A car selection for both me and the little one!

[Tommyh1989]

So hopefully everyone can fire a few suggestions my way. 
ive got a hornet which is superb fun and my little boy has loved watching it fly around. What bothers me with the hornet though is the fact unless the ground is fairly hard packed or smooth it bounces and jumps all over the place! 
so I’m looking for a model, maybe a large wheel? Or at least some good ground clearance that both he and I can crash around some gravel and jumps without the worry of breaking the bank or breaking it every two minutes.
i’ve looked at lunchboxes and although they look great they do look like they would just topple over a lot?

a madbull? Although I hear they can be a bit sloppy in the steering and build quality? And won’t fit a lipo pack in?

Thank you! 

[ThunderDragonCy]

Aqroshot, and get some bigger tyres when the originals wear out or are no good for the surface you run on. I use Schumacher Vee2 rear and stagger rib truck tyres on mine (with foams inside). They are brilliant. The DT03 is tough, can take plenty of power and square pack lipos. 

This is my DT03 truck. The orange wheels are same as aqroshot except for colour. Mine has a proline f150 raptor shell. 

 

[Tommyh1989]

2 minutes ago, ThunderDragonCy said:

Aqroshot, and get some bigger tyres when the originals wear out or are no good for the surface you run on. I use Schumacher Vee2 rear and stagger rib truck tyres on mine (with foams inside). They are brilliant. The DT03 is tough, can take plenty of power and square pack lipos. 

This is my DT03 truck. The orange wheels are same as aqroshot except for colour. Mine has a proline f150 raptor shell. 

 

That’s a great suggestion! I didn’t think of that! Yours looks cracking!

[lsear2905]

41 minutes ago, Tommyh1989 said:

ive got a hornet which is superb fun and my little boy has loved watching it fly around. What bothers me with the hornet though is the fact unless the ground is fairly hard packed or smooth it bounces and jumps all over the place! 
so I’m looking for a model, maybe a large wheel? Or at least some good ground clearance that both he and I can crash around some gravel and jumps without the worry of breaking the bank or breaking it every two minutes.

GF01 Dump Truck.

It's incredibly strong, 4WD, does wheelies and it's a dump truck!

[SuperChamp82]

I’ll be building a Comical Avante with my 8yr old daughter as soon as stocks hit shelves 😬

[lsear2905]

6 minutes ago, SuperChamp82 said:

I’ll be building a Comical Avante with my 8yr old daughter as soon as stocks hit shelves 😬

I think that the taller, narrower cars have a tendency to tip over - I've found that introducing my kids to RC with lower, wider 4wd cars tends to reduce the level of frustration they experience.

Then you can slowly increase the power as they get better. 

[SuperChamp82]

Agree @lsear2905 but the Comical series looks to be box insulated against tip by big tyres and narrow steering geometry ? 

Ive built more or less every entry car with my 13 yr old over the last 5 years + the truth is nothing lasts for more than 6 months regardless 😂

[TurnipJF]

4 hours ago, Tommyh1989 said:

a madbull? Although I hear they can be a bit sloppy in the steering and build quality? And won’t fit a lipo pack in?

A Mad Bull is not a precise model, but I wouldn't say this indicates poor build quality. The car is extremely robust, with flexible rubbery parts that bend in a collision and bounce back into shape over and over again. I run mine on LiPo - the Core RC rounded packs fit perfectly.

However the Aqroshot is also an excellent suggestion. Just add Mad Bull wheels and tyres, and you have a vehicle that has all of the off-road ability of a Mad Bull, with a far more refined steering and suspension arrangement that can take rounded or rectangular LiPos.

 

 

[Tommyh1989]

@TurnipJF yours looks fantastic, the aqroshot might be the happy medium I’m looking for! Did the mad bull wheels fit straight on? 
I assume the standard aqroshot wheels would take a 2.2 tyre? 

