Dale Gribble

My Feedback: (4)

So, I stumbled upon this little known secret. I have a 4 year old and he is not quite ready for a true 'hobby' level kit yet and I am not ready to spend the $$$ yet either. However, I really wanted to get my little guy a truck because he is so crazy about em. So, how do you find a truck that you can get parts for but not spend a ton on?

I found this truck on Ebay, the 'Titan'. These have been going for $40-50 bucks with shipping with radio, battery, charger, etc.



Ok, now look at the Tamiya 'Quick Drive' Trail Master that sells for $104.00 + shipping on Tower Hobbies.



That is the same truck folks... No question about it. I am really excited about this, because I couldn't find a middle ground with my wife on what we should 'spend' and I was sketchy on buying a Walmart truck, because once they break, they're broke. Does anyone else think this is a great idea?

So, I am going for it. Half the price, and you can order Tamiya parts if anything breaks!!! If you see 1971k5 bidding on one, don't bid- that's mine!

NOTE: I am in no way affiliated with any of the ebay sellers that sell these- that's why I didn't give a specific auction. I just think this will help other dads out there!

alvinl

What scale is that truck? My son drives a nitro truck, but I was planning on getting my daughter (age 4) an electric truck so she can drive with us. She was driving one of my son's Tyco trucks but we beat the crap out of it. Guess I could just get off my lazy butt and take a look at Ebay....

Dale Gribble

My Feedback: (4)

Straight from Tower-

NOTES FROM OUR TECH DEPARTMENT
This is the 1/14 scale Trail Master Black body 2wd electric powered
ready-to-run Monster Truck from Tamiya.

FEATURES: Includes everything needed to operate truck.
Great truck for beginner or young R/C'ers.
Body is made of ABS plastic, is colored and decals are pre-applied.
Quick change battery, can be done in just seconds.
Proportional radio system.
Front skid plate.
Realistic looking plastic space frame.
Eight coil-over friction shocks.
Rubber V-tread monster truck tires.
AM pistol grip radio with steering and throttle trim adjustment.
Front and Rear plastic bumpers.
Chrome 5-spoke wheels.
280 electric motor.
Includes 9.6V flat AA sized battery pack with Tamiya connector.
Available on 6 different randomly chosen AM channels.
4 hour NiCd 130mA AC wall charger.

INCLUDES: Tamiya Trail Master truck, 2 channel AM pistol grip radio, 9V radio
battery, 4 hour wall charger, 650mAh 9.6V battery pack, manual.

REQUIRES: Charging battery pack with wall charger, and small preparations such
as screwing antenna to transmitter.

SPECS: Total length: 360mm 14.2"
Wheel base: 250mm 9.84"
Track: 200mm 7.87"
Total height: 222mm 8.75"
Tire outer diameter: 120mm 4.72"
Tire width: 65mm 2.56"

COMMENTS: This truck would not be considered a hobby grade R/C vehicle. Due to
the nature of this vehicle, spare parts or optional parts are not
available.
Although this truck is similar in size to other 1/10 scale vehicles,
it is actually about 1/14 scale of a full sized monster truck.
It is not possible to request a specific radio channel when ordering
because they are supplied by the manufacturer at random.
Because there is nothing underneath the body that requires access,
the thick plastic body is attached to the chassis with screws.
Body is red and black.

Dale Gribble

My Feedback: (4)

Ok it has a 280 motor and 4.72" tires! You know it won't be a speed demon by any means and shoud be very easy to handle for a young one.

I just checked Tamiya's website, they DO have parts support, Tower must be too lazy to stock em or sell em!

http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/rcp...6027&x=31&y=10

Volfy

My Feedback: (23)

You might want to re-read the Comments in the Tower Tech Notes:

"This truck would not be considered a hobby grade R/C vehicle. Due to
the nature of this vehicle, spare parts or optional parts are not
available.
Although this truck is similar in size to other 1/10 scale vehicles,
it is actually about 1/14 scale of a full sized monster truck.
It is not possible to request a specific radio channel when ordering
because they are supplied by the manufacturer at random.
Because there is nothing underneath the body that requires access,
the thick plastic body is attached to the chassis with screws.
Body is red and black."

