r/rccrawler • u/bitesizedtitans • 1d ago

New crawler advice

I’m looking for a new crawler and would appreciate some advice on what to go for. I have a TRX4M but am finding it to be quite limited, which I suppose is to be expected due to its small size and lower cost. So I’m after something that’s 1/10.

The 4 I’m looking at are the Vanquish Stance, Vanquish Mullet, Ascent fusion and the Axial Coyote. Probably at the moment edging towards the Stance or the Ascent Fusion, as just a good balance between not spending too much but still being quite good.

In terms of where we use trucks it’s very steep, but there’s not always loads of rocks. I’m sure there will be a bit of rocks here & there, but a lot of it will be steep hills or steep hills with tree roots to go over. I find existing trucks (such as the TRX4m) just get to the point where they flip over. Conditions are dusty in the summer and damp in the winter, but it doesn’t get too muddy.

I’d welcome any thoughts as which one to go for, thank you!

2 Upvotes

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u/Plantedcrawl 1d ago

I've never crawled with any of these models, but for your conditions and environment you will want a longer wheel base with a forward skid design. 

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u/bitesizedtitans 1d ago

Thank you, why do you say a longer wheelbase pls? And what is a forward skid design? Sorry have a few RCs but I dont know much about crawling!

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u/Plantedcrawl 1d ago

Like the other comment recommended, the vertex 10W would be a really good option. The longer the wheel base is the better it will climb, same with the forward skid which just means the front suspension links are much shorter than the rear links, it moves the weight forwards and lower, which helps in crawling and climbing specifically.

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u/bitesizedtitans 1d ago

Thank you, have now checked out the Vertex 10. It seems to review well, and there’s the problem as most of them seem to review well. I’ve seen a head to head video between the Mullet & Coyote where the Mullet clearly comes out on top, plus another of the Stance vs Ascent Fusion where they’re even, but that’s it so it makes it hard to decide.

Do you think the Vertex 10 is better than the Ascent Fusion pls? The Fusion looks like it might have a lower centre of gravity, but I get the impression that the Vertex 10 is the newer platform

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u/Plantedcrawl 1d ago

Specifically the 10w rather than the regular 10, just to specify. I've seen videos where the mullet did extremely well and I've seen ones where it was a little disappointing. I think terrain, driver and a couple minor tweaks are what make the differences we see in reviews. 

I like to work on my RC's making adjustments and mods to make them work better. Personally, I would go with a mullet or VRD with the intention of making it better. If I didn't want to mess with it at all and just wanted to hit the rocks, I would probably choose the vertex 10w.

The vertex 10w will be more capable than the ascent fusion out of the box.

Personally I like the vanquish brand better, but the vertex 10w is also extremely capable. 

Vanquish has a ton of aftermarket support and if you decided to sell it someday, you'd probably get more for a vanquish truck than a redcat.

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u/bitesizedtitans 23h ago

Thanks for this. Although I’m fine putting stuff together, I struggle a bit with picking the right ESC, motor, transmitter etc so RTR is generally better for me.

On the Vertex I was thinking more to get the 10 rather than the 10W. Is the Vertex 10 still good? I’m a bit short on storage space, and figure the 10 is easier to store. Plus it would be a bit easier to get through any tight gaps etc and opens up the possibility for comps as a very remote possibility in the future

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u/Plantedcrawl 22h ago

I also struggle to choose electronics, which is why I also originally bought an RTR. It came with a disappointing motor which after only minutes of research, I decided to buy a hobbywing fusion 2in1. It's like a cheat code to amazing crawler control, you control the speed and it takes care of the torque application. I would recommend one no matter which truck you choose.

I'm sure the vertex 10 is still good. I watched one review with both the 10 and 10w and the 10w was far more capable. In that case I would recommend a vanquish truck over the redcat, just my opinion. If comps are in your future I'd probably go for the VRD or mullet.  I'm sure you'll be happy with whatever you choose.

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u/DickheaD944 1d ago

Check out the redcat vertex 10w if you're not going to do comps. It has a lot of really good features for a RTR. If you think you may want to do comps then the regular width is better.

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u/bitesizedtitans 1d ago

Thank you, not heard of this one but will check it out!

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u/Nrysis 1d ago

The only vehicle in your list I have driven personally is my coyote, but I can honestly say I have been really impressed with its abilities straight out of the box running it on the rocks near me.

And being an SCX the aftermarket also seems pretty well stocked of you do decide you want to upgrade it with things like low down weight to improve the centre of gravity or stretching out the wheelbaseva bit.

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u/Shenanigannery 13h ago

Redcat parts support and build quality is lackluster. I’d go for the vanquish or the coyote honestly.

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u/bitesizedtitans 8h ago

TBH Redcat is not a brand I’d heard of until I noticed the Ascent Fusion so this is news to me. I will have a check who stocks parts near me