What makes electric Rc cars and trucks different than the toy Rc's? (Other guides below)
Toy Rc cars and trucks go only around 7 miles per hour (if that), while starter hobby Rc's go 20-25 miles per hour. Also, while toy Rc's cost around $20, hobby Rc's go for $100 plus. Also, toy Rc's cannot be upgraded or fixed easy, while hobby ones do. Lastly, hobby Rc's have suspension and 4wd. Make sure you locate your local hobby shops!
Electric hobby Rc cars and trucks buyer's guide
If you are thinking of buying your first hobby Rc truck or car, you may feel overwhelmed thinking about choosing a model, scale, brand, or type of car. However, it is not to complicated to narrow down all the Rc cars and trucks for sale to just a few models. In order to do this, read the description of the features below to see what features you are looking for:
Scale- This is how big the car is. If you plan on driving the car outside, then I would recommend a 1/10, 1/16, or a 1/18 scale car for a new driver. I recommend this because the cars go around 20 miles per hour brand new. Any car bigger (1/8 or 1/4 scale) will be too fast and too hard to control for a new driver. If you want to drive your car inside, then I would recommend a 1/36 scale car.
Brand- This is an important feature commonly overlooked by new Rc drivers. The brand is who makes the car and the replacement parts. The major brands that make rc cars and trucks are: Team Losi, Team Associated, Traxxas, and HPI Racing.
Type of car- This specifies what the car is made for. For rc cars the major types are:
Drift- 4wd cars that are made for drifting on road.
2wd- Cars that are built for speed on road.
Buggy- Built for off or on road, but low to the ground. 4wd.
Type of truck- This specifies what the truck is made for. For rc tRucks the major types are:
Truggy- Built for on and off road, 4wd and a little higher off the ground than the buggy.
Monster Truck- Usually 4wd, off road, very high suspension.
Rock Crawler- Built to crawl over nearly anything!
Where to buy the car/truck- Your local hobby shop, or online from a trusted source as a RTR (ready to run) package. MAKE SURE THEY CARRY SPARE PARTS FOR YOUR RC AND YOUR RC IS NEW IN THE BOX!!!!!!!
Top 5 starter models-
#1- The Traxxas Stampede 1/10 Scale Monster Truck
This Rc monster truck is durable, and requires less maintenance than other monster trucks. Since it is 2wd, the owner does not have to worry about any drive train, yet can still enjoy driving off road! Also, the Stampede is water resistant (as long as you do not fully submerge the car, it will work in water and snow)!
#2- The Team associated Rc18t 1/18 scale Truggy
This is a smaller, yet durable, 4wd rc truggy. A major positive of this truggy is that brushless (very powerful) motors can be added easily. However, the 4wd adds complexity to car repairs. If you feel like you can handle challenging repairs, then get this truggy- I have an upgraded one and it is a blast to drive!
#3- The Team Losi Micro T 1/36 scale Buggy
This is a 4.5 inch long and 3.5 inch wide mini 2wd buggy. Do not confuse this with the mini T (that is a larger car). This buggy can be driven safely indoors or out- and be taken just about anywhere!
#4- HPI Sprint 2 RTR Drift Sport 1/10 Drift Car
This is a strictly on road car (mainly for parking lots), built for drifting. This 4wd car is a little complex for someone just starting the Rc hobby, with a belt drive. However, you will love its drifting ability!
#5- Team Losi 1/18 Mini Rock crawler
This car is built for indoors and out! 4wd allows it to go over just about anything in its path! However, the price of rock crawlers tend to be high, and the rock crawlers do not go that fast.
Scale- This is how big the car is. If you plan on driving the car outside, then I would recommend a 1/10, 1/16, or a 1/18 scale car for a new driver. I recommend this because the cars go around 20 miles per hour brand new. Any car bigger (1/8 or 1/4 scale) will be too fast and too hard to control for a new driver. If you want to drive your car inside, then I would recommend a 1/36 scale car.
