Rampage MT disaster with a Lesson learned

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Diamondia

Member
Messages
12
Location
Virginia
Hey folks, I just wanted to alert people the importance of making an upgrade to your throttle servo. Our initial throttle servo failed before a tank of fuel was run in the vehicle. It stuck at closed throttle.

Yesterday we tested our vehicle which is 1 month old now, with the NEW servo Redcat sent us and it failed at FULL throttle on 2nd tank of gas, just about after engine break in. We couldn't think fast enough to kill the engine and it hit a fence full speed which bent the chassis.

I highly recommend a quality servo such as the Hitec's or any quality brand! I also am a firm believer in Super/Killer bee cut-offs. Anything to ease the grasp this sport has on the Pocket book.

Damage calculation so far is over 300$ and climbing. The Jetpro pipe was 169.00 and bent with a broken head bolt. All things considered, we will be looking at around a 500$ repair if Dino @ Jetpro can't repair pipe. On the good side, if I get parts at cost on the MT V3, I can likely do they repair for 200$ IF Dino fixes the pipe. The MT is built like a tank but a heavy one at that. I fear if I would of hit the Rampage XT at this speed it would of been an immediate total loss! This vehicle just may become a 900$ lesson and be a part out! :w00t:

I have absolutely nothing bad to say about Red Cat racing! I love the sport and what they offer is an exceptional value. With a few mods, the MT or even XT Monster trucks will offer 100s of hours of fun.

Parts so far on repair are - 50054, 50014,50008N,50066,50007N,50001N,50049,50038,50041,50004N

*Additional parts. 1 complete wheel/Tire, add rear gear box crack and anything yet to be seen until I get it back together.


Thanks,

Mike
 
Hi Mike.

That's really bad news!!

Are you sure it's only the servo?
Are the Tx and Rx communicating correctly?

May be a need to simply 'replace all radio gear' and have done!!

Al.

+1 Alan on that;)

good servos and decent radio are a must with these big trucks

glad to see you had a killer bee fitted

K....
 
Hi Mike.

That's really bad news!!

Are you sure it's only the servo?
Are the Tx and Rx communicating correctly?

May be a need to simply 'replace all radio gear' and have done!!

Al.


Aye! I am positive its the servo. The servo is locked up, so bad that you cant even move it with pliers! It is however getting a FlySky FS-GT3B receiver as well on rebuild. I am using that radio/receiver in 7 models currently and extremely pleased with it!


Thanks,

Mike and son
 
Hey folks, I just wanted to alert people the importance of making an upgrade to your throttle servo. Our initial throttle servo failed before a tank of fuel was run in the vehicle. It stuck at closed throttle.

Yesterday we tested our vehicle which is 1 month old now, with the NEW servo Redcat sent us and it failed at FULL throttle on 2nd tank of gas, just about after engine break in. We couldn't think fast enough to kill the engine and it hit a fence full speed which bent the chassis.

I highly recommend a quality servo such as the Hitec's or any quality brand! I also am a firm believer in Super/Killer bee cut-offs. Anything to ease the grasp this sport has on the Pocket book.

Damage calculation so far is over 300$ and climbing. The Jetpro pipe was 169.00 and bent with a broken head bolt. All things considered, we will be looking at around a 500$ repair if Dino @ Jetpro can't repair pipe. On the good side, if I get parts at cost on the MT V3, I can likely do they repair for 200$ IF Dino fixes the pipe. The MT is built like a tank but a heavy one at that. I fear if I would of hit the Rampage XT at this speed it would of been an immediate total loss! This vehicle just may become a 900$ lesson and be a part out! :w00t:

I have absolutely nothing bad to say about Red Cat racing! I love the sport and what they offer is an exceptional value. With a few mods, the MT or even XT Monster trucks will offer 100s of hours of fun.

