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Top 7 Best RC Semi Trucks in 2023 ( I would recommend to a friend)

Updated in 2023 by Paul Posea
Best RC semi Truck

RC Semi Trucks are a special category of trucks made for passionate people who love haulers and are meticulous enough to play with one.

You can get these "toys" put together straight out of the box, or they may require assembly for the full experience. These big-boy toys can come with either electric or gas engine power and can deliver hours and hours of fun!

MY TOP 7 BEST RC SEMI TRUCKS

Below, I'll list all my top RC Semi trucks you can buy now.

However, if you're in a hurry, here are my favorites: the overall best and the cheaper option, which is still very good for most people.

tamyia america king hauler RC

Tamiya America King Hauler - Every enthusiast's top choice

  • 1/14 scale
  • Requires assembly
  • Best high-end truck on this list
  • high-quality aluminum body parts
  • Realistic sounds
  • Very powerful
Benz

Double E RC Mercedes-Benz Trailer truck - Best value for money

  • 1/20 scale
  • Detachable trailer board
  • High-accuracy build for the price
  • Can drag construction vehicles like excavators, forklifts
  • It comes in a full package
FeatureKing HaulerGrand HaulerDouble E RC Mercedes-BenzTAMIYA TEAM HAHN RACING MAN TGSTAMIYA GLOBE LINERTamiya RC Buggyra Fat FoxBIG FARM PETERBILT LOGGING TRUCK
Price$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Scale1/141/141/201/141/141/141/16
DurabilityVery highVery highMediumMediumVery highMediumLow
MotorsElectricElectricElectricElectricElectricElectricElectric

1. Most realistic RC Semi Truck: TAMIYA AMERICA KING HAULER

Build quality

Build quality

Amazing (Aluminum parts)

Scale

Scale

1/14

Controller

Controller

Not included

assembly

Needs Assembly

Yes

tamyia america king hauler RC

The King Hauler is the best high-end RC Semi truck on this list, but that doesn't mean it's the best for you, as it comes with a few perks of its own.

The King Hauler has a very high-quality aluminum front, chassis, and solid axle suspension. All these specs make it very durable and, in my opinion, they justify the price point.

The truck has a 3-speed gearbox and tractor truck oil shocks to make your off-road experience as realistic as possible.

The sound effects are incredibly detailed since they are recorded with high sound fidelity from the real-life King Hauler truck. I loved that you could also adjust the volume of the sounds or customize them.

Unfortunately, you won't get a controller in the pack, so you must buy it separately.

Ultimately, if you want to build and drive your RC truck, the King Hauler will satisfy all your needs. It's awesome!

A D V A N T A G E S

  • Great build
  • Ultra realistic details
  • Great suspension
  • Powerful motor
  • High fidelity sounds

D I S A D V A N T A G E S

  • Not suitable for kids
  • It doesn't come with a controller

2. Best cheap RC semi truck: DOUBLE E RC MERCEDES-BENZ TRUCK

Build quality

Build quality

Good quality plastic

Scale

Scale

1/20

Controller

Controller

Yes

assembly

Needs Assembly

No

Benz

This truck is one of the most popular buys on Amazon, mainly because of its value for money.

The materials it's built from are pretty solid, even though it's full plastic. The pieces are durable and well-designed, so you won't have much trouble if you don't push it too far.

The Mercedes-Benz RC truck is also suitable for kids, as it comes assembled and is easier to handle.

It also comes with sound effects, although the volume can be a bit annoying inside the house.

It comes with a detachable tractor/trailer board that has a split joint. So you can load and drag other construction vehicles like excavators, forklifts, bulldozers or any small cars you have lying around.

A D V A N T A G E S

  • Great value for money
  • Removable trailer
  • It comes in a full package
  • Good materials

D I S A D V A N T A G E S

  • Pretty loud indoors

3. Top choice realistic build: TAMIYA Grand Hauler

Build quality

Build quality

Doesn't get better than this

Scale

Scale

1/14

Controller

Controller

Not included

assembly

Needs Assembly

Yes

TAMIYA Grand Hauler

If you loved the King Hauler, but it didn't fit all your enthusiastic needs, then you should take a look at Tamiya Grand Hauler.

This is another high-end RC semi truck that meets any expectations you throw at it.

