An old guy looking for his first crawler.

[TunTun]

Hello people.

I’m hoping to get some advice/ recommendations on buying my first crawler.

It’s been over 30 years since I built my last kit (Schumacher nitro 10) and I’ve had the rc itch since winter.

I see there are dozens of different brands of crawlers ranging in size, price and capability. This is what I’m looking for in a crawler, 1/10 scale, durable, coil sprung, good parts availability, 2 speed transmission might be cool but not really a deal breaker.
I’m leaning towards a RTR kit since I’m way out of the loop when it comes to modern electronics.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Chubaka]

Welcome to the site.
Assuming you mean a trail tryck and not die hard crawler........

I used to really love axial scx10 line. I have a scx10ii and love it with great parts supply and aftermarket following. Since being bought out by horizon they discontinue cars quick.

With that said id look at traxxas trx4. I own alot of traxxas products but the trx4 isn't one. It has a good parts supply and following also.

Whats your budget?

 

[OnwardGuinevere]

Welcome!

I agree with @Chubaka on trx4. I do have a little bias since I own one. It was my first 1/10 crawler I purchased when I got back into rc myself. I almost would classify it more a trail truck. It can be pretty quick (which I love) since I do more trail than crawl. It's done well crawling too. The ESC has multiple settings to dial what type of driveability you want too. LOTS of aftermarket upgrades too, like Axial.

 

[CreepyQuarryCrawler]

Have you thought about your expectations?

What kind of terrain do you have to run on?

There are so many choices out there!
It would help us out a lot to know if you're thinking about something you can put some accessories on and have a scale-good time.
Or are you looking for something that has more climbing capability in exchange for some scale looks.

 

[RLB454]

Welcome! And yes, as already mentioned, what are your expectations/ goals?
There are sooo many excelent options out there.

 

[Xraycer]

Welcome!

 

[TunTun]

Thanks for the reply’s!
You’ll have to forgive my terminology since I’m still playing catch up. I have a bunch of walking trails in our neighborhood (about 7 miles total with a mix gravel/dirt plus a couple of creeks) I'm looking for a mix of trail/crawling but leaning more towards crawling.

My total budget is $800 including a battery and charger.

Thanks again

 

[Persistent]

Welcome to RCT

 

[Ritz413]

Welcome! The Axial line is a good place to be as others have mentioned. My scx10 iii coyote has been a great truck, and depending on how you set it up will depend on if it better for trailing or crawling. Mine is going towards a crawler, with added weights etc. My Element Enduro trail runner has been an awesome trail truck. Parts availability appears weaker than other brands, but the amount of direct interchange with axial parts kind of cancels that out.

 

[Mrgoodwrench35]

Id recommend the Trx4 as well or just about anything by Vanquish. The Axial Capra is a great capable crawler as well with a huge parts following.

The Trx4 was my first crawler as well. I have 3 now and they get the most use. They are incredibly durable and the 2spd trans and selectable diffs add another level of fun. But they do have downsides. Mainly the poor quality factory electronics.

Vanquish makes crawlers to outperform most other RTR's and are a bit pricey but definately have the quality to make them worth the expense.

The Axial Capra is currently the most capable crawler I have. The durability is there and lots of aftermarket hop ups but its a rock crawler, not a trail truck.

Don't let the new electronics scare you off from building something. If you can make those nitro motors run right, you can figure out brushless and lipo. Plenty of information on this forum to get you up to speed and plenty of friendly guys here to guide you along the way.

 

[C life]

Thanks for the reply’s!
You’ll have to forgive my terminology since I’m still playing catch up. I have a bunch of walking trails in our neighborhood (about 7 miles total with a mix gravel/dirt plus a couple of creeks) I'm looking for a mix of trail/crawling but leaning more towards crawling.

My total budget is $800 including a battery and charger.

Thanks again

Thats a great budget, lots of good options in that price range. My personal opinion would be a vanquish stance the axial coyote would be another solid choice. Both would do great on trails and excel at crawling. I do not have any experience with the axial truck but reviews seem very positive. As for the vanquish truck I have a vrd carbon and mullet, both kits I built. The stance is based off the carbon and shares the same design and most of the parts. Stance is rtr and is very capable. Hope that helps you.