Rc stands for “radio-controlled” and rc trucks are radio-controlled vehicles self powered and controlled from a distance using a special type of transmitter called radio control. The term rc can also mean “remote controlled” and include toy vehicles that are connected to their controller using a wire but commonly it today, they are controlled using a radio frequency link. Rc vehicles are powered by various sources and these include electric, nitro and gasoline rc trucks. Electric vehicles are the most common for beginners and are powered by electric motors and rechargeable batteries such as nickel metal hydride, nickel-cadmium and lithium polymer cells. Electric motors exist of two types namely brushed and brushless electric motors but brushless motors are more efficient and powerful therefore are being used today.

The fuel powered rc trucks include nitro and gasoline rc vehicles and use glow plug engines, and small internal combustion engines that require a fuel mixture of Nitromethane, methanol and oil for nitro rc vehicles. Most of the time, it is a blend mixture of castor oil and synthetic oil. Gasoline remote controlled trucks use a mixture of oil and gasoline as fuel. The electric trucks as mentioned before are preferred by novices because of ease to work with compared to gasoline and nitro vehicle models. At higher skill and budget levels, electric cars can be equally complex to deal with.

The rc trucks are classified as on-road and off-road vehicles with on-road rc vehicles having much less robust suspension, are limited for driving in paved surfaces or smooth surfaces. On-road remote controlled trucks on the other hand are made a fully functional off-road suspension with a wide tire selection and can be used on a wide variety of terrain. The on-road rc trucks today have suspensions which are as adjustable as many full scale race cars today.  The term “toy-grade” in regard to radio controlled cars is used to describe vehicles which are pre-assembled and found in discount stores or consumer electronic stores.  Colloquially, they can be referred to as “radio shack cars”.  Some r/c models are found in hobby shops to gain market share from discount stores and attract interest of younger people.

What are the advantages of rc vehicles Cost is one of advantage rc vehicles including rc trucks have. An average medium-scale rc vehicle can cost around $50 to $100 cheaper compared to an entry level electric hobby class vehicle. Toy class vehicles have an easy operation, are relatively low in danger because of speeds ranging from 16 km/h to 32 km/h and are easier to set up compared to the simplest ready-to-run vehicles (RTR’s). The design model of toy class vehicles resemble those of real cars with details not found in hobby class cars such sounds, working lights, realistic interiors, and opening doors and hoods among others. All these are at the expense of durability and weight. Some of rc vehicles feature working sound systems with MP3 players and radios. The toy vehicles are an endless array of rc trucks, rc cars, motor cycles and bulldozers.