What are Bashers?

By Dennis Bredlau
3 min read

What Are RC Bashers? A Beginner’s Guide to Bashing

If you’ve spent time in the RC hobby world, you’ve probably heard the term “basher” or “bashing.” But what exactly does it mean? At its core, bashing is all about fun, durability, and pushing your RC vehicle to the limit—without worrying about lap times or competition rules. At The Thing Shop, we carry some of the best basher RC cars and trucks from Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi, and more, so you can experience the thrill of bashing right here in Atlantic Canada.

What Does “Bashing” Mean in RC?

In RC, bashing refers to running your vehicle hard, fast, and often in rough conditions—whether that’s big jumps, skateparks, gravel lots, or just backyard mayhem. Unlike racing or crawling, bashing isn’t about precision or competition. It’s about having fun, testing durability, and sending it big.

Think of it as:

  • Big jumps ✔️

  • High-speed runs ✔️

  • Rough landings ✔️

  • Wheelies, flips, and crashes ✔️

  • Getting right back up and driving again ✔️

👉 If you’ve ever just taken an RC out and gone wild with it—that’s bashing.

What Makes an RC Car a “Basher”?

A basher RC car is built tough enough to handle abuse. The best bashers share these traits:

  • Durability – Reinforced chassis, strong arms, and heavy-duty drivetrains.

  • Speed & Power – Brushless motors and LiPo batteries for high performance.

  • Big Tires – For all-terrain grip and softer landings.

  • Easy Maintenance – Designed to be repaired and upgraded after hard runs.

Bashers vs. Racers vs. Crawlers

  • Bashers – Tough, fun-first RC vehicles built for big jumps, speed runs, and backyard fun.

  • Racers – Precision-tuned RCs designed for tracks, rules, and competition.

  • Crawlers – Low-speed trail rigs built for climbing and technical obstacles.

👉 Beginners usually start with bashers because they’re the most forgiving and fun straight out of the box.

Popular Basher RC Cars at The Thing Shop

We carry some of the most durable and popular bashers in the hobby:

  • Traxxas Rustler 4X4 VXL – Stadium truck with insane brushless power.

  • Traxxas Slash 4X4 – Short course basher that can handle rough tracks and big hits.

  • ARRMA Granite GROM – Compact 1/18 scale basher, affordable and tough.

  • ARRMA Kraton 6S – Extreme 1/8 scale stunt truck designed to send it huge.

  • Losi Mini Maxx – Smaller monster truck built for big-air backyard bashing.

Why Bashers Are Perfect for Beginners

  • No Track Needed – You can bash anywhere: backyards, parking lots, fields, or skateparks.

  • Built Tough – Bashers are made to take abuse and keep running.

  • Upgrade-Friendly – Swap in stronger parts, bigger batteries, or hop-ups as you go.

  • Fun-First Mentality – Bashing is about freedom, not rules.

Ready to Start Bashing?

If you want fun, durability, and non-stop action, a basher RC car or truck is the way to go. From affordable beginner trucks to insane 6S powerhouses, The Thing Shop has the right basher for your next adventure.

👉 Visit The Thing Shop today to explore our full lineup of RC bashers, parts, and upgrades, and get ready to send it!