FTX Blue Ramraider 1/10 Monster Truck RTR Brushed Edition FTX5499SB

Overview

The FTX Blue Ramraider 1/10 Monster Truck RTR Brushed Edition (FTX5499SB) represents an excellent choice for anyone seeking an affordable yet capable entry point into the world of RC off-road driving. This ready to run RC car bridges the gap between basic brushed models and high-performance brushless variants, making it perfect for beginners, young enthusiasts, and experienced hobbyists looking for a fun basher without the premium price tag. The Ramraider has earned recognition as a popular model in the FTX range, and the Brushed Edition maintains the core appeal of the original whilst delivering genuine performance and durability that will keep you entertained across varied terrain.

Designed specifically for newcomers to the RC hobby yet robust enough to handle enthusiast drivers, the Ramraider Brushed Edition combines proven engineering with an impressively complete specification. You get a genuine 4WD shaft system with proper differentials, oil-filled suspension, waterproof servo electronics, and a full 2.4GHz radio system — all assembled and ready to charge and drive straight from the box. This isn't a stripped-down budget model; it's a thoughtfully engineered machine that delivers the perfect balance of speed and control, making it ideal for learning proper off-road driving techniques or simply enjoying weekend bashing in the garden, park, or local RC track.

What truly sets this ready to run monster truck apart is its substantial upgrade potential. Once you've mastered the basics, the Ramraider platform supports a comprehensive range of optional accessories including a rear wheelie bar, upgraded aluminium shocks, LED lighting systems, and much more. This means your initial investment in the Ramraider will continue to deliver value for years to come, growing alongside your skills and interests in the RC hobby.

Key Features

• 550 15 Turn High Torque Brushed Motor — The heart of the Ramraider's performance, this 15T 550 motor delivers the ideal balance between acceleration and top speed for a truck of this class, providing enough punch for exciting driving without overwhelming beginners or destroying components when mistakes happen.
• Hobbywing Brushed Speed Control — This professional-grade electronic speed control unit delivers smooth, progressive acceleration and reliable braking performance, with plenty of tuning scope to handle future upgrades when you're ready to take your driving to the next level.
• 4WD Shaft Drive System with Slipper Unit — The full-time four-wheel-drive configuration ensures maximum traction across all terrain types, whilst the integrated slipper unit automatically disconnects power to prevent drivetrain damage when you hit obstacles or get stuck, dramatically extending component lifespan.
• Metal Bevel Geared Front and Rear Differentials — These allow the wheels to rotate at different speeds during cornering, improving handling and preventing tyre scuffing whilst delivering superior traction compared to budget alternatives.
• Voltz 2500mAH 2S 7.4V 30C LiPo Battery with Balance Charger — You receive a quality lithium polymer battery with sufficient capacity for extended run times, matched with a purpose-designed balance charger that optimises charging safety and battery longevity through cell-by-cell monitoring.
• Waterproof 3kg Steering Servo — The sealed servo electronics resist water and mud ingress, essential for off-road use where water crossings and damp conditions are inevitable, whilst the 3kg torque specification provides reliable steering response.
• Oil-Filled Shock Absorbers — These sophisticated suspension units smooth out bumps and absorb impact energy during jumps, protecting the chassis and keeping the tyres in contact with the ground for consistent traction and handling.
• Adjustable Suspension Turnbuckles — Allow you to fine-tune suspension geometry for different driving styles and terrain types, letting you dial in the handling characteristics that suit your preferences.
• High Ground Clearance Composite Main Chassis — The raised chassis geometry clears obstacles that would catch lower-slung competitors, essential for navigating rocky terrain, fallen logs, and uneven garden landscapes without getting high-centred.
• Aluminium Front and Rear Chassis Skid Plates — These protective bars shield the vulnerable main chassis from impacts, rocks, and obstacles during off-road use, significantly reducing damage from crashes and rough terrain interaction.
• Shock-Absorbing Front and Rear Bumpers — Mounted bumper bars cushion collisions with obstacles and terrain, actively dissipating impact energy to protect the chassis, body, and drivetrain components when accidents inevitably occur.
• Pivot Ball Front Suspension — This advanced suspension design enhances steering precision and stability by allowing the front suspension to respond more dynamically to rough surfaces, improving cornering confidence and predictability.
• Full Ball Bearings Throughout — Every rotating component utilises sealed ball bearings rather than bushings, reducing friction, improving efficiency, and extending the lifespan of motor and drivetrain components.
• Receiver Box with Sealed Drivetrain — The electronics receiver is housed in a dedicated weatherproof compartment, whilst the entire drivetrain is sealed against dirt and moisture ingress, dramatically reducing maintenance requirements and improving reliability in muddy, wet conditions.
• Alloy Hinge Pin Braces — These strengthen the suspension mounts where they attach to the chassis, preventing flex and improving handling precision whilst protecting against damage from cornering forces and jumps.
• Aggressive Pattern Lug Tyres on Stylish Black Spoked Wheels — The deeply treaded tyre compound grips mud, grass, gravel and loose terrain effectively, whilst the lightweight spoked wheels reduce unsprung mass for improved suspension performance and faster acceleration.
• Moulded Roof and Tail Skid Bar Rails — The reinforced body includes protective rails that protect the car if it rolls or tumbles, an important safety feature that prevents damage during inevitable crashes and keeps you driving longer.
• Impact Printed Body Graphics — High-quality graphics are bonded directly into the plastic body, resisting fading and peeling through countless impacts and outdoor exposure.
• 99% Ready-to-Run Assembly — The Ramraider arrives almost completely assembled; you simply charge the battery, insert it into the vehicle, and start driving within an hour of unboxing, making this an ideal gift or impulse purchase.
• 2.4GHz Radio Control System — The modern spread-spectrum 2.4GHz frequency band ensures interference-free operation even in busy areas with multiple RC vehicles running simultaneously, providing reliable control range and response.

