RC Monster Trucks -
big, bad and lots of fun!

In recent years RC Monster Trucks have become very popular and have improved in both performance and quality, and can equal (and better) many rc cars on the track.

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).

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.

This 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 2.5 nitro motor driving the 4-wheel transmission system, and can top speeds of 40mph.
Trucks this size can handle pretty much anything you throw at them, and are as great to drive on smooth flat surfaces as they are off road.

Electric RC Monster Trucks - the cheaper option

However, if you don't want to jump in at the deep end with a nitro monster, an electric powered Monster Truck such as the Traxxas Stampede (shown below) is a great option.

Electric Monster Trucks will never have the raw power of nitro ones, but a model like the E-Maxx can certainly put in a grand effort with its twin 550 motors, 14.4V ESC power system and 2-speed 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 E-Maxx boasts some of the best features found on an electric MT, which all add up to some major performance for any electric truck.

Smaller electric rc Monster Trucks will give you around 15 minutes of drive time from a standard 7.2v 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.

Not all rc Monster Trucks are 4-wheel drive though; some are just 2-wheel drive and some models are available in either 4 or 2 wheel drive.
If you're wondering what difference it makes, it's very simple; a 4 wheel drive truck will be able to drive over much rougher and steeper terrain than a 2 wheel drive truck, simply because it has twice the grip!

Transmission systems for 4 wheel drive Monster Trucks will be slightly more complex but this shouldn't be a worry; these days rc cars in general are very 'user-friendly' and features such as the transmission systems are designed to be as simple as possible.
And they're tough too - they're designed and built to handle any kind of driving that a Monster Truck may do.

RC Monster Trucks, in my opinion at least, give the most fun of all radio control driving. Admittedly you won't 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 while your friends car gets stuck in the long grass or in the mud, you can be off driving around - you can even offer him a friendly push!

Both rc Monster Trucks mentioned here are available from Red Rocket Hobby Shop.

Related pages

Other kinds of rc trucks

Mini rc trucks

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