Meet My New Fave 1:24 RC Rock Crawler

This is the RGT Adventurer V2 136240. Sometimes listed as HSP 136240 V2, it’s a 1:24 RC rock crawler and trail truck and it bears a striking similarity to the Element RC Enduro24. It’s so similar, in fact, that I’m betting it’s out of the same factory. (Update: I’ve learned that Element RC is using the 136240 V2 model under licence for its Enduro24 vehicle). It isn’t identical, at least, not quite. We’ll take a close look at this interesting little model, at what makes it special and why you should have it on your list!

Be aware that the RGT Adventurer 136240 is not the same as the V2. It’s not just a version update, either. RGT has a slightly unusual naming convention with their models and often the V2 and V3 of any given model can be a completely different vehicle from it’s predecessor. If you have an RGT Adventurer 136240, you’ll have a pickup truck with different internals to the V2. Read on to learn about this one!

Making a Splash

Let’s start with a little story. I’d chosen a river as the location for my video review of this little crawler. There are many boulders, some waterfalls, rock pools and a pretty gorge backdrop. It’s a lovely spot (and our recent SCX6 miniseries was filmed there, too – make sure you check that out if you haven’t yet!).

To begin my driving footage, I had the RGT Adventurer V2 136240 powered up and placed on a boulder, facing away from the edge. There was a deep pool of water beyond that edge and it was a picturesque spot to begin.

As I reached down to grab the transmitter and my camera gear, I heard a “plop!” It took me a moment to realise that I’d bumped ‘reverse’ on the transmitter trigger and the little RGT had obediently launched itself backwards, off the edge of the rock and straight down into that deep pool.

I quickly put the radio and camera back down and shot my hand in after the swiftly sinking crawler. I could see its rear disappearing but with water up to my elbow, I fished it out in time before having to really go in after it. Whew!

I placed it back onto the rock and grabbed the radio. I knew the best thing to do right now would be to unplug the battery and let it thoroughly dry before testing. It’s what I should have done, but my curiosity overrode common sense. First, I tried steering: yes, full throw without jitters! Next, I cautiously urged it forward – and it obeyed! Full speed forward and reverse, lights, steering – this thing wasn’t just water-resistant, it was fully waterproof! Awesome!

Waterproof Electronics

Rather than mentioning it as simply another feature, this happy little accident led me to make water driving the focal part of the review. I parked the truck under one of the smaller waterfalls, snapped my thumbnail photo and then began the driving review. You can find that video right here:

To be clear, the RGT Adventurer V2 136200 V2 has no problem in the wet stuff. The 1KG servo is strong and sufficient for the vehicle size, the motor can get wet like nearly any brushed motor, the LiPo battery is happy being submerged and the 2-in-1 ESC and receiver unit seems quite happy being completely underwater. Now I’ll stress here that everything is made to a price and conformal coating and rubber seals are not impervious guarantees against water damage, but they do give you the confidence to drive anywhere anytime!

Traditional Drive Train

This section is really what drew me to both the RGT Adventurer V2 136200 V2 and to the Element RC Enduro24, the latter of which is a rebadged RGT Adventurer V2, as far as I can tell. The major draws of this model is the separate transfer case, being mid-mounted above the skid plate. The motor and gearbox are up-front, next to the chassis-mounted servo (CMS), above the front axle. The axles have the same ring and pinion arrangement of their larger scale counterparts. All of this combines to give a vehicle that has a natural run-down off the throttle and a need to increase throttle on tougher obstacles, just like a bigger car!

The SCX24 and the Losi Micro Rock Crawler before it had worm gears in the axles and a mid-mounted motor. Whilst this did grant these vehicles a mechanical drag-brake of sorts, it did feel quite robotic to drive. If you’re off the throttle, the car is stopped. With the RGT and other ring-and-pinion type designs, that regular vehicle feel is there to enjoy. For me, this is one of the biggest attractions of this type of crawler.

Basic Body Looks Good

The RGT Adventurer V2 136200 V2 doesn’t have the same level of detail to its body that the SCX24 enjoys, but it’s certainly more realistic than the Enduro24. If you don’t mind a Land Rover Defender body, the Adventurer comes in maroon and black and has some basic plastic trim pieces and stickers to finish it. The exo-cage suits the body, the plastic mirrors and spare tire on the back add some scale realism and the stickers on the front grille and lights look reasonably good.

The body isn’t heavy and that spare rear-mounted wheel and tire look good enough that it’s probably worth leaving on. The body attaches with a traditional pair of body pins at front and rear, again, just like on the larger scale vehicles, and the paint is finished neatly. The polycarbonate is flexible but thick enough that it should outlast the rest of the truck and overall, it just looks good.

RGT Adventurer V2 Axles & Links

In 1:24 scale, axle housings and links are typically plastic. In this instance the RGT Adventurer V2 The axles themselves are metal and the dog bone drive from the gearbox to the transfer case is also metal. Gears are all metal except for the spur gear, which appears to be nylon or similar. Overall, this is a sufficiently strong setup for the little rig and I don’t anticipate breakages.

Should you convert to a brushless power system, things may change. Breakages are more likely with more power – keep this in mind if you do upgrade. I’d recommend you start with the stock vehicle and get accustomed to it first. Yes, it runs on just a 1S battery, but this can be a good thing. Lower power means less breakages and longer lasting gear. The axles will wheel on 1S power for the life of the model, even with abusive driving. You’ll cook a motor before twisting a drive shaft or snapping a link. In its stock trim, the shafts and linkages are completely adequate.

How Does It Drive?

I’m writing this article on the back of not one but two reviews of this platform. I first examined the Element RC Enduro24 and found it to be excellent. Find that video below.

Next, I took the RGT Adventurer V2 out onto the river rocks to test it and debut it on screen. Once again, I enjoyed the feel of a vehicle with separate transfer case and traditional ring-and-pinion diff arrangement. These vehicles are just a pleasure to drive. The RGT Adventurer V2 is poised, balanced and climbs well. It could use a little more weight up front and a lower center of gravity would benefit side-hilling and steep stuff. However, as an all-round package, especially for the price, this vehicle is excellent.

If you’re looking at 1:24 vehicles and appreciate a traditional layout of separate transfer case as seen here, the RGT Adventurer V2 could be just the ticket. Recommended.

More Info

Find the RGT Adventurer V2 on the manufacturer’s site.

Here’s our review of the Element RC Enduro24 on YouTube.

Here’s our review of this vehicle, the RGT Adventurer V2 136240 on YouTube.

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