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PERFORMANCE TEST

TRAXXAS X-MAXX 8S Traxxas’ biggest, most powerful monster

ever sets an even higher bar for 4X4 ferocityBY PETER VIEIRA PHOTOS BY PETER VIEIRA & JEFF NEMECEK

SKILL LEVEL

SKILL LEVEL

SKILL LEVEL

SKILL LEVEL

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A T A G L A N C E

TYPE Monster truck

SCALE 1/6

DRIVETRAIN 4WD shaft

POWER Electric

BUILD RTR

PRICE $950

TOP SPEED

54.1 MPH

One does not expect a 20-pound, 1/6-scale electric monster truck to be fast, and when the original Traxxas X-Maxx first hit stores with a top speed of 35mph on its maximum bat-

tery capacity of 6S, we thought that was plenty of velocity for such a big rig. Unsurprisingly, Traxxas wanted more. Hey, it is “the fastest name in radio control,” after all. And so, Traxxas set to work on a

new power system that would allow the truck to run on 8S LiPo. At the same time, Traxxas beefed up the drivetrain so that the extra horsepower would go toward more speed and fun, not faster wear and

tear. We first got a taste of what was in store with the Power-Up 8S upgrade kit offered for the first-gen X-Maxx, and now you can get all the goodies RTR and ready to rip as the X-Maxx 8S. It’s got the features that made the X-Maxx our 2016 Truck of the Year, with a bunch more power, even greater durability, and

Traxxas Stability Management (TSM) to help tame it all.

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22.3 in. (540mm)

30.7 in. (779mm)

10 in. (254mm)

VEHICLE SPECSItem no.: 77086-4Scale: 1/6Price: $950Weight, as tested: 19 lb. 1.6 oz. (8660g) CHASSISType & material: Composite plastic, modular construction SUSPENSIONType (F/R): Lower and upper H-armShock positions, towers (F/R): 1/1Shock positions, arms (F/R): 1/1 SHOCKSBodies: Threaded anodized aluminum, 20mm-boreShafts: 5.2mm steel w/ chrome platingVolume compensation: bladder DRIVETRAINType: Shaft-driven 4WDDifferentials (F/R): Sealed bevel gearDriveshafts (F/R): Steel universalBearings: Rubber-sealed ball BODY, WHEELS & TIRESBody: Lexan with reinforcing cage and quick-releaseWheels: One-piece plastic, 24mm splined hexTires & inserts: Large lug with foam inserts INCLUDED ELECTRONICSTransmitter: Traxxas TQiReceiver: Traxxas 3-channel 2.4GHz w/ TSMSpeed control: Traxxas VXL-8sMotor: Traxxas 1275Kv brushlessServo: Traxxas 2085 365 oz.-in. TEST GEAR (NOT INCLUDED)Charger: Traxxas EZ-Peak LiveBatteries: Traxxas 4S 6700mAh LiPo

PERFORMANCE TEST

18.9 in. (480mm)

Massive 9-Inch ShocksThe X-Maxx gets its super-supple suspension action from a seriously stout set of shocks. The threaded aluminum bodies have 20mm bores and 5mm shafts, and the completed shocks measure 9 inches from end to end—you can see how they dwarf Traxxas’ 1/10-scale shocks. And since the Traxxas guys don’t like looking for popped-off parts any more than you do, the spring perches are secured to the rod ends by screws, so there’s no chance they’ll go missing in action.

Snap-Lock Battery TraysYou won’t find any body clips, thumb screws, or Velcro straps at work in the battery trays. Instead, substantial plastic hold-downs pop into place to hold the batteries tightly in the chassis. The deep trays can hold a variety of pack sizes with the help of included foam spacers and clever snap-on adapters. Thanks to the clipless body and easy-access battery trays, battery swaps with the X-Maxx are faster and easier than with any other electric truck I’ve driven. Twist, lift, pop, and you’re back in action 10 seconds later.

Velineon VXL-8s PowerThe X-Maxx’s new 8S-rated power system was developed entirely in-house by Traxxas, which means it operates just like other Velineon power systems. That includes Training mode, which knocks speed and power back by 50 percent (but leaves full braking power), so noobs can learn to drive more easily. That’s an especially welcome feature on a 21-pound monster truck that can otherwise top 50mph. The motor is Traxxas’ sensorless “big block” 1200XL, and it wears a pair of cooling fans to keep temps in checks when you go for 8S power. You can also run the X-Maxx on 4S or 6S if you don’t have the room to unleash 8S—or you just want to take things down a notch.

Quick-Release BodyYou won’t find a body clip anywhere on the X-Maxx (listen; do you hear the angels singing?). That’s an especially welcome feature when you consider the fingernail-busting clips this huge truck would have required. Instead of clips, the body uses a fixed hook that slips under the front shock tower and an articulated hook to grab the rear tower. A twist-lock mechanism lowers the hook and locks the body, and body removal and mounting takes about one second after a try or two for practice.

The wheelie bar gets a workout with 8S power.

The Maxx AT tires are a full 8 inches in diameter and get a chunky, directional tread.

