1/10 scale crawlers

[Ritz413]

As I keep digging into this section of the hobby it is becoming clear just how many options are available. All the sub categories for trailing, and scale trucks with varying strengths and weakness for any given task. Makes it hard to imagine that anyone has just 1 unless it's by force from financing or other reasons. Let's assume we all have 1 or more of those reasons that stops you from buying every rc you come across.
No fantasy stuff....not looking for a if I had unlimited resources pick/dream vehicle etc.
....which 1 of these 1/10 scale crawler/trail trucks did you actually buy? Now that you have it are you still happy with it? Do you wish you got a different model instead now that you have some run time on it and why?

 

[RLB454]

I think probably my Element Gatekeeper if I only had one. It crawls really well, it trails really well, and it looks fantastic. Unfortunately the disontinued it. I built mine as the kit version.

Current offerings for the do it all rig might be Element Ecto, although not as scale looking, Vanquish Optic, Redcat Fusion, I am not much of a Traxxas fan, but the TRX4 looks sweet, scale, and performs great. And obviously any of the Axial offerings are good.
You really need to decide your budget, how much you are able or want to spend, and go from there. There are so many good do it all rigs out there now, it might just boil down to which one looks the best to you.

 

[RudyF6]

I'm no expert but I have a few. Comp style stuff amazes me but I don't comp and I prefer more realistic vehicles. Doesn't have to be scale. I only have RTR stuff and none of my 1:10 are modded. My 3 crawlers are here with a goofy story: https://www.rctalk.com/forum/threads/so-what-r-c-did-you-run-today.132768/post-1607430
I like the Bronco because, well, Bronco! Looks awesome with scale details, smooth runner, but it's heavy and not a great performer.
The Deadbolt is a better performer and it bothers me less when I crash it! And it reminds me a lot of the dusty old 1:1 short course '67 Bronco I have in the barn.
If I could only have 1, it would have to be the Coyote. Box stock it's the best performer by far. Has portals but not top heavy. Tires are great. Love the clipless body. Good slow control with stock brushed power, and plenty fast on 3s. Lightweight 1300 mah battery still outlasts my attention span, but there's room for bigger ones for trailing with a little effort. I've had no desire to mod my bigger stuff, but if the right brushless setup jumped out at me, maybe some brass, nice wheels... this one might just change my mind!

 

[Ritz413]

I think probably my Element Gatekeeper if I only had one. It crawls really well, it trails really well, and it looks fantastic. Unfortunately the disontinued it. I built mine as the kit version.
View attachment 271220

Current offerings for the do it all rig might be Element Ecto, although not as scale looking, Vanquish Optic, Redcat Fusion, I am not much of a Traxxas fan, but the TRX4 looks sweet, scale, and performs great. And obviously any of the Axial offerings are good.
You really need to decide your budget, how much you are able or want to spend, and go from there. There are so many good do it all rigs out there now, it might just boil down to which one looks the best to you.

I appreciate the input. I know there are a lot of you that have a collection with informed opinions. I'm hoping to get some insight from the guys with less experience. The guy who finally decided on the 1 rig they want / can justify with their budget etc. What did they actually buy. Did they end up with buyers remorse...or has it been something that met the expectations they had while they run it and decide on potential upgrades as they go.

 

[Ritz413]

I put this out there because I took a hard look at 1 of these yesterday.

Looks wise to me it's great, reminds me a lot of a ranger. Before actually committing to the purchase I watched some yt reviews and found it has some short comings that would be a bit disappointing. Bronze bushings, the bottom of the transmission is part of the skid plate. If I got the right price I would still pick 1 up, but not as a this is gonna be my only 1 for a while.

This would be 1 I would definitely grab in a trade scenario if 1 came up.

 

[ferrebee88]

https://www.amainhobbies.com/axial-...e-rock-crawler-builders-kit-axi-2755/p1675295

Here is why:
I bought the Axial SCX10 Pro. It crawls well and I have it set up for crawling. In about 30 minutes I can take my crawler body and my low profile bed, put on some body posts, and put my proline 79 body with driver figure on for scale looks. They discontinued it, but the new 10.3 builders kit looks fantastic and you can set it up the way you want it.

If you are looking for a trail truck, then the TRX-4 is hard to beat. Id does great on the trail, decent on the rocks, and you can remote unlock the diffs for higher wheelspeed fun.

 

[RLB454]

It really comes down to having fun, as you are well aware, thats why we are all in this hobby. That Enduro SE is a great truck, an entry level truck for sure, but it is all a lot of folks want. Element is a fantastic truck, and as I mentioned my Gatekeeper is probably my favorite rig of the 19 I have, it is the one I prob use the most.
It really does not matter to anyone but you what rig, as long as you know what you are getting and are good with it. Bronze bushings? so what, bronze bushings have been used for decades and are just fine. Are bearings better? in most respects yes, but they can be changed out for not much $$ down the road if needed. This Enduro SE is a great rig, you most likely will not break it, you will most likely will have a blast with it knowing what it is and what it isn't, and if you like the look and it fits your budget, go for it. Upgrades are always available if you so desire, or if after a while you decide to go higher end or more dedicated crawler, most companies offer a kit version allowing you to really make it your own. Or go hog wild and really blow the budget (might have to sell one of the kids, or a kidney on the black market ) and build a comp rig from scratch. I can't think of anyone who bought a new rig, no matter which one, and said: "man, I wish I didn't get this"