Brand- This is an important feature commonly overlooked by new Rc drivers. The brand is who makes the car and the replacement parts. The major brands that make rc cars and trucks are: Team Losi, Team Associated, Traxxas, and HPI Racing.
Type of car- This specifies what the car is made for. For rc cars the major types are:
Drift- 4wd cars that are made for drifting on road.
2wd- Cars that are built for speed on road.
Buggy- Built for off or on road, but low to the ground. 4wd.
Type of truck- This specifies what the truck is made for. For rc tRucks the major types are:
Truggy- Built for on and off road, 4wd and a little higher off the ground than the buggy.
Monster Truck- Usually 4wd, off road, very high suspension.
Rock Crawler- Built to crawl over nearly anything!
Where to buy the car/truck- Your local hobby shop, or online from a trusted source as a RTR (ready to run) package. MAKE SURE THEY CARRY SPARE PARTS FOR YOUR RC AND YOUR RC IS NEW IN THE BOX!!!!!!!
Top 5 starter models-
#1- The Traxxas Stampede 1/10 Scale Monster Truck
This Rc monster truck is durable, and requires less maintenance than other monster trucks. Since it is 2wd, the owner does not have to worry about any drive train, yet can still enjoy driving off road! Also, the Stampede is water resistant (as long as you do not fully submerge the car, it will work in water and snow)!
#2- The Team associated Rc18t 1/18 scale Truggy
This is a smaller, yet durable, 4wd rc truggy. A major positive of this truggy is that brushless (very powerful) motors can be added easily. However, the 4wd adds complexity to car repairs. If you feel like you can handle challenging repairs, then get this truggy- I have an upgraded one and it is a blast to drive!
#3- The Team Losi Micro T 1/36 scale Buggy
This is a 4.5 inch long and 3.5 inch wide mini 2wd buggy. Do not confuse this with the mini T (that is a larger car). This buggy can be driven safely indoors or out- and be taken just about anywhere!
#4- HPI Sprint 2 RTR Drift Sport 1/10 Drift Car
This is a strictly on road car (mainly for parking lots), built for drifting. This 4wd car is a little complex for someone just starting the Rc hobby, with a belt drive. However, you will love its drifting ability!
#5- Team Losi 1/18 Mini Rock crawler
This car is built for indoors and out! 4wd allows it to go over just about anything in its path! However, the price of rock crawlers tend to be high, and the rock crawlers do not go that fast.
How to drive a Rc car/truck
This is very important for a new driver- if you drive your car wrong you can decrease the motor life and strip out gears. Follow these guide lines when driving your Rc-
Turn on the remote before you turn on the Rc.
Make sure your steering is pointing straight when you drive. If it is not, you can adjust the trim on the remote.
Do not press reverse while the car is moving forward- this will strip out the gears.
Do not take your car or truck off a ramp UNLESS you are ready to fix it.
Do not drive your car in water, snow or ice UNLESS your car is labeled water proof. If it is, then do not fully submerge the car.
Do not drive your car on a surface with fine particles- this could damage your gears.
Turn on the remote before you turn on the Rc.
Make sure your steering is pointing straight when you drive. If it is not, you can adjust the trim on the remote.
Do not press reverse while the car is moving forward- this will strip out the gears.
Do not take your car or truck off a ramp UNLESS you are ready to fix it.
Do not drive your car in water, snow or ice UNLESS your car is labeled water proof. If it is, then do not fully submerge the car.
Do not drive your car on a surface with fine particles- this could damage your gears.
Upgrades for your car/truck
Many aftermarket items are available for electric hobby Rc cars and trucks. They can be broken down into these categories:
Steel/Aluminium upgrades- These make your car more durable and look cooler. Our other website, outrageousrc.info sells these. To find one you like just go to the website, and type in your car's model name and scroll through all the parts and upgrades!
