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RC truck / car recommendation

EmpirE231

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okay so my kiddos want an RC truck or car.... what is the best bang for the buck out there? needs to be usable in the sand as we spend a lot of time in the dunes. Also... should I just get one nicer RC truck... or get them each their own? not trying to break the bank here on a toy... but want something cool and reliable.... that maybe I'd have some fun with as well. Traxxas is the only name that comes to mind... but I have no idea of models etc.
 

2Driver

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Yep, Taxxas slash or my kid had the Stampede. Yes get 2 so they can race, while you have the wallet open get bigger charger and maybe larger extra battery packs.
 

Ladsm

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Traxxas MAXX and XMAXX are alot of fun. Me and my wife love taking these out and kill it in the sand.

The MAXX is indestructible. My wife drives that mostly, the XMAXX is big and heavy so I have ripped a couple A-Arms off hitting stuff at 60mph.


xmaxx.jpg
 

Badchoices03

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Don't get a car, then you are just stuck to pavement...get a truck and you can use everywhere....Like above, I would recommend you buy two entry level Traxxas Slash's...they are fairly affordable, can take a major beating, have decent ground clearance....and tons of upgrades you can do as they get used to driving them....it also gives them something to work on..
 

Badchoices03

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Traxxas MAXX and XMAXX are alot of fun. Me and my wife love taking these out and kill it in the sand.

The MAXX is indestructible. My wife drives that mostly, the XMAXX is big and heavy so I have ripped a couple A-Arms off hitting stuff at 60mph.


View attachment 1177413

My son has the Maxx wide body version and loves it....but it might be too much truck for kids that are just learning....and its not cost effective to buy 2....
 

Bpracing1127

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sand is weird on rc cars, too light and it bounces over wheel ruts and flips over. heavy is good here but those are usually big units.

stadium trucks are good entry level cars
 

ArizonaKevin

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sand is weird on rc cars, too light and it bounces over wheel ruts and flips over. heavy is good here but those are usually big units.

stadium trucks are good entry level cars

^ This

If the goal is usage at the dunes then be sure to grab a large tire RC car and not a trophy truck style. Traxxas stuff is hard to beat for the money. When I went down the RC rabbit hole I had Associated and Losi stuff, usually more expensive and geared towards racers.
 

Nordie

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Traxxas Slash, get the brushless version. The speed control can be set to kids mode. It's all super user friendly. If you opt for the 2wd they sell paddles for them. They're a blast in the sand with paddles.
 

EmpirE231

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Traxxas Slash, get the brushless version. The speed control can be set to kids mode. It's all super user friendly. If you opt for the 2wd they sell paddles for them. They're a blast in the sand with paddles.
so is 2WD sufficient or do we need a 4WD model? It'll mostly be used in camp... not out in the dunes.... but still pretty sandy around camp.
 

Bpracing1127

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so is 2WD sufficient or do we need a 4WD model? It'll mostly be used in camp... not out in the dunes.... but still pretty sandy around camp.
4wd will be easier to drive and won’t get stuck or spin out as easy
 

EmpirE231

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I'm in the rabbit hole now....

soooo this?


or stick with a traxxas slash?
 

mesquito_creek

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I have a similar question… I want to run a pair of rc cars around my 450 foot circular driveway. It’s compact road base. At the far end the car/truck would be about 150 from the deck where we would be stationed. Primarily semi drunk adults would be driving them.

Seems to me 2nd would work? So after reading this thread I think 2wd traxxis slash should work.

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JayBreww

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One for each kid, and one for yourself. That way you arnt stealing and breaking there’s.
Slash 4x4 brushless. 2wd is fine for beginners. They are a blast to drive out in the dirt.
 

Nordie

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so is 2WD sufficient or do we need a 4WD model? It'll mostly be used in camp... not out in the dunes.... but still pretty sandy around camp.
The 2WD with a paddle will be fine, but stick with the brushless version. The cheaper brushed version (especially in sand) the 550 can motors like to wear out and quickly. The motors are not serviceable.

The brushless has more power, and you'll be investing in some 2 or 3 cell LiPo batteries and charger, but the kids will really enjoy them.

With Traxxas the replacement parts are always available, easy to fix, and cheap. It's like the GMs of the world, they use the same parts on so many of their RCs. They're also super tough, they'll take one heck of a beating.
 

counterpart7

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I'm in the rabbit hole now....

soooo this?


or stick with a traxxas slash?
Stick to the Slash. I sold Traxxas, Losi, and Associated for years. Raced mostly Associated and Losi but if I were to get something just to scew around with it would be a 2wd Slash. Parts are available everywhere and cheap, batteries are cheap, and they are endlessly upgradeable.