[ThunderDragonCy]

1 hour ago, Tommyh1989 said:

@TurnipJF yours looks fantastic, the aqroshot might be the happy medium I’m looking for! Did the mad bull wheels fit straight on? 
I assume the standard aqroshot wheels would take a 2.2 tyre? 

Yes the stock mad bull wherls and tyres are a direct fit to the aqroshot. Yes the aqroshot wheels are 2.2". These are the tyres i run

https://www.racing-cars.com/vee-2-yellow-truck-tyres-pr-u6707

https://www.racing-cars.com/wheels-tyres/brand-brand=schumacher/off-road-tyres-scale=1-10th-truck/stagger-rib-yellow-truck-tyres-pr-u6708?returnurl=%2fwheels-tyres%2fbrand-brand%3dschumacher%2foff-road-tyres-scale%3d1-10th-truck%2f

https://www.racing-cars.com/wheels-tyres/brand-brand=schumacher/inserts-scale=1-10th-truck/

The yellow compound is grippy and lasts a good while if you stick to grass and softer surfaces. They wear out quickly on tarmac. Blue compound is harder but less grip. 

[Tommyh1989]

@ThunderDragonCy thanks for all the info! Regards hop ups for these are they the normal dt-03 hop ups? Or is there a variant as it’s the truck? 

[ThunderDragonCy]

47 minutes ago, Tommyh1989 said:

@ThunderDragonCy thanks for all the info! Regards hop ups for these are they the normal dt-03 hop ups? Or is there a variant as it’s the truck? 

Usual DT03 hop ups. The DT03T chassis is only different in that it has the long axle Mad Bull front steering knuckles to mount the truck wheels. Mine started out out as a Racing Fighter buggy version. Apart from bearings and the tyres the only other things i would recommend from the off are CoreRC 2.6lb (CR188)springs for the rear as the kit springs are way too soft, and the Tamiya 17t steel pinion, and a Kimborough medium servo saver (the kit version is really sloppy). For the sake of the 15 quid those will cost you it will massively improve the driving experience, to the point where anything else you add is window dressing really. And i say this as someone with almost all the hop ups! Once your lad has got the hang of things, the only other thing i would suggest later on is 13.5 brushless. Solder it into the tamiya esc supplied with the kit and you'll be golden. 

If you break things along the way, the only aluminium bits i have found to be a good step compared to kit plastic are the front c hubs and the shock tower / front arm mounts. I had to buy them from far east and european sellers (rcmart and tamico) as they are hard to come by over here. There is no need until you break stuff though. 

Finally, at the risk of blowing my own trumpet, i designed some rear uprights with 3 degrees of toe in (the kit is zero) which really improve how the power goes down out of turns, but you need the turnbuckles or threaded bar camber links to mount them, and the steel driveshafts too, so admittedly it end up being a bit pricey as an overall hop up from the basic kit. It's on my Shapeways store (CTE RC) if you are interested. 

http://shpws.me/R5d2

[Tommyh1989]

1 hour ago, ThunderDragonCy said:

Usual DT03 hop ups. The DT03T chassis is only different in that it has the long axle Mad Bull front steering knuckles to mount the truck wheels. Mine started out out as a Racing Fighter buggy version. Apart from bearings and the tyres the only other things i would recommend from the off are CoreRC 2.6lb (CR188)springs for the rear as the kit springs are way too soft, and the Tamiya 17t steel pinion, and a Kimborough medium servo saver (the kit version is really sloppy). For the sake of the 15 quid those will cost you it will massively improve the driving experience, to the point where anything else you add is window dressing really. And i say this as someone with almost all the hop ups! Once your lad has got the hang of things, the only other thing i would suggest later on is 13.5 brushless. Solder it into the tamiya esc supplied with the kit and you'll be golden. 

If you break things along the way, the only aluminium bits i have found to be a good step compared to kit plastic are the front c hubs and the shock tower / front arm mounts. I had to buy them from far east and european sellers (rcmart and tamico) as they are hard to come by over here. There is no need until you break stuff though. 

