Last Updated on December 30, 2023 by Jaxon Mike

RC trucks built for bashing, or driving full throttle over jumps and obstacle courses, provide some of the most excitement and fun in RC. Their ability to withstand huge crashes and flip back over makes them perfect for backyard fun or taking to the local skate park. With so many choices out there, what are the top basher RC trucks available? Read on as we cover what makes a good basher, top brands, key features to look for, and recommendations for every skill level.

Top Truck Brands for Bashing Comparison

Brand	Models	Pros	Cons	Price Range
Traxxas	Slash, Stampede, Rustler, E-Revo, X-Maxx	Extremely durable, high performance, great parts availability, innovative designs	Can be expensive, proprietary electronics/batteries	$$$$
Arrma	Typhon, Senton, Granite, Kraton, Outcast	Powerful brushless systems, low cost, durable composite materials	Less aftermarket support, electronics not as robust	$$
Losi	Baja Rey, LST, Tenacity	Inspired by race trucks, high-end components, great performance	Expensive, not as many RTR options	$$$$
Team Associated	Reflex 14B	Race-quality engineering and materials, waterproof electronics	Less name recognition, aftermarket support	$$
Redcat	Lightning, Tornado, Shredder	Very affordable, good variety of trucks, fast brushless power	Durability not as good as premium brands, basic electronics	$

What Makes a Good Basher Truck?

A basher RC truck needs to be extremely durable to withstand the inevitable crashes that come with hardcore backyard driving. Key elements include:

Strong Chassis and Suspension

The chassis and suspension are key to absorbing big jumps and crashes.Trucks like the Traxxas Slash use a flexible composite chassis that flexes on impact. Metal chassis like those found in the Arrma Kraton provide the ultimate in stiffness.

Power System with Good Torque

Having strong acceleration and torque enables getting up to high speeds for big air, as well as muscling through terrain. Brushless systems put out more power while being more efficient than brushed motors.

Grippy Tires with Foam Fill

Soft rubber tires with an aggressive tread pattern provide lots of grip on dirt, asphalt or even skate park concrete. Foam filling the tires gives needed weight for better traction.

Waterproof Electronics

Waterproof electronics are a must for handling splashes and mud with no issues. Look for waterproof ratings like IPX5 or IPX7.

Easy Repairs and Upgrade Parts

Being able to quickly repair or upgrade a basher truck after crashes helps keep it going strong. Look for models with a large selection of affordable OEM and aftermarket parts.

Top Truck Brands for Bashing

Certain RC truck brands stand out when it comes to delivering the best bashers built to take a beating. Here are some of the most popular and capable options:

Traxxas

Known for innovation and extreme performance and durability, Traxxas makes many top-selling basher trucks like the Slash, Stampede, and Rustler models. Their X-Maxx is one of the most capable bashers ever made.

Pros: Extremely durable trucks, high performance, great parts availability, innovative designs

Cons: Can be expensive, proprietary electronics/batteries

Arrma

Arrma has exploded in popularity thanks to their focus on speed and power. Their 3S and 6S lineup like the Typhon, Senton and Kraton put out staggering brushless power perfect for huge jumps and stunts.

Pros: Powerful brushless systems, low cost, durable composite materials used

Cons: Less aftermarket parts support, electronics not as robust

Losi

With a history in racing, Losi makes the tough Baja Rey and LST bash trucks modeled after Baja racers. Both feature four-wheel steering for insane maneuverability.

Pros: Inspired by race trucks, high-end components, great performance

Cons: Expensive, not as many RTR options available

Team Associated

Known for racing, Team Associated applied their expertise to create the Reflex 14B – an incredibly durable basher ready for big air with waterproof electronics.

Pros: Race-quality engineering and materials, waterproof electronics

Cons: Less name recognition and aftermarket support

Redcat

Redcat offers affordable but capable bashers like the Tornado featuring a powerful brushless system, aluminum chassis, oil shocks and more.

Pros: Very affordable, good variety of trucks, fast brushless power

Cons: Durability not on par with premium brands, basic electronics

Important Features to Look For

Along with overall durability, there are some specific components that make a RC truck handle hardcore bashing well. Here are some to look out for:

Strong Drivetrain and Slipper Clutch

The drivetrain including gears must be robust. A slipper clutch protects against sudden shock loads.

