Archive for the 'Trucks' Category
I know, you already have a short course RC racing truck. Your Associates SC8 is still performing at a high level and you win your share of racing events with this short course racing demon. Short course off road racing is some of the most nerve racking and competitive off road racing you can experience. There are 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive classes that can feature over 800 HP in each truck. These RC trucks have unbelievable horsepower with an extreme long travel suspension that allows drivers to hit the peak jumps with bumper and fender smashing action that’s, well lets say filled with adrenaline. Here is the problem; your kid is 11 years old now and very excited about joining your RC short course racing events. What RC short course racing truck will give you and your son a mean appearance and top performance for your buck? Well, here is my answer! How about a Traxxas RC Slash? With its authentic appearance it can jam with the best short course RC racers and has an affordable price. Great credentials as well, The RC Slash was selected by RC car magazine as one of its “Editors’ 10 Best” award winners, and Model Retailer magazine named Slash its “Product of the Year.” These are only a few of the accolades’ that this bad boy has garnered, Readers choice awards and more.
The Slash is one of my favorites from Traxxas RC trucks with both two-wheel and four wheel drive. The new RC Slash 4×4 is at the top of my list. It has an all-new rigid chassis, new body, Velineon 3500 brushless motor, it’s equipped with 2.4 GHz waterproof electronics, anodized aluminum driveshaft, long-travel suspension, high ground clearance, precise bellcrank steering, and licensed BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A tires that makes it look great. According to Traxxas the new Slash 4×4 will do over 40 mph with the included 3000mAh 7-cell battery pack and over 80 mph if you Power Up to the Mamba Monster. Check it out and get your kid started on the right track to success!
As I left my favorite Chinese Restaurant, I heard and saw a wonderful RC truck bashing event was beginning to unfold. I rushed to observe the happening and noted that it involved one of my favorite RC trucks, the Traxxxas Revo 3.3. Along with a gathering crowd, I made it closer to the action. The event was taking place in an empty shopping center parking lot with grooves and dips that transitioned into smooth surfaces and up hill grades. I checked out the Traxxas Revo 3.3 nitro’s involved and knew that this was going to be exciting. What a wonderful performance the four Revo’s gave us. With top speeds of up to 45 mph the tough Traxxas Revo 3.3 demonstrated its capacity to awe the crowd with a great performance. The run was about 50 yards which caused a momentary lost of view at some points and routes that would challenge the best RC truck drivers. What a joy to behold as the drivers delivered with sights, sounds and unbelievable action that lasted about 45 minutes. At the end, the crowd exploded with cheers and applauses. What a show! I admire RC Racers, because of their skills and creativity for finding a place to race their RC jewels.
The Traxxxas Revo 3.3 nitro is a very durable and stable RC truck with all the power and toughness you will need for an exciting day of RC racing or bashing. The Traxxas Revo 3.3, can handle the tough runs and still maintain fantastic speeds of over 45 mph. We are talking about a RC truck that will set the standard for RC truck experiences for years to come. I’ve bashed the Revo, taken jumps crashed it and it still works! It is the best all around RC truck on the market in my opinion. The RC nitro Revo has an additional 30 mm of chassis length to provide additional support around the engine mount. This longer wheelbase is combined with installed progressive 2 suspension rockers to stabilize the vehicle. The great stability along with the tough mud tires are what you need if you need to run hard on the roughest track or terrain. The Traxxas Revo 3.3 offers one-handed operation with a complete on-board, push-button electric starting system. The Traxxas EZ-Start system lights your glow plug and starts the engine quickly and smoothly with the push of a button. I am convinced that the Traxxas Revo 3.3 nitro is a very versatile RC monster truck that can handle any RC truck task with ease! Especially empty parking lots!
The Traxxas RC Summit is back. If you have been looking for one there has been a change, expect a slight price increase but here is the good news, they now come with 2 Batteries & 2.4 GHz TQ Radio. Had a chance to see one last week, and it was awesome and gained my respect? The Summit is an all-around great RC truck. It is not a speed demon, but the fact that it can go over just about anything makes it worth it. You can upgrade the motors and such, but I have other trucks that go fast and nothing I own or have ever owned can do everything that this truck can. The locking diffs, and selectable 2 speed tranny are genius. The lights are built into the bumpers rather than the body, pretty clever. No pesky wires to deal with that way. I’m not sure how competitive the RC Summit will be in comparison to other RC crawlers, but this thing would be a no brainer for your average backyard basher.
