RC Monster Trucks: What They Are, Types and How to Choose One

If there’s one type of RC car that does it all, it’s the monster truck. Its giant tires, long-travel suspension and ground clearance let it run on grass, dirt, gravel or pavement, and walk away from jumps and rollovers that would wreck an on-road car. That’s why it’s one of the most recommended RC vehicles for beginners.

What sets an RC monster truck apart

• Big, lugged tires that roll right over rocks, roots and curbs.
• Long-travel suspension with oil-filled shocks to soak up jumps.
• Lots of ground clearance, so the chassis doesn’t get hung up.
• A tall body, usually styled like a pickup, that protects the mechanicals in rollovers.

Compared with a buggy, a monster truck is less precise in corners and slower on a track, but much more versatile and tougher. Compared with a crawler, it’s much faster and better at jumping, but less capable on slow, technical trails.

Common scales

• 1/16 to 1/12: small and affordable, good for kids or the backyard.
• 1/10: the most popular size for getting into the hobby seriously, with lots of parts available.
• 1/8: bigger, more stable and able to handle bigger jumps.
• Large scale (1/6, 1/5): huge models such as the Traxxas X-Maxx, or 1/5 scale monster trucks with gas engines. See how far it goes in the world’s largest RC car.

You’ll find the actual dimensions in the guide to RC car scales.

Electric or nitro

Most of today’s monster trucks are electric: they start as soon as you plug in the battery, they’re quiet, and with a brushless motor they reach very high speeds. Nitro trucks, like the classic Traxxas T-Maxx, give you the sound and smoke of a combustion engine in exchange for more maintenance. Compare both options in nitro and gas RC cars.

On electric trucks, a brushed motor is tamer and cheaper; a brushless motor gives you a lot more speed and power, but it takes more control and breaks more parts in a beginner’s hands. Learn more in brushless vs brushed RC motors.

What to check before you buy

1. 4WD or 2WD. 4WD is easier to control on dirt and grass; 2WD is simpler and slides around more. See 4WD vs 2WD RC cars.
2. Waterproof electronics, if you’ll be driving through mud or puddles.
3. Whether a battery and charger are included. Many RTR trucks don’t come with them. Read up on RC LiPo batteries.
4. Easy-to-find parts: suspension arms, steering knuckles and gears are the first things to break.
5. Adjustable speed, so you can learn at a gentle pace and step up later.

Well-known models

• Traxxas Stampede: a tough 1/10 classic with parts available everywhere.
• Traxxas X-Maxx: a huge, powerful monster truck for experienced drivers.
• Traxxas T-Maxx: the benchmark nitro monster truck.
• WLtoys Terminator: a budget option for getting started.

You can compare prices of RC monster trucks on Amazon or, if you’re after something bigger, 1/8 scale RC monster trucks.

Basic maintenance

After every session, clean off the mud, check the suspension screws and make sure there’s no slop in the ball joints. Monster trucks take a beating on landings: the shocks lose oil over time, so check them often. You’ll find the full routine in how to clean an RC car.

If you’re still torn between a monster truck and another type of car, start with which RC car to buy.