If you compare a Mercedes Benz limousine in miniature format with an RC crawler, numerous differences can immediately be seen. This is especially due to the fact that RC or Rock Crawlers were developed for off-road fun. First of all, most people probably notice that the tires of the remote controlled crawler are not only very large, but also very far apart. This results in a very large ground clearance, which serves to protect the vehicle. Even if the RC crawler flits over sharp or sharp-edged stones, the underbody is not damaged.
Furthermore, chassis and tires are designed for power and less for speed. Because to conquer hilly terrain, an RC Crawler does not have to be able to drive fast, but must have a lot of power. That is why RC crawlers normally show a sluggish and slow driving style, with which they can overcome any obstacle. Just like cars can be divided into small cars, limousines or station wagons, crawlers can also be divided into subgroups. For example, an RC crawler truck is a truck that can drive over hills and stones without any problems.
By the way: Although the name of a crawler truck reminds of an RC crawler truck, a truck does not look like a truck, but rather like an off-road vehicle. The Jeep Wrangler model is a very good example of this type of RC or rock crawler.
Who should enjoy the RC Crawler?
The person for whom the RC or Rock Crawler is intended is, of course, a decisive factor for the purchase. Because a toy that is intended for children from 4 years of age has to meet completely different requirements than a vehicle that is of interest to lovers of model making. The following table clearly shows the differences between toys and collector’s models:
| RC Crawler for kids | RC Crawler as a collector’s item | |
| Building | Ready-to-Run Model | Kit |
| Drive | Electric motor with batteries or accumulator | Petrol engine or powerful electric motor |
| True to scale reproduction? | Scale does not matter | Crawler should be manufactured as a true to scale replica |
| Material | Plastic | Metal |
| Maximum speed | Only a few km/h | Up to 40 km/h |
Find out more about RC rock crawlers on Gagadget
This table shows very well that scale replicas have little in common with RC crawlers for playing. If you want to buy a RC crawler to build it yourself, you should be aware that building it yourself takes a lot of time. It is also worthwhile to have a little expertise. Although the crawler set usually comes with a manual, it is not always possible to see all the steps of building a crawler. But if you are willing to invest some time, a rock crawler kit will teach you exactly where the controller is, what parts the body is made of and what the difference is between an electric and a gasoline engine. When choosing the scale you have different options, ranging from very large models to small cars that you can easily put in the showcase. The following scales are considered particularly popular among racing enthusiasts:
- 1:8
- 1:10
- 1:14
- 1:16
- 1:18
- 1:24
- 1:48
The bigger the model, the stronger the motor must be: If you are not sure whether a remote controlled crawler with a gasoline engine is better than a rock crawler with an electric motor, you should consider the weight and size of the crawler. The bigger the model in question, the more power the engine must have. For a model in scale 1:24 an electric motor is quite sufficient. For a 1:10 or 1:8 scale model, it is better to choose a combustion engine.