Discover the Best RC Trucks!

Unlike most of the RC cars we cover on this site (you can compare them in our guide on which RC car to buy), RC trucks are all about imitating what their full-size counterparts do. So if speed isn’t what you’re after, they could be the ideal choice for you. If you’re new to scale sizes, our guide to RC car scales explains how they work.

They come in many different types, each one modeled on a real-world truck, as you’ll see in the examples below.

Features of RC trucks

Most RC trucks use stick transmitters rather than the wheel-style pistol-grip radios used by racing RC cars, because this kind of vehicle is focused on imitating the real model it’s based on, not on high-speed competition.

As we said above, these RC trucks are built to mimic real vehicles. At tracks you’ll often see hobbyists running all sorts of radio-controlled trucks and even professional-looking excavators, the kind you’d find on a big construction site, each one doing a different job.

Different kinds of RC trucks

An RC excavator loading other RC trucks, Caterpillar style; the RC truck hauling the load; a radio-controlled tractor with a semi-trailer carrying the RC excavator, and so on.

Watching these RC vehicles in action is almost like watching the real thing, because they can reproduce nearly all of the functions of the originals.

That includes engine sounds, the classic beeping when they back up and all kinds of light setups.

Getting started with RC trucks

To get the most out of your RC truck, it will probably help to join an RC club near you.

You can enjoy the features of other club members’ RC trucks and have them interact with yours.

A common sight is a Caterpillar excavator going through its routine, loading one or more RC trucks with rocks or loose dirt. The trucks then dump everything onto a pile of rubble or dirt set up a few yards away.

Another type of RC truck is the tractor that pulls trailers: they go through their own routine until the trailer is hitched up at the back, ready to head out on the road.

Some trailers are enclosed and even carry cargo inside. Others carry other RC trucks on the trailer, or even other trailers or smaller RC cars.

It really is a show to watch these vehicles in action. If you don’t believe us, look up some of the RC truck videos from SRS-RC.

Tips for buying an RC truck

As you can see, every RC truck model has a different design and different features. Before you buy, ask yourself which one you like most and which one suits you best.

If you want an RC truck that looks as much like a real one as possible, you’ll probably want a model with lots of different functions: raising or lowering trailers, switching the lights on, sounding the horn and more.

With so many models available, you should also keep an eye on your budget. But you’re almost certain to find a model that fits your taste.

Electric RC trucks

These are the models with the most options to choose from, because they’re easy to maintain.

The range of battery types and models has also grown, extending both run time and power.

As we mentioned earlier, these models don’t require much experience driving RC vehicles, and the learning curve is much shorter than with a nitro or gas model.

On an electric RC truck, pay attention to the type of motor and battery included in the kit. Prices can vary a lot, but that comes down to the technology each RC truck uses.

Nitro and gas RC trucks

Just like the electric models, fuel-powered RC trucks are highly realistic when it comes to carrying out the functions you give them.

Fuel-powered RC trucks are a bit harder to understand than battery-powered ones. That’s because of their more complex internal parts, plus the carburetor tuning you have to do before you can run them normally.

On the other hand, a fuel-powered RC truck can add an extra touch of realism with smoke and sound from the exhaust, which is sure to make the experience even better.

It’s also important to check which fuel mix your fuel-powered truck uses, because it isn’t the same for every model.

RC crane trucks

Along with scale fire trucks, RC crane trucks are without a doubt some of the most eye-catching models you’ll find on the market.

An RC crane truck can have a folding ladder like the ones on real trucks, and it may also include a hook for lifting a load onto another RC truck.

The most advanced or professional scale models include fold-out outriggers to brace them against the ground so they can do their remote-controlled jobs more steadily.

Tamiya RC trucks

RC trucks from the Japanese brand Tamiya are well known among fans of this kind of scale vehicle.

There are several Tamiya RC truck models, and most of them stand out for their power and the quality of their materials. We shouldn’t forget the realistic sound and light effects these Tamiya RC trucks can offer, either.

Tamiya’s lineup includes some of the most famous RC truck models out there.

You can hitch these RC trucks to whichever trailer you like best, or to one you already own.

Siku RC trucks

Siku RC trucks are another brand you’ll often see scale truck fans driving. Siku is a German company that has been making scale models since the 1950s.

You’ll notice that these models are built at a smaller scale than Tamiya’s, but that doesn’t make them any less realistic.

Siku RC trucks generally come with their own remote control, which is something to keep in mind.

Used RC trucks

You may be able to buy a used RC truck in perfect condition, which can save you a good amount of money.

Keep in mind that in most cases RC trucks are electric, so we recommend checking the batteries before buying a used one. You’ll usually need to replace the original battery with a new one.

Unlike buggies or other off-road RC cars, RC trucks are driven on good surfaces and at low speed, so their components generally don’t take much of a beating over their working life.

How durable RC truck parts are

The chassis and the durability of the parts are essential. You can have a beautiful truck with every detail you could want, but if it breaks, starts acting up or simply stops working after the first crash or hard knock, it isn’t worth spending money on.

This happens with budget models, so it pays to do a bit more research before you buy. Another very popular option is an RC bus.

That’s all for now. We hope you enjoyed it, and we invite you to keep exploring the other content on the site.