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Five Best RC Monster Trucks

by sunny on March 13, 2010

Racing and bashing RC Monster Trucks is a really fun hobby but can be a little intimidating for the beginners specially when trying to decide which model offers best value, durability, ease of use and off course the fun factor. You don't wanna spend hours and hours on tuning and fixing your truck when you should be out there racing them and having fun with your friends.

Big, bad monster trucks with their oversized wheels and high ground clearance are always a sight to behold. Everybody loves them in any form, whether as full-sized car show staples or miniature backyard models. The following remote-controlled trucks with monster bodies are five of the best the business has to offer and generally offer the best bang for your buck.

Note: When it comes to RCs, ranking the best isn't easy. So take this list as one opinion that you can take into account, rather than an absolute rating of the best the platform has to offer.

1. Traxxas T-Maxx

rc1

The best-selling RTR nitro monster truck in the world, the T-Maxx series (the latest is 3.3) is a 1/10th-scale model that everyone, from beginners to more advanced enthusiasts, can embrace. Quick, agile and exceptionally fast, it packs what is arguably the most powerful smallblock engine you can find on the platform. More importantly, it has stamped itself accessible by being both easy to tune and maintain, making it possible for absolute newbies to dive in and partake in the fun. Do note that the newer TRX 3.3 engine can be a bit over-the-top for most beginners, so we'd advise less-experienced drivers to stick to the older, but still very much relevant 2.5 version.

2. Traxxas Revo

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When it comes to handling and durability, few monster trucks can hold a candle to the nitro-powered Traxxas Revo (currently 3.3), one of the most dominant 1/10th scale vehicles to appear in the production and small block racing classes. Traxxas took a leap of faith with this vehicle, approaching the category differently from the already popular T-Maxx , and came out with an even more versatile truck that packed similar beastly power. Given a choice, we'd go for the Revo over the T-Maxx for serious competition, although we put the latter at number one due to its general accessibility.

3. HPI Savage

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One of the most brutish bashers ever released, the Savage delivers a powerful combination of big block power and extreme durability. This 1/8th scale model should handle most anything you throw at it, giving you a permanent grin while you put it through every imaginable grind. Do note there are several versions of the Savage platform available, with the Savage 25 possibly the most bang-for-your-buck basher of the lot and the Savage X 4.6 as the most well-rounded, in case you're looking for one that can do more than trump everything on the backyard.

4. Losi LST

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Combining an easy-to-tune big block motor, huge clearance and plush suspension, the LST brings immense power while remaining very agile for its 1/8th-scale size. Very few trucks this big can pull off the same handling and feel, which successfully mimics the driving characteristics of smaller 1/10th size vehicles. Many areas of the truck do require aftermarket upgrades in case you're serious about competing (even the latest XXL version), but the terrific maneuverability, coupled with brawny looks, make for an excellent base from which to build upon.

5. Duratrax Warhead

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Delivering a good balance of power and agility, the Warhead is a very worthy competitor in the big block monster truck category. It was marketed as an excellent alternative to the Savage platform early on, because of the similar size and performance, all while providing the ability to be race-tuned. While probably not as durable (we've seen parts of it wear considerably faster than the Savage), this continues to be a favorite among fans of vertical chassis plate setups.

Team Associated MGT 80 1 8 Nitro RC Monster Truck Used
Team Associated MGT 80 1 8 Nitro RC Monster Truck Used
Paypal   US $375.00
NEW RADIO REMOTE CONTROL CAR RTR RC NITRO MONSTER TRUCK
NEW RADIO REMOTE CONTROL CAR RTR RC NITRO MONSTER TRUCK
Paypal   US $122.97
★NEW 1 8 RADIO CONTROL RC NITRO CAR 4WD MONSTER TRUCK★
★NEW 1 8 RADIO CONTROL RC NITRO CAR 4WD MONSTER TRUCK★
Paypal   US $233.15
CEN GST 77 nitro RC monster truck w Remote
CEN GST 77 nitro RC monster truck w Remote
Paypal   US $199.00
1 10 4WD Nitro Gas R C RC Car Monster Truck 18cxp RTR
1 10 4WD Nitro Gas R C RC Car Monster Truck 18cxp RTR
Paypal   US $159.92
NEW HSP 1 16 CAR 4WD NITRO GAS 4WD RTR RC MONSTER TRUCK
NEW HSP 1 16 CAR 4WD NITRO GAS 4WD RTR RC MONSTER TRUCK
Paypal   US $117.35

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RC10T4 1 RTR

The RC10T4 platform has belted out numerous national championships (seven, to be exact), and with the Team Associated RC10T4.1, the company has brought the same fetching engineering qualities into an off-road racing truck.  While featuring many parts right out of the RC10T4 Team kit, it adds a new 2.4 GHz XP3-SS 3-Channel radio system and SHV1504 MG metal gear steering servo.