For those who wonder if it is worth it, I have to say yes and no. It is expensive, but so are tickets to a ball game, golf clubs, new shoes, or anything else that you know in your heart isn’t justified by the cost. Decide for yourself and enjoy. The great thing about the Traxxas Summit RC truck is that you own it and the fun lasts a lot longer than 3 hours. If you have to sell it, the resale value is pretty strong as well. Most vehicles I see don’t resale as well as the Summit does. Enjoy!
Check out XTM’s new Rage brushless1/18 RC truck. I don’t own a 1/18 scale RC truck, so when an opportunity presented itself for me to see and handle this little monster in action, I could not resist. This small or mini RC Truck is faster than a bunny, (top speed of over 35 mph), with a killer look and profile about it. Standing only 4 inches tall with full-functions, I was surprised at the way it can handle high-speed turns and mini off-road tracks. The owner, a close friend commented “It a Blass… I had never owned a brushless RC before now… It blows my mind”
The brushless version comes (RTR) and includes cast aluminum knuckles and upper suspension mounts so you can push this mini RTR truck to the limit. I have not seen the RC 18 in action but I hear it runs between 17-20mph which is pretty quick for a 18th scale RC truck. The Mini Rage comes stock with brushless but not lipo! The only issue I encountered was turning down the power output compared to other setups; I totally rolled it a few times. The aftermarket support for the RC 18 seems strong, which gives you the opportunity to change anything on the truck and parts come pretty cheap. Overall this small RC truck is so much fun to control and run, I am sure that it will adapt to your favorite RC track or off-road adventures.
So you thinking about RC monster trucks, and searching for information? Well here it is! In the past, the most popular style of RC truck you would see was a stadium style truck. Now the most popular toy truck people buy is modeled after real life RC monster trucks. The older model RC stadium trucks were ideal for flat and smooth dirt surface tracks, while the RC monster trucks on the market today are outfitted for rugged terrain, just like the real life versions. I am talking about hobby grade RC monster trucks, not the toy trucks that you find in big box stores! Here are a few things you should know before you purchase your rough and tough RC monster truck.
RC monster trucks are scaled down versions of real-life monster trucks. Just like the real ones you love with huge tires, that destroys smaller cars and are rough and tough mud hog grinding through deep mud. With today’s technology a RC monster trucks deliver excellent power and speed and agility with featured suspensions, detailed engines, life like steering, and other electronics. RC Hobby grade models comes with more options. There are three fuel choices, Electricity (battery powered, Nitro fuel and Gasoline fuel Nitro or gas engines will give you more power than the battery powered truck. (Not good for neighborhood fun)! They can support a larger truck size (with more weight and bulk) and really go faster. They excel over battery powered trucks and can roll over brutal landscape with-off-road equipped tires and suspension. For either of the fuel powered trucks, the higher speeds mean more forceful impacts, so it’s important to have a more durable truck body to withstand that impact without damaging the truck. Nitro fuel is a blend of nitromethane, methanol, and oil. It’s by far the most commonly used fuel for RC monster trucks. Gas is also popular because it allows for even larger RC monster trucks. RC electric monster trucks are usually powered by two electric motors, with four wheel drive, you can expect speeds of 23+ mph out of the box, and speeds of 30 mph in modified form (e.g. using faster motors and high capacity NiMH batteries). Higher speeds more force, so having the right truck body to take on impacts without damaging your truck is very important. Whatever the choice, you will be eager to, bang, climb, muddle, and run with your prize RC monster truck!
Congratulations you are ready to purchase your first RC car or truck! Where are you planning to operate it? Yes, I know you found out both RC models are ideal for kid’s age six and up and they get a blast from watching or driving something that looks so real. You have done your home work and found the options for RC cars and trucks are endless with regard to speed, size, engine type, and maneuvering capabilities. You can enjoy This RC hobby with family and friends or go for a run on your own. Now where do you plan on operating your RC car or truck? This is an important consideration for you and the RC model that you purchase. You should operate your RC car or truck properly as they can get damaged easily if used in the wrong environments or driven too aggressively on the wrong surfaces. I know you can’t wait to get your RC car or truck, so here are a few common sense suggestions just in case you got carried away at the hobby shop or doing your research. 
