Posted: 10/16/24
For durability and realism, you can’t top RC monster trucks!
RC monster trucks have a loyal following of enthusiasts. And why wouldn't they? Full-scale monster trucks are the ultimate off-road giants. They have huge engines, extra heavy-duty suspensions, and oversized tires that often dwarf the driver. Customized for competition and for arena entertainment, real monster trucks can jump, do backflips, and perform sustained wheelies — all in spite of their massive size — to keep crowds on their feet for hours cheering them on.
Just like those real car crushers, remote control monster trucks attract fans of all ages who want to stage their own showstopping spectacles in their driveways and backyards. Many RC monster trucks are detailed scale versions of the same full-size trucks that get top billing at fairs and in Monster Jam® monster truck events. They carefully duplicate the same outrageous trim schemes and larger-than-life tires. And like the real deal, RC monster trucks are capable of performing the same sensational, gravity-defying stunts.
Remote control monster trucks have been among the most popular RC vehicles for many years. With their durable RC monster truck engineering and in-your-face body styles, they appeal to highly experienced RC hobbyists as well as people who’ve never tried driving an RC car before.
The number of choices available in the RC monster truck category is amazing. Check out the Horizon Hobby RC monster truck lineup here. If you like your RC vehicles to be big, fast, tough, and beautiful, you’re looking for an RC monster truck — and you’ll have no trouble finding one that’s just right for you.
Where to find the most durable RC monster trucks
Because they’re intended to be driven hard, radio control monster trucks feature extra-strong materials and reinforced designs that resist breakage much better than sleek, fast, and lightweight RC race cars. Because they’re so durable, RC monster trucks make great RC bashers for any experience level. For hobby newcomers just beginning to learn RC skills, a durable RC monster truck provides the freedom to practice without worrying that a mistake will end the fun. Read more about the importance of durability for first-time RC car modelers here [Link https://www.horizonhobby.com/blog-article-562056-best-beginner-rc-car.html].
For examples of RC monster truck durability at its best, take a look at those that are made by ARRMA®. The engineering team at ARRMA prides itself on bashing designs that optimize both speed and toughness. Their most powerful monster truck, the 1/5 scale ARRMA KRATON EXB Speed Monster Truck, offers plenty of evidence that ARRMA gets the formula right.
Rugged metal construction, including specially toughened EXB (“EXtreme Bash”) parts and options, is used throughout the ARRMA KRATON, from its aluminum chassis to the driveshafts and gearbox. Aluminum braces on the KRATON RC monster truck chassis add extra support. Even the front bumper of the ARRMA KRATON RC monster truck has a unique, impact-absorbing design. It all contributes to making the ARRMA KRATON virtually unstoppable — capable not only of incredible 60+ mph speeds, but also of surviving any flips, tumbles, and crashes that might occur at those speeds off the beaten path.
You’ll see that the ARRMA KRATON is not the most affordable RC monster truck on the market. Don’t worry — ARRMA has many excellent and durable RC monster trucks that are priced for beginners, too, utilizing their ARRMA BOOST upgrades. The 1/10 scale ARRMA GRANITE 4X2 BOOST RC monster truck offers proven, all-terrain toughness and can reach speed 30+ mph speeds right out of the box. Fully equipped and factory built, it costs about $200. Later, you’ll be able to upgrade it very easily for 4WD, brushless power, and other high-performance capabilities using ARRMA BOOST optional parts, without having to buy a whole new RC monster truck.
Monster Jam RC monster trucks deliver exciting scale realism
If you’re a fan of full-size monster trucks, you no doubt follow Monster Jam events. You probably dream of someday driving one of those 12,000-pound mechanical beasts yourself. Monster Jam RC monster trucks make that possible, at least with a scale RC monster truck!
To create RC monster trucks that closely match the looks of the real trucks, RC hobby manufacturers often collaborate with famous names and organizations in the world of real monster trucks. For example, Losi® partnered with Monster Jam and Dennis Anderson, the “godfather of monster trucks,” to develop the 1/10 scale Losi LMT Grave Digger® RC monster truck.
Dennis Anderson and his son Weston are trailblazers when it comes to full-scale monster trucks. The Anderson family has set records for jump distance and lap times, earning them many enthusiastic monster truck fans. With its powerful performance and distinctive body, the Grave Digger monster truck is itself a true legend. The ready-to-run Losi radio control Grave Digger, an officially licensed Monster Jam RC monster truck, gives you the power to do insane backflips, to skim across deep mud puddles, and to jump higher and farther than seems physically possible — just like the Andersons do.
Hobby-quality RC monster trucks like the Losi LMT Grave Digger go beyond simply reproducing the looks of real monster trucks. Many RC monster trucks have been engineered to compete in RC events that are run just like full-scale monster truck competitions. The radio control monster trucks race head-to-head over identical courses, somewhat like a drag race but with turns and jumps. Then, when the race is over, the drivers show off their skill at freestyle RC monster truck action.
If you like your RC vehicles over-built and over-powered, RC monster trucks like the Losi LMT Grave Digger are for you. Though it’s 1/10 scale, the Losi LMT chassis incorporates 1/8 scale drivetrain parts and electronics in order to reproduce the feeling of being behind the wheel of a real monster truck. It can survive constant harsh landings while handling well on a monster truck course — just like the full-size trucks that thrill crowds and rattle arenas.
Remote control monster trucks come in ready-to-run and kit versions
Whatever drives your interest in RC monster trucks, you’ll find a wide selection of them available in both ready-to-run (RTR) and kit form. Ready-to-run RC monster trucks are perfect for beginners because they arrive assembled and finished from the factory — you can start enjoying those awesome Monster Jam monster truck looks straight out of the box. RTR monster truck models also include most or all of the required accessories. You may need a battery and charger, so be sure to check with your hobby dealer or read the product description closely when making your purchase.
If you’d rather put together your RC monster truck yourself, look for a custom RC monster truck kit or RC monster truck roller. One popular RC monster truck kit choice for experienced hobbyists is the Losi TLR Tuned LMT 4X4 Solid Axle Monster Truck Kit. This RC monster truck is racing-focused, with strong but weight-reducing carbon fiber chassis plates and other competition-minded technology. To save money, you can move the electronics from another Losi LMT RC monster truck you may own into this specially tuned RC monster truck kit.
If you ultimately decide that RC monster trucks aren’t for you, there are many other types of RC trucks available, such as RC drag racing trucks and RC rock crawlers. Learn more about the various types of 4x4 remote control trucks offered by the RC hobby here. Whatever kind of full-size truck fan you might be, RC is the hobby for you!
Words by Wally Armstrong
Wally has been writing about the RC hobby since 1987, when he was hired by Hobbico as a Copywriter after completing his master’s degree in English in 1983 and teaching for several years. He managed the Hobbico copywriting team until 2018, when Horizon Hobby purchased the company and brought him on board as a Senior Copywriter. Wally especially enjoys getting a first look at new Horizon RC products from the Product Development teams – and having the privilege of sharing details about their innovations with RC hobby customers.
