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WLtoys 12428: An Impressive RC Crawler at an Unbeatable Price

This RC crawler packs plenty of power to climb just about any obstacle. Take a closer look at the WLtoys 12428.

By Elite Radio Control teamUpdated 4 min read

Part of the guide: WLtoys RC cars

Green WLtoys 12428 RC crawler with a tube-frame body and roof light bar

This is without a doubt one of the best RC crawlers you can find today, and the WLtoys 12428 delivers hours of pure fun. It doesn’t copy any full-size vehicle the way some scale RC models do; instead, it’s an RC crawler built to give you great performance when you’re climbing over rocks.

In this article we’ll walk you through the WLtoys 12428 so you know every detail before you get your own.

WLtoys 12428 specs

If you already know the WLtoys 10428, the 12428 will look very familiar. The two share a lot, especially in their looks. But the 12428 adds a number of extras that make it stand out from similar models in the rock crawler market.

Styling-wise, the WLtoys 12428 is a buggy with an open body, so it doesn’t look like a full-size vehicle the way other models in the same class do. At a glance you can see that the body is a tube frame and completely open.

The tires on this RC crawler are designed to climb the steepest surfaces and get over the toughest obstacles.

Key features of the WLtoys 12428

Here are some of the most important features this model offers.

  • You can also go fast with this crawler, unlike other crawlers that only give you torque. The brushed 540 motor lets you climb obstacles but also reach about 31 mph (50 km/h).
  • Independent suspension front and rear, which lets you hit high speeds and makes it a lot of fun. Because the weight distribution is somewhat unbalanced, it can roll over easily at higher speeds. That isn’t a big deal, since it’s easy to get back on its wheels and the frame shrugs off hits.
  • Built on a solid structure. With this kind of vehicle, crash resistance matters a lot. Even though it’s only 1/12 scale, it’s remarkably sturdy, although that also makes it a bit harder to drive.
  • Because of its power, shocks and suspension, it takes some experience to drive, so the WLtoys 12428 isn’t really recommended for kids.
  • At full power, the WLtoys 12428 battery gives you about 10 minutes of run time, so it’s a good idea to buy extra batteries to keep the fun going with this buggy.

WLtoys 12428-B technical specs

So you know exactly what the WLtoys 12428-B RC crawler offers on paper, here’s a detailed list of everything included.

  • Dimensions: 15.7 x 8.9 x 7.1 in (40 x 22.5 x 18 cm).
  • Scale: 1/12.
  • Electric motor: 540 brushed.
  • Included battery: 7.4 V 1,500 mAh Li-ion.
  • Run time: 10 minutes at full power.
  • Battery charge time: about 3 hours.
  • Top speed: 31 mph (50 km/h).
  • Independent suspension: front and rear.
  • Drivetrain: 4x4 / 4WD.
  • Spare tire included.
  • Transmitter batteries: 2 x 1.5 V AA (not included).
  • Radio range: up to 330 ft (100 m).
  • LED lights included so you can drive it at night.
  • Splash resistant, although it isn’t submersible.
  • Servo included.
  • RTR: ready to run.

WLtoys 12428 in action

If you’d like to see the WLtoys 12428 RC car in action, look for an unboxing and a speed test that show off its power.

Pros of the WLtoys 12428

This WLtoys model has plenty of advantages over other RC crawlers of a similar scale. Let’s go over some of them.

  • It’s water resistant. It isn’t submersible, but you can drive it on wet ground such as a beach or mud.

    Rear view of the green WLtoys 12428 RC crawler showing the spare tire mounted on the back

  • At 1/12 scale it’s solid and powerful, with a brushed 540 electric motor (a motor normally used in bigger 1/10 scale cars). On flat ground it can reach 31 mph (50 km/h).

  • Strong 4WD traction with independent shocks and suspension. It can climb 45-degree slopes, which makes it one of the best crawlers in its class.

  • You can race it at speed on just about any surface, whether that’s sand, mud or grass, thanks to its high-grip tires.

  • A very tough body that stays in great shape even after a few hits and crashes.

  • It comes with a real spare tire you can use whenever you need it.

  • Outstanding value for the money, with a long list of features for under $100.

  • LED lights included, so you can also run it at night without any trouble.

Some drawbacks of the WLtoys 12428 buggy

Not everything about this WLtoys buggy is perfect, and here are a few drawbacks you’ll find with this particular model. There aren’t many, but they’re worth keeping in mind.

  • Its strong power and independent suspension and shocks mean you need some experience to drive it properly. Otherwise you’ll end up rolling it over all the time.
  • Battery life isn’t the best: you only get about 10 minutes of driving, so you’ll want several batteries for a full afternoon of fun.

Final verdict on the WLtoys 12428

If you like racing RC cars or you just enjoy them as a casual hobbyist without asking too much, the WLtoys 12428 is for you. It will exceed your expectations and give you a lot of fun.

It comes ready to run, so you don’t have to spend time assembling it: you can drive it straight out of the box.

Remember that you’ll need some experience driving this kind of RC vehicle, because this model has independent suspension and shocks and a powerful electric motor.

At an affordable price of under $100, it delivers a lot of fun for the money.

Thanks for reading! We hope you’ll keep exploring the rest of our content. Feel free to leave a comment and share this post.

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