5 Best RC Rock Crawler – Beginners buying guide


Best RC rock crawler kits are the one’s that you want to break but they are damn near indestructible. These trucks are scale models of the real life 4-wheel drive monster mobiles.

With these radio controlled rock crawlers a day at the beach, the park, or even the back yard becomes the big-time adventure. These trucks come in a range of styles, power, and prices.

For those new to the excitement, I would not recommend spending too much on the first rock crawler or a mini rock crawler. But if it is love at first crawl, then there are bigger and better rock crawler that will climb!

Since this article is focused towards beginners, we are going to be reviewing only ready-to-run (RTR) kits and not build your own kits.

However like any penny pincher, I look for kits that can be upgraded with aftermarket kits, so I’ve included couple of kits that are RTR but need some adjustments.

While these are toys, they are not meant for small children. Always pay attention to manufacturer recommendations, but common sense should always prevail.

 

RC Kit Name Type
Full Built Upgrades Price

Excced RC MaxStone 4WDunit unit unit unit unit unit unit unit unit

Electric Motor with two drive shafts

 

 Yes

(Model scale 1/10, also has a mini rock crawler model- 1/16)

Available Check Price for Brused Motor

Redcat Racing Everest-10 Electric Rock Crawler

Electric Brushed Motor

 Yes

(Model scale 1/10)

Available Check Price for Brushed Motor

Team Losi Night 2.0 RTR 4WD Rock Crawler

Electric Brushed Motor

 Yes

(Model scale 1/10)

Available Check Price for Brushed Motor

Coolmade RC Car Conqueror Electric RC Truck Rock Crawler

Electric Brushed Motor

 Yes

(Model scale 1/18)

Available Check Price for Brushed Motor

 

Traxxas Telluride: 4X4 Electric Extreme Terrain 4WD Monster Truck

 

Electric Brushed Motor

 Yes

(Model scale 1/10)

Available Check Price for Brushed Motor

 


 Best RC Rock Crawler RTR List

Exceed MaxStone Unit Review

For beginners who don’t want to shell out too much too fast, Exceed is the way to go. They back it up with economic products and their customer service is awesome.

This is their MaxStone 10 model that is available in three different scale models (1/8,1/10 and 1/16 mini rock crawler).

It has been designed from ground up, and every detail was thought through to provide a competitive level base kit to work with.

I love this model for couple of reasons,

first off in my opinion this is one of the most affordable RTR RC crawler that has factory built rolling chassis,multi link suspension and axles to all 4 wheels and center mount 3 gear transmission that provides crazy torque.

What does all that mean? it means you don’t have to spend months upgrading and rebuilding your kit to make it “safe”to hit the rocks and be competition ready.

Secondly, the design is built to support any upgrades, you can switch up the axles,shocks, tires, shell and batteries. That accompanied with reasonable price, this is top kit in my book. Below are some of the technical specs.

amazon exceed crawler

  • Width: 258mm (10.16 inch)
  • Length: 450mm (17.71 inch)
  • Height: 320mm (12.60 inch)
  • Wheelbase: 200mm (7.87 inch)
  • Wheel Width: 56mm
  • Wheel Diameter: 126mm
  • Steering Angel: 40-50 degree
  • Maximum Toque Angel: 90 degree
  • Engine: RC540 motor
  • Weight 2100g
  • Battery: 7.2V 1800mAH Ni-MH
  • 2.4Ghz Pistol Grip Radio Remote Controller Transmitter

Upgrades: Basically you can change the whole kit according to your requirements. If you’re new Exceed customer support is super helpful when doing any upgrades, talk to them and they’ll give you pointers.


Redcat Everest-10 Unit Review

Now onto the big bad boys, starting with a best seller in its class and price range the Redcat Racing Everest. This bad boy comes in electric blue and red, it is jacked up to the nines and it is ready for anything that dares to get in its way.

This truck has some of the craziest moves imaginable, and it truly does climb a rock, “hand over hand.”

This truck looks just like a real truck in the videos; filming it alone would be an awesome time!

It comes with battery and charger, real life like monster tires, with real tread, aluminum capped oil filled shocks, this is like a real truck!Except that the electronics in this truck are waterproof!

amazon redcat crawler

  • Motor Type – Electric Brushed
  • Transmission – Forward & Reverse
  • Drive System – 4 Wheel Drive
  • Length – 460mm
  • Width – 260mm
  • Height – 160mm
  • Wheelbase – 320mm
  • Ground Clearance – 90mm
  • Chassis Type – Aluminum
  • Shocks – Aluminum Capped Oil Filled
  • Speed Control – 45A Brushed Waterproof
  • Battery – 7.2v 2000mAh NiMh & Charger Included
  • Radio System – 2.4GHz with Waterproof Receiver

Upgrades: Basically you can change the whole kit according to your requirements. I would recommend 2 Lipo’s to juice up the ride as it is bit slow


Team Losi Night 2.0 Unit Review

The most expensive on the list (for beginners at least), but the best crawler RC for those who cannot get enough is the Team Losi Night  RC Rock Crawler with actual working lights for crawling up and down, in and out of rocky terrain day and night.

