RC Cars That Can Drive On Water: Are There Any?

Remote control (RC) cars come in all shapes and sizes. They can be extremely fast and are fun toy cars that are great for racing. 

But are these remote-controlled cars fast enough that they can drive in water? Are there any RC cars that can?

The only RC cars that can drive on the water without being modded are amphibious vehicles (like these). Beyond that, you can mod some of the faster RC cars (as long as they have waterproof electronics) to where you can drive them on the water.

To mod a traditional RC car to where it can drive across a pond or lake you will need to install some paddle wheels or balloon-type wheels that will allow the vehicle to stay on top of the water instead of sinking.

Most traditional RC cars cannot drive on the water however there are some models that are able to drive on water because of their wheel density or because they have been modified enough (specifically with special tires) that they skip across the top. 

Traxxas makes some awesome RC cars that have everything from high speeds to looks but none of them can drive on the water without being modified. 

The Traxxas Slash 4×4 goes so fast that people have even modded it so that it can drive on the water at a speed of 60 plus mph.

You can watch a video of a Traxxas RC car in action zooming over the waves below. 

Another of Traxxas cars fast enough to drive on top of the water once it’s modded is their RC truck the Traxxas X-Maxx 8s. It can go 50 plus mph and if customized with paddle tires it can go in the water as well. 

It also has high-speed gearing and a Power Cell 3s LiPo battery that allows for a fast water ride. 

The X-Maxx is a monster truck that seemingly defies the law of physics to accelerate quickly up to 50 mph. It can drive over the toughest terrain making this vehicle one of the best.

To see the most popular RC cars currently available just click here. 

Are RC Cars Waterproof? 

So, you are wanting to drive your RC car into the water. Well, let’s discuss some things that you should know before “taking the plunge” and driving in wet conditions.

Some RC cars are water resistant so they can be used in snow, rain, etc. but it is always a good idea to check and make sure that it is before getting it wet.

As mentioned earlier Traxxas RC cars are among the best. Traxxas was the first manufacturer to have waterproof mechanics on a vehicle. Almost all electric Traxxas models are water resistant and have waterproof electronic components. 

Be sure to check the owner’s manual first to see if your RC car is water-resistant or not. You do not want to risk ruining it. 

Most higher-end RC cars are water resistant but it doesn’t hurt to check and make sure. With the proper care and maintenance of your vehicle, you will be able to keep it in good condition for each time out racing.

One thing to keep in mind is there is a difference between water-resistant and waterproof RC cars. Water-resistant RC cars will have waterproofing on many of their electronic parts (like the servo, electric motor, rechargeable battery, etc.) but that is mainly designed to protect those parts from moisture from the grass or puddles.

It isn’t designed for completely submerging your car.

So if you plan on using your RC car in the water (or on the water) you will want to completely waterproof your RC car so you don’t have to worry about destroying it. The amphibious RC cars (mentioned above) will have full waterproofing but if you plan on taking your Traxxas model on the water you will want to waterproof it entirely beforehand.

How Fast Does An RC Car Have To Go To Drive On Water?

If you want to take your RC car out on the water instead of on land you will want to know how fast an RC car has to go before it can drive on water. 

Is there a specific speed that it has to reach before it can drive in water? 

For an RC car to drive on the water it doesn’t have to go a certain speed. Instead, it has to have special paddle tires that allow it to move across the water and also provide buoyancy to keep the Rc car upright. 

There are some RC cars that can go as slow as 10-15 MPH on the water while other modified RC cars can go 50-60 MPH. RC cars won’t drive on the water when they go a certain speed. 

Whether the RC car is going fast or slow on the water doesn’t matter, it just depends on the tires that are on the RC vehicle. 

What Is The Best RC Car?

RC cars are popular with many kids, teens, and even adults. There’s just something exciting about having your buddies over for a race to see who owns the fastest RC car.

Traxxas makes some of the best RC cars overall. If you are looking for the most versatile and popular model then you will want to get the Traxxas Slash 

Which model you will want to get all comes down to what you want in your cars such as speed, stability, or climbing power. 

If you want pure speed then the Traxxas XO-1 is the fastest with a top speed of over 100MPH! 

Some of the other top RC cars include:

• The Rick zForce 4×4 RC Buggy is battery-powered and light.

• The Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500 RC looks lifelike with its interior and exterior details.

• The Arrma Typhon 4WD BLX Buggy can drive up to 70 mph with some customization.

• The Traxxas 4WD Short Course Truck can go 60 mph with its brushless motor and stability.

• The Redcat Racing Volcano Monster Truck features waterproof electronics.

• The Redcat Racing Everest rock Crawler is an SUV weighing 10 pounds and its wheels have good grip in rough terrain.

• The Arrma RC Monster Truck is a beginner RC with huge wheels and ride height.

• The Temi RC Race Car can go up to 30 mph and features collision resistance.

• The Traxxas Rustler 4×4 RC Car has a clipless body latching system for fast removal and installation. One of the more expensive RC cars, it is also water resistant. 

• Axial Yeti Can-Am Maverick RC Rock Racer has adjustable features and is water resistant. 

• Axial UMG10 6×6 RC Rock Crawler is durable and water resistant.

• Soyee RC 4WDOff Road features knobby tires making it perfect for rough terrain.

Conclusion 

RC cars are an enjoyable way to spend some time outdoors with friends or even by yourself. Some RC cars are water resistant and really fast making them able to drive right on top of the water. 

So, get out there with your battery-powered or electric vehicle and let the race begin!