Ball-bearing wheelie bar

Snap-lock battery trays

Modular nylon-composite

chassis

Aluminum 20mm-bore

shocks

Maxx AT 8-inch tires

24mm splined hex hubs with 17mm nuts

Dual-fan-cooled Velineon 1200XL motor

VXL-8s waterproof speed control

Shaft-driven 4WD with oil-filled, steel-gear

differentials

Waterproof receiver box

Beefed-Up DrivetrainThe 8S edition of the X-Maxx gets all the upgraded drivetrain parts that Traxxas introduced with the Power-Up kit for the original 6S truck. That includes driveshafts with 4mm crosspins, hardened-steel ring and pinion gears for the oil-filled differentials, and an XO-1-style “Cush Drive” steel spur gear. The heart of the drivetrain is the Torque-Biasing Center Drive. It’s basically a super-duty center differential that won’t unload even when the front wheels are in the air. As you can see, the unit is built for serious horsepower with its cast-alloy case and wide, steel ring gear.

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FINAL WORDHands down, the X-Maxx 8S is the wildest Traxxas monster truck ever. I would argue it already owned the title even when it was a 6S truck, but with 33 percent more power, the X-Maxx goes way over the top for sheer monster mayhem. And yet, it’s easy to drive. Certainly the TSM system helps, but even when electronic assistance is turned off, the big rig is much easier to keep under control—a massive footprint, supple suspen-sion, and plenty of ground-hugging mass tends to do that. The X-Maxx’s quick-release body and battery trays as well as its modular design make it easy to live with between runs, although you will need a big bench for this bad boy—and a big wallet, which is the truck’s only real downside. It’s $950 price tag is in line with other large-scale models, but just shy of a grand is still a lot of money for the average hobbyist. But it’s nothing a little saving up can’t solve, and when you finally get to pull the trigger, you’ll think, “totally worth it.” ✇

SOURCETraxxas traxxas.com

PERFORMANCE TEST

I finished off the X-Maxx with a pair of massive Power Cell 4S 6700mAh LiPo batteries, and I’m spoiled by the complete lack of body clips, Velcro, or removable parts required to load batteries into the truck. More like this, please. With the truck fully loaded and ready for INSANE 8S ACTION (guitar riff here), I headed to the park to get my X-Maxx on. The 20-pound machine is a bear to carry, so I just walked the big rig alongside me like a pet monster truck, and I couldn’t believe how smooth the throttle was at low speed. I know, that’s not the X-Maxx action you’re looking for, but it’s important because with a truck this big, all the places you drive become smaller, relatively speaking. The ability to thread between a couple of trees or make a 3-point turn without lurching and surging as you try to line up for your next pass is a real plus. OK, the fun part: full throttle. On 8S, the X-Maxx will throw the front wheels in the air like it just don’t care and peel out like a much lighter, smaller truck. Even when traction is low, the X-Maxx will wheelie as the rear tires are pelting you with roost (pro tip: don’t stand

behind this thing). The torque-biasing drivetrain doesn’t dump power when the front end gets light (or leaves the ground), so the X-Maxx just digs and digs until you let off the throttle. With the installed 54T spur gear, it tops 40mph easily. Swap in the included 46T gear and you can click off 54mph. The sensation of speed and power is like nothing else I’ve driven, including the E-Revo and E-Maxx brushless trucks on 6S. They’re wild to be sure, but the extra size and weight of the X-Maxx just takes things to another level. Like Ben Kenobi sensing a disturbance in the Force, you can just

feel all the mass and momentum and physics going on every time you pull the trigger. Just watching the truck is fun—it really puts on a show. With the X-Maxx’s super-sized heft and footprint, it goes where you point it and pounds through anything in its path, huge shocks pumping all the way. Jumps and drop-offs don’t faze it—the suspension is deeeep. And it can take a hit. The truck’s durability is a feat, especially when you consider its speed and weight. Truly an impressive machine.

P L U S

+ Insanely powerful and exciting

+ Unstoppable

+ Super convenient battery swaps—no clips, no straps

+ Wheelies for days

M I N U S

- Big truck, big speed, big fun = big price tag

Get the Completer PackThe X-Maxx 8S doesn’t include batteries, so you’ll need to pick up a pair of 4S packs to get the full 8S power payoff. Traxxas makes it easy with a “Completer Pack,” which includes two Power Cell iD 4S 6700mAh LiPos and the latest EZ-Peak iD Live charger. The iD system automatically recognizes the battery type and capacity, so you don’t have to program anything before you charge. If you’ve got an Android or iOS device, the charger will connect with it via Bluetooth and the Traxxas EZ-Peak Live app (it’s free). You can monitor charging via your phone or tablet, and even control up to four Live chargers at a time.

BEHIND THE WHEEL

Bluetooth-Ready TQiTraxxas supplies the Bluetooth-ready TQi transmitter with the X-Maxx 8S. When you add the optional #6511 Bluetooth module and download the free Traxxas Link app to your phone or tablet, your device becomes a full-color touchscreen interface that allows you to program the transmitter like a pro-level radio system, plus manage model memory, enable telemetry (via optional sensors), and more. Very cool, but not required to operate the X-Maxx. By itself, the TQi keeps things simple with just two knobs: one for steering trim, and an assignable Multi-Function Knob, which is set at the factory as the control for the electronic stability system.

The X-Maxx is all about BIG. At a tick more than 30 inches long and 21 pounds ready to go, it’s a heavyweight brawler.