Finally, at the risk of blowing my own trumpet, i designed some rear uprights with 3 degrees of toe in (the kit is zero) which really improve how the power goes down out of turns, but you need the turnbuckles or threaded bar camber links to mount them, and the steel driveshafts too, so admittedly it end up being a bit pricey as an overall hop up from the basic kit. It's on my Shapeways store (CTE RC) if you are interested. 

http://shpws.me/R5d2

That is some incredible help right there! Thank you for that! I’ve got a spare 13.5 brushless motor and a Tamiya speedo so that sounds a good upgrade eventually! Think I just need a lipo alarm i understand! 
 

looks like it could be just the model I’m looking for! 

[njmlondon]

On 3/12/2020 at 10:04 PM, lsear2905 said:

GF01 Dump Truck.

It's incredibly strong, 4WD, does wheelies and it's a dump truck!

100% this.

I have had most of the big wheel trucks and I bought my son this. It is so much fun, incredibly capable, looks awesome and we now have 3, one for him, one for his sister and one for me.

 

 

 

 

[TwistedxSlayer]

Getting thin on the ground. The Dump Truck.

[Tommyh1989]

42 minutes ago, njmlondon said:

100% this.

I have had most of the big wheel trucks and I bought my son this. It is so much fun, incredibly capable, looks awesome and we now have 3, one for him, one for his sister and one for me.

 

 

 

 

Do they roll over a lot though? I don’t want to keep having to walk after a model as daft as that sounds ha! Handle brushless?

[dannymulder]

3 hours ago, Tommyh1989 said:

Do they roll over a lot though? I don’t want to keep having to walk after a model as daft as that sounds ha! Handle brushless?

They roll over a lot, that is the reason I sold my gf-01 heavy dump truck, for me it was no fun, if you put a brushless motor in it the only thing it do is wheely and roll over a lot, and do front flips and side rolls, after a few runs it started to irritate me so I sold it.

You better of buying a g6-01 konghead, the are way more stable then the gf-01 and it jumps nice to and very fun to drive with a brushless motor I have a 3800kv caslte motor in mine with high speed gears,  I  like that car way more then a gf-01. 

[Busdriver]

On 3/13/2020 at 2:09 AM, TurnipJF said:

A Mad Bull is not a precise model, but I wouldn't say this indicates poor build quality. The car is extremely robust, with flexible rubbery parts that bend in a collision and bounce back into shape over and over again. I run mine on LiPo - the Core RC rounded packs fit perfectly.

However the Aqroshot is also an excellent suggestion. Just add Mad Bull wheels and tyres, and you have a vehicle that has all of the off-road ability of a Mad Bull, with a far more refined steering and suspension arrangement that can take rounded or rectangular LiPos.

 

 

I have an aqroshot sitting waiting for a rainy day. Also have a set of Mad Bull wheels in the same box along with a 13.5T Bluebottle motor and a can of Metallic orange. Mrs B is going into Hospital to have her knee replaced hopefully in a weeks time so will have a few hours to do some building

[Tommyh1989]

28 minutes ago, Busdriver said:

I have an aqroshot sitting waiting for a rainy day. Also have a set of Mad Bull wheels in the same box along with a 13.5T Bluebottle motor and a can of Metallic orange. Mrs B is going into Hospital to have her knee replaced hopefully in a weeks time so will have a few hours to do some building

I’d imagine with all that’s going on with the corona virus mrs B might not be having that operation at this rate and will all be locked indoors! Least you can finish it then ha! 

[Busdriver]

6 minutes ago, Tommyh1989 said:

I’d imagine with all that’s going on with the corona virus mrs B might not be having that operation at this rate and will all be locked indoors! Least you can finish it then ha! 

Keeping fingers crossed it will take place. Have waited best part of 2 years!!! Shes having it done at Royal Orthopedic in Stanmore which doesnt do general day to day stuff so shouldnt be effected by non surgical problems.

[Tommyh1989]

14 minutes ago, Busdriver said:

Keeping fingers crossed it will take place. Have waited best part of 2 years!!! Shes having it done at Royal Orthopedic in Stanmore which doesnt do general day to day stuff so shouldnt be effected by non surgical problems.