First of all, the Grand Hauler does require assembly. Tamiya makes the process easy and rewarding, though! All the parts fit perfectly, and the instructions are clear and easy to follow. After that, the painting is, of course, up to you.

Once you've built the Grand Hauler, you'll have a powerful and robust RC semi truck that will impress anyone.

You can also get realistic lights, sounds, and vibrations if you purchase the Multi-Function Control Unit (MFC) separately.

With digitally recorded engine sounds and realistic audio effects, you'll feel like you're at the wheel of an actual truck. And that's not all--headlights, brake lights, fog lamps, hazard lights and turn signals are all controlled by you alone! Experience the thrill of driving the real thing with this incredible device.

A D V A N T A G E S

  • Premium quality
  • Very fun kit to build
  • Great attention to details
  • Realistic audio and lights

D I S A D V A N T A G E S

  • It isn't made to carry a trailer

4. Best Racing RC Semi Truck: TAMIYA TEAM HAHN RACING MAN TGS

Build quality

Build quality

Good quality plastic

Scale

Scale

1/14

Controller

Controller

Yes

assembly

Needs Assembly

Yes, it comes in a kit

tamiya rc racing semi truck

This RC semi truck is funny enough made for racing, as it's recreating the team Hahn Racing Man TGS truck that stars on the truck racing circuit in Europe.

This truck has the battery and motor close to the ground for a lower center of gravity and better balance to keep the "racing" theme going.

It has a 4-wheel drive, double suspension system, and rocks front and rear differential gears.

Don't let the lightweight materials fool you; this truck still packs a punch with its 4 pounds of metal-plated wheels and durable polycarbonate build! Remember, even lightweight materials can be powerful.

This model isn't made for carrying a trailer behind it. Instead, it's built on a robust RC car chassis because it is made for speed!

This model is the perfect build for an easy assembly experience! No matter the level of expertise, you can have this kit together in no time at all -- it's much simpler than the first one we discussed.

A D V A N T A G E S

  • Very Fast compared to the others on this list
  • Good build
  • Great attention to details
  • Low center of gravity

D I S A D V A N T A G E S

  • It isn't made to carry a trailer

5. Most fun to build RC Truck: TAMIYA GLOBE LINER (Note for Paul: this H3 might suck)

Build quality

Build quality

Excellent quality plastic + aluminum

Scale

Scale

1/14

Controller

Controller

No

assembly

Needs Assembly

Yes

51b5TvCDdWL

Like the King Hauler, the Globe Liner RC semi truck requires assembly. It doesn't even have paint on it, so you're free to customize the appearance according to your style.

The materials and overall quality of the truck are outstanding, but it's made only for people who love to build their own models.

Even though the building process isn't that complicated, it is meticulous and requires quite some time to be done.

The materials are excellent, as expected from a high-end Tamiya truck.

A D V A N T A G E S

  • A lot of fun building it
  • Amazing attention to details
  • Great controllability

D I S A D V A N T A G E S

  • You need extra parts for a full build: a battery, charger, speed control, servo, radio system, paint

6. Top Hobby Grade RC Semi Truck: Tamiya RC Buggyra Fat Fox

Build quality

Build quality

Good plastic parts

Scale

Scale

1/14

Controller

Controller

No

assembly

Needs Assembly

Yes (Basic)

Tamiya RC Buggyra Fat Fox

We've got another race truck for you, and it's from the same world-renown producer, Tamyia. Why? Because fast RC trucks, that's why.

This RC Buggyra Racing Fat Fox model is a faithful replica of the truck that Adam Lacko drove in the 2018 European trucking championship season.

So, this truck also comes as an assembly kit, but it's way easier to get done than what I've presented you so far. If you're going to have trouble with something in the beginning, those would be the stickers. You have to carefully apply over 200 of them!

I didn't start this review talking about speed for nothing. This thing is FAST, and it's ready to race as soon as you got it assembled. Even the stock settings are spicy for a beginner! From its realistic 3-piece polycarbonate body to its dedicated semi-truck wheels and tires, this model is built for speed.

The kit only contains the body and chassis, which means you'll need to buy the 2-Channel Radio, servo, 7.2volt battery pack & charger to complete it.

The Buggyra is a lot of fun, so if you're looking for a serious racing toy then you just found one of the best ones.