Parts so far on repair are - 50054, 50014,50008N,50066,50007N,50001N,50049,50038,50041,50004N

*Additional parts. 1 complete wheel/Tire, add rear gear box crack and anything yet to be seen until I get it back together.


Thanks,

Mike


I think most people are purchasing these vehicles because of meeting a price-point. Perhaps the XT is more so for meeting that price point. They have already hit there $$ cap and want to run it until they start researching and upgrading as it is. I purchased it because there are only a handful of 1/5 Monster trucks on the market and its built solid and looks sweet.

I am a seasoned modeler and yet still learning the hard way! If just a few people see this and upgrade there servo and add a kill switch, then I know I can rest easier!:) Its just extremely tempting to tell yourself I am going to just run a tank or two of gas through the vehicle while waiting for my new parts to come in. These servos will/can fail during the first tank of gas. In my case the first stock servo locked in idle position on first tank of gas. They sent me a new one. The new servo locked in Full throttle on 4th tank which caused this disaster.

I know a 150$ tuned pipe is really tempting for a first purchase, because of the huge difference it makes! BUT, for those reading this and ready to make a 1/5 scale purchase, please do yourself a favor and put that 150$ into a quality throttle servo, Killer switch, and a radio. If any of these 3 items fail, you could be at a total loss! Add the pipe, carbs, clutches and cosmetics later as the Wife allows... errr I mean the wallet allows!:w00t:

Thank you,

Mike and son
 
Thanks for the heads up. I'm looking into the XT myself for the exact reason of it's cheaper. Has anyone else experienced this issue? What are the differences in the XT and MT? I did notice the XT has plastic? shock towers and the MT has aluminum.
 
Thanks for the heads up. I'm looking into the XT myself for the exact reason of it's cheaper. Has anyone else experienced this issue? What are the differences in the XT and MT? I did notice the XT has plastic? shock towers and the MT has aluminum.


The XT and MT are built quite a bit different. We now sell these at our local hobby store. The MT is much heavier at over 30 Lbs running weight, and in my opinion its built like a tank. My son and myself run these vehicles interchangeably here on our 1/5 scale track in Va. The XT requires a little more aftermarket TLC to get it up to par, such as the Wheel bearings. Both vehicles could benefit immediately from a kill switch and a throttle servo. Support is great from Redcat racing if you have warranty claims as well. I have had them replace servos, with no questions asked.

The MT comes with the Plastic Towers as well as the XT. If you purchase the MT PRO, that will come with the Aluminum towers. Honestly, stick with the plastic, because they Aluminum will most definitely bend! The plastic will break, but is much more affordable!

The XT makes a better Jumper due being lighter and having a better tendency to land on its tread. The MT being heavier, is not as forgiving in the air, and its a little more bouncier on the jumps. I personally love my MT, and my son enjoys his XT's more

The radios that come with these vehicles have no bells and whistles. You can easily burn out your steering servos on the MT, if you do not adjust the end points from the factory. A 40$ FlySky FS-GT3B Digital 3ch 2.4ghz is an excellent affordable radio, that will save your steering servos. To make the steering servos last longer, Turn your steering throws down, as not to stress the servo. We got almost 2 gallons of fuel run through an MT here at the shop with no servo issues after a radio swap. Its nice being able to adjust steering end points separately.


Thanks,

Mike
 
The electronics Red Cat provides are lacking. I didn't even get my Dune Runner V3 off the bench before the steering servo died. I took that as a warning and right away put in HiTec servos and a Killer Bee. The radio is Traxxas TQi with iPod since I had 4 rigs with TQi recievers, battery voltage and temp sensors before I got the Dune Runner. Only problem with the system is the iPod, it needs a new battery, and being Apple, you send it to a shop to get the battery replaced.:(

These things ARE built like a tank. Mine has taken some heavy hits from hitting dirt bike ruts on jumps, picked it up and kept running, though one time it dropped in on the left front from 8' in the air. That one surprised me, the lower suspension arm (5004N) didn't break and lasted a few more months. All the way to engine rebuild, and chassis overhaul time. The Dune Runner also came with aluminum servo towers. They are so thick they'll break before they bend. Good thing, since this is a 30# buggy and the front tower is totaly exposed. Though Baja 5T Trenchers give it SOME protection, it takes hits.