Technical Performance

The FTX Ramraider Brushed Edition represents solid engineering focused on durability and user-friendliness rather than outright performance maximisation. The 550 15T brushed motor paired with Hobbywing speed control creates a power delivery character that accelerates briskly without being uncontrollable, whilst the 2500mAH 2S 7.4V LiPo battery provides runtime in the 15-20 minute range depending on driving style — typical for this vehicle class. The motor produces genuine torque, ideal for climbing slopes and powering through mud, though the brushed design means you'll eventually need to replace brushes and the commutator after extended use, unlike brushless alternatives. The 4WD shaft system with slipper clutch and metal differentials represents professional engineering, protecting the vehicle from drivetrain failure when you hit obstacles or get high-centred. The composite main chassis combines weight savings with durability, supported by strategically placed aluminium skid plates that take impacts that would destroy plastic alternatives. Oil-filled shock absorbers use proper damping fluid to control oscillation, preventing the jarring ride quality of budget foam-sprung competitors, and the adjustable turnbuckles let you modify suspension stiffness for different terrains. The waterproof servo electronics survive water crossings and mud play that would destroy unsealed alternatives, an important specification for genuine outdoor off-road use. Build quality throughout emphasises proven designs over cutting-edge experimentation; components are tested across the FTX range and proven reliable, making replacement parts readily available at reasonable cost. The raised chassis geometry and aggressive tyre tread combine to deliver genuine off-road capability, tackling rough terrain that would challenge less sophisticated competitors, whilst the full ball bearings throughout reduce friction losses compared to bushed alternatives, improving efficiency and lifespan.

What's in the Box

• FTX Ramraider 1/10 Monster Truck RTR Brushed Edition fully assembled chassis
• Pre-painted body shell with moulded roof and tail skid bar rails
• Installed 550 15 Turn brushed motor
• Installed Hobbywing brushed ESC speed controller
• Waterproof 3kg steering servo
• 2.4GHz radio transmitter and receiver system
• Voltz 2500mAH 2S 7.4V 30C LiPo battery pack
• LiPo balance charger
• Aggressive pattern lug tyres mounted on black spoked wheels

