Get an Idea of How Much an RC Truck Costs: Factors That Impact Price
f you just spent an afternoon watching RC truck races on YouTube or on TV, the hobby might have piqued your interest. Unwinding with your very own RC truck after a long day can be one of the best pastime activities with family and friends. If you want to get more serious and potentially see yourself on TV partaking in various competitions, that’s possible too – there are many hobby clubs around Australia that have their doors open to everyone with an RC vehicle. However, these clubs and tournaments are for experienced hobbyists, as they usually build their own RC trucks, or they spend a lot of money to buy the best product on the market.
Naturally, as a beginner, you don’t want to spend too much money or effort into something that you aren’t even sure you’re going to like and stick with. The first question that comes to the mind of first-time buyers is probably – how much is a RC truck? And the answer to that question will depend on a range of factors, including its size, type of motor, wheel drive, and of course, brand. Let’s talk about these factors in more detail.
Size (Scale)
On your quest to finding the ideal model, you’ll come across various sizes (scales) of RC trucks for sale Australia wide. The scale of the RC model represents its size when compared to the life-size vehicle it is modelled after. For instance, a 1:10 scale RC truck is a tenth of the size of the actual truck. Naturally, larger RC trucks are more expensive, require more maintenance and are more difficult to transport and carry. These are just a few of the things you need to consider when deciding on the ideal model scale for you. The most common sizes are 1:8 and 1:10.
Type of Motor
RC trucks can be either nitro, petrol or electric powered. Electric powered models are the most popular ones, and they’re divided into two basic categories – brushed and brushless motors. Brushed motors were the norm just a few years ago, but nowadays, you’ll find as many models with brushless motors, or you can upgrade from a brushed to a brushless motor. Brushed motors are more affordable, but also inferior to brushless motors in every way. Nitro and petrol hobby RC trucks, on the other hand, are preferred by more experienced hobbyists. However, if you’re looking for these hobby RC trucks for sale Australia experts warn that you’ll have to commit to performing more frequent maintenance and repairs in order to get the most out of them.
And if you were wondering – where can I buy nitro fuel for my RC truck – keep in mind that usually, online stores where you can buy nitro RC vehicles also sell nitro fuel. Other alternatives are Amazon, eBay and your local hobby stores.
Wheel Drive
RC trucks can be either 2WD or 4WD. As far as prices go, 4WD models are more expensive, as they contain more parts. 2WDs, however, although more affordable, are actually not beginner-friendly. The reason is that you only have control over the front wheels, making them more difficult to handle, and making them prone to 180° turns. But, once you get used to the challenges of driving a 2WD RC vehicle, you’ll be far more skilled than those who are used to 4WD models. On the other hand, if you don’t mind spending a bit more, and you want to have an easier time controlling your RC truck, then a 4WD model is probably the better option for you.
Brand
Some of the best brands in the RC truck world are ARRMA, Axial, HPI, ECX, Hobby Engine, Pro-Line, HSP, Losi, Tamiya and Traxxas. Of course, buying a model from these brands will probably cost you more than buying from a no-name brand, however, in my opinion, it’s worth it. You get a wide range of part availability, and you can have peace of mind knowing you’re buying a quality product from a manufacturer with years in the industry.
Best RC Truck Model For 2019
According to most, the best RC truck for sale you’ll find in 2019 is the Traxxas 2WD Slash that comes with an officially licensed Ford Raptor body. It features side mirrors, a tailgate, an injection-moulded grill and an integrated bumper. It’s powered by an electric motor and seven cell NiMH batteries. Further, it includes a 4 amp, 12 volts, DC peak-detecting rapid charger for safe and reliable charging. The Traxxas 2WD Slash can go up to 50km/h, and it comes with waterproof electronics for all-weather driving in snow, mud and water. The radio system is ergonomically designed, making it ideal for all-day driving. Additionally, the internal antenna is impenetrable to damage, meaning you can put it through a lot of abuse and it will still work.
On the downside, it doesn’t perform great on muddy terrain, and it may be faster than a beginner would like. So, expect to struggle a bit and flip it a lot until you figure out how to operate it.
