CUTTING THE FAT – A Lean, Mean, Crawling Machine: Axial’s SCX10 III Base Camp 4WD RTR

When shopping for a real car, truck or SUV, it’s commonly thought that “base model” vehicles immediately evoke the idea that it’s a lesser vehicle that isn’t as desirable as a “fully loaded” model. We’d venture to say that’s a fair assessment for the most part. The lack of options can make a feature-barren vehicle much less desirable when compared to one that’s packed full of the latest comforts and innovations. Of course, this idea can differ depending on what type of vehicle you are looking to purchase and for what purpose you intend to use it.

If you’re looking at an everyday driver, you’ll probably opt for one that has options that enhance your drive such as Bluetooth connectivity, heated seats and maybe even an upgraded audio package. Again, this desire for added options varies wildly depending on vehicle and usage. For those of us who enjoy off-roading, the idea of getting a fully loaded vehicle is oftentimes the opposite of what we want. We want vehicles that come unencumbered with superfluous features that we won’t use and don’t want to pay for.

beauty of base
Our intention is to modify and build up the base vehicle to be exactly what we want it to be, so having a fully optioned example can be a waste. I for one found myself stripping dealer-added options off my real truck when I was building it to become an overlanding rig. In many instances, when removing the added features, I found that holes and cuts had also been added to the truck’s body and floor that were not at all desirable. I would have loved a base model truck to start the build with, but those are hard to find.

This is where Axial’s latest crawler steps in. As its name implies, the SCX10 III Base Camp is what you’d call a “base model” SCX10 III. Those of us who are deep in the weeds of RC crawlers know that Axial’s SCX10 series of crawlers are some of the best around. They are trailblazers that practically invented the RC crawler genre, so when Axial dropped the third iteration of the popular platform not long ago, RC enthusiasts were overjoyed. Count us part of that group.

The standard version of the SCX10 III comes packed full of features and Axial innovations such as a transmission that features a third-channel DIG function that lets you lock the rear axle from the transmitter for front-wheel drive and a tighter turning radius. The vehicle can also be set up with a two-speed transmission instead for high- and low-speed gearing on the fly. It also uses portal axles to improve performance by increasing ground clearance and reducing torque twist. Needless to say, the SCX10 III has quickly become the go-to RTR crawler for many.

Just the Essentials
Axial’s latest release is a riff on the SCX10 III, but pared down to include just the essentials. The SCX10 III Base Camp 4WD incorporates all of the key components that make the SCX10 III so effective on the trails, minus all the bells and whistles. The Base Camp is Axial’s offering to bashers on a budget. The Base Camp 4WD still delivers the high performance you expect from an Axial crawler, but at a significant savings. In fact, the price savings between the Base Camp and other SCX10 III models ranged between $110 and $160 at the time of this article’s writing, leaving plenty of budget to pocket or to apply to other RC gear that you may need.

Axial kept costs down by excluding features such as the DIG function and a two-speed transmission. Instead they installed an all-new LCXU 5-gear single-speed transmission with a low center of gravity that helps the truck stick to the trails and offers increased balance and stability. The stiffness of the Base Camp’s steel C-channel chassis reduces frame flex and increases the precision of suspension movement. The designers also deleted some molded details on the body, which also helped cut down some of the cost.

THE LUXURIES
The truck isn’t without all luxuries, however. Base Camp still comes with portal axles and includes a full set of ball bearings, as well as all-metal internal gears that give the transmission increased strength and durability. Base Camp’s optimized suspension includes all-metal links for the 4-link rear and front 3-link panhard setup. Its oil-filled shocks can be tuned to find to the best damping rate for any surface as well.

A NEW LOOK
Base Camp features an all-new body style that has a distinctive scale look. It looks a lot like a Toyota Tacoma in our opinion, which is a definite plus. The standard post-mounted pickup body gives the rig a dapper look worthy of many a trail picture. The pickup is offered in three colors including the gray version shown here, as well as blue and green.

As basic as it is, this pickup is not devoid of licensed scale features, either. It features high-clearance licensed Demello Offroad bumpers in the front and rear, as well as licensed Black Rhino wheels and Falken Wildpeak tires that provide bonafide scale looks and plenty of grip on the trail. Axial didn’t have to include these licensed accessories, but did. We appreciate their effort to deliver value, as we’re sure fellow Base Camp owners do.

We’re clearly excited about the Base Camp because we believe it’s the perfect vehicle for those who are just getting into the hobby and those on tight budgets, as well as those who want to add a rig to their ever-growing RC garage. It’s also a suitable performance platform for those looking to build an all-out custom truck. The Base Camp contains all the essentials. Just add a dose of creativity and a few accessories and your custom build is already well on its way.

FINAL WORD
The SCX10 III Base Camp 4WD RTR delivers the high performance standards we expect from Axial in a lean and classic design. The truck is perfect for cost-conscious crawling enthusiasts yet still offers plenty of scale realism to base a detailed build on. One thing is for sure: It’s the most bang for your buck available in a 1/10-scale Axial rig. Whether you are a seasoned RC rock crawling enthusiast or brand-new to RC or RC crawling, the SCX10 III Base Camp platform is a fantastic option to begin your journey with.

Sources:
Axial Racing axialracing.com
Horizon Hobby horizonhobby.com

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Text and Images by Jerry Tsai