I bought this kid in March I’ve driven it every day at least two battery packs 11.1 2200 mah. I’ve taken it on walks for 2 miles through the woods to the beach and and lots of rock crawling. I’ve actually driven probably 20 actual miles distance with no problems. This is extremely well-built kit very upgradable and very capable if you’re looking for A well put together vehicle you can’t go wrong with this one even though it has plastic gears I have still yet to have a problem with the transmission that’s why I love team associated and element now go buy one.
I did a lot of research before buying my first crawler and the Element Enduro platform is a great value. I got the Trailwalker RTR and my father in-law got the Sendero RTR. The stock 1.55" wheels/tires that come on the Trailwalker are good tires and look really scale, but they will limit where you can go compared to running a larger 1.9" tire/wheel. Since the Trailwalker was $50 cheaper than the Sendero, i took the price difference and spent that on a set of mounted 1.9" wheels/tires. Truck is performing awesome and I'm really happy. My father in-law loves his Sendero too. This platform is neck and neck with the TRX-4 Sport but the 3-channel radio and standard front overdrive capability put it over the top for value. But if you want portal axles the TRX-4 Sport gets the edge. Super smooth operation. Stock ESC is way too sensitive in reverse, but this can be remedied by swapping the motor lead wires and reversing the throttle switch on your transmitter, then dialing back the throttle rate just a touch on your transmitter. Now it's SUPER smooth and easy to crawl, also thanks to the 5-slot motor. Everything seems to be really well built. I will say i'm not happy with the Duratrax mounted Deep Woods tires/wheels. Tires rock, the wheels are terrible. So get some decent wheels and tires and this is a really capable rig for $350 that will rival more expensive trucks.
A very capable truck right out of the Box. Lots of upgrades available not just from Team Associated but other makers also. And parts can be interchanged with other makes also such as axles wheels etc.. from traxxas or axial.
This is a great crawler with many upgrades. It's also a excuse to get out of the house. I have 2 and thinking of getting a 3rd.
Package came and box looked great. No damage at all, not even on the corners. When opening the box realized the front grill was broken off and just hanging there. Both mounting points were broken clean off. Not sure how it could have happened in the box. Seemed like it was shipped from the factory that way. Not amains fault. Contacted amain, received a email pretty quick at first than nothing for a week. Finally received the broken part in and can finally run the vehicle.
As for Amain, I would like to provide very good rating - 5 Stars.
They have provided great service, and shipped the package very quickly.
As for the Elements RC TrailWalker.
Overall, its a nice Crawler, mainly due to its competitive price range.
I bought it for 250$ so its a barging.
Cons
Compared to the TRX4, it has lower top speed (Major difference)
weight distribution is more front biased while the TRX4 is more evenly distributed.
The small wheels have difficulties to climb obstacles, and the front bumper get hits a lot more easily.
The wheels grind the body fenders, and its really annoying, and should net be like that, its a poor design.
Side mirrors are a joke, and broke on the first rollover.
The body rattle and make noises.
The Reverse is very touchy, and hard to control. (Nothing a new HW-1080 ESC cant solve)
Major drawback is that the durability of the mechanical components seems to be not tough enough.
on my 2nd go out, I have brooked the front axle !! including the CV joint and the caster block.
considering that I did not jumped or did anything un-noraml, I was just crawling up a hill, using full throttle, and it suddenly snapped. (No cold weather…)
on the same hill there were TRX that climbed it over and over again, without any issues.
so this is a pity, and very bad first experience with the truck.
Pros
Energy consumption seems very efficient - Using a LiPo 3S 4400[mAh] I have managed to drive (Trail wallking) for 90[min] while still had battery power left.
Low speed crawling and throttle sensitivity is much better compared to TRX4 Sport.
it can really crawl and climb in low speeds. which is nice and fun.
Fairly quiet and feels really smooth to drive.
It has good climbing capabilities, despite its small wheels.
It has very good and small turning radius.
Overdrive is very nice and helpful, and the ability to configure Overdrive options is very nice and handy.
Summary
If you are looking for a tough, overall high performance RTR, and cost effective (and plenty of aftermarket parts) - get the TRX4 Sport. you won’t regret it
If you are on a budget and want something other the TRX (because everybody have it) this truck may suits.
I don't have any complaints about the truck. 249 is a great price. The shipping with On-Trac was sketchy. But I eventually got it.
The Element is nice. The reverse seems jumpier than others but it's not a huge issue and you figure it out. There is a LOT of body rub even with the small wheels/tires but trimming the fenders and tail is easy and the trimmed body looks cool. Trimmed it performs extremely well, imo. Climbs very well. Interesting tradeoffs with the small tires. Approach angles require more thought, but it will go straight up, lower cg. Awesome suspension. Put a 3s in and it is maybe too much. 2s might be more appropriate.
Badass truck and the sale price is such a good deal for an amazing rtr.
Thank you amain!!
This truck surprised me. The geartrain runs really, really smooth. The entire driving experience was quite enjoyable. It is significantly smoother than my Axial or Redcat crawlers which have much more advanced electronics and motors. I was a little concerned about the transmitter but after using it, I really can't find much wrong with it.
The Steering servo seems adequate and bone stock from the factory, it runs very well. If anything holds this back, it is the body. On full compression of the shocks, the lugs on the tires grab the body. It looks like I will have to trim the body and make the wheel wells wider. To be fair, on the trails, I didn't notice much of this happening.
On 3S, the truck really moves. On the whole, I am very pleasantly surprised.
My experience with this rig prompted me to buy the Element builders kit.
So far I love this truck it goes everywhere
I’m already thinking about upgrades
I had done my homework on the kit so I knew what I was getting. Very happy with the mobile checkout, receipt of tracking number and timely shipping. This kit is for my IFS kit that I also purchased from Amain.?
I love this truck. It looks great. It climbs great. It has so many option to turn it into real competitive rig. The 1.55 tires look amazing and still get over rock that larger sizes do.
Super basic rig but a great value. Bought for my 9 and 6 yr old to learn on and they really like it. It’s also fun for more experienced drivers as it is more challenging for crawling compared to a TRX4. I would’ve gave it 5 stars if the fenders had more clearance and it came with a rear bumper. The stock 3.8 tires rub really bad during articulation.
