Looking for an off-road truck with aggressive styling and equally capable performance?  You might want to throw some looks over at the RC4WD Trail Finder 2, a truck kit designed for kicking mud on your favorite off-road trails.

Described as "part scale truck, part adventurer," the 1/10 scale 4WD can take on sand, dirt, snow, mud and rocks, allowing you to rugged it up whether in the backyard or at a local trail.  Sporting a billet aluminum ladder-frame chassis, 1.55 stamped steel beadlock wheels, super grip Mud Thrasher tires, rock rails, wide gears, skid plate and tube rock guard bumpers, RC4WD claims the vehicle should deliver a smooth and reliable performance over rugged terrain.

The Trail Finder 2 comes with a Mojave body set, complete with accurate proportions and precise details.  An industry first, it features a dropped bed molded directly into the body, allowing you to remove the bolt-on cab for equipping the vehicle truggy-style.  Windshield wipers, mirrors, marker light details, and door handles are also thrown in as add-on parts.

Sold as a kit, you'll need to use your own motor, radio and electronics, with building time estimated at approximately 3 hours.  The RC4WD Trail Finder 2 will be available mid-February, priced at $399.99.

[RC4WD]

Billed as the "perfect 1/18th scale fun package," the HPI Mini Recon is a tiny bundle of monster truck awesomeness that will have you mini-bashing the afternoon away. Small but durable, you can smash it into everything in sight and the damn nugget will just keep running.

Sold as an RTR, this miniature RC model comes painted, trimmed and decaled, ready to have its shiny finish muddied and put through a real backyard workout. It's decked in an "extremely tough composite material" on the body, tub chassis, shock towers and suspensions parts, though, so you don't have to worry about breaking it in a day. Maybe a week. Just kidding. HPI claims this thing is "nearly indestructible."

The HPI Mini Recon features a heavy-duty 4WD shaft system that capably handles the travails of your favorite outdoor tracks. A high-torque RM-18 motor (370-size) pumps the power, allowing it to push at an impressive pace both on pavements and trails. Other details include "super smooth" ball differentials, factory-fitted long-stoke shocks, twin point steering, fully covered electrics, six-spoke rims and high-grip Micro Block tires.

Designed for novice hobbyists, it comes with everything you need to get cracking, including an HPI TF-40 radio set, 7.2V NiMh battery, charger and AA batteries for the transmitter. All you have to do is take it out of the box and drive.

Seriously, this thing sound gnarly for a 1/18th scale ride. The HPI Mini Recon is available now, priced at $179.

SPECIFICATIONS:

CHASSIS LENGTH: 232mm
WIDTH: 174mm
HEIGHT: 108mm
TRACK: 145mm
WHEELBASE: 160mm
DRIVE SYSTEM: Shaft 4WD
TIRES: Micro Block

[HPIRacing]

Having been purpose-built for high-level all-terrain performance, the F-150 SVT Raptor is easily one of the most powerful rides available to off-road enthusiasts. The Traxxas RTR F-150 Raptor SVT is a replica model that brings the same rugged features in a 1/10-scale radio-controlled package.

Designed for all-terrain driving, the vehicle comes fully-equipped with everything you need to take into rugged territory as soon as it pops out of the box. It ships Ready-To-Race, with fully-assembled parts, painted and decaled body, and even the TQ 2.4GHz radio system pre-adjusted for operation.

The Traxxas RTR F-150 Raptor SVT shares much of its feature set with the Traxxas Slash, the award-winning truck that's been a consistent favorite among off-road racing enthusiasts. From the chassis design with huge center clearance to the massive BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain tires, you can quickly bash, race or plain wreak havoc anywhere you please. The fenders keep the tires covered up, so you can smash into other vehicles without being tangled up.

It comes with a Titan 12-Turn 550 motor, which you can upgrade to a Velinion brushless motor to reach speeds of up to 40 mph. Other details include an XL-5 ESC, a Metal Gear Magnum 272 transmission, Revo-spec Torque-Control slipper clutch, adjustable steel turnbuckles, satin-finished 2.2-inch Slash wheels, and a water-sealed electronics box. The vehicle includes a Training Mode that allows you to limit full-throttle power to 50%, allowing novice drivers to develop their skills without losing control of the vehicle.

Currently on preorder with a November ship date, the Traxxas RTR F-150 Raptor SVT is listed with a suggested price of $480.