I think it’s more the potential risk of staff having it and bringing it in or public, but hope it goes ahead!!!

[TurnipJF]

6 hours ago, Tommyh1989 said:

Do they roll over a lot though? I don’t want to keep having to walk after a model as daft as that sounds ha! Handle brushless?

I have yet to drive a GF-01, but I do have its RWD sibling the WR-02 in my fleet, and this tips over very easily, even though it is the polycarbonate-bodied WR-02G Farm King with a relatively low CoG compared to the styrene hardbody versions. I would imagine that the GF-01 with its higher CoG would be even more tippy, but I might be wrong.

The G6-01 is a fair bit more stable than the WR-02, but is still nowhere near as planted as the Mad Bull or Aqroshot. The situation can be improved quite noticeably by fitting the G6-01 with the wider suspension from the WR-02CB. In stock form I had to turn off 4WS and/or turn down the DR to avoid rolling my G6-01 when cornering fast, but with the wider suspension fitted this is no longer an issue, even though I am running a styrene shell.

As for handling brushless, with the addition of bearings and a steel pinion in place of the stock bushings and aluminium pinion, all of the models under discussion in this thread so far can handle brushless power. A TBLE-02 ESC and 13.5t Bluebottle motor is a combo that hits the sweet spot for many Tamiyas, giving enough speed to be exciting without being dangerously hard to control, while also being very cost-effective.

[njmlondon]

8 hours ago, Tommyh1989 said:

Do they roll over a lot though? I don’t want to keep having to walk after a model as daft as that sounds ha! Handle brushless?

With a Spirt Tuned brushed they roll over a lot less than the WR01. I am impressed by how stable it is.

 

Brushless it up and I guess you will roll.

I did turn down the steering rate on my son’s Spektrum handset and that may help. A more prgressive steer rather than yanking it right over probably helps a lot.

[lsear2905]

OK, so a couple of things here.

The Dump Truck isn't available everywhere anymore, but then neither is the Konghead, and there is a substantial price difference.

The GF01 with a 12T brushed motor will do wheelies, which is fun for a young person (see OP), and is a very resilient hard-body which should appeal to a young driver (see OP).

The G601 with the same electrics will not do wheelies, and with 6 wheels it means it is more like to dig in and roll over when drifting. I love both, but the Dump Truck  always gets bigger smiles (from passers-by) when I run it. If I want to get around a dirt track quickly the Konghead is far superior, but that's not why anyone buys these models!

Nowhere has a budget been mentioned though, so possibly the new G601 Volvo A60H would be perfect (except the lack of wheelies).

 

[Rainman]

I have a Comical Hornet and a Comical Grasshopper for my 6yo and 9yo. 

They love them.

We have turned the steering dual rate down to 50%, and they are learning throttle control to help them turn on grass, where the tyres push slightly. It still turns rapidly on tarmac though.

The tyres are great for all surfaces, we just took them on a dirt track at the weekend and they handled great. Some have complained the tyres don't work well in grass, but they are fine in short cut grass at home. Bigger clearance than my Wild one.

They are geared slow, but wheely from a stop on Nimh and standard silver can. Perfect to learn with. About as fast as a clodbuster on fast setting, slower than a wild one.

They are more stable than you think. They do topple over on tarmac from time to time when you go off power from a fast speed and full lock. THunderDragonCy has done a bit of work to them and added faster gearing from Yeah Racing and then moved the shocks out on the arms and now it doesn't tip over. Check out his build thread.

As soon as they are driven full speed into the trampoline, reversed and driven off I knew it was money well spent. Run the big bumper though!

I want to do a build thread as I haven't found any weaknesses other than screws coming undone. Those step screws suck.

They are excellent grab and go buggies IMHO. I'm not worried if they topple over anyway, the kids run along behind them and running out to flip them over is actually keeping them active, win win.

Good Luck!