RC trucks come in a number of variants and nitro powered ones are fast attracting serious hobbyists towards them, given their superior power and faster speeds. Whether you are new to hobby Radio Controlled (RC) vehicles or an experienced user, we have put together this guide to arm you with everything you need to know about nitro powered RC trucks.
Loaded with basic information, top products and reviews, this guide is designed to provide all the information you need to buy the best nitro RC truck.
Top 6 Nitro RC Trucks Chart
| Picture | Name | Recommended Age | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Traxxas 53097 Revo 3.3 4WD 1/10 Scale Nitro-Powered Monster Ready-To-Race Truck | 16+ | $$$$ | 5.0 |
 | 2. Traxxas T-Maxx 3.3: 1/10 Scale Nitro-Powered 4WD Monster Truck | 14+ | $$$ | 3.7 |
 | 3. Redcat Racing Shockwave Nitro Buggy | 14+ | $ | 3.2 |
 | 4. Redcat Racing Tornado S30 Buggy Nitro with 2.4GHz Radio | 14+ | $$ | 2.9 |
 | 5. Redcat Racing Vortex SS Desert Nitro Truck | 14+ | $ | 2.5 |
 | 6. Redcat Racing Earthquake 3.5 Truck 1/8 Scale Nitro | 3+ | $$ | 2.4 |
Buying Information
Just as a reminder, this article is about “hobby grade” RC trucks, a significant improvement over the inexpensive, toy grade variants that barely go ten minutes at a stretch. Nitro powered and electric powered vehicles are the two major variants in the hobby grade category and the former is becoming increasingly popular (despite being more expensive) – thanks to their superior power and all day long operation capability.
Nitro vehicles come in three variants: on-road streetcars, off-road buggies and off-road monster trucks. Nitro RC trucks provide great fun and adventure, as they have higher ground clearance (3 to 6 inches) which enables them to go over obstacles easily and tame tough terrain.
No matter which truck you opt for, there are a few tools and accessories that are handy to have to ensure proper maintenance of your truck. These are:
- Nitro starter kit – basic tools for the vehicle
- Nitromethane fuel
- After-run oil (to keep the engine lubricated after runs)
- Spare glow plugs and AA batteries (8 to 12)
Now that you know what nitro RC trucks are all about and the tools you’ll need at your disposal to fuel your hobby, let us check out the top nitro RC trucks out in the market.
Top 3 Best Nitro RC Truck Reviews
1. Traxxas 53097 Revo Monster Truck
If nitro fuel powered vehicles take RC trucking to the next level, imagine the fun you can have by combining the power of a nitro truck and the robust, rugged build of a monster truck. Traxxas 53097 Revo 4 wheel drive is one such example, making it the best nitro RC truck we got our hands on.
Revo 3.3 raises monster truck performance by several notches thanks to its monster innovation, versatility and strength. It is an all-terrain performer in the true sense, moving with ease on loose dirt, concrete, ice and snow! It is pretty much ready to go right out of the box and if you are a racing enthusiast, you’ll have a great time as the Revo 3.3 stakes a strong claim at being the fastest nitro powered truck out there.
If you are looking for a fast, powerful, racing nitro powered RC truck and don’t mind paying that extra bit for the perfect product, this one is screaming to be bought!
2. Traxxas T-Maxx 4WD Monster Truck
Monster trucks are known for powerful, speedy drives through the toughest of terrains and this one is exactly that. It climbs and jumps through terrains with considerable ease. On straight stretches, it can go up to 45 miles per hour, which sets it apart from competition that finds it tough to touch 40.
It is robustly built unit and comes with a fairly detailed instructions – aimed at getting the beginners comfortable. It is the biggest Maxx to date and its big, 3.8-inch wheels give it the ground clearance and grip required to glide over rough terrain. It comes with forward only, two-speed auto transmission and factory installed telemetry sensors that add to the fun. After sales service is the best out there, always ready to help with maintenance and replacement.
Overall, a robustly built truck that will blow opponents apart with its speed, strength and agility.
3. Redcat Racing Shockwave Nitro Buggy
Redcat Racing has a big portfolio of nitro RC trucks to choose from. This Shockwave buggy is powered by a nitro 2.67 cc Vertex engine mated to a single speed transmission that can throttle it up to 35 MPH speeds.
We wouldn’t recommend this to a beginner, as the running and maintenance require certain amount of prior experience with nitro vehicles. It comes fully assembled out of the box which means you are ready to play as soon as you can get nitro fuel, AA batteries (12 in total) and Nitro Glow Plug igniter ready. It runs like a joy and the ride is made more thrilling by the composite disc brakes and shock absorbers.
Final Thoughts
If you are new to Nitro RC trucking, we highly recommend the Traxxas 53097 Revo, though it comes at a price for all the wonderful features it offers. Once you get a hang of things, the Shockwave from Redcat Racing is a great option.
