Is RC Rock Crawling Fun? Is Slow RC Boring? Why Do We Crawl?

It can be an expensive hobby. Is RC rock crawling fun? Is rock crawling boring? What's the point of RC crawling? I've noticed these questions online and wanted to give it a fair answer. Is rock crawling fun? For many of us, of course, the answer is simply a resounding "YES! Of course!" But a newcomer may wonder why we're so enthusiastic about spending hundreds of dollars on slow toy trucks, even as grown-ups! Fair question.

These questions are more than they seem, I think. The question is really whether it's engaging, worthy of spending one's time and money; two resources that are limited for many of us. I wanted to give this question the serious consideration it deserves before creating this because there are implications for health and wellbeing beyond simply playing with model trucks. I've concluded that there are a few key things about the RC crawling hobby that are attractive. Join me as we explore this idea about our great hobby, RC rock crawling.

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A note on mental health:
Elsewhere around the world, a quick web search for 'help with depression' or similar in your country should bring up relevant results. You're not alone.

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Is RC rock crawling fun?

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Chapters:
0:00 Is RC Rock Crawling Fun
0:36 The Deeper Question
1:45 Things That Go
2:24 A Scale Problem
3:24 Crawling Competition
3:50 Social Trail Drives
4:31 Mental Health Benefits
5:18 Get Out There

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Photos in this video are my own, taken at the Perth, Australia WRCCA World Championship in 2018 and also at the 2019 Australian Championship events.

And yes, both of those were once in a lifetime experiences. Amazing people, brilliant crawling and superb displays of skill and sportsmanship.

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#rccrawling, #rcreview, #rccrawlers --
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[mikealexis]

Agree with all that you have said...we need something to distract us from this crazy world and this sure helps.

[XWAZMTB]

It's a combination of the challenge it driving a realistic style of truck, community of people. And a big thing for me is that I build full-size adventure Vehicles for a living. But I don't always have time to plan a trip and go out in my personally fullsize trucks so having the mini trucks for an afternoon if getting out.
Absolutely great video man, great perspective and way of thinking!

[chriscocking]

For me it saved my life i was in a bad time in life it gave me a focus and the drive to better myself and i have met some amazing people yourself included

[sadams]

great vid.i am 77 years old and love building and running these tiny trucks, started about 3 years ago i now have about 10 trucks i've always been a gear head so this is a great hobby .love working on them and trailing, have done some comps.just like getting with other people who have the same interest .it is amazing where these tiny trucks can go

[Hardlines_FullsendRc]

I think for most people they look at us adults as just playing with toys. But it truly is more than that. This is definitely a great way to get out, most people have never experienced Rc and once they do they get hooked, it's awesome! As far as crawlers I think it's more for the people that actually understand the scale aspect of these crawlers, they are amazing. If you've never went offroading in a actual full sized rig you just won't understand these Rc crawlers. I love Rc crawling and bashing, all extremely fun. For the people that have never tried and you get the chance, try it out and you'll see. At the same time yeah it's not for everyone. It's an expensive hobby for sure. I love this hobby!! It's definitely more fun with your buddies. The competition factor is always there, especially with the crawlers. If he makes a line that I can't make it's on lol challenge excepted 🤣 and if I can't make it or he can't make the line I made it's bragging rights lol its a hell of a time.

[shokyTV]

Hi there Craig - I agree with all your points is a tangible therapy of 'doing' - when you add in some company and vitamin D...it becomes a 'doing' that is actually good for us both physically/mentally. Let's face it....there are worse things one could be doing with their time :)
Yes....when a collection of guys get together and do something as simple as crawling - it really can be the catalyst for open conversation...it actually helps me crawl better!

I can see the pain of loss in your face during part of the video - you were perhaps reflecting on some great 'zen' times with a good friend. Nice dedication.

Peace to you my friend :)

[impreza]

FUN. It clears your head but it makes you think. It is social, we all gather with friends or just people we don’t know. Nature, you get to know many great and beautiful places. And pure entertainment at home working on mechanics and electronics.
We love it!

[peteslifeadventures]

Mate perfectly said. For me it’s therapy, it’s allowing me to get back outdoors into nature, it’s the people you meet that turn into mates / friends, it’s the fun of scaling up your trucks adding all those scale accessories.
Where are you based in Australia, I’m in the Murrumbidgee region of NSW.

[Drivingdrew]

Great vid my friend i fell in love with RCs last year especially trail trucks and crawling they are my favorite! The scale model aspect is what keeps me interested i love painting and detailing them before running them on the trail! 👍👍

[clean]

Gret video! I just attended my first SORCA crawling event a couple days ago. Accidentally found out it was happening in the state park near my house. Hesitated about entering, but wanted to talk to like minded individuals and check out all the trucks. The camaraderie was almost instant! you could approach anyone and start a conversation, cause everyone likes to talk about their trucks.I had a blast with 2 DNF's, but cleared 5 gates in each course. Plus, I got 41 scale points! I've got my to do list on the truck, from the competition, and know what to work on, so I can do a little better next time. All in all, a great way to spend a day or a week-end. Run a truck all day, and talk trucks to a lot of new people I never met, but am looking forward to seeing them at one of the future events! Keep up the great work on your videos!

