The Backyard – When It Rains, It Crawls
Greetings all and Happy Friday!
Hooooo boy, this past week was a wild one on the announcement front. Practically every major player in the R/C crawling world had something to unveil, so let’s hit each of them and then tie it all together.
Traxxas surprised everyone with the TRX-4M Nissan Pathfinder, sporting a fantastic licensed body that nails the late-’80s/early-’90s vibe. It’s awesome to see Nissan represented — I’ve got plenty of memories riding around in my older brother’s Pathfinder! Dropping that shell on the already-legendary TRX-4M is both nostalgic and smart. It brings another classic off-road style into the lineup that appeals to scale fans and full-size 4×4 enthusiasts alike.
Axial followed with the SCX10 III Coyote, their newest take on the flagship platform. This one’s aimed at being a budget-friendly comp-style scaler — two things that usually don’t go together. With a clipless Pro-Line Coyote body, new shocks, portal axles, and more, it’s an interesting play that brings performance to a more accessible price point.
Vanquish Products kept the comp vibe going with the VRD Mullet. Business up front, party in the rear — literally. A standard axle up front and a portal axle in the rear make for a wild setup, but it’s not just a gimmick. Thanks to clever gearing and bent links, the Mullet gets big steering travel, plenty of overdrive, and a low center of gravity that should crawl incredibly well. Plus, it just looks flat-out cool.
Redcat Racing doubled down with two new releases. At the big end, the Vertex 1/6 is a monster crawler for drivers who want serious presence on the rocks. On the small side, the 1/18 Ascent Apex delivers high-performance scaling in a compact, ready-to-go package. It’s a smart one-two punch that shows Redcat is serious about covering every corner of the crawler spectrum.
FMS rounded things out with the 1/10 FCX10 Camel Trophy collection — three rigs decked in the iconic yellow: a Defender 110, a Range Rover, and a Discovery. Ever since FMS dropped the 1/24 Camel trucks last year, fans have been begging for 1/10 versions, and now they’re here. I’ve already got the Range Rover in hand (pictured above), so expect a full review here soon!
So what does this flurry of releases say about the crawler hobby? To me, it shows two things. First, crawling is still the growth area in surface RC. While racing rigs and bashers hold steady, the sheer energy going into trail trucks right now is undeniable. Second, it proves companies are diversifying. From 1/18 minis to 1/6 giants, from scale-accurate classics to wild comp buggies, the crawler scene is working hard to make sure there’s something for everyone.
That’s it for me this week. Until next time, keep it on all fours!
