Traxxas is a manufacturer of radio-controled vehicles founded in 1987 and based in McKinney, Texas. Traxxas offers electric and nitro powered radio-controlled cars, off-road and on-road vehicles, boats, and drones.
Traxxas vehicles are very popular making Traxxas one of the leading RC car manufacturer in the world. It is indeed so popular that the company is known to have coined the now-common phrase, "ready-to-run" to describe its offerings, even going so far as to open a toll-free help line since such vehicles would appeal to a broad segment of the entry-level R/C market.
History[edit | edit source]
The first Traxxas RC car was released in 1987. It was an offroad 1/10-scale electric buggy named "The Cat" and was based on an existing NIKKO design. It came with a hobby-grade, pistol-grip radio and a preinstalled electronic speed controler (ESC). R/C enthusiasts soon discovered the advantages of readily available replacement parts and sales of the Traxxas "The cat" took off. A kit version of The Cat would later be released.
In later years, Traxxas electric RTR models grew tremendously in features, sophistication and performance. Traxxas became a truly competitive racing presence with the "Hawk" and "Radicator" buggies and later with the TRX-1 buggy, Blue Eagle racing truck, TCP buggy, and the SRT racing truck.
1989 saw the RTR concept applied to R/C boating with the introduction of the twin-motored Villain IV deep-vee offshore cruiser and in 1992, the first nitro-powered RTR nitro truck, the "Nitro Hawk," was introduced. 1996 would see the first RTR nitro boat, the "Nitro Vee" with its auxillary electric motor which allowed the boat to be operated and returned to shore if fuel ran out.
In 1999, Traxxas' most popular, best-selling and technologically advanced model to date arrived. Dubbed the "T-Maxx," this nitro-powered monster truck was the first such vehicle equipped with a forward/reverse transmission actuated via a third channel on the transmitter. Its two-speed transmission allows top speeds upwards of 30 mph (48 km/h) while suspension travel of over 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) damped by eight oil-filled shocks mean stable, fast operation over virtually any terrain. A twin-motored electric version dubbed "E-Maxx" is based on the same design and accepts many of its predecesor's modifications. Both have extensive aftermarket support.
The E-Maxx is currently being used by the United States military as the basis of a remote controlled, robotic bomb-sniffer in post-war Iraq.
The success of the T-Maxx established Traxxas as a leader in RTR monster trucks. Their latest nitro-powered models are the 1/10-scale, two-wheel-drive Jato and 1/10-scale, four-wheel drive Revo. Both feature a chassis layout optimized for easy servicing, extra-long suspension travel, on-board electric starter and, in the case of the Jato, a top speed of nearly 55 mph (88 km/h). The Revo utilizes a unique shock absorption system with inboard shocks mounted horizontally. Should a wheel be forced to the upper limit of its suspension travel, the extra leverage afforded by the system allows maximum traction at the remaining wheels. Traxxas has partnered with Novak to produce electronic speed controls for its electric RTR vehicles and vessels. Design and development of Traxxas' models is done entirely in-house with some actual production being done overseas.
Strength and weaknesses[edit | edit source]
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Products reference numbers[edit | edit source]
Traxxas products are referenced under a simple and effective system that allows its customers to track models' parts based on any product reference number. Each reference number is composed of a 6 or 7 digits number with the last one being separated by an hypen: XXXXX-X:
- The first two digits designate the style of the vehicle such as Rustler (37XXX-X), T-Maxx (49XXX-X), Slash 4X4 (68XXX-X), X-Maxx (77XXX-X).
- The digit immedialty preceding the hypen designates the radio system included with the car: Traxxas TQ (XXXX4-X), Traxxas TQi (XXXX6-X), Traxxas TQi with wireless (XXXX7-X).
- The last one or two digit(s) designates the type(s) of features included with the car: DC charger and nimh battery with ID technology (XXXXX-2 or XXXXX-3), on-board audio (XXXXX-2 or XXXXX-21 or XXXXX-24), no battery or charger (XXXXX-4 or XXXXX-24), AC charger and nimh battery with ID technology (XXXXX-5).
List of original Traxxas models[edit | edit source]
- 1987: Cat, Fiero
- 1988: Bullet
- 1989: Sledgehammer, Radicator, Hawk
- 1990: Blue Eagle, TRX eagle
- 1991: Blue Eagle LS, TRX-1
- 1992: Hawk 2, Nitro Hawk
- 1993: LS-2, TRX-3, Nitro Buggy, Nitro Street, Monster Buggy
- 1994: SRT, Traxxas Rustler, Stampede
- 1995: Spirit, TCP, Bandit, Nitro Vee
- 1996: Nitro Stampede
- 1997: Street Sport, Nitro Rustler
Notable RC models[edit | edit source]
- Traxxas Bandit
- Traxxas Rustler
- Traxxas Slash
- Traxxas XMAXX
- Traxxas XO-1
RC Products[edit | edit source]
Since the introduction of the first Traxxas RC car in 1987, Traxxas has released over 40 models of RC car amounting to dozens of different models in both nitro (engine cars) and electric.
List of Traxxas RC vehicles on RCpedia[edit | edit source]
Trucks[edit | edit source]
Buggies[edit | edit source]
On-Road Cars[edit | edit source]
Let's Talk Traxxas[edit source]
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