RC Rock Crawling: CREEPY CRAWLING

With its growing popularity, RC rock crawling brings a hobby once reserved for kids to outdoor enthusiasts of all ages.

Two grown men playing with kids’ toys,” a hiker says as he walks by. Alex Mace hits the brakes on his RC truck and pauses for an awkward laugh. He starts to explain the RC rock crawling hobby to this man, as his friend sends a truck up the side of a boulder in the background. After less than a minute, the hiker chuckles and turns to his wife to say, “Now I know what I want for Christmas,” before moving along the trail.

What makes these high-performance radio-controlled vehicles stand out from those that most had as kids is the complex engineering, suspension systems and powertrains. These intricate off roaders provide fun for the whole family and come in various shapes, sizes and types to accommodate different budgets, interests and skill levels.

Hobby-class RC trucks are durable enough to withstand crash after crash and several rollovers. When damage does hit, they can be repaired with basic hand tools and inexpensive replacement parts. The versatile and user-friendly design of RC models makes hours of mudding and rock crawling arguably as much fun as it can be in their full-size counterparts.

The versatile and user-friendly design of RC models makes hours of mudding and rock crawling arguably as much fun as it can be in their full-size counterparts.

Meet Alex

Alex Mace, 22, has grown up practicing almost every off-road sport imaginable in the mountains of western North Carolina. Mace was introduced to the RC world through a friend who he rides dirt bikes with, starting a chain reaction of interest. “Since then, the hobby has done nothing but grow for me and the community I live in,” said Mace. Their group of trail riders often take their RC trucks on trips together. Much like many overlanders and off roaders enthralled with the RC hobby, Mace and his friends use RC truck driving as practice for picking lines in their regular vehicles when off road. And the small-scale trucks are easy to find room for when packing for a camping trip.

RC Race and Rock Crawling

There are RC cars and trucks to fit many different interests, including rock crawling. Some hobby-class RC models, like on-road drag cars, can run up to 100 mph. Those RC cars and trucks are best utilized in racing competitions, tracks, and wide-open asphalt where they can hold their grip during bursts of acceleration. Rock racers combine crawling with speed to climb over rocks in record time.

For rocky terrain, an elaborate frame and high-torque motor complete with giant tires will trek virtually anywhere. Mace got his RC rock crawler so he could traverse across gravel, roots, boulders and bluffs with ease. He now has three 1/10 scale crawlers. “They are all different in their own ways, you can modify and replace every part on the crawlers from winches, to tires and suspension,” said Mace. “The customization and ideas are endless.” His favorite is his Axial SCX10 Deadbolt, an electric ready-to-ride 4WD RC with a realistic interior. He accessorized it with a roof-mounted LED light bar and a remote-controlled WARN winch.

“Depending on what terrain and environment I’m at or going to, decides what RC car I use,” said Mace. “Some have tires and modifications that work best in a rocky terrain, and others have the suspension and tires that excel in mud or snow. It all just depends on your preference and modification setup.”

Playing with Power

There are typically three power-types for RCs: nitro, electric, or gas. Nitros are powered by two-stroke, glow-plug engines for the power and authentic smell of internal combustion—but also come with the extra maintenance. Electrics, like those pictured, run off batteries to keep things quiet and simple. Though, the relatively short typical battery life requires you to keep a few charged packs in your pockets, ready to swap out. Like nitros, gas RC models are powered by internal combustion and are praised for their intricacy. But unlike most nitros, gas models get much larger, making them slower but more powerful.

Tracking Down Terrain

From steep cliff sides to smooth straightaways, you can have some fun with an RC truck practically anywhere. These six spots are the most popular among RC drivers, making them great spots to hone in on your driving skills.

RC Track

Drivers may find the best place to race and meet others is right around the corner. Locate the nearest RC track to learn from and challenge drivers of various skill levels. RC tracks are often complete with different track options and obstacle courses that can keep a driver entertained for hours.

Beach

The beach provides the perfect opportunity to customize a track. Climbing dunes, building mounds, creating waves, or digging pits of assorted sizes makes for a challenge that can be altered over and over again. Before an RC truck meets the sand, there is a little prep work to do —adding sand paddle tires.

ORV Trails or Parks

This is where things can get extreme. Trails for off-road vehicles like dirt bikes and UTVs are already set up for RC trucks to catch major air, landing huge jumps and speeding off onto packed dirt strips. The more difficult paths can also be a rock crawler’s paradise with steep cliffs and bundles of boulders. Just make sure to stay clear of off-road vehicles that could crush the smaller trucks.

Skate Parks

A pad of concrete with opportunities for high falls makes for dangerous terrain for your RC truck, but for a driver searching for obstacles, it may be worth it. From half-pipes and ramps to fun boxes and rails, these obstacles can create a full day of driving—just make sure to bring some replacement parts or have lots of experience.

Playgrounds

Send your RC truck up and down the slide while your kids swing from the monkey bars. Playgrounds are full of sand, rubber mulch and gravel that make for rough driving terrain. For an extra challenge, drive your RC rock crawler up climbing equipment like climbing walls with a more gradual slope.

Parking Lots

Practice racing your RC car or truck on the smooth surface of a wide-open parking area. Use the lines provided and bring your own cones or ramps to lay out a track of any size or shape for friendly racing.

RC Rock Crawling Ready

RC vehicles of all sorts are readily available at almost any local hobby shop or easily ordered online, as are unique modifications such as different bodies, lift kits, tires and wheels. Just as soon as you have your own, your friends will quickly realize that they must have their own, too. A quick search will soon show you some local tracks or through a sense of adventure, you can find a steep technical hill climb in almost anyone’s backyard or on any local hiking trail. Finding local tracks or RC driving hotspots in your area will soon introduce you to the community of comradery and competition found in all hobbies. The more time you spend challenging yourself on rough terrains or rowdy raceways, the sooner you will be ready to rock crawl or race your way to a new level of skill.

Finding local tracks or RC driving hotspots in your area will soon introduce you to the community of comradery and competition found in all hobbies.

More RC Rock Crawlers

Want to read more about scale rigs that tackle terrain just like the real thing? Check out these stories on treadmagazine.com:

Scale Jeep Crawler Tests Out Trails in Miniature

Traxxas TRX-4 2021 Bronco: A Legend Returns

Mini FJ Cruiser: Fun in All Scales

Editor’s Note: A version of this story originally appeared in the TREAD November/December 2022 issue.