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is the FTX Ramraider Brushed Edition suitable for complete beginners to RC cars? — Yes, absolutely. The Ramraider Brushed Edition was specifically designed to introduce newcomers to RC driving with its 99% ready-to-run assembly, predictable 15T motor power delivery, and skill level 1 designation. The brushed motor and Hobbywing speed control provide forgiving acceleration characteristics, meaning mistakes won't immediately result in catastrophic crashes, whilst the comprehensive feature set — metal differentials, oil-filled shocks, waterproof servo — ensures you're learning on a properly engineered vehicle rather than a toy.
• What battery does the FTX Ramraider Brushed Edition need, and how long does it run? — The Ramraider is supplied with a Voltz 2500mAH 2S 7.4V LiPo battery suitable for the 15T motor and Hobbywing speed controller. The 2500mAH capacity typically delivers 15-20 minutes of continuous driving depending on your driving style — aggressive acceleration and constant wide-open throttle shortens runtime, whilst controlled driving extends it. The included balance charger recharges the battery safely through cell-by-cell monitoring, and you may wish to purchase additional batteries to extend your driving day.
• How does the 4WD shaft system improve off-road performance compared to belt-drive alternatives? — The 4WD shaft system uses rigid metal drive shafts rather than belts, providing direct power delivery with zero slippage and improved reliability in muddy or wet conditions where belts can slip. The integrated slipper clutch protects the drivetrain by automatically disengaging power when the vehicle gets high-centred or stuck, preventing catastrophic damage that would permanently break non-slip drivetrains. Metal bevel geared differentials at front and rear allow wheels to rotate at different speeds during corners, improving traction and handling whilst reducing tyre wear compared to locked axle alternatives.
• What makes this Ramraider different from the brushless edition? — The Brushed Edition features the proven 550 15T brushed motor with Hobbywing speed control, delivering predictable, controllable power delivery ideal for learning. The Brushless Edition uses more powerful brushless motors providing higher top speed and more intense acceleration, making it better suited to experienced drivers seeking maximum performance. Both share the same chassis, suspension, and drivetrain engineering, so the choice comes down to whether you prioritise ease of control and affordability, or outright speed and power.
• Can the FTX Ramraider Brushed Edition be upgraded and modified? — Yes, significantly. FTX offers a comprehensive range of optional upgrades including a rear wheelie bar for performing tricks, aluminium shocks to replace the standard oil-filled units, LED light kits for night driving, and various suspension geometry options. The platform also accepts third-party upgrades from the FTX aftermarket community, meaning you can progressively improve and customise your Ramraider over time as your skills develop and interests expand.
• How waterproof is the FTX Ramraider Brushed Edition? — The servo electronics and receiver box are sealed against water and mud ingress, allowing you to ford shallow water crossings and drive in wet conditions without immediately destroying electronics. However, the speed controller and battery are not sealed, so you should avoid submerging the vehicle or driving through deep water. The sealed drivetrain means mud and dirt won't quickly migrate into the gearboxes, dramatically reducing maintenance compared to unsealed alternatives.
• What tyres and wheels does the Ramraider come with? — The vehicle comes pre-mounted with aggressive pattern lug tyres designed for off-road grip across mud, grass, and gravel, fitted to lightweight stylish black spoked wheels. These provide excellent traction out of the box, though you may eventually wish to explore alternative tyre compounds optimised for specific terrain types — softer compounds for loose terrain, harder for rocky or asphalt tracks.

Why Buy from RC Model Shop?

RC Model Shop is a trusted UK RC retailer and authorised dealer for all the brands we stock, including Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi, FTX, Hobbywing, Spektrum and more. Based in Walsall, we have a physical store where customers are welcome to come in, view products and purchase in store. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, a weekend basher, or just discovering the world of RC for the first time, our team of experienced RC enthusiasts is here to help you find the perfect setup and provide ongoing support. Order the FTX Blue Ramraider 1/10 Monster Truck RTR Brushed Edition FTX5499SB today with confidence, knowing you are buying from an authorised retailer with genuine products, expert knowledge and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Shop online or visit us in Walsall — we look forward to helping you get the most out of your RC experience.