There are terms used in the Hobby of rc trucks. The following are some of the definitions of the terms used:

• Scale: this refers to the size model of kit. For example, the scales of remote controlled vehicles available include 1/10, 1/8, 1/36 etc. The 1/10 scale means the model is ten times smaller compared to the real vehicle. When it comes to comparison, the 1/8 scale is bigger compared to the 1/10 scale while the 1/10 scale is bigger than the 1/24 scale
• Radio Control System: this is a combination of the transmitter, servos and receiver. One holds the transmitter in the hand which sends signals to the receiver and servos is mounted on the rc truck. The servos make use of mechanical movement to steer the truck and for control of the speed.
• Ready-to-Run (RTR): this refers to model rc trucks kits that come with radio controlled system and equipment already assembled in the box. RTR kits is convenient for beginner hobbyists who want to get started in the hobby whereby he/she is only left with minor items to purchase such as fuel in case it’s a nitro engine or battery in case its an electric engine. The receiver requires size 4-AA batteries while the transmitter requires size 8-AA batteries.

Rc trucks are typically available as gas/nitro trucks. These are usually in 1/10 and 1/8 scale models powered by a 2 stroke gas/nitro engine. The items that add up a nitro truck kit engine include the combustion engine, radio controlled system, glow plug igniter, starter and nitro fuel. The RTR gas truck kit normally includes engine, radio controlled system and kit. The glow plug igniter and nitro fuel will have to be bought separately. A 2 stroke gas engine is commonly used in nitro/gas rc trucks with common sizes 0.12ci (1.97cc) and 0.21ci (3.5cc) and requires fuel to run. Nitro remote controlled truck uses nitro fuel while gas remote controlled truck uses gasoline fuel.

The 1/10 and 1/8 scale models of rc trucks use a special blend of nitro fuel for rc trucks but regular gasoline cannot be used. There are larger scale models with lawnmower type of engine that use regular gasoline. A glow plug is used in gasoline rc trucks for ignition of the air/fuel mixture inside the gas engine, resembling a spark plug. The initial start of the engine requires an initial application of 1.5v to the glow plug. As a result the coils in the glow plug will heat up thus igniting the air fuel mixture. The 1.5v supply is removedonce the engine idles. The glow plug igniter is a device that applies the 1.5v to heat up the glow plug.

The electric rc trucks although not popular are still available in the market. This electric remote controlled vehicle is normally of 1/28 to 1/8 scale and is powered by an electric motor. The truck kit consists of the radio controlled system, charger and battery pack. Most of the RTR electric trucks consist of everything one needs to get started but some RTR kits do not have charger and battery pack included.