Before operating any RC car or truck it is very important that you read the manuals very carefully. If you plan on using your RC vehicle indoors the majority of the time, an Electric RC Car or Truck is in your best interest. Gas or Nitro will not work unless you have the convenience of an indoor RC facility. Gas or electric RC Cars should not be used for off-road or any rough terrain driving due to their undercarriage and it’s proximity to the ground they are On road RC vehicles and should be run primarily on smooth flat surfaces. Off road RC vehicles, RC trucks and buggies refers to either electric or gas powered RC cars or trucks with the profile to withstand more aggressive driving in environments of uneven ground, dirt, water or more challenging terrain landscapes. Trucks are optimal for rougher ground and have the suspension to withstand jumps, ditches, and generally tougher driving. Your surroundings must be right for the RC vehicle you choose. This will help you maintain your dream RC car or truck and enhance your enjoyment of this wonderful RC hobby.
If you are looking for a RC truck that’s ready to get air with maximum fendered dirt kicking action, then get yourself a Ready to Run Short Course RC Racing Truck. Short Course Racing Trucks like the HPI Blitz, Traxxas Slash and the Associated SC10 are hot in the RC off road racing community and their popularity is growing everyday. I have the HPI Blitz and I am thrilled with its performance! This powerful class of RC Off-Road race trucks is known for features that are special in off-road racing and bashing.
Lets start with a true scale replica of a full size race truck that powers through awesome performances at the, TORC (The Off Road Championship Series. Short course RC race trucks come with a full fendered body that handles and performs just like the full size version. Powerful acceleration causes the rear to sit down and when braking the front noises down. RC short course racing trucks are built the corners and are specially designed for unbelievable dirt flying power slides with extreme body rolls, all while keeping their tires firmly planted on the ground. You get with a loose long-travel suspension that can handle any thing in its path. In a jump you will see just how much droop the long-travel suspension has and when you land the tires disappear into the wheel wells. Thanks to the fenders covering the tires, you can really bang with your fellow racers or bashers forget about crashing or getting tangled up. I would like to think that I am a fair RC basher but the RC short course race truck is different. The suspension setup and the type of handling the short course race truck is different They are designed to drive with a loose feel that produces huge dirt rooster tails as you go. You will need to practice a different driving style for these powerful dirt slinging, run with anything RC short course trucks. You can get these awesome RC Trucks in 1/8th scale, 1/10th scale or the new 1/16 scale nitro or electric powered with 2WD or 4WD.
I’m a happy RC racer who loves his RC short course race truck; join me and hone your RC bashing driving skills!
Rumbling, bumbling, stumbling, RC Rock crawling is a sport that test your metal as you use you’re driving skills to navigate a highly modified four-wheel-drive RC vehicles over tough obstacles and terrain, such as broken rock piles, ditches, logs or whatever you choose as a worthy challenge. I love full sized RC rock crawlers but found myself to be very impressed with a relative new comer to the RC crawling world, the Duratrax RC 1/14 scale Cliff Climber. We are talking going small in a RC hobby that has been traditionally reserved for the big boys.
Just because the Cliff Climber is small in size, doesn’t mean it lack the power or a big RC crawler attitude!! The small size of the Cliff Climber has its advantages like the ability to operate in small spaces. Motors are mounted on each axle to eliminate the need for a center transmission and drive shafts. You also get rid of torque twist that many RC 2.2 crawlers have with a center mounted motor and transmission. A small downside is the Cliff Climbers tendency to “Clod Stall on steeper climbs because of the weight transferred to the rear axle that makes the rear axle stall. This is an easy fix by driving each axle with a 380 motor and drawing 14 plus volts from your ESC, with a little more throttle input you will get the rear axle driving. Ground clearance can cause you to get hung up or alter your lines when climbing. Correct this problem with larger tires. The DuraTrax™ 12mm hex adapters on this RC crawler has many after market wheels and tires available to solve the ground clearance issue. Right out of the box this small RC crawler is a capable climber and with a few upgrades can be a tough go get’um rock climber. You will be amazed by the ESC for the RC Cliff Climber, crawler, single ESC, dual battery setup! Motors are wired in parallel so both are drawing the same amount of volts. The ESC is powerful and designed to handle 14.4 to 16.8 volts run dual motors and draw power from dual batteries. Yes, it’s small but has the attitude and toughness of a large scale RC Crawler and well worth every hard earned thrifty penny you will pay for it! I am getting one for my kid this Christmas! Check them out.
