RC Monster Trucks
- big, bad and lots of fun!
In recent years RC Monster Trucks ('MTs') have become very popular, and now account for a huge sector of the rc car and truck market.
They can be purchased 'RTR' (Ready To Run) or in kit form, either as nitro or electric powered, and come as both scale and non-scale models ('scale' means that it's been modeled from a real Monster Truck, such as Bigfoot). The performance and quality of modern day MTs is excellent, and they can rival most other rc cars on the race track.
RC Monster Trucks are built very strongly and can take a surprisingly large amount of abuse, and they're almost impossible to roll over because of the wide spread of the wheels.
Because of their nature they can be driven over pretty much any kind of terrain - just like the real thing (even over your friend's rc car...)!
A nitro powered MT such as the Traxxas Revo Monster Truck, shown below, is a great one to go for.
The Revo is an excellent example of a nitro rc Monster Truck and is indeed one of the most popular choices for anyone wanting to get serious about rc MT'ing. It has more than enough power with its powerful 3.3 racing engine driving the 4-wheel transmission system, and can top speeds of 45mph.
Trucks this size can handle pretty much anything you throw at them, and are just as exhilarating to drive on smooth flat surfaces as they are off road.
Electric RC Monster Trucks
However, if you don't want to jump in at the deep end with a nitro powered MT, an electric powered Monster Truck such as the Traxxas Stampede (shown below) is a classic option.
Electric Monster Trucks will never have the raw power of nitro ones, but a model like the Stampede can certainly put in a grand effort with its modified 550 motor and racing-style transmission. It's built strongly enough to handle most kinds of typical MT situations.
This particular model, like the Revo above, is RTR so it's pretty much just a case of charging the batteries and driving. The Traxxas Stampede boasts some of the best features found on electric MTs, which all add up to some major performance for any electric truck.
See the Stampede in more detail.
Electric rc Monster Trucks like the Stampede will give you around 15 minutes of drive time from a standard battery pack, so it's always a good idea to have a spare pack with you so you can drive and charge at the same time.
Monster Trucks can be 2 or 4 wheel drive, depending on the model. If you're wondering what the difference is, the answer is traction!
While top speeds aren't greatly effected by 2 or 4 wheel drive systems, an MT with all 4 wheels powering it over the ground will obviously be able to cope with heavier terrain than a 2 wheel drive MT. Transmission systems for 4 wheel drive Monster Trucks will be slightly more complex, but this shouldn't put you off. These days rc cars in general are very 'user-friendly' and features such as the transmission systems are designed to be as simple and maintenance-free as possible. Having said that though, always expect some degree of maintenance if your truck gets a regular off road bashing!
Mini RC MTs
With rc models getting smaller and smaller, mini & micro size Monster Trucks are now widely available.
The 'standard' rc car scale has traditionally always been 1:10 but now 1:18 and even 1:36 scale rc Monster Trucks can be raced around your back yard!
Above, 1:18 and 1:36 scale MTs are now widely available - how small will they get?!
These mini monsters are a great deal of fun, equally suited to the living room carpet as much as the back yard terrain!
RC Monster Trucks, in my opinion at least, give the most fun out of all radio control surface vehicles. Admittedly you might not get the same level of speed as you will from an rc road car or off road buggy, but it won't be too far off. And the versatility of an MT more than makes up for any possible speed loss.
While your friend's rc car gets stuck in the long grass or in the mud, you can be driving around - you can even offer him a friendly push!
See the rc Monster Trucks shown above in more detail.
Related pages
RC trucks - of the 'non-Monster' variety.
Mini rc trucks - more about the smaller scale trucks.