Available as a ready to run vehicle, it features an Interceptor-T polycarbonate body that's completely finished out of the box.  The paint scheme and decals are very appealing, making for an attractive-looking truck that you won't be ashamed to show off, whether in your friends' backyards or around the tracks.

Molded composite chassis with set screw antenna tube lock serves as the RC10T4.1’s foundation and base.  According to Team Associated, the strategically-placed chassis components allow for optimal center of gravity, providing the truck with good stability and maneuverability while driving.

A factory-installed Reedy 3300kV brushless motor should give this truck ample power for casual races, which they paired with an XP SC450-BL brushless ESC.  The 2.6:1 ratio gearbox comes with sealed gear differential, dual-sided adjustable slipper clutch and rubber-sealed ball bearings.  Other notable features include a battery strap with twist-lock thumb knobs, rugged steel turnbuckles and aluminum shock bodies with molded pre-load clips.

If you're in the market for a fully-assembled truck with a championship pedigree, the Team Associated RC10T4.1 RTR sounds like an awesome pick.  Released just at the start of the year, it's priced rather fairly at $399.

Specifications

Scale: 1:10
Power : Electric
Length: 390mm
Width: 316mm
Track: 270mm
Weight: 1756g
Wheelbase: 288mm
Internal Gear Ratio: 2.6:1
Drive: 2WD

RC10T4.1 Off Road Truck RTR, 2.4GHz Radio RC10T4.1 Off Road Truck RTR, 2.4GHz Radio
List Price: $339.99
Sale Price: $199.99
RC10T4.1 Off Road Truck RTR,Brushless,2.4GHz Radio RC10T4.1 Off Road Truck RTR,Brushless,2.4GHz Radio
List Price: $399.99
Sale Price: $227.99

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  • tamiyarightscale

If you've been shopping for an eight-scale buggy, you must have come across the Tamiya TRF801X, the company's competition-level off-road kit.  While we have heard some complaints about it (mostly the heft), our own experience was actually very satisfying.

There isn't much to distinguish it in the looks department, although we found it to be an attractive ride all the same.  Building does require some amount of time (designed for advanced hobbyists, beginners will definitely find the manual a little lacking), although the decision to bundle screws with the parts that use them made sorting through the pile a heck of a lot easier (thanks for that, Tamiya).

1/8 Racing Buggy Kit: TRF801X 1/8 Racing Buggy Kit: TRF801X
List Price: $1,023.00
Sale Price: $556.29
Front Lower Arm: 84067 TRF801X Front Lower Arm: 84067 TRF801X
List Price: $12.00
Sale Price: $8.29

Equipped with an anodized duralumin chassis and enclosed by a tough body shell, the TRF801X fosters dependable strength all while offering good mobility.   It does feel a little hefty (while driving) compared to other top players in the class, which actually helps with stability, although it's nowhere near "tank-like" as some people have described.

Overall vehicle performance is great.  The drivetrain is very smooth (Mugen-like quality), the acceleration is downright quick and handling is very forgiving.  Driving it against other buggies, you'll notice the car practically saving itself while everyone else's vehicles are tipping over during corners and rough patches of ground.  Jumps are a little harder, though, because of the weight, which tends to result in its falling nose-down a little more than other models in the same class.  You should be able to iron it out with a little tuning, so give it time - this is the kind of ride that grows on you.

The Tamiya TRF801X 1/8 Off Road Competition Buggy is easily one of the best vehicles in its class.  Like all top-of-the-line performers, it requires a little getting used to.  The time you put in should be worth it, though.

Tamiya TRF801X Specifications:

Wheelbase: 320-327mm
Length: 495mm
Width: 307mm
Gear ratio: 11.34:1
Kit/RTR: Kit
Experience Level: Advanced

Items Needed for Completion:

  • .21 Off Road Nitro Engine
  • Tuned Exhaust System
  • 2 Channel Radio System & 8AA Batteries
  • High Torque Steering & Brake Servo's (2)
  • 6V Receiver Battery
  • Glow Driver
  • Starter Box & Batteries
  • Nitro Fuel & Fuel Bottle
  • Paint for Body
  • Charger for Reciever Pack & Starter Box Batteries
  • Tires & Tire Glue

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