Personally, for the kids I would get the brushed versions, unless you don't care at all about budget, then brushless is cool too. Brushed motors wear out, but they're like $27 to replace. More power for the kids just means they break more shit when they slam into a wall or truck tire.
 

Badchoices03

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I'm in the rabbit hole now....

soooo this?


or stick with a traxxas slash?

I would stick with Traxxas...I have had most brands, and can say Traxxas is the most user friendly and pretty much every hobby shop will carry parts...when you get into brands like Losi, HPI, Associated, etc....parts become harder to find and more expensive
 

Badchoices03

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Stick to the Slash. I sold Traxxas, Losi, and Associated for years. Raced mostly Associated and Losi but if I were to get something just to scew around with it would be a 2wd Slash. Parts are available everywhere and cheap, batteries are cheap, and they are endlessly upgradeable.

Personally, for the kids I would get the brushed versions, unless you don't care at all about budget, then brushless is cool too. Brushed motors wear out, but they're like $27 to replace. More power for the kids just means they break more shit when they slam into a wall or truck tire.

Agreed, depending on your kids skill levels and responsibility, I would stick with a brushed version...you can get two brushed versions with batteries and chargers for probably less then one brushless version with lipo and charger...
 

EmpirE231

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Okay if I stick with the traxxas slash... this seems like the best turkey deal I can find because it comes with the wall charger adapter. Am I missing something or is this about as good as it gets for a turnkey deal

 

4Waters

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Okay if I stick with the traxxas slash... this seems like the best turkey deal I can find because it comes with the wall charger adapter. Am I missing something or is this about as good as it gets for a turnkey deal

Forget the wall charger, get a regular one and buy lipo batteries, you'll be happier.

Where are you located
 

LargeOrangeFont

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Okay if I stick with the traxxas slash... this seems like the best turkey deal I can find because it comes with the wall charger adapter. Am I missing something or is this about as good as it gets for a turnkey deal


If it were me I’d get the one with no charger or battery, and just get your own. That charger in the kit is slow, but works. Don’t bother with the Traxxas wall adapter, If you need one get it off Amazon. You’ll be getting a faster peak charger(s) pretty quickly but the car will be fine.

I got my kids Traxxas Stanpedes. I still remembered the part numbers of the commonly broken parts I’d sell to people 20+ years ago working in the hobby shop. 🤣
 

Cole Trickle

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Traxxas slash brushless 4x4 is the ultimate 1 and done rc car.

They take a beating haul ass and there are parts everywhere.

Rustlers or stamppedes would be better in sand with the floaty tires.

Cars with wheels in the body hold up better for new drivers vs buggies or trucks with small bodies as it will save you from braking stuff when they hit curbs.

2x4 slash takes a beating but is squirrely and like mentioned the brushed motors will fail.

The losi you posted won't hold up to the abuse of the slash but I actually like it better to drive as its lighter and I think it handles better. I think it would be better in the sand but anything brushed in the sand is going to crap out.

Don't buy a cheap no name car as they are shot when you break it. Look for used slashes on FB marketplace.
 

EmpirE231

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I think I kinda need the wall charger since they will most likely be charging them from the trailer... trailer doesn't have cigarrete lighter style outlets

also assuming they will both be toasting the batteries at the same time... so both will be recharging at the same time
 

Cole Trickle

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I think I kinda need the wall charger since they will most likely be charging them from the trailer... trailer doesn't have cigarrete lighter style outlets

also assuming they will both be toasting the batteries at the same time... so both will be recharging at the same time
wall charger will take all day to charge.

pick up some 2s lipos and a decent charger (they plug into the wall) and you will be back ripping again in 20. Buy 6 batteries and rotate so they always have something to run.

Hobby king is great for batteries and i have had luck with cheap amazon lipos lately.


 

EmpirE231

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Traxxas slash brushless 4x4 is the ultimate 1 and done rc car.

They take a beating haul ass and there are parts everywhere.

Rustlers or stamppedes would be better in sand with the floaty tires.

Cars with wheels in the body hold up better for new drivers vs buggies or trucks with small bodies as it will save you from braking stuff when they hit curbs.

2x4 slash takes a beating but is squirrely and like mentioned the brushed motors will fail.

The losi you posted won't hold up to the abuse of the slash but I actually like it better to drive as its lighter and I think it handles better. I think it would be better in the sand but anything brushed in the sand is going to crap out.

