RC Ready-to-Run Cars and Trucks

Remote control cars are also often referred to as radio control cars or RC cars. RC car and truck hobbyists of all ages enjoy racing their remote control models in backyards, in driveways, at parks, in parking lots, and at the RC car tracks often available at local hobby shops. Many remote control vehicles are scale versions of real cars. The driver operates them with a hand-held transmitter that controls their direction and acceleration using radio commands.

The hobby quality remote control cars you can buy at Tower Hobbies® are much different from the RC toys sold by department stores. Remote control toys are limited in what they can do and don’t last long because they can’t be repaired. The hobby quality RC cars and trucks at Tower Hobbies are more realistic, reach greater speeds, can be repaired and upgraded, and will give you many years of fast-paced fun.

Newcomers to the remote control car hobby often choose a ready-to-run (RTR) RC vehicle as their first model. There are many advantages to starting with a ready-to-run RC car. Out of the box they’re already factory-built and painted, and they usually come with a radio, motor, and most everything else required for operation. You’ll save time and won’t have to wonder which are the best completion items to add. But even if you buy an RTR RC car, look over its description on the Tower Hobbies website carefully. Sometimes a rechargeable RC car battery and RC charger are not included. Remote control hobbyists often already own these and will reuse them from one vehicle to the next.

Remote control car kits are also available but are best for RC hobbyists with experience (or access to experienced help). Not only do RC car kits take more time to assemble, but they also leave many important decisions up to the builder — what motor to install, which tires to use, how to paint the body, and so on. Putting together a remote control car or truck kit is a good way to learn how your model works and how to fix it if anything goes wrong. But it can be challenging for first time RC hobbyists who mostly just want to get out and drive.

Remote control cars and trucks come in a wide variety of styles and sizes. One of the most enjoyable parts of shopping for an RC car at Tower Hobbies is browsing the vast selection to find the model car that’s perfect for you.

Although most remote control cars are 1/10 scale, you’ll also see massive 1/5 and 1/6 scale sizes that are nearly three feet long. If you’d like to drive indoors, we have micro/mini RC cars that can turn any room into a thrilling obstacle course. If you’re planning to run your RC vehicle outdoors, there are models specifically designed for any type of surface, from smooth asphalt to rocky off-road trails.

That’s only the beginning of the options available in remote control cars and trucks. You can choose two-wheel drive RC cars or four-wheel drive RC cars. The 2WD RC cars are usually lower priced and less complicated in design, while the 4WD vehicles have the advantage of being able to get through rough terrain more easily. Then there’s the choice of whether you’d prefer an RC car that runs on electric power, nitro, or gasoline. An electric-powered remote control car will generally be easier to operate than the others, while nitro or gasoline RC vehicles are more like the real thing. All can deliver thrilling performance.

As far as style, you’ll have no trouble finding a remote control car or truck that reproduces your favorite kind of full-scale action. Tower Hobbies carries many popular brands that specialize in different styles of driving. Are you looking for an RC car that captures the looks and excitement of full-size racing? Check out our Losi® brand models. Are speed and durability both priorities? ARRMA® makes RC vehicles that are fast and tough! Go adventuring on mountain trails with Axial® remote control rock racers and rock crawlers.

Many remote control car and truck hobbyists enjoy maintaining and upgrading their RC vehicles almost as much as they love driving them. As you gain experience, you can experiment with different motors and optional parts to keep your RC car going strong and performing better than ever. Refer to the Tower Hobbies website product page for your RC car to find links to recommended replacement parts, upgrades, and accessory items. Service and support are also available from Tower Hobbies. If you ever need help, just contact our product support team!