Best RC Trucks – Buyer’s Guide

Let’s talk about some of the best RC trucks as of 2017:

Remember the days when having a remote control truck made you the coolest kid on the block? Remote control, or RC as it’s known today, trucks with the bright colors, the ugly lights and freakishly loud sounds still take us back to our childhood and simpler times when we would gather around in the evenings with the neighbor kids to show off our new truck.

The great thing is that remote control trucks have proven to be a reliable play-time hobby for some not so little kids even today. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that remote control trucks have passed their prime, or are limited to rowdy preteen boys only. In fact, remote control trucks are making a huge comeback thanks to manufacturers who have made amazing changes and advancements to this once humble toy. In fact, RC trucks have changed and advanced so much that they are no longer considered just toys. For more insight into the world of RC trucks, This article will cover some things you should know about if you are in the market for the best RC truck for the money. And we will also list 6 Best RC Trucks available, Both Large and Small! With that said, let’s get this truck on (or maybe off) the road!

Check Out This Video, Just Because!!

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Who really needs an RC truck? Consider these benefits and then decide:

Entertainment

You, of course, saw this coming. RC trucks are a great source of entertainment for you and your kids without having to throw too much money into it because they are relatively cheap and durable, and can often be carried along when visiting relatives.

Bonding

In addition to the lightning speed and gigantic tires, remote control trucks help you bond and make friends. Being a parent, wouldn’t you love to see your rather shy child come out of his shell when a neighbor kid runs to ask about his new truck?

Educational and Developmental

As far fetched as it may sound, frequent outdoor playing and the left, right, back and forth driving control movements help your child to build motor skills and learn coordination and spatial skills. It can also teach them responsibility through caring for and protecting their possessions.

High End RC Trucks

Some top rated RC trucks aren’t just toys. Many are specially built to carry cameras into hard to reach or dangerous places. The top RC trucks are capable of speeding through shallow waters, carrying food for zoo animals, and many other awesome sounding things!

Here are a few things you need to know:

Do I really need the best RC truck in the world?

No, you don’t, but having a top rated one would be nice. They are fun, not necessarily expensive, durable and can do plenty more than just entertain you on an otherwise boring day! They are great for experiments, camouflaging for watching wildlife, carrying cameras and other things on them, and maybe even playing 007, you can use it to spy on your neighbor;>

Will I be satisfied with my RC truck?

Good question. Just remember, you can’t expect a fish to climb a tree, and then consider it a failure when it can’t. With that principle in mind, you have to get an RC vehicle built for YOUR needs. Getting a low quality toy RC and then expecting it to swim through waters and plow through gravel is just silly. The marketplace is loaded with multipurpose and purpose-specific remote control trucks. In fact, you are not limited to “trucks” only; you can find the best RC monster truck, best RC electric truck, best RC buggy, the best electric RC buggy, and even the best off road RC car without having to look very hard. So, choose based on YOUR purpose, and you won’t be disappointed.

What is the best RC truck? What to look for in an RC truck before buying?

First, decide which RC trucks best fits your needs and budget. If it serves the purpose without any headaches, then it may very well be the best RC truck for YOU.

Types of RC vehicles:

Decide the type of remote control car you are looking for: the make, the size, weight and body. Decide if you are looking to drive it on home floors, smooth pavement roads, rough gravel roads or steep floors.

Basically, there are 5 different types:

• Street- the average street rc cars,
• Drift- similar to on-road cars but with slick tires
• Buggy- cross between an on-road and an off-road car
• Truggy- similar to a buggy, but is more off-road specific
• And of course, Trucks- the ultimate off-road vehicle

Each type operates with different speeds, resistance, and agility.

Power:

RC vehicles are powered either by electricity or by nitro/gas. Electric powered RC cars are powered by rechargeable batteries, and in case of nitro powered RC cars, a combustion engine running either nitro or gas.

If you are looking for an RC truck that is cheap, cleaner, easy to maintain and quieter, then electric powered is a better option. However, electric powered RC trucks have limited run times, and takes longer times to recharge.

If you are looking for some serious and real driving simulation with dramatic performance, longer run times, and LOUD then a nitro powered RC truck is what you are looking for. Keep in mind though that nitro powered RC trucks are more expensive and you will have to keep the proper fuel on hand.