I am often asked, who do I believe are today’s best RC car and truck manufacturers. Well, let me share my response for whatever value you might receive from it. I have been a RC hobbyist for quite a while and recognize that there are a number of great RC car and truck manufacturers out there, some with great products and reputations but, if I was looking for a new hobby grade RC car or truck, I would choose one of the manufacturers who I believe offer’s RC beginners and old pro’s the best prices quality and support. Yes, I know that I am opening myself to disagreement but what the heck, these are my choices and they are solid.
There is no doubt that Team Associated produces the best quality RC electric monster trucks available anywhere! Here are my points! They make the top race-winning quality cars and trucks that are realistic in appearance and are light and durable. Team Associated RC cars and trucks excel at getting dialed in to different tracks and arrive fast right out of the box, with clear and concise details on how to build. It is very easy to get spare parts, you can go into any RC hobby shop anywhere in the US and get spare parts or for upgrade to your RC vehicle. Last, but not least is the price, in my opinion, you get great quality and variety at a fair price.
Traxxas has been producing the best nitro RC cars and electric RC cars since 1986 and is the front runner RC car company on the market today. My first quality hobby grade RC truck was a Traxxas product! Traxxas has advance the ready to run, (RTR) category with innovative thinking and fun designs that make it easy for beginners to get started in the R/C hobby world. Traxxas RC cars and trucks are fast, tough and track ready. They offer great service and support and path the way in innovation and design. Trust me; they will be on the fore front of the remote control industry for a very long time.
HPI Racing has always been among my favorite RC car brands. Their simplicity in design, manufacturing and customer service just remind me of what a great RC company should be. HPI Racing makes some of the best RC cars available. They are considered to be one of the leaders in the RC industry, and continue to bring quality competition in all RC car and truck categories. They are definitely in the competition to be among the top RC car and truck manufacturers today. HPI has made their RC trucks, a focal point. HPI RC trucks are durable and over the years have proven themselves to be strong performers! HPI primarily constructs nitro vehicles; they also provide a sprint series for electric enthusiastic as well. You can’t knock a winner and HPI has a winning resume with many racing event wins. With this success, HPI will continue to build more high quality RC cars and trucks for all levels of RC car and truck lovers! What do you think? I am open to suggestions.
Short course RC electric, desert trucks, or the CORR truck craze has hit the RC world in a huge way! 1/10 scale platforms like the Traxxas Slash, and Associated SC-10, and now 1/8 scale 4 wd. trucks like the Team Associated’s SC-8 and so on.. I bring this up because yesterday, I had a chance to test drive another 1/8 RC electric desert truck model that I have heard about. Redcat Racings 1/8 scale RC Brushless Li-Po powered Aftershock 8E! I already own a Team associated SC-8 desert truck but you know me, can’t help but check out the unknown. As I understand it, Redcat Racing released the 1/8 scale Brushless Li-Po powered RC desert truck Aftershock 8E in RTR, 4WD form, based on the 1/8 scale buggy platform that has proven quite durable and user friendly. I was curious to try one out. So here is my take after seeing the packaging and taking a awesome test drive.
Simply, the Aftershock 8E is a blast right from the box. It’s ready to run and comes with 4 different videos for you to enjoy. Handling was sharp with quick turn-in on all surfaces. Traction roll on pavement with high speed passes made me nervous, well, I had a couple of bad roll-overs at 40mph, but there was no breakage! Now that’s what I call tough! Although, I never reached it, I believe, the 50mph. claim is valid if you roll on the throttle to avoid spinning all 4 tires, especially on clean asphalt. Running on dirt is where this baby really shines, as it power slides with the full time 4wd. diff. that has so much power. The rear mounted batteries and front mounted electronics deliver excellent chassis balance.
Ok, I was surprised, so if you get a chance check it out and be prepared to be impressed with the superb value, excellent durability, and incredible performance. You get great runtime of 20-25 min., with inexpensive parts to replace. What’s not to like? You tell me.