[Traxxas]

Back when the Mitsubishi Pajero (or Montero, in parts of the world where "pajero" can mean "wanker") first came out, it came loaded with features that were previously unseen in the same category. A four-wheel drive that comes integrated with passenger car amenities, it was a pretty big deal in its day, made even bigger by its participation in many off-road races. Now, you can enjoy this classic in an RC package with the Tamiya Montero Wheelie.

Sold as a 1/10-scale assembly kit, the vehicle is based on the racing-configured models that were used in events like the Dakar Rally. It's only a 2WD, though, so don't expect all that capable off-road performance. Looks mighty badass driven through relatively tame terrain, though.

The Tamiya Montero Wheelie uses a box-type 2WD chassis, equipped with a front swing axle and rear rolling rigid suspension. Body is injection-molded for durability, with a spare tire, roll cage and cargo bed details thrown in for realism.

It features a fully-enclosed gearbox for keeping off dirt and debris, 115mm tires, a wheelie bar, a Tamiya 540-type brushed motor and TEU-104BK ESC. Since it's a kit, you need your own tools and paint to get the ride done, along with a two-channel radio and battery.

No pricing yet, but the Tamiya Montero Wheelie should hit stores this October.

[Tamiya]

While the name sounds like it's lifted straight off the Kama Sutra, there's nothing Tantric about the Tamiya Vajra. Instead, it's an electric 4WD racing truck based off the 2011 Avante chassis.

Sold as a kit, the 1/10-scale truggy is built on the shaft-driven 4WD Avante that's been converted to a truck with a locked center differential in place of the ball diff and ball diffs in place of the open gear units in the front and rear. It retains the longitudinally mounted motor and battery pack, as well as all the other properties that made the platform quite the attractive racer.

The Tamiya Vajra uses 2mm-thick carbon fiber for the upper and lower decks, as well as a 2mm carbon plate steering rack. Other details include a 4-wheel double wishbone suspension (with aluminum front knuckles and durable resin suspension arms), universal drive shafts, aluminum wheel hex hubs, 3.5mm-thick carbon fiber damper stays, and bumper guards (both front and rear).

The polycarbonate truck body (at least, the one on the product photo) looks very ordinary, though. Same with the included V-pattern block tires. Suffice to say, you'll probably want to look for something better to do the Avante chassis the justice it deserves.

MSRP for the Tamiya Vajra is $812. Radio gear, motor, battery and ESC are available separately.

[TamiyaUSA]

Looking for a new monster truck to wreak backyard havoc with? How about this: the Traxxas Captain's Curse, a 1/10-scale model of the 2007 Monster Jam World Freestyle Champion pickup.

If you're not familiar with the ride, it's a truck based on a 1941 Willy's pickup, decked in red and black paintwork depicting a pirate theme. Traxxas' precise recreation duplicates every bit of the original, complete with pre-applied paint and decals featuring official Monster Jam graphics.

Based on the best-selling Stampede monster truck, the Traxxas Captain's Curse is an electric 2WD pickup, packing a high-torque Titan 550 motor and an XL-5 ESC. Designed for romping through mud, water, snow and other unusual outdoor terrain, it boasts fully-waterproofed electronics, a high four inches of ground clearance and realistic giant tires on beadlock-style wheels.

It can go at top speeds of over 30 mph, with off-road handling ably taken care of by the metal-gear transmission, Torque-Control slipper clutch and planetary gear differential. Whether you're recreating your favorite Monster Jam races or just running over everything in sight at the park, this truck looks fit for the job.

Available as a ready-to-race unit with a bundled TQ AM 2-channel radio system, the Traxxas Captain's Curse is priced at $385.

[Traxxas]

While 1/10-scale short course trucks are all the rage now, their smaller counterparts are gaining traction among fans, too. And this Helion Animus 18SC offers some of the best balance in features and value.

A 1/18-scale short course racer, the 4WD truck comes in RTR form, packing a short course-style body with light bars, stepped bead wheels and tires, and short course-style bumpers in the front and rear. It comes with crystal-less 2.4 GHz radio tech, allowing you to race side by side with your friends without any problems.

The Helion Animus 18SC houses a 370-size 4,200 rpm brushed motor (with 11T pinion gear), allowing it to hit the dirt at speeds of over 20 mph. Helping the motor are a 1,100 mAh battery pack, along with the compact ERS (which integrates the ESC, servo and receiver in one small unit). Other vehicle details include four wheel independent suspension, planetary gear differentials, dual bell crank steering, adjustable coilover shocks and composite chassis.