2WD versus 4WD

A 2 wheel-drive or 2WD tends to be more affordable, easier to work with and demands less maintenance.

A 4 wheel-drive or 4WD is great for rougher and off-road driving, but can be expensive.

There are plenty more possibilities to consider prior to purchasing. But, if you start with these basics you will make a smart decision when the time comes..

Here are some RC Trucks that span a wide price range:

This list of could never be complete without a model or two from Traxxas. And, the Slash Short Course Racing Truck is one of its many gems. This RC truck is a 1:10 scale, 2WD truck that features a 2.4 GHz radio system.

1

Traxxas Slash Short Course Racing Truck

This RC truck weighs 10.5 pounds, and can reach speeds of up to 30 mph. What won my vote is that this truck is super durable thanks to its waterproof electronics. This makes it a good choice for driving in water, mud and snow.

Pros:

• Features a TQ 2.4GHz radio system
• Durable
• Great for driving in water, mud and snow

Cons:

• No warranty
• Consumer complaints regarding its constant demands for upgrades and repairs have been reported many times

2

The Traxxas Stampede

The second name to make it to our list is from Traxxxas once again. This monster truck, the Stampede, is a 4×4 4WD and probably the best RC monster truck for beginners.

It has ample ground clearance and trail tuned differentials that make this RC truck an off-road favorite. It weighs 5.7 pounds, has Chevron 2.8 inch tires with foam inserts and features the signature Traxxas waterproof electronics for all-weather protection from water, mud and snow.

Pros:

• 4 wheel-drive
• Waterproof and weatherproof
• Great of off-road driving

Cons:

• Consumers have complained about its charger not working as well as expectie, and that an addition charger is required to prepare it for a race

3

Redcat Racing Shockwave Nitro Buggy

Let’s include a buggy into our list. This RC Buggy from Redcat is a nitro/gas powered vehicle, meaning it will require gas to operate. It has a powerful 2.67 cc engine, and is a 1:10 scale vehicle.

The 4WD racing shockwave reaches a maximum speed of 35 mph, features aluminum capped shocks and composite disc brakes. It weighs just 4 pounds, has a fuel tank capacity of 75 cc, and has transit single speed. The buggy also features a 2.4 GHz radio system.

Pros:

• 4 wheel-drive
• Nitro powered
• Radio system

Cons:

• Require 12 AA batteries (not included)

4

TAM58372 from Tamiya

Let’s  add a little more diversity to our list with this amazing Ford 350 4WD RC Truck model kit.

The TAM58372 weighs 4.4 pounds, and features a durable ladder frame chassis, steel channel and resin cross members for high strength. The TAM58372 has 3-speed transmission for easy gear changing and realistic low-speed driving. The truck can do some great driving on and off-road.

Pros:

• 4 wheel-drive
• 3-speed transmission
• Durable

Cons:

• Not a ready to race (rtr) rc vehicle; requires separate purchase of 4-channel transmitter, ECS, running battery and charger

5

Zhencheng Electric RC Off-Road Truck

If you are looking for an RC vehicle that is purely off-road and can take some rough driving, then you just found it here. The ZC electic RC off-road truck is 1:18 of scale with 2.4 GHz communications.

This lightweight (1 LB) is a 4WD, and can move at speeds up to 12.4 mph. It has full function steering and adjustable front wheel alignment. This truck is can handle almost any terrain: sand, stone, gravel, water, hills!

Pros:

• A true off-road rc truck
• 4 wheel-drive
• Radio system

Cons:

• Battery drains fast; less run time

6

Speed Sparks Monster Truck from Velocity Toys

Our grand finale needed to be a really impressive monster truck. This electric 6-wheeler has everything you need to start racing immediately; ready to race (rtr).

This beast weighs in at 3.5 pounds, and features full function steering controls, off-road wheels with semi-pneumatic tires. This truck can reach speeds up to 10 mph.

Pros:

• Massive size
• 6 wheel-drive for fun off-road driving
• Rtr; everything is included for you to start racing immediately

Cons:

• Not waterproof

This concludes our list. Hopefully, the information here will cover the basics well enough for you to confidently pick out a great RC truck. Good Luck!!