The Incredible Primal RC Kevin Talbot Edition Monster Truck

If you are like me, a fan of RC cars, chances are you have spent countless hours tuning and tweaking to get the right setup, before driving those lil’ beasts hard in the dirt until the tires fell off.  I’ve never found myself bored or uninspired with this hobby. However, every once in a while, some new remote-controlled beast enters the fray that has even the toughest R.C. car critic stop and go, “Oh sh*t! That’s awesome!” The Primal RC Kevin Talbot Edition Monster Truck solidifies one thing: bigger IS better in the world of radio control. We find out first-hand what makes this truck tick and why we reckon all this hype is justified.

Primal RC Kevin Talbot Edition Monster Truck

Before we jump right in, the elephant in the room is that this RC truck is BIG! No standard backyard racing here, this is a terrain titan! While the Mega Monster Truck certainly​ fits Primal RC’s reputation for overly large RC vehicles, this special edition was designed with input from an enthusiast and performance YouTuber known as Kevin Talbot.

Here are the key specs that it will bring:

• Scale: 1/5 scale
• Size: 3+ ft. Long, & 2ft tall
• Weight: A hefty 80+ pounds (yes, you read that right)
• We don’t know much about the powertrain, but it’s a gas engine that we’re told makes “lots of torque.”
• Suspension: Fully adjustable shocks
• Wheels & Tires: Enormous all-terrain tires up to the task, from grass to gravel
• Top Speed: 40+ mph (depending on the tuning of your motor)
• 4 GHz control system: top-notch transmitter for the perfect flight

What Sets It Apart?

Kevin Talbot Edition — not just a size bump. Thanks in part to Talbot, the truck has been honed down to several key performance changes and features:

• Stand-Out Look: Or not, as the case may be – if decals (nothing about this car screams subtlety) and lets-just-go-stir-sh*t-up design lines are your thing.
• Engine Power: Engine calibration and suspension tuning for off-road use.
• Strength: A reinforced chassis design and high-strength components are necessary to keep this truck from falling apart under the weight of your wildest stunts.
• Custom Features: Fitting bits and pieces, such as an improved exhaust system, to improve both form and function.

The Driving Experience

You’ll have a blast driving this thing. Hear the raging sound when you start up this gas engine nitro-powered RC truck. It’s like feeling a real dragon breathing fire on you … because it growls, snarls, and roars with an attitude. It has surprisingly direct controls for something this size, and whether you’re romping around on a dirt track or barrel-rolling over an improvised obstacle course, it feels like a half-pint monster truck.

However, make no mistake, as this baby here is not a beginner’s toy. The sheer power and mass of the Matte Edition make it more of a handful than we’d prefer — but at least you’ll need experience (and room) to enjoy it. That would be a great way to ruin it, however, as small yards are difficult at best and generally lead to chasing the thing all down the street. And believe me, your neighbors are going to react.

Maintenance & Durability

This is where the Kevin Talbot Edition shines. This thing is built like a tank, so you can finish the race with reinforced parts, ease your concern of breaking in half after the first few crashes, and all other forms of abuse you can throw at it. Yet, when it comes to gas-powered RC vehicles, maintenance is just the name of the game. You’ll need to:

• Keep the engine well-tuned
• Check the suspension for wear
• Parts inevitably wear out, so make sure to replace what needs it (fortunately, spares are readily on hand )

The process is a little more involved than just plugging in and driving, but the empowerment of doing that yourself appeals to a lot of enthusiasts, after all.

The Competitors

How does the Primal RC Kevin Talbot Edition compare to the rest of the remote-controlled car behemoths? Let’s take a look:

Traxxas X-Maxx

• Scale: 1/6
• Power: Electric motor
• Top Speed: Around 50 mph
• Price: $$$

For something a bit smaller and quite popular for those after one of the most powerful RC trucks, well… ever, there’s the Traxxas X-Maxx. Sure, it’s electric, so there are fewer maintenance needs, but without the visceral sound of gas engine notes, it lacks a little zing.

Losi 5IVE-T 2.0

• Scale: 1/5
• Power: Gas-powered
• Top Speed: 40+ mph
• Price: $$$$

Losi 5IVE-T – Another 1/5 scale monster. While it remains stacked full of money, this is a precision race truck more than a freestyle basher.

HPI Savage XL FLUX

• Scale: 1/8
• Power: Electric motor
• Top Speed: 60+ mph
• Price: $$$

HPI Saga XL FLUX is a sexy looking 1/8-scale monster truck with speed in mind. Yes, it’s smaller and yes, it weighs less, but man, the thing is quick AF! Still, it lacks the sheer charisma of the Primal RC.

Is It Worth the Investment?

Listed at more than $3K, the Kevin Talbot Edition Monster Truck from Primal RC is not an inexpensive model. However, if you are truly serious about RC trucks and want something as much functional monster truck as it is a conversation piece at the dirt track or the hobby store parking lot, this car is worth every penny. As with anything this size, expect there to be a lot of double takes on your way to the park.

Final Thoughts

What is the Primal RC Kevin Talbot Edition Monster Truck about? It is for the type of enthusiast who wants to challenge the status quo in R/C, and isn’t afraid to make it larger than life. Yeah, it’s not for everyone — the price, size, and maintenance restrictions are naturally going to make this a niche product. But for those of us who can wrangle that beast, it is a ride we will not soon forget.

So, what do you think? Do you think the Kevin Talbot Edition Monster Truck is the new kind of Radio Control King, or would you nominate something else? Tell us in the comments!