TRX4 Sport vs Redcat Gen8 for a Small Backyard Crawler Course
On my 3m x 2m yard course, the Traxxas TRX-4 Sport handled the tight spots better than the Redcat Gen8. It maneuvered through the narrow gaps between rocks and slid over logs instead of getting hung up on them. The Gen8 is a capable crawler on open trails, but in a space this small, it kept catching on obstacles.
The spec sheets are closer than that result suggests, so below I separate what the numbers say from what I saw in the yard.
TRX4 Sport vs Redcat Gen8: My Yard Course
The course is a planter bed rock pile, about 3m x 2m, plus a few split pallets and logs laid out as obstacles. The lanes between obstacles are narrow, and thereโs very little room to back up and try again.
The Gen8 had trouble within the first couple of forward moves. The front bumper would hit a rock wall, or a wheel would drop off the edge of the course.
The TRX-4 Sport behaved differently. With the steering at full lock and a quick blip of throttle, it pivoted between rocks and ended up pointing where I wanted.
Steering and Length
On paper, steering angle doesnโt explain this. Traxxas lists a 45ยฐ steering angle for the TRX-4 Sport, and AMainโs listing for the Gen8 V2 mentions 47ยฐ steering blocks. If anything, the Gen8โs number is slightly higher.
Length is a more likely cause. The Gen8 ships with a 324mm wheelbase and a 571mm overall length. The TRX-4 Sport has a 312mm wheelbase and is 557mm long. Both trucks are 249mm wide.
A longer truck generally needs more room to maneuver, and that difference becomes noticeable on a 2m-wide course. Both trucks have an adjustable wheelbase, with the Gen8 ranging from 312 to 336mm. Since I ran the Gen8 at its stock setting, I canโt say how much shortening the wheelbase would improve its maneuverability.
Underside Clearance
Past the first few moves, the Gen8 kept hanging up on logs and angular rocks. The front wheels would clear the obstacle, then the middle of the underside would catch, and all four wheels spun in the air.
The TRX-4 Sport has a flat, smooth underside. When it did touch down on something, I could hold light throttle and wiggle the steering left and right, and it slid over.
A check on the specs turned up something worth knowing. Redcat lists a flat skid plate among the changes in the Gen8 V2. Big Squid RCโs 2019 review of the original Gen8 described a bulge of about a quarter inch on the skid plate, caused by the divorced transfer case, and said it might slow you down slightly on hard crawling. So the version you buy may matter here.
Ground clearance is close on paper. Traxxas gives the TRX-4 Sport 80mm of center clearance, and Redcat gives the Gen8 V2 73mm. Both use portal axles.
Weight and Height
| TRX-4 Sport | Redcat Gen8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 5.79 lb (2.63 kg) | 6.9 lb (3,130 g, per Big Squidโs review) |
| Height | 241 mm | 258 mm |
| Length | 557 mm | 571 mm |
The Gen8 is heavier and taller. Traxxas says the lightweight body on the TRX-4 Sport keeps the center of gravity low. Redcatโs Scout II body is a detailed scale shell. On steep, short climbs in a small yard, a lighter and lower truck is easier to place.
The Gen8 weight comes from the 2019 review of the original truck, so it may differ slightly on the V2.
Motors, Batteries and Low-Speed Control
The TRX-4 Sport ships with a Titan 21T brushed motor and an XL-5 HV ESC. The ESC has a crawl mode with a hill-holding brake. The Gen8 V2 has a 17T 550 brushed motor and a 40A brushed ESC.
With brushed motors, a higher turn count generally means slower speed and more torque, which suits slow work. A higher turn count generally favors lower speed and torque characteristics suited to crawling, although actual low-speed control also depends on gearing, motor design and ESC tuning. I havenโt measured the two setups side by side, so I wouldnโt treat the motor turn count alone as proof that one truck crawls more smoothly.
Both trucks can run on 2S LiPo. Traxxas says the TRX-4 accepts 2S to 3S, and Big Squid recommended 2S for the Gen8 and warned against 3S in a crawler.
Articles you might find helpful:
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Price and Availability
Traxxas lists the TRX-4 Sport at $349.95, with battery and charger sold separately. AMainโs page for the Gen8 V2 shows $379.99 but marks it discontinued online. Stock and pricing change, so check current listings before you decide. Redcatโs newer Gen9 isnโt covered here.
Which One for a Small Yard
For a course like mine, where every lane is narrow and every obstacle is close, Iโd pick the TRX-4 Sport. Its shorter length, flat underside and lighter body gave me fewer stuck moments.
If your yard is bigger, or you care more about the Scout II body than tight maneuvering, the Gen8 is still a reasonable choice. Iโd shorten the wheelbase first and look closely at the skid plate on the version you buy.
I only ran each truck on this one course. A different layout might change the result.
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