Many people new to the fun and exciting world of RC trucks associate nitro RC trucks with gas powered RC trucks, but there are distinct differences between the two.
Some RC enthusiasts refer to them as “gassers” and others often call them ”fuelies,” but regardless of what they’re called, gas powered RC trucks are as fun and close to the real thing as it gets!
Gas Powered
Featuring gasoline engines that run on a mixture of oil and gasoline, these all-terrain RC monsters usually cost much more than electric or nitro trucks.
Although ready-to-shred models can be purchased for under $1,000, it’s not uncommon for some enthusiasts to go all out and spend $3,000 or more on a gas powered RC truck that obliterates the competition.
Super Sized
Gasoline RC trucks are typically 1/5 scale, making them much larger than electric or nitro trucks as well. This means they require much more room to let the ponies run.
Some models lack the top-end speed of nitro trucks and some electric trucks, but they have more torque and plenty of power, especially considering the way they efficiently sip fuel.
Efficient Machines
While the upfront cost of purchasing a gas powered Remote Control truck is more than most nitro and electric models, the long-term cost of operating a gasoline RC truck may actually be less than nitro models, which require expensive nitro fuel and frequent engine replacements. Unlike nitro RC trucks, gasoline RC trucks require little to no tuning and have an extraordinarily long lifespan.
If you’re interested in scale, minimal maintenance, and having an authentic-looking RC truck, then a gas powered RC truck is definitely for you!
Increasing Popularity
These large scale off-road machines have been quite popular throughout Europe for years, but thanks to companies like HPI and others, they’ve only recently become popular in the US.
Today, you can feel the excitement and adrenaline of cranking up a gas powered RC truck regardless of where you live. They are efficient for both off-road and on-road experience.
However, there are a few things you should know about these terrain-chewing machines in order to make an educated purchase and get the most enjoyment from your RC adventures.
Let’s take a look at the top five things you should know about gas powered RC trucks!
1. Gas Powered RC Trucks Look Like the Real Thing
Have you ever noticed that some of today’s high-performance RC trucks look more like some kind of all-terrain moon crawler than they do actual trucks? Well, I’ve been an avid RC enthusiast for years, and this is one of my biggest pet peeves.
When I look for an RC truck, regardless of whether it’s electric, nitro, or gas powered, I want it to look like the real deal. Perhaps, this is why I have an affinity for gas powered trucks. Some of the largest and most realistic replica trucks on the market today are gas powered. The choice of which RC toys and vehicles to use of course very much depends on ones own preferences.
For example, the Team Losi 1/5 5IVE-T 4WD Bind-N-Drive Off-Road Truck is almost identical to a full-size off-road truck in terms of performance, realism, and driving experience.
2. Gas Powered RC Trucks are Usually More Expensive
As mentioned, gas powered trucks tend to be noticeably more expensive than electric or nitro trucks of similar quality. However, there is virtually no maintenance compared to nitro models that require extensive tuning every time you run them, not to mention quite regular engine part replacements. And this is in fact even the case with nitro powered cars as well.
With low fuel consumption and costs as well as little to no maintenance, gas powered trucks usually prove to be wise investments for RC enthusiasts in search of realistic looks, performance, and ease of use.
Therefore, while gas powered models like the HPI Racing 109964 RTR Baja 5SC Truck may cost a pretty penny, they’ll provide years of RC action without the same extent of additional costs that nitro models require.
3. No Glow Plugs on Gas Powered RC Models
Unlike nitro models that use finicky glow plugs, gas powered RC trucks use traditional spark plugs. If you’ve ever had a nitro truck for any length of time, you’ll certainly appreciate simply being able to pop in a new spark plug every once in a blue moon versus having to replace glow plugs more often and keep them the perfect temperature for optimal performance in varying conditions.
Although high-performance glow plugs like the Traxxas 3232X Super Duty Long Glow Plug are relatively inexpensive, having to constantly replace them can definitely be a drag.
4. Gas Powered Trucks Use an Oil and Gas Mixture for Fuel
Many people new to gas powered RC trucks assume they simply need to add plain old gasoline to their engines. However, since gas powered trucks utilize two-stroke engines, an appropriate amount of oil must be added to the gasoline to create the right oil and gas mixture needed for proper lubrication.
Nitro trucks require oil to be added to the nitro-methane fuel they run on as well, but the oil is already added to the nitro fuel you buy at your favorite hobby shop.
Since gas powered RC nitro trucks run on ordinary gasoline you can purchase at your local gas station, it’s up to you to add the right amount of oil to your gas before filling your RC truck’s gas tank.
Like most gas RC trucks,the Redcat Racing Rampage MT V3 Gas Truck has a large 700cc gas tank that needs to be filled with a mixture of two-stroke oil and unleaded gasoline.
It’s important to know this before firing up your gas RC truck and running it for hours, only to be left wondering why your motor fried up on the first day out!
5. Gas Powered RC Trucks are Relatively Rare
I already mentioned how most people confuse gas RC trucks with nitro RC trucks. Not only do both types of vehicles run on a type of fuel, but gas RC trucks are pretty rare in comparison to nitro trucks, so it’s pretty easy to confuse one for the other.
While some awesome gas RC trucks like the Redcat Racing Rampage XT Gas Truck don’t cost much more than similar nitro RC trucks, you’ll be lucky to find one being run at your local track.
If you get one, you’ll definitely be the envy of the neighborhood, at least until your neighbors start complaining about the noise!
Gas Powered RC Trucks are Awesome!
Gas powered RC trucks provide the size, performance, looks, and ease of use anyone would want out of an RC truck. While they require a little more of an upfront investment, the operating cost of owning a gas Remote Control truck is much lower than nitro trucks. There only limiting factor with gas RC trucks is the noise produced when in full throttle.If you’re sick and tired of having to run to the hobby shop and pay $30 to $40 for nitro fuel, then a 1/5 scale gas powered RC truck is definitely the way to go!
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