[paulpitmon]

First off, great video. You continually keep my interest with your thoughtful commentary. You are a smart man, and obviously, a deep thinker. I really value your videos. As I said before, truly the David Attenborough of the RC world.
Continue on brother.

[YoShImUrA]

That's a deep one, Craig!
I started RCing with a Kyosho Inferno (no less!) aged 8, back in '92ish and built my first Tamiya aged 9...
But after '99 I grew away into other interests, as an energetic teenager that I was, especially once I was able to drive a full-sized vehicle.
My whole life I've always been all about performance driving, and being competitive, but after the piece of paper or result is achieved, after a while, it becomes a bit empty.
Then, I started appreciating the experiences, the moments, the feelings. I guess that is maturing in a way.
I wonder sometimes why I came back to RCing (and so hard) at the beginning of this year.
The pandemic confinement hit me much harder this year mentally than last, as in 2020 it was something new to adapt to, which I'm always looking forward as a challenge, but once it becomes a habit, to me it's a struggle to keep motivation. I'm a difficult person to keep attention on something because of this, sometimes.
I've always wanted a house with a big garage in order to be able to work on my cars and bikes, in order to save money and have more of each.
To me, in variety lies the pleasure of things, if that makes sense. In other words, "colors" add to the experiences.
So, unfortunately, that big garage hasn't happened, yet.
But with RCing, which I kept an eye on for years I was always saying, oh, some day I'm going to get this or that RC car, because I loved the body, because I loved the real counterpart, but not enough to commit to the full expensive and logistic complications of owning the real thing.
And after this long rambling, I land into crawling.
I was always fascinated by adventure (thanks to Indiana Jones, mostly), and regarding to vehicles, by events such as Paris Dakar, and the Camel Trophy.
But I was not so keen on the more amateur side of 4wding. I always think that a mistake when pushing it, will roll a car or send you rolling down a mountain, sometimes without coming back. And I like to push it to the limits... I know, because I've done a bit of both in cars and, to a degree, with motorcycles too.
So, anyway, back to crawling, it allows me to build something out of a few parts, to make something realistic and joyful to watch -as I've also always been into model kits (sense of accomplishment)-. It allows me to drive, and after driving so many things I have grown to appreciate the technique behind it, but from a 3rd person view. So for this, being able to drive an RC vehicle slowly rather than fast around circles, which is fun in a different kinda way, being up close to the action, as if watching or even making a movie, with a natural, beautiful surroundings, it really takes me away, sometimes slows me down, and allows me to appreciate the experiences. Even when I'm on my own, but much better when shared, of course.
I don't think this comment or any of the others are straight for you, Craig. Probably they're all more necessary towards each of their authors. So thank you for channeling this out, and bringing these good vibes to all of us!

[hellorc]

Rock crawling is therapy for sure. Slows down the world and let's you relax. Great video

[teamsargentrc]

Such a awesome explanation. 🤜🤛👍 definitely agree there... It's busy, maintained, building, & as People we require Joy of finishing or completing something & this Joyful hobby. So Sorry your Freedoms are infringe, "in the name of health & safety!" Me & mine, Praying for you & yours Mate...

[TheOrcaArchive]

i simply came here to learn if rc rock crawling was worth it but ended up being reminded an important lesson, life is limited, and we often suppress our feelings, but everything's better when we are as a group, enjoying the small things in life, and breaking free for a while, great video and amazing message

[Warby]

You hit the nail on the head. I've never really thought of male bonding like that before. We seem to need a excuse to get together, bond and talk. Spot on. Great vid. You should have so much more subscribers.

[briansrcadventures]

RC Crawling seems more fun to me than sending expensively fast RC cars off skateboard ramps at high speed. Plus RC Crawling gets you out in nature at woodlands / beaches etc :-)

[antoniogimenez]

Hi, i am from europe and do rc for about 30 years now and i always do scale models. First ships, mostley warships and tugs, than i went to rc tanks, and the last few years trucks such as the Tamiya globe liner and hauler. And for just a few months i started with crawlers. The most fun i had so far is just go walking through the woods and beaches and the comments of people along the way. And yes, i really want to share it amd walk with friends but here there are no "believers in the rc". I probally have to search and start up my own rc group for people to join. It is realy super relaxing, even in the winter like now, just to be on your own doing fun stuff in the outdoors. And i hope that i can share the feeling with others, i have 2 crawlers, a tamiya cc01 defender and a mix rc4wd/axial jeep rubicon scaler. So we could walk with 2 man😉👍
If you live in the netherlands gelderland region and you also want to ga walk your rc, and dog, contact me🙏😉
Greetings from sunny but freezing Bronkhorst, NL
Antonio

[ezboyrc]

I agree it's great mental relaxation. Keep the videos coming I enjoy them. I have my little channel not very many subscribers but I still have fun making the videos because it's relaxing to me to do something I enjoy. And nobody tell me I'm doing it wrong Because everybody seems to be real supportive in RC

[skidog]

Totally agree with all that you said. My wife and son love the rc hobby as well but they love to bash and blast. I however love crawling, it's just therapeutic and satisfying to see something I've built accomplish a challenge, and it's even better with my buds. I even built a course in the backyard so we can all hang out and crawl together. Good times.