A OBR 30.5 Prostock is going in this weekend, while I run that I'm rebuilding the HY 30.5 with the OBR Race Port 2 bolt kit with a 2mm stroker crankshaft.

Part of the chassis overhaul will be Baja 5B black springs, for sure on the front, question mark on the rear, Red Cat shocks are larger dia then HPI so I can't use the spacer between the upper and lower springs. I'll try just the lower springs since the over all spring length is 133mm with both and from looking at a 5B the lower spring appears to be close in length to the V3 rear spring on the Dune Runner.
 
That sucks. I know I did my research before I bought my first largescale RC. That being said, I know on all of the forums I have visited, they all have shared the basic info on upgrading these RTR rigs. Only some of the European RTR's come with decent servos but not most. Between getting proper servos and radio, a killswitch is the best thing I ever invested in. The failsafes that these RTR's come with are a false sense of security and it should be stated in the manufacturer's manual that they don't help if the battery dies or a servo craps out. It's a shame that Redcat doesn't offer you some type of compensation or coverage for the faulty servo...
 
Hey folks, I just wanted to alert people the importance of making an upgrade to your throttle servo. Our initial throttle servo failed before a tank of fuel was run in the vehicle. It stuck at closed throttle.

Yesterday we tested our vehicle which is 1 month old now, with the NEW servo Redcat sent us and it failed at FULL throttle on 2nd tank of gas, just about after engine break in. We couldn't think fast enough to kill the engine and it hit a fence full speed which bent the chassis.

I highly recommend a quality servo such as the Hitec's or any quality brand! I also am a firm believer in Super/Killer bee cut-offs. Anything to ease the grasp this sport has on the Pocket book.

Damage calculation so far is over 300$ and climbing. The Jetpro pipe was 169.00 and bent with a broken head bolt. All things considered, we will be looking at around a 500$ repair if Dino @ Jetpro can't repair pipe. On the good side, if I get parts at cost on the MT V3, I can likely do they repair for 200$ IF Dino fixes the pipe. The MT is built like a tank but a heavy one at that. I fear if I would of hit the Rampage XT at this speed it would of been an immediate total loss! This vehicle just may become a 900$ lesson and be a part out! :w00t:

I have absolutely nothing bad to say about Red Cat racing! I love the sport and what they offer is an exceptional value. With a few mods, the MT or even XT Monster trucks will offer 100s of hours of fun.

Parts so far on repair are - 50054, 50014,50008N,50066,50007N,50001N,50049,50038,50041,50004N

*Additional parts. 1 complete wheel/Tire, add rear gear box crack and anything yet to be seen until I get it back together.


Thanks,

Mike
Same thing happened to me: the throttle servo on my Redcat Rampage XR stuck and it took off--full bore, and before I could have hit the killswitch button on my transmitter, it slammed into a nearby concrete curb. Bent the chassis, shattered the front end. Parts were everywhere. Totalled. I had to purchase a new chassis and other part. By and by, I pieced it back together.
But don't worry, you'll enjoy putting your MT back together. It's part of the RC fun.
 
Ouch sorry to hear about that bad event!

It reminds me of a funny thing I had seen at a car many years ago. A guy had an late 70's Camarro and decided he was the coolest and needed to prove it.(not saying you were behaving this way) He began do do a burnout. His throttle got stuck wide open. His skinny front tires/brakes stayed locked as the larger back tires pushed the car over a curb through some grass and then on top of a Honda Accord. The look on his face said it all.... Liability only insurance. His baby was destroyed along with someone elses car.

