I have a GT, and have had all manner and almost every variation of the associated trucks, both electric and nitro. I would suggest them strongly if you ever want to race (or Losi, they are equally as good).

However, you don't seem to want to race. If you never plan on racing, I would go for the RS4 Nitro MT. Its a stadium type truck, but its 4 wheel drive, so its a great basher. Its precisely what you described, a cross between a 2wd racer stadium truck and a monster truck (better traction than a stadium truck, not as gaudy and clunky as a monster truck).

I've never owned nor had much experience with the duratrax stuff. Some people hate it, some have no problems. I can't imagine them being as bad as some people say, and a lot of people tend to have strong opinions about things they have no knowledge of, so who knows. The RS4 MT is a good truck for bashing and just having fun, I CAN tell you that much.