I like to drive my RC trucks and buggies in the grass because I can run them full throttle with little risk of breaking parts. Grass is soft and forgiving, and you will have a hard time breaking something if you crash or roll over your rig on soft grass. But what are the best RC cars for grass, and are there any RC vehicles that you are not suited for driving in grass?
In this post, we will talk about the following topics:
- The best RC cars for grass surfaces
- Which types of RC cars are not good for driving on grass
- four-wheel vs two-wheel drive on grass
- brushless vs brushed motors
- Tips and tricks for driving on grass surfaces
So let’s dive into and explore which RC cars are best for driving on grass!
RC Trucks VS RC Cars For Grass
RC trucks are going to be the best type of RC vehicle for grass. RC trucks have large, deep-treaded tires and better ground clearance than RC cars. If the grass is thick and tall, the ride height of the vehicle comes into play. RC trucks and monster trucks can easily drive on grass that is several inches tall. So, if you plan on driving on the grass with your RC vehicle, make sure to get a truck or a buggy.
Why RC Cars Aren’t Good For Grass
RC cars sit too low to the ground to drive on grass. If the grass is tall, an RC car doesn’t stand a chance to move because the grass will get stuck on the chassis.
Many RC cars have smooth tires made for paved surfaces. Smooth tires don’t provide any traction in the grass. If the grass is wet, all an RC car will do is sit and spin. It won’t go anywhere.
2WD VS 4WD RC Trucks For Grass
Both two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive trucks will perform well on grass. However, a four-wheel drive truck will accelerate and power through tall grass much better than a two-wheel drive RC truck. RC trucks are just like full-size trucks when it comes to the benefits of a four-wheel drivetrain. When all four wheels are propelling the vehicle, it will simply perform better than a rear wheel drive RC truck.
Four-wheel drive RC trucks are more expensive than a two-wheel drive models. But, I highly recommend getting a 4WD RC truck if you plan on driving in the grass.
Brushed VS Brushless Motors For Driving Through Grass
Brushless motors will outperform slower brushed motors when driving in Grass. When comparing models, I recommend buying a truck with a brushless motor powered by a LiPo battery. Brushless motors produce more power and are more efficient than brushed motors. The extra power you get from a brushless motor combined with a high-performance LiPo battery will make driving in the grass a ton of fun!
What Are The Best RC Trucks For Grass?
In this section, we will look at the best RC trucks for grass. The vehicles are arranged from the least expensive to the most expensive. All of the trucks below will be great options for grass driving, but some of the more expensive options will really perform well on grass (and dirt) surfaces.
1. Laegendary 4X4 RC Truck
The Laegendary model is an entry-level RC truck that is four-wheel drive vehicle that has a brushed motor. It isn’t going to be the fastest truck on the grass due to the brushed motor, but it will still be able to perform well. It is water resistant, so you can drive it on wet grass without breaking the electronics. Grass is often covered in dew in the early mornings, so having the IPX4 water resistant rating is a major plus for this truck.
The trucks also comes with two batteries and a charger. Not all RC vehicles come with batteries, so that’s another +1 for the Laegendry 4X4.
Laegendary 4X4 RC Truck Pros
- Waterproof
- 4X4 drivetrain
- Comes with batteries and charger
- Fully assembled and ready to roll out of the box
Laegendary 4X4 RC Truck Cons
- Brushed motor not as powerful compared to brushless trucks
- Parts have to be sourced from Lagendary
- LiPo batteries are small
2. Traxxas Slash Two-Wheel Drive
The Traxxas Slash is probably my favorite RC truck model. It is tough, dependable, has great ground clearance, and an excellent suspension system. this particular Slash is a rear-wheel drive model, so it’s not a 4X4. It also has a brushless motor.
However, the Traxxas Titan 12T motor makes plenty of power. So, this Slash can drive through the grass with no problems. It is also a 1/10 Scale Truck. So, it is a large RC truck with large tires that provide plenty of traction on grass surfaces.
Traxxas is one of the most popular RC brands. That means you will find upgrade parts and replacement components on Amazon. If something breaks, you can Amazon Prime the new parts in a couple of days. Sometimes even overnight!
Traxxas 2WD RC Truck Pros
- Waterproof
- Large 1/10 scale model
- Fully assembled
- Waterproof motor, ESC, and steering servo
- Excellent ground clearance
Traxxas 2WD RC Truck Cons
- Not four-wheel drive
- Brushless motor
- Does not come with a battery or charger
3. Traxxas Slash Four-Wheel Drive VXL
The Traxxas Slash 4X4 VXL was my first Traxxas Vehicle. It is a fantastic machine with insane power and handling. This version is more expensive than the two-wheel drive model because it comes with a Four-wheel drivetrain, a brushless motor, a 3S capable electronic speed controller, and Traxxas stability management.
This truck can power through thick grass with ease. I love to drive my Slash in my backyard and have a little track setup. This truck can reach speeds of 60+ miles per hour on the pavement and probably can hit around 30 miles per hour in the grass.
With TSM enabled, the vehicle never loses control. It can fishtail a bit, but never rolls over. I have crashed this truck so many times. I flip it over, and it keeps on going. I very rarely break any parts. If you already have this truck or are considering buying this model, check out our guide on the ultimate Traxxas Slash upgrade parts list.
If I had to pick any truck on the list, this would be the model. It’s not the cheapest or the most expensive, but it has all the bells and whistles that will get you hooked on RC trucks!
Traxxas 4WD RC Truck Pros
- Brushless Motor
- 3S LiPo capable ESC
- Fully assembled
- Waterproof motor, ESC, and steering servo
- Four Wheel Drive
Traxxas 4WD RC Truck Cons
- More expensive than 2WD version
- Does not come with a battery
- Does not come with a charger
FAQs For The Best RC Cars For Grass
Are RC trucks or RC cars better for grass?
RC trucks are better for driving in the grass because they have offroad tires that provide the necessary traction, better ground clearance so grass flows under the chassis, and better suspension travel than RC cars.
Do I need a four-wheel drive RC car for grass?
Although you don’t need a 4X4 RC truck to drive in the grass, a four-wheel drive RC truck will perform better on grass because all four wheels power the vehicle forward. If the grass is wet, a two-wheel drive RC truck might struggle to gain momentum.
How fast can RC trucks go in the grass?
The top speed depends on how thick and tall the grass is. From my experience, an RC truck will go about half as fast on grass as it can on pavement. It depends on the type of grass, how tall it is, and if it’s dry or wet.
Are RC buggies good for driving on grass?
Yes, RC buggies can handle the grass. They do not sit up as high off the ground as a stadium or monster truck, but they can still drive through grass.
Conclusion For The Best RC Cars For Grass
I think grass is one of my favorite surfaces to drive on. Grass doesn’t tear up your tires, and you won’t break parts as easily if you crash. My Traxxas Slash also drifts a bit when corning at high speeds. So, it’s fun to power through turns and bash around in the open grass.
If you are for the best RC cars for grass , make sure you get an model with:
- plenty of ground clearance
- off-road tires
- a four-wheel drive train
- a brushless motor
- and a powerful LiPo battery
If your vehicle meets the criteria above, I guarantee you will have a screaming machine that will power through the grass with ease. Happy driving!