In this post, we will review the best RC cars for sand and beaches. All of our top picks are well equipped to power through sand dunes and across the beach. We’ll also take a look at what tires are best suited for those conditions, and whether 4WD drive trucks are better than 2WD when it comes to sand. So, if you’re looking to hit the beach this summer with your favorite RC car or truck, read on!
Here Are The Top Picks:
- Traxxas Rustler 4×4 VXL
- ARRMA RC Truck 1/8 KRATON 6S V5 4WD
- ARRMA 1/8 Typhon 4X4 V3 3S BLX
- ARRMA RC Truck 1/7 Mojave 6S V2 4WD BLX
- Tamiya 1/10 R/C Sand Scorcher Vehicle
Buying Guide and Considerations for RC Cars For Sand and Beaches
There are a few things you’ll want to take into account when choosing an RC car or truck for the beach. Lets cover the basics of driving in sand.
RC Paddle Tires For Deep Sand
First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure your vehicle has tires that can handle sand. That means special paddle tires that can scoop the sand to propel it forward.
Paddle tires perform the best in the sand. I recommend getting a second set of wheels specifically for the beach. Install a set of paddle tires on your beach wheels and swap them out whenever you head out to the beach for a bash session.
Traxxas Rustler Paddle Tires
1/10 Scale Paddle Tires for Traxxas Slash, Arrma Senton, Redcat Axial
4 Wheel Drive is Best For Sand
In general, you’ll want a four-wheel drive (or all-wheel drive) vehicle for the beach. The extra traction a 4×4 RC vehicle provides will help the car power through deep, loose sand.
However, that doesn’t mean a two-wheel drive car can’t handle the beach. It might just be a little more difficult to power through loose sand.
If you do take your two-wheel drive RC car to the beach, try to keep it on the hard, more compact sand. If you are close to the water, you should be able to drive fast through the damp, compact sand.
Make sure your RC car is waterproof before you get it wet!
Traxxas TRX-4 1/10 Scale Crawler
Waterproof Electronics Are a Must for RC beach driving
Another important consideration is whether or not your car’s electronics are waterproof. You don’t want to take your brand new RC car out for a spin on the beach only to have the water ruin the electronics. Many RC cars and trucks nowadays come with waterproof electronics, but it’s still something to keep in mind.
Parts to double check for a waterproof seal are:
- The electronic speed controller
- The electric motor
- The steering servo
- the radio receiver box
Dust and Sand Protection for RC Sand Driving
Last but not least, you’ll want to make sure your car has some protection from the dust and sand. This is especially important for the bearings, servos, and gears. When driving in the sand, you have to spend more time cleaning your car up at the end of the day. Make sure to blow out the car and the motor with compressed air. Keep an eye on the drive shafts and make sure sand doesn’t get stuck in between any moving parts.
As long as you spend the extra time cleaning up your RC car after a sand session, you should be fine taking your RC car to the beach.
Now that we’ve gone over some of the things to consider when choosing an RC car or truck for the beach, let’s take a look at a few specific models.
The Best RC Cars For Sand and Beaches
Below are a few of our favorite RC cars and trucks for taking on sand and surf.
Traxxas Rustler 4×4 VXL
The Traxxas Rustler 4×4 VXL is a powerful remote control truck that comes with a premium Velineon 3S power system. The motor and ESC delivers plenty of power to charge through sand. It’s brushless motor is efficient and powerful speed. It also uses a clipless body latching system for secure mounting and fast, one-handed removal and installation.
The sleek aerodynamic body features a rugged internal structure and external rollover protection to ensure a long life and durability. To steer this powerful truck, the included Traxxas TQi 2.4Hz radio remote control system delivers superior precision and throttle control. Its large 2.8-inch black chrome wheels provide terrain conquering ground clearance in deep sand and on the beach.
This is one of my favorite RC cars for sand and beaches.
ARRMA RC Truck 1/8 KRATON 6S V5 4WD
ARRMA’s KRATON 6S BLX 4WD Speed Monster Truck is designed for all-terrain bashing. it will do awesome in the sand and with it’s 6S motor.
It comes with a Spektrum SLT3 3-channel radio, SLT/DSMR dual protocol receiver, Smart ESC, stronger servo and more, ready to power through the deepest sand dunes and beaches.
The chassis has been updated and strengthened to handle even greater speeds and the power system has been updated to support 6S LiPo batteries. The truck is also waterproof and dustproof, with IC5 connectors and an integrated fan for reduced heat during extreme running.
ARRMA 1/8 Typhon 4X4 V3 3S BLX
The ARRMA Typhon 4×4 3s BLX RTR is a brushless-powered RC car that is a great sand RC car. It comes with a Spektrum SLT3 transmitter and SLR300 receiver, as well as a brushless system featuring the BLX100 ESC and the Spektrum Firma 3200Kv brushless motor.
This setup provides incredible torque, acceleration, and speed. The chassis and transmission are ruggedly engineered to take full advantage of the electronics’ power, and it has the ingenious modular design perfected by ARRMA engineers for easy component access and maintenance.
The 1/8 scale TYPHON 4X4 3S BLX RTR Speed Buggy’s tough gunmetal-colored multi-spoke wheels with vented dBoots 2-HO tires provide lots of grip for bashing on almost any surface.
This vehicle from ARRMA is a top choice when it comes to RC cars for sand and beaches
ARRMA RC Truck 1/7 Mojave 6S V2 4WD BLX
The ARRMA Mojave 6S V2 4WD BLX is designed for durability and speed, with a large volume waterproof receiver box and 60+ MPH speeds achievable in optimum conditions. The included Spektrum components and Smart compatibility make this truck easy to handle, while the EXB compatible front brace ensures that you’ll be bashing in style for years to come.
It also includes a large volume waterproof receiver box, and is ready-to-run.
Tamiya 1/10 R/C Sand Scorcher Vehicle
The Tamiya 1/10 scale R/C Sand Scorcher Vehicle is a great choice for anyone looking for a fun RC car to take to the beach. It comes equipped with full ball bearings to reduce friction loss, and a type 540 motor for speed and power. It also features a duralumin plate reinforced 2mm thick FRP main frame, die-cast front and rear suspension arms, front axle, and wheel hubs, and a transparent case to protect the R/C mechanisms. The car is specially designed for use on sand and surf, with ribbed front tires and paddle rear tires that provide better traction in those environments.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for an RC car to run in the sand, make sure to buy a truck or buggy that has enough ground clearance. You also want to make sure the vehicle has a powerful motor (preferably 3S) and a four-wheel drive train. If the sand is compact, you may not need paddle tires and can run on the stock tires. If the sand is soft and deep, make sure to pick up a set of paddle tires to help power your vehicle through the sand. Lastly, make sure to clean up your car or truck when you get home. Blow it out with an air compressor and oil all your bearings and moving parts. If you ran the vehicle in salt water, give it a good rinse with clean fresh water and then oil it. Never forget to oil your cars! Happy beach driving RC warriors.