 

[Ritz413]

It really comes down to having fun, as you are well aware, thats why we are all in this hobby. That Enduro SE is a great truck, an entry level truck for sure, but it is all a lot of folks want. Element is a fantastic truck, and as I mentioned my Gatekeeper is probably my favorite rig of the 19 I have, it is the one I prob use the most.
It really does not matter to anyone but you what rig, as long as you know what you are getting and are good with it. Bronze bushings? so what, bronze bushings have been used for decades and are just fine. Are bearings better? in most respects yes, but they can be changed out for not much $$ down the road if needed. This Enduro SE is a great rig, you most likely will not break it, you will most likely will have a blast with it knowing what it is and what it isn't, and if you like the look and it fits your budget, go for it. Upgrades are always available if you so desire, or if after a while you decide to go higher end or more dedicated crawler, most companies offer a kit version allowing you to really make it your own. Or go hog wild and really blow the budget (might have to sell one of the kids, or a kidney on the black market ) and build a comp rig from scratch. I can't think of anyone who bought a new rig, no matter which one, and said: "man, I wish I didn't get this"

My first 1/1 vehicle I ever put on the street was an 88 ford ranger. Looks wise the sendero immediately got my attention. Mine did not have the extra cab, and was the black/gray xlt paint scheme. It also did not fair well getting t-boned by a 78 ford towing wrecker.

 

[Mrgoodwrench35]

It was only 5 or 6 years ago that I bought my first crawler. I used the excuse that the wife needed an RC and wanted something a bit slower paced than the bashers and on road stuff I was playing with. I went with the TRX4 K5 blazer based 75% on looks and 25% ability. I've had several K5's over the years and loved them so it seemed fitting.

6 years later, no regrets. Its had the living snot beat out of it and still going strong.

I'm up to 6 1/10 crawlers now along with another 6 of various smaller scales and while the TRX4 isn't the most capable rock crawler, it is the most versatile. Its also the cheapest and easiest to upgrade. Its a blast as a mud basher and it seems near indestructible. There's a great selection of trail/scale bodies offered by traxxas and others that offer appeal to just about any esthetic preference.

Its also, hands down, been the most durable of the bunch. The only failure I've experienced was with the steering servo which is a given considering the junk factory servos Traxxas puts out. Even with a malfunctioning servo, I've never had to carry it home.

'If I could only have one' type statements always make me a little sad but I think It would be the diff selectable 2spd version of a TRX4.

 

[Doom!]

My Element Ecto has been reliable, capable and fun. If I could only have one, this would be my current choice for a 1/10 rig.

 

[RLB454]

My first 1/1 vehicle I ever put on the street was an 88 ford ranger. Looks wise the sendero immediately got my attention. Mine did not have the extra cab, and was the black/gray xlt paint scheme. It also did not fair well getting t-boned by a 78 ford towing wrecker.

And this is always an option, not an 88', but still a square body. Get pretty much any 1/10 scale rig and put this Ranger body on it.
https://www.amainhobbies.com/jconce...102&gbraid=0AAAAAD_WU4DfUJi7lcM_EEo9GJbWEqU7D

 

[Ritz413]

And this is always an option, not an 88', but still a square body. Get pretty much any 1/10 scale rig and put this Ranger body on it.
https://www.amainhobbies.com/jconce...102&gbraid=0AAAAAD_WU4DfUJi7lcM_EEo9GJbWEqU7D

Yeah....if I'm making a body change fir looks...it's not gonna be pinched and tucked. The traxxas high roller f series body has some good looks.

 

[Cheetah928]

Ok I really love my TRX-4, thats why I got one, theyre a great blank canvas for RC crawlers, especially the kit. They're easy to mod, and are very versatile. Another one I've seen that I like is the new Element Enduro Cattleman kit. It just looks pretty neat, has a good build already. I'm more on the trail truck side of it all, but that's what the terrain around me is like

 

[Ritz413]

 

[RLB454]

Congrats man! Thats an awesome choice and great deal

Obviously you dont care much for the body, but I am really diggin the color and style But like you mentioned, there are a ton of bodies out there that will work, and you can totally make it your own.

Hope you have an amazing time with it tomorrow. I subscribed to your channel to see all the action

 

[Ritz413]

Congrats man! Thats an awesome choice and great deal

Obviously you dont care much for the body, but I am really diggin the color and style But like you mentioned, there are a ton of bodies out there that will work, and you can totally make it your own.

Hope you have an amazing time with it tomorrow. I subscribed to your channel to see all the action

Very much appreciated!! If this is the first my videos you have seen ....expect no fancy video editing. Mostly what you get totally unpolished, record, preview watch, upload.
This is my kind of thing if you want me believe it's something to be out in open....where people can see it,lol
https://www.amainhobbies.com/prolin...3-rock-crawler-body-clear-pro3613-00/p1478564

 

[RLB454]

That body has your name written all over it my friend!

 

[Ritz413]

You can just see his lack of enthusiasm for the current model....he might like it more once he realizes it's largely responsible for us doing some hiking tomorrow.

 

[RudyF6]

Nice choice. I think you'll enjoy it!
Can't beat the deal either!

 

[332_RC]

Cool find, cool truck. Now go get it dirty