-Liberty
 
Yesterday we tested our vehicle which is 1 month old now, with the NEW servo Redcat sent us and it failed at FULL throttle on 2nd tank of gas, just about after engine break in. We couldn't think fast enough to kill the engine and it hit a fence full speed which bent the chassis
WELLL THAT SUX!
Something like that could make a new hobbiest quit on the spot.
I would never drive my rig on a public road too many cars and curbs!
Another public road death!
Dear 12 Bravo,
What I am about to tell you is all documented on this forum.
My sad tale will make most members feel a little better about money spent on 5th scale.
My first truck was a Losi 5-T with a new body with a custom paint job.
Result: It got ran over by a car, lots of spare parts,
Action Taken: Bought a Losi 5-T Roller had another custom paint job, I went a little crazy and upgraded everything.
My second 5th scale was a Vekta 5 just broke the motor in, hit head on at full throttle a 2013 Camry.
Result: Lots of spare parts and a $800.00 bumper repair.
Action taken: Purchased another Vekta 5. with upgrades.I should own stock at DDM. Lessened learn never run on the street.
View attachment 46159View attachment 46160
 
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WELLL THAT SUX!
Something like that could make a new hobbiest quit on the spot.
I would never drive my rig on a public road too many cars and curbs!
Another public road death!
The unfortunate things that happened to the two fifth-scale vehicles above form the reason I am extremely wary of running on my often-quiet suburban street. I did it a lot once, and after a car in my blind spot had to slow down and wait for me to get my Redcat Rampage XR out of the way, I began realizing that horrible things could happen to other people's property and cause me financial grief. So! ... I worked on an off-road, fifth-scale rc track in my large backyard , and that's where I do the majority of my driving.
 
Many of the RTRs the electronics are junk, clone or not, so Redcat is no different, they feel like they belong.

The solders on many of the servos are mediocre. It would not hurt to open them up and confirm there is no wires barely dangling, almost threw away the servo, and this is KM brand. Took 5 min solder and it was back fully working.
Sometimes its simply better to get a roller and upgrade.
 
Hey folks, I just wanted to alert people the importance of making an upgrade to your throttle servo. Our initial throttle servo failed before a tank of fuel was run in the vehicle. It stuck at closed throttle.

Yesterday we tested our vehicle which is 1 month old now, with the NEW servo Redcat sent us and it failed at FULL throttle on 2nd tank of gas, just about after engine break in. We couldn't think fast enough to kill the engine and it hit a fence full speed which bent the chassis.

I highly recommend a quality servo such as the Hitec's or any quality brand! I also am a firm believer in Super/Killer bee cut-offs. Anything to ease the grasp this sport has on the Pocket book.

Damage calculation so far is over 300$ and climbing. The Jetpro pipe was 169.00 and bent with a broken head bolt. All things considered, we will be looking at around a 500$ repair if Dino @ Jetpro can't repair pipe. On the good side, if I get parts at cost on the MT V3, I can likely do they repair for 200$ IF Dino fixes the pipe. The MT is built like a tank but a heavy one at that. I fear if I would of hit the Rampage XT at this speed it would of been an immediate total loss! This vehicle just may become a 900$ lesson and be a part out! :w00t:

I have absolutely nothing bad to say about Red Cat racing! I love the sport and what they offer is an exceptional value. With a few mods, the MT or even XT Monster trucks will offer 100s of hours of fun.

Parts so far on repair are - 50054, 50014,50008N,50066,50007N,50001N,50049,50038,50041,50004N

*Additional parts. 1 complete wheel/Tire, add rear gear box crack and anything yet to be seen until I get it back together.


Thanks,

Mike
Feel your pain. My xt went into tire off wife's car bent chassis and front chassis brace broken engine case. Sorta funny it was still running with mount area for pull start broke off and plug porcelain broke and bent about 30°. Plastic servo mount tray broken, both steering pins on chassis broke.$400 LATER I have and xb with xt tires
20220116_141604.jpg
 
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