on the deck. This might not be a con for you, but be aware that the "Dudes" aren't the exact same. Dudes won't stick to a regular Tech Deck.
-Some of the pieces, like the quarter pipe ramp are hard to put on/remove, and all the pieces have to be disassembled before you can fold up the van. Your kid may or may not like having to put it together or take it apart all the time.
-The monster guy is a bit difficult to get back into the portapotty. Not a big deal, but just mentioning it. My son couldn't do it on his own at first.
-The design doesn't really let the Dude successfully skate down any of the ramps. The ramps have 90 degree corners at the bottom, so when he gets that far, he usually just tips over. Also, when you extend the one ramp upward, the angle is so steep he doesn't even stay on it all the way down, he usually just tumbles down the ramp. I think the intent is for the kids to hold the guy the whole time, but natural tendancy is to try and let it skate by itself. This is the biggest negative to me from a design perspective.

Overall, this a great intro to tech decks for the younger kids. It's a great value right now, too - you're basically getting one board and a skate park for under twenty bucks, while is much cheaper than other tech decks.

Kept him entertained all through the Super Bowl!
I purchased this for my 5-year old god-child's birthday and he opened it Super Bowl Sunday. He LOVED it. It kept him totally entertained throughout the entire game while grownups were yelling and talking and walking all around him, and this is a very active little boy. This toy does exactly what it says, it opens up to a full skateboard ramp, has many little gadgets, some minor sound effects and even a porta-potty. We grownups got a kick out of that. Overall, a very engaging toy.