Crawler

What makes a crawler different from other RC cars?

Speed is hardly a priority with this type of vehicle. A crawler is equipped with a low-gear ratio, plenty of ground clearance, large wheels with soft rubber, and a low center of gravity. As a result, the wheels maintain contact with the ground in places where a “ buggy ” or truck would have long since tipped over.

Most models feature a ladder-frame chassis with solid axles, permanent four-wheel drive, and long shock absorbers. Combined with powerful motors and a speed controller that keeps the car stable on slopes, you can conquer obstacles that look impossible from the side. Off-road driving thus becomes a game of choosing the right line rather than just flooring it. If you’re looking for speed, check out the electric RC cars.

Which scale is right for your terrain?

• 1/24 and 1/18 — small, lightweight, and just as fun to drive indoors as outdoors. A garden path, a pile of rocks, or a stack of books is all you need for a track. Great if you’re short on space or want to take the car with you.
• 1/10 — the most popular scale and the largest part of the lineup. About 50 centimeters long, heavy enough to stay stable, and with by far the most parts and accessories. For most drivers, a 1/10 crawler is the logical choice to start with.
• 1/12 to 1/8 — larger vehicles and 6x6 trucks. Impressive on rough terrain, but you’ll need plenty of space and a car with a large trunk.

Types: scale, trail, and comp

Scale crawlers are scale models that resemble real off-road vehicles, complete with interiors, mirrors, and lights. Trail models are the all-rounders: great on a forest trail, great in the yard, and a solid platform for future upgrades—many of these features are also found in RC trucks. Comp crawlers are built for competition: minimal bodywork, extreme wheel travel, and weight distributed exactly where it’s needed.

These days, you don’t have to do much to achieve a weight distribution of around 50/50; you can easily adjust it with different rims, better foam pads, and some lead weights on the axles. Many users get more benefit from this than from a more expensive motor.

Brands We Carry

We are not a brand-specific store. We curate our product selection based on performance, reliability, and the availability of parts, regardless of the brand:

• Traxxas — the TRX-4 in 1/10 scale and the TRX-4M in 1/18 scale, both designed for rugged off-road use, with licensed bodies and a parts supply that will last for years.
• Axial — a wide selection of 1/10 brushed crawlers, including the SCX10 family, plus the compact SCX24. Many enthusiasts use these models as a starting point for a build.
• Cross RC — scale off-road vehicles and 6x6 trucks, both ready-to-run and as model kits.
• FTX — affordable entry-level models that let you see if crawling is right for you without having to make a big investment right away.

Which brand is best for you depends on where you drive and your preferences in terms of appearance and price. Can’t decide between two models? Feel free to call or email us—our experts will give you unbiased advice.

RTR or crawler kit?

An RTR (Ready to Run) model comes fully assembled in the box and is ready to drive immediately after charging the battery. Just pair the transmitter and you’re good to go. Some models include the battery and charger, while others require you to purchase them separately; this is always specified in the product description.

A crawler kit is a build-it-yourself kit. You assemble the chassis yourself and choose your own motor, ESC, servos, transmitter, and receiver. It takes a few evenings, but afterward you’ll know your car inside and out—which comes in handy for repairs and when you’re ready to upgrade.

Brushed or brushless?

A brushed motor runs smoothly at low RPM and is well-suited for crawling over rocks. For the vast majority of tasks, this works just fine and saves you money upfront.

A brushless motor with a sensored ESC provides even smoother power delivery at extremely low speeds and has more power in reserve when you install heavy metal wheels and parts. If you ever drive a trail segment at a bit of a faster pace, you’ll notice the difference right away. We explain this in detail in our brush vs. brushless guide.

What else do you need?

With an RTR model, you often just need a battery, a charger, and one or two batteries for the transmitter. Other things to consider include:

• A second LiPo battery, so you don't have to stop in the middle of the afternoon—check out our batteries and chargers;
• Spare parts that wear out the fastest: drive shafts, steering rods, and body clips;
• Softer tires and foam—the upgrade that has the biggest impact on your performance;
• A winch, lighting kit, or roof rack if you're into scale realism.

Not all of these products are compatible with every chassis. When browsing parts and accessories, you can filter directly by your model to ensure you don’t order the wrong items.

Maintenance in Five Minutes

Thoroughly clean your crawler after every run, especially after driving in sand or mud. Regularly check the electronics, the axle screws, and the condition of the tires. Store your LiPo battery at storage voltage and always charge it under supervision. You can still drive even in bad weather; just rinse off the car afterward and dry it thoroughly. If something does break, you can come to us for parts and our repair service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “crawler” mean? Literally: a crawler. In the world of model racing, it’s an RC car that crawls instead of races. If you come across the term in an IT context, it refers to something entirely different—an automated software program that searches and indexes web pages. That meaning has nothing to do with this category.

What’s a good crawler to start with? A 1/10 or 1/18 RTR model with a brushed motor. You can start driving right away, and you’ll figure out the rest as you go. If you want more later on, you can upgrade the same chassis step by step. More tips can be found in our blog post about the 7 mistakes beginners often make.

How fast does a crawler go? Usually between 5 and 15 km/h. That might not sound like much, but speed isn’t the point here—control is.

Order online or stop by

Everything you see here is also available in our 1,000 m² store in Uden, the largest model sports store in the Netherlands. That’s the main advantage of this location: you can pick up the models, line them up side by side, and compare them yourself, with help from someone who’s driven them all. You can find the address and hours of operation under “Company Information.”

Prefer to order from the comfort of your couch? In our online store, you can see right away for each product whether it’s in stock and available for delivery. You can find out which payment methods we offer—and whether paying in installments is an option—on the payment page. If you find your crawler cheaper elsewhere, we’ll refund the difference through our lowest price guarantee.

Whether you’re just starting out or have been driving for years, you’ve come to the right place for RC crawlers, parts, and honest advice. Be sure to check out our wider selection of RC cars as well. Have fun off-road!