Don't buy a cheap no name car as they are shot when you break it. Look for used slashes on FB marketplace.

looking @ the 4x4 brushless is more around the $500 range.... at this point... they would need to share it.

do the 4X4's have more parts to break?
 

Cole Trickle

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looking @ the 4x4 brushless is more around the $500 range.... at this point... they would need to share it.

do the 4X4's have more parts to break?
yeah but they are tough.....

The things my slashes have done and drove away from would blow your mind...lol

Think 50 mph skate ramp jumps over over 50'
 

EmpirE231

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get them a nerf football and get yourself a slash 4x4...lol
🤔 now we're on to something lol

Is something like this a good package? How long does one battery pack last?
 

77charger

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1/10 crawler. Can use the woodpile or throw other things around to play. Also great for other camping trips.

I had a slash did fine but once rough not that good. Our group all have the crawlers and as adults around camp and beers it gets fun
 

Badchoices03

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🤔 now we're on to something lol

Is something like this a good package? How long does one battery pack last?

Yes thats a great package....if you want to spend the money....I am not like most RDP'rs....I like to point people to most affordable but effective item they are looking for....

Put it this way, playing with one car is boring, kids are going to get bored having to share and then wait for batteries to charge, if you buy multiple batteries so they can run one right after another, then you risk overheating the motor and ecu....so to me, your only option is buying TWO trucks....if your wallet affords you to buy two $500 set-ups, go for it, they are a blast....but if you think this might just be a phase and they will get bored of the trucks...buy two $220 sets ups and down the road if they want to upgrade, you aren't out as much money...
 

c_land

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I can't believe no one suggested one of these bad boys yet. No deposit required, they're already in production!

6BE4B863-D75F-48AE-8556-852CD5730992_1920x.jpg
 

Cole Trickle

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1/10 crawler. Can use the woodpile or throw other things around to play. Also great for other camping trips.

I had a slash did fine but once rough not that good. Our group all have the crawlers and as adults around camp and beers it gets fun
1 crawler is terribly boring. Multiple crawlers with buddies is awesome and they are slow so you can hold a beer in one hand and drive with the other...lol
 

EmpirE231

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Yes thats a great package....if you want to spend the money....I am not like most RDP'rs....I like to point people to most affordable but effective item they are looking for....

Put it this way, playing with one car is boring, kids are going to get bored having to share and then wait for batteries to charge, if you buy multiple batteries so they can run one right after another, then you risk overheating the motor and ecu....so to me, your only option is buying TWO trucks....if your wallet affords you to buy two $500 set-ups, go for it, they are a blast....but if you think this might just be a phase and they will get bored of the trucks...buy two $220 sets ups and down the road if they want to upgrade, you aren't out as much money...
I'm bouncing all over the place... but his might be the smarter route. 2 trucks with basic batteries (the lipo stuff kinda scares me, especially considering they will be the ones mostly charging everything)

now I just need to find the best deal online.... I wish costco sold these lol
 

Badchoices03

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1 crawler is terribly boring. Multiple crawlers with buddies is awesome and they are slow so you can hold a beer in one hand and drive with the other...lol

Crawlers are boring for kids....kids want to go fast and hit jumps...
 

JayBreww

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I can't believe no one suggested one of these bad boys yet. No deposit required, they're already in production!

6BE4B863-D75F-48AE-8556-852CD5730992_1920x.jpg
Have you seen one in person? They are garbage. Napa sells them…
 

pwerwagn

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My 3 boys all have slashes. To be honest, they have had more fun with the brushed 2wd versions. Yes you will have to replace the motors occasionally but they’re cheap. I also only let them use the nimh batteries. Once we upgraded to brushless and lipo the breakage bills went way up.

Just get 2 of the ready to run kits for 220$ or whatever Then get a good fast charger, a spare battery or two and a spare motor. I think you should be able to get all this for 500$ and your boys will love it!

Get them some paddles for another holiday.
 

Badchoices03

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EmpirE231

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Badchoices03

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Is this the same exact truck? or anything different about it?

Same truck, the red one I posted has the newer body graphics though...but that charger is literally junk...you will have to charge the battery for hours just to get 15 minutes of play time...
 

EmpirE231

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Same truck...but that charger is literally junk...you will have to charge the battery for hours just to get 15 minutes of play time...
yeah I figured the charger is super slow... but this truck comes w/ a battery @ 229. I'm assuming the battery is decent?

I just wanted to make sure the truck was identical... as this one has some color options my girls would like
 
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