I've not been very impressed with Tamiya stuff, at least the lower grade stuff any how. I bought a GrassHopper kit a few years back - (I seldom say this about any thing RC, but) what a piece of crap! Everything is easily-broken non-fibre-reinforced ABS parts. If it didn't break outright, things like the shocks just start falling apart. I have no idea why Tamiya is re-releasing their old kits onto the RC public, when much better newer RTRs are now available. I'm sure Tamiya's higher-end stuff like the TNX Pro is pretty good, but I wouldn't touch their lower end with a 10ft pole.

I got my son a MiniMauler last year. Very very good starter truck, and now only $79 new. Turns tight and runs slow enough so he can play with it indoors, but has enough oomph to pull wheelies if you draw back in reverse a bit before launching forward. The best thing is that it is small and lightweight enough so that it doesn't dent walls and scratch furniture.

I haven't decided what I want to get him this year. There are so many new mini-Monster out now, it's hard to pick one.

Dale Gribble

My Feedback: (4)

You may want to reread my post, where you can clearly see parts available on Tamiya's website.

I know minis are an option, but those things don't do well in my yard. I have 4 1/18 scale trucks, and they are pretty much indoor and smooth track use only. He can at least play with this thing and not have it get stuck on some grass or gravel.

Dale Gribble

My Feedback: (4)

Ok, I won mine for $38 shipped with insurance!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...IBSA%3AMT%3A31

MBX5T Maniac

My Feedback: (-1)

Wow, no replacement parts. Have fun

DaveG55

Let us know how it is / does once you get it.
We all know you're gonna try it out before Christmas....Playing with the kids toys early is one of the perogitives of parenthood.

Dale Gribble

My Feedback: (4)

Honestly, can you not read?

You shouldn't post until you read a thread thoroughly. Tamiya has a full parts listing, I even posted a link to it!!!

To reiterate, Tower Hobbies says parts aren't available, but if you go on Tamiya's website, it has full parts availability! Look!

http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/rcp...tion=&offset=2

This is a PSA to other dads in the same boat as me. It is what it is and nothing more. Leave it at that. It's a slow, reasonably priced kids toy. Even if they didn't sell parts, $38 is still less then something similar at Walmart.

Dale Gribble

My Feedback: (4)

You know it!!!

MBX5T Maniac

My Feedback: (-1)

Well then, never mind if they can be bought on the tamiya site

Volfy

My Feedback: (23)

For $38, it is helluva deal. I've paid that much for crappy Rad Shack RC jobs. Heck, you can buy another one and race with you 4yr old. Still, I'm not sure you'd want to pay $12 for get parts shipped to you when the whole thing only cost $38.

Speaking of dad's obligatory "testing" of kid's toys, I went out and bought two Mini Quakes when my boy started to get a feel for the steering thing on his Mini Mauler. Let's go racing, I said! Found out real quick that, at 3/12, he is nowhere ready for the speed and agility of the more serious machines. Hey, it hasn't stopped me from "testing" his toys before he's up to it, though.

Dale, all rib-jabbing aside, have fun with your 4yr old. That is really what it is all it's all about, isn't it?

FE_Chris

My Feedback: (2)

For the rich dad...Get him the Mini LST(200 bucks RTR). If I was 4-6 and my dad came home with a min lst, I would freak out

gerwen

If i was 46 i would freak out. Age doesn't matter with rc presents.

Dale Gribble

My Feedback: (4)

Haha! DAD got the Mini LST!!!

Dale Gribble

My Feedback: (4)

As far as a 3 1/2 year old is concerned, this truck might was well be a full tricked full size $1000 LST. He doesn't know one from another at this point. Maybe another year or two before he starts to understand.

digregoriod

I bought my 4y.o. a MiniMauler from hobby zone. $70 and available upgrade parts!!

bagged97

I agree with Dale Gribble, A four year old could probably care less. However, as far as the Dad is concerned, if it breaks he can fix it. That way maybe the ol Christmas R/C will last at least untill spring. Good find in my opinion!

ckangaroo70

My Feedback: (51)

For $38 your kid will get a priceless amount of joy from that thing. You done good in my opinion!

beaglegod

Can I get an AMEN to that![sm=RAINFRO.gif]