It features a high torque 35T motor, waterproof electronics oversized shocks, and tires; this truck is a really serious rock crawler.

As with a real truck, these need regular maintenance and the tires do wear out, just like on real trucks.

It is durably constructed, there is nothing much that will stop this truck. If rugged, solid, fun 24/7 is what you want, this is the truck for you.

amazon team lossi rock crawler

  • FRONT AND REAR HEAVY DUTY 21T WORM-DRIVE
  • ALUMINUM TWIN VERTICAL PLATE CHASSIS
  • NIMH AND LIPO COMPATIBLE CRAWLER PROGRAMMED ESC
  • FULL-RANGE SPEKTRUM SR310 2.4GHZ RECEIVER
  • DYNAMITE® 35T 540-SIZE CRAWLER MOTOR
  • LED LIGHT BAR AND LED ROCK LIGHTS
  • HIGH -TORQUE STEERING SERVO
  • LOSI 2.2 ROCK CLAW TIRES
  • ULTRA -LOW GEAR RATIO DIRECT-DRIVE TRANSMISSION
  • MOLDED 4-LINK SUSPENSION
  • ALL-METAL CV FRONT AXLE AND CENTER DRIVESHAFTS
  • 4” ADJUSTA BLE ALUMINUM SHOCKS
  • NEW BATTERY TRAY
  • RED CHROME WHEEL RINGS
  • ZERO ACKERMAN STEERING
  • TRUE 3-PIECE 2.2 BEADLOCK CHROME WHEELS WITH 12MM HEXES

Losi night crawler upgrades: its one of those beauties that can be molded to your needs, you can change the whole kit according to your requirements. You’re the artist and this is the empty RC canvas!

Best Mini RC Rock Crawler

Best Cheap RC Rock Crawler

Coolmade RC Car Conqueror Unit Review

For those looking for that first rock crawler, or maybe just adding to the collection, the Cool made RC Car Conqueror is an excellent choice.

This truck is perfect for children between 5-7, after that they may want something a bit more powerful.

It will bring hours of fun climbing and crawl its way up anything in its path.

As with any battery-operated toy that is in constant use, buy good batteries, or else you will spend more replacing the cheap ones.

Just like off-road machines, this truck has independent suspension for ease of handling giving shock-proof maneuverability to protect the inner workings of the truck unit.

The tires have just the right amount of grip for great traction over the steepest of rocks.

In all fairness it is 1/18 scale model so it can be considered a mini rock crawler.

Along with that it does have few draw backs, you get what you pay for – frame work is mostly plastic, it lacks power and axles and suspensions are mostly cheap.w

  • Material: ABS, Electronic components, Plasticamazon coolmade rock crawler
  • Speed: 20km / h
  • Charging Time: 2 – 3hour
  • Playing Time: About 20min
  • Frequency: 2.4GHz
  • Remote Control: 2.4GHz Wireless Remote Control
  • Control Distance: 60-100m
  • Car Battery: 4.8V 700mA Battery
  • Transmitter Power 3 x 1.5V AA Battery(included)
  • Function: Forward / Backward, Turn Left / Right, Climb Crawler
  • Car Size: 28 x 19 x 15cm
  • Package Size: 32 x 19 x 22.5 cm
  • Item Weight: 1.2 kg

Upgrades: I wouldnt do much upgrades on this model,except for the battery pack. Give the cheap price I would recommend have till it breaks and replace if you need it again.


Traxxas Telluride Review

Traxxas is well known for their quality products and many of their products are quite durable as well.

As a matter of fact I own this model and I whole heatedly approve this to any one, either for beginners or hobbyists.

The Traxxas Telluride 4X4 captures the spirit of off-road adventure.4-wheel drive, specially tuned differentials, and long-arm suspension give it rock crawler prowess.

Off the rocks, the XL-5 ESC and Titan 550 motor dish out fast driving excitement. It’s waterproof to tackle water crossings, mud, and snow.

The Telluride 4X4 is fully assembled, painted, and Ready-to-Drive. Telluride 4×4 features a shaft-driven 4WD system and the modular design of the Slash 4X4.

Telluride’s highly efficient drivetrain offers optimum performance and easy maintenance.

A single center driveshaft connects the front and rear drive assemblies for maximum power transfer.

The modular design allows the entire front or rear section to be removed with just a few screws for easy service.

  • Material: ABS, Electronic components, Plastic
  • TQ
  • 2.4GHz radio systemamazon traxxas telluride rock crawler
  • Waterproof electronics all-weather, all-season R/C excitement
  • Watertight receiver box and #6519 3-channel micro receiver
  • Titan 12-Turn 550 modified motor
  • XL-5 electronic speed control
  • Tough fiber-composite construction
  • High-stall gear clutch
  • Kumho replica 3.0in tires with foam inserts pre-glued on satin chrome black beadlock-style wheels
  • ProGraphix painted body graphics
  • Powder-coated white springs

Upgrades: its one of those beauties that can be molded to your needs, you can change the whole kit according to your requirements. You’re the artist and this is the empty canvas!

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