A D V A N T A G E S

  • High-fidelity build
  • Realistic stickers
  • Very fast
  • High-quality polycarbonate body

D I S A D V A N T A G E S

  • Not a complete kit (Needs a controller, servo, batteries and harger)

7. Most affordable RC semi truck and trailer: BIG FARM PETERBILT LOGGING TRUCK WITH PUP TRAILER & LOGS

Build quality

Build quality

Good plastic parts

Scale

Scale

1/16

Controller

Controller

Yes

assembly

Needs Assembly

No

Tamiya RC Buggyra Fat Fox

Now that we've covered the highest-quality RC Semi Trucks on the market let's go a little lower on the price and specs.

This 18 wheeler RC truck is perfect for any child looking for a great time! With logs, a motorized crane to move them, and a surprisingly large size for its price, there's never been a more entertaining tool than this.

Even though the build quality may not be exceptional, it indeed works well enough. So, if your kids are fascinated by trucks, the Big Farm Peterbilt is the perfect gift for them!

A D V A N T A G E S

  • Unique design and playstyle
  • Additional tractor included
  • Working crane

D I S A D V A N T A G E S

  • Made only from plastic

Cheap vs expensive RC semis - What are the main differences?

When shopping for an RC semi truck, it's important to understand the differences between the cheap and expensive varieties. Here are some of the main considerations when choosing one of these miniature marvels:

Assembly kits - Cheaper trucks may not always come as an assembly kit, where you'll need to assemble all components before use. Expensive models are usually focused on the building experience, too, which is the most fun part for most enthusiasts.

Parts availability - It is always good to get hold of spare parts just in case something breaks down on your truck. Cheaper models have fewer options in terms of spare parts, making them easier to replace but also somewhat unreliable when compared to higher-priced models that have a better selection of parts readily available.

Battery life - Battery life is another huge factor when deciding which type of truck is best for you. Cheaper models tend to have shorter battery lives due to lower-quality batteries and materials used in their construction; whereas more expensive models usually house long-lasting power sources.

Durability - Some cheaper vehicles may not be as durable or reliable as more expensive versions, so be sure to check out reviews online before buying any RC semi truck. Expensive models are typically built with higher quality materials and offer a longer lifespan than cheaper versions.

These are just some of the major differences between cheap and expensive RC semi trucks that should help you decide which one is right for you and your budget!

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF RC TRUCKS?

RC Semi Trucks are really cool large-scale precise replicas of real carrying trucks.

They go slower than any other category, but there are exceptions.

RC Rock Crawlers

These are made for the most challenging terrain; they can take big jumps, run along steep hills, logs, ice, rocks and everything an RC car could ever do.

Short Course Trucks

These are built for serious racing, offroading can be dangerous for them, and they require more maintenance.

RC Monster trucks

These come with powerful engines and enormous tires. They can be used in many environments but are mainly built for the fun of going over things.

Truggies and Buggies

Very fast and built for grittier terrain or even asphalt.

What's the best electric RC truck for beginners?

The Big Farm Peterbilt Logging Truck is an excellent value for beginners and kids alike, with its affordable price tag and simple control system.

What is the best RC truck brand?

Tamyia is the leading RC car truck brand, known for their expert engineering and quality materials. They offer extensive customization options and dependable after-sales support.

What is the fastest RC truck?

The fastest RC truck currently on the market is the Traxxas XO-1, which has a top speed of 100 mph.

What is the difference between semi truck and 18 wheeler?

A semi truck typically has four, six, or eight wheels while an 18 wheeler generally has 10 axles supporting 18 wheels, depending on the cargo size.

Summing Up: A Complete Guide to Choosing the Best RC Semi Truck

When shopping for an RC semi truck, it is important to consider the differences between expensive and cheap models. Assembly kits, parts availability, battery life, and durability are all important factors that must be taken into account in order to find the perfect truck for your needs. Ultimately, choosing the best truck comes down to what you need from it and how much you are willing to spend.

With these tips in mind, you should now have a better idea of which type of RC semi truck would suit your needs perfectly!

author-paul-posea-picture
Hi, I'm Paul.
A big drone enthusiast, reviewing, comparing and writing about drones since 2015. I'm all about helping people enjoy and even monetize their hobby.

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paul posea
Paul Posea
Hi, I'm a long-time drone reviewer and I hope my articles and comparisons on this site as well as Dronesgator's youtube channel are of as much help as possible.
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