Intro to Scale Crawling
Within the RC rock crawling world, there are 2 main sub-genre’s. 1.) Extreme crawlers, where surmounting every obstacle with highly modified rigs is the main goal. and 2.) Scale crawling, where we take a more realistic approach, in terms of our rigs and our obstacles. You’ve probably seen the scale rigs, decked out with accessories such as roof racks, spare tires, sometimes even camping gear. Seemingly hours of work has gone into making these rigs true-to-life.
The market for scale RC accessories is a whole other market within itself. Many times you’ll see where the RC industry is unable to keep up with the diverse needs of the hobbyists, and sellers on ebay and etsy will fill the void with creative products; like custom lighting systems, miniature coolers, even adventure trailers- many utilizing 3d printing technology. Would you believe they even make winches? Making fun scenes such as the camping scene below are also fun aspects of the hobby. As you can see, you are limited only by your imagination.
RTR or kit?
Many into scale crawling will start from a scratch made chassis, otherwise known as a “kit” on the market, and build their rig from that. This is definitely for the more advanced hobbyist, in terms of both skill and patience- but is also the most rewarding. You’ll also learn a lot more this way- even as a beginner, but you’ll need to take your time. The Axial SCX10 II Chassis is a great place to start for all skill levels. Trying to navigate the current shipping crisis and trying to get gifts in time for Christmas? Well, you’re in luck since the kit options are easier to find in stock than the RTR (ready to run) options.
If you don’t wish to start from a kit, there are still plenty of scale options out there for you, some with amazing scale detail right from the box. The FMS 1/18 scale Land Cruiser and the Axial SCX24 ’67 Chevy are a couple rigs that come to mind. If you’re someone who wants to get started right away without the hassle of researching which servos and radio gear you need, and don’t want to body with body painting, this is the path for you- and don’t worry, it doesnt make you any less of an enthusiast. ok maybe a little ;). Hurry fast if you are shopping for the holiday season, supplies due to the shipping shortage means stock will run out fast.