Brushless Upgrade- These are THE most powerful motors available for electric Rc's right now. To add one to your truck you need to add a brushless speed control, brushless motor and pinion gear that works with your gearing. I would recommend going to your local hobby shop to buy them. Note- they are not cheap.
Battery Upgrade- Lipo batteries are one of the most powerful batteries out there. They are light weight and provide lots of power to your motor. They work with any car AS LONG AS YOU STOP RUNING THE CAR WHEN THE POWER IS LOW! If you do not, you could damage the car's electronics. I would recomend going to your local hobby shop to choose a battery.
Steel/Aluminium upgrades- These make your car more durable and look cooler. Our other website, outrageousrc.info sells these. To find one you like just go to the website, and type in your car's model name and scroll through all the parts and upgrades!
Brushless Upgrade- These are THE most powerful motors available for electric Rc's right now. To add one to your truck you need to add a brushless speed control, brushless motor and pinion gear that works with your gearing. I would recommend going to your local hobby shop to buy them. Note- they are not cheap.
Battery Upgrade- Lipo batteries are one of the most powerful batteries out there. They are light weight and provide lots of power to your motor. They work with any car AS LONG AS YOU STOP RUNING THE CAR WHEN THE POWER IS LOW! If you do not, you could damage the car's electronics. I would recomend going to your local hobby shop to choose a battery.
Repairs
Here are some of the common problems that Rc cars can go through and how to fix them:
P- My car is not going anywhere, but the motor is running/My car keeps clicking!
S- Take apart the part of the car with the motor (not the whole car), with the owner's manual buy you. Check the gearing and the motor mount. If one of those are broken go to your local hobby shop or my other website, outrageousrc.info (then type in the name of your model car, and scroll through all the parts). If that is not the problem, pick up the car. If it is 2wd, then spin one of the back wheels. The other should spin the same way or opposite direction. If your car is 4wd, spin each tire seperetaly. The other 3 should go in the same direction. If it does not then your differental is broken! Use your owner's manual to fix it.
P- My car will steer, but the motor will run, or visa versa/My steering keeps shaking back and forth.
S- You may have a loose or broken wire. Check the non functional part of the car. Grab the wires (2 for the motor, or 3 for the steering) and follow them back to the other end. If you noticed a break, fix it by soldering the wires together. If that still did not fix it, the remote may be broken. Go to your local hobby shop for help fixing the remote.
P- My car will not turn on!
S- Check the on/off switch wires and charge the battery or buy a new battery if your battery does not hold voltage.
P- My car will turn by itself and not listen to the remote.
S- Make sure your remote is on the same frequency of your remote (and those around you, if they have the same frequency then their remote is interfering ) AND make sure your remote is on.
P- My car is not going anywhere, but the motor is running/My car keeps clicking!
S- Take apart the part of the car with the motor (not the whole car), with the owner's manual buy you. Check the gearing and the motor mount. If one of those are broken go to your local hobby shop or my other website, outrageousrc.info (then type in the name of your model car, and scroll through all the parts). If that is not the problem, pick up the car. If it is 2wd, then spin one of the back wheels. The other should spin the same way or opposite direction. If your car is 4wd, spin each tire seperetaly. The other 3 should go in the same direction. If it does not then your differental is broken! Use your owner's manual to fix it.
P- My car will steer, but the motor will run, or visa versa/My steering keeps shaking back and forth.
S- You may have a loose or broken wire. Check the non functional part of the car. Grab the wires (2 for the motor, or 3 for the steering) and follow them back to the other end. If you noticed a break, fix it by soldering the wires together. If that still did not fix it, the remote may be broken. Go to your local hobby shop for help fixing the remote.
P- My car will not turn on!
S- Check the on/off switch wires and charge the battery or buy a new battery if your battery does not hold voltage.
P- My car will turn by itself and not listen to the remote.
S- Make sure your remote is on the same frequency of your remote (and those around you, if they have the same frequency then their remote is interfering ) AND make sure your remote is on.
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