Sealed Differentials

Sealed diffs retain thick grease or oil inside, preventing wear and friction from dirt ingestion.

Beefy Suspension Arms and Hubs

Thick suspension arms and wide hubs made of durable composite or metal prevent cracking under hard landings.

Metal Drive Shafts

Steel CVAs and dogbones handle power delivery without flexing or breaking.

Heavy Duty Shocks

Oil filled shocks with strong springs and shafts absorb heavy hits for stable handling.

High Performance Motor/ESC

A powerful brushless motor paired with an ESC that can handle 3S+ LiPo voltage enables great speed and acceleration.

Bashing vs Racing Trucks

While all hardcore RC trucks need to be durable, bashing and racing trucks have some specific differences:

• Bashing trucks use ultra-thick arms, chassis and drivetrain parts focused on durability over weight. Extreme ground clearance is valued.
• Race trucks use lighter components focused on reducing unsprung weight. Low ground clearance improves stability and handling.
• Bashers need the best waterproofing. Racing trucks focus more on tires, shocks and handling.
• Bashers need heavy duty components focused on high speed impacts. Race trucks use higher-end parts for precision handling.

So while race trucks can bash, and vice versa, each is optimized for their purpose. Pick the one that matches how you drive.

Beginner Basher Recommendations

For those just getting started with hardcore bashing, these are some top trucks to consider that provide great durability combined with performance:

Traxxas Slash

A hugely popular 2WD stadium truck, the Slash has a flexible composite chassis, aluminum shocks, waterproof electronics and a sealed gearbox. Parts are cheap and plentiful.

Arrma Senton

The 2WD short-course Senton has beefy plastic and aluminum parts, great ground clearance and a fast brushless system. It takes abuse with ease.

Redcat Tornado

Extremely affordable but still strong, the Redcat Tornado has an aluminum chassis, oil shocks and brushless power. It’s a great introduction to serious bashing.

These models can take occasional big jumps but are best suited to backyard bashing and smaller parks/tracks. Even cheap RTR models will provide big durable fun.

Intermediate/Advanced Basher Recommendations

Once you have some experience under your belt and want to step up the insanity even further, these trucks can handle huge air, backflips and more at the skate park:

Arrma Kraton/Outcast

With a sturdy composite chassis, beefy metal parts throughout and fast 6S-capable power, the Kraton and Outcast win awards for their ability to soak up massive stunts and hits.

Traxxas E-Revo/X-Maxx

Iconic nameplates in RC, the E-Revo and X-Maxx have proven themselves as almost indestructible over years of real-world use. Their aftermarket parts support is endless.

Losi LST/Baja Rey

The LST and Baja Rey feature four wheel steering for incredible maneuverability. With a rear-motor design, they have huge front suspension travel to stick anything.

These advanced trucks require greater driving skills to control at top speed, but deliver some of the most over-the-top bashing experiences money can buy. The extra cost brings unmatched bashability.

FAQs

What is the most durable RC truck?

The Traxxas X-Maxx is arguably the most durable RC truck thanks to its tough chassis, beefy components and aluminum/steel construction that can survive giant jumps and crashes with ease.

Should I get a 2WD or 4WD basher truck?

For bigger air and stunts, 4WD provides more grip and control. But 2WD trucks can still bash well and often have better parts availability. Choose based on your budget and preferences.

How fast can a basher RC truck go?

With today’s brushless systems, many basher trucks can hit 50+ mph out of the box. Some speed-focused models using multiple LiPos can exceed 70+ mph!

What maintenance do basher trucks need?

Check for loose screws, perform shock oil changes, inspect tires for rips/holes, and watch for leaking differentials or shocks. Replacing common wear parts will also keep a basher truck running strong.

Should I upgrade parts on a basher truck?

Upgrading to aluminum or steel components can greatly improve the durability and bashing ability of a truck. But even with stock parts, modern bashers can handle big hits and stunts.

Conclusion

Bashing RC trucks is all about going big and laughing off crashes that would total any real car. While many trucks today can hold up to occasional jumps, we looked some of the best options purpose-built for extreme stunts and durability. Focusing on key areas like chassis/suspension, drivetrain, tires and electronics results in nearly indestructible machines perfect for backyard fun. Matching your ability to the right beginner or advanced truck is important to get the most enjoyment. So pick up one of these great bashers, and be ready for some insane fun!