Designed for novice drivers, the Helion Animus 18SC should be a great starter vehicle for anyone interested in this size of short course race trucks. And that's before you even consider the dirt cheap $100 price. You can get them exclusively from HobbyTown USA.

[Helion]

Everybody loves a good short-course racer these days. We're not sure how the Redcat Racing Calder SC 10E fares against the leaders in the class, but it sure looks like it can hold its own.

Designed for desert terrain and short course tracks, the beastly 4WD appears ready to bash in the sand with its burly frame and aggressive looks. The paint job and decals adorning the 410 x 320 x 165-mm. frame look very fitting for its rugged purpose, making for a ride you can fall in love with right out of the box.

The Redcat Racing Caldera SC 10E packs a brushless 3750KV RC-540 motor, paired with a brushless ESC (2s LIPO Ready) and a 7.2-volt 3800Mah NiMh battery pack. It's got big bore shocks and a Redcat DSM-2C 2.4GHz radio system in tow.

Redcat calls the 1/10 short course vehicle a balance of speed and power. While I'd rather wait to try one to buy into that, you can check the videos below to see it in action. Looks mighty warranted to me. We're not sure about the vehicle's exact availability, but price is $239.99.
Promo video

Closer look video

Simple bashing video

Specifications

Motor Type: Electric Brushless 3750KV RC-540
Transmission: Forward and Reverse
Drive System: 4 Wheel Drive
Length: 410mm
Width: 320mm
Height: 165mm
Wheelbase: 305mm
Ground Clearance: 25mm

Robitronic has steered clear of short course trucks for as long as they could. The relatively new platform is apparently too hard to resist and they're finally jumping in the fray with the Robitronic Smasher.

A 1/10-scale electric vehicle, the short course racer comes ready to run right out of the package. The plastic body has a pretty straightforward design, but we do love the lines, as well as the graphics and paint job it comes with.

The Robitronic Smasher is a 2WD truck, powered by a brushed 20-turn 540-sized motor matched to the company's Speedstar 2 ESC. Chassis takes a cue from other short course racers, affording the vehicle plenty of ground clearance and heavy-duty performance during jumps, with extra long A-arms and oil-filled shocks supporting it over difficult terrains.

Other details include a sturdy gear differential (Robitronic claims it will make for plenty of maintenance-free action), sliding universal joints (for friction-free power transfer) and an adjustable slipper clutch (for easier driving).  It's got a nice set of chrome wheels you can dirty up in the tracks, too, adding extra points to the vehicle's appearance.

No pricing or dates for the Robitronic Smasher are listed on the press release, but you can check out the company's website for details.

Specifications

Height: 205mm
Wheelbase: 330mm
Width: 294mm
Length: 538mm

[Robitronic]

Bigger isn't always more fun. If you like your RC trucks smaller with the off-road power of the best 4x4s, you probably can't do wrong with the Losi Micro Trail Trekker.

A 1/24-scale truck, it measures a compact 6.89 x 3.35 x 4.13 inches and weighs a light 8.1 oz. Despite the diminutive size, it can handle difficult terrain with the best of them, armed with 4-link suspension articulation that should handle plenty of challenging obstacles you can throw its way.

Compared to the Micro Crawler, the Losi Micro Trail Trekker sports a longer wheel base and revised suspension geometry, making for greater maneuverability when riding uneven ground. All-terrain features include full-time 4WD with locked differentials, front and rear solid axles, twin vertical plate chassis, all-terrain treaded tires and chrome off-road wheels.

The body comes fully done up in either black or silver, with red design and Losi graphics. Of course, it comes with a micro motor (same one that the Micro Crawler used), a micro steering servo and a space-saving 2-in-1 receiver/ESC combo unit. A 4.8V 220mAh NiMH battery and an accompanying charger are included, along with a Losi 4Ghz DSM radio system.

According to Losi, the true-scale looks and impressive performance makes the 1/24-scale electric Micro Trail Trekker unlike any crawler they've ever made. That sounds mighty intriguing, especially at the affordable $149.99 price.

Specifications:
Type: 4WD OffRoad Truck
Scale: 1/24
Length: 6.89 in (175mm)
Width: 3.35 in (85mm)
Height: 4.13 in (105mm)
Wheelbase: 4.8 in (122mm)
Weight: 8.1 oz (229.63 g)
Radio: Pistol-style Spektrum 2.4GHz DSM Technology
Shock Type: Coil-over, friction dampers
Ball Bearings: Complete

[Losi]