Taking a closer look at a sub-$100 small-sale, radio-controlled, monster truck.
I’ve become familiar with several R/C brands over the years, but there are plenty that I haven’t had the opportunity to experience yet. One of those brands is Haiboxing, maker of a variety of budget-priced R/C models ranging from monster trucks and crawlers to desert buggies.
Haiboxing recently allowed me to take a closer look at their 1/16-scale, 4×4 16889 monster truck. Judging this vehicle purely on its packaging is a bit unfair. While it may look like your run-of-the-mill R/C monster truck, there’s quite a bit more to this machine once you open the box.
What’s in the Box:
- 1 Haiboxing 1/16-scale R/C Monster Truck
- 2 bodies
- 2 decal sheets
- 1 set of option shocks
- 1 set of option metal axle shafts
- 2 7.4V 2S LiPo batteries
- 1 USB LiPo battery charger
- 1 instruction manual
A Closer Look at the Haiboxing 16899 1/16-scale R/C Monster Truck
The details on the packaging for the 16899 set the tone for what to expect with this truck. Powered by a brushed motor and LiPo battery (7.4V), you’re getting a vehicle that should be fast, but it doesn’t aim to break any speed records. The 2.4GHz radio system has become a standard feature on any modern radio-controlled model, so that’s not much of a surprise.
Once you pull this truck out of the box, however, you start to discover a few items that you might not expect. For starters, the 16899 includes two decal-free bodies that feature slightly different color schemes. Why is this important? Well, it gives you greater customization and personalization opportunities right out of the box. Literally.
To be honest, I’m not a fan of many of the decals that are included with lesser-known R/C brands. It seems as if they try too hard to be edgy and often veer into the realm of cringe-worthiness. Having the opportunity to pick and choose what decals I place on this truck is a big bonus and having two bodies to swap around or use as a replacement is a definite perk that I didn’t expect to get with this model.
If visual customization isn’t an important feature to you, the Haiboxing 16899 also includes some performance options for those who plan on running this vehicle to its limit. This R/C monster truck features four adjustable, oil-filled shocks and plastic axle shafts in its stock configuration. If you know you’ll be running this truck hard, then the included metal axle shafts and aluminum-capped (and adjustable) shocks might be worth installing right away.
But to be honest, I’m getting ahead of myself. This truck, in fresh, out of the box form, it quite impressive. The polycarbonate body has a sturdy feel to it, not too flimsy and not too stiff and it’s made to take some abuse.
The chassis on the 16899 is well-constructed, both in layout and durability. The tub-style chassis tray cradles the electronics of the truck in a neat and organized fashion. The power button is mounted on the left side of the chassis tub and sits below the body for easy access and Deans-style battery connectors ensure a snug, secure connection between the battery and the ESC.
Out for a Spin with the Haiboxing 16899 Monster Truck
While I only planned to drive this truck around for a few minutes to get a feel for its performance, I ended up running two battery packs through it (and packing the chassis compartment with fallen leaves). I had no idea what to expect when I pressed the power button on this machine, but everything that came after was pure fun.
The LiPo battery provides smooth, constant power, however, the brushed motor left me wanting a bit more when it came to raw speed. Still, the 16899’s brushed motor has plenty of pep and power to rip around on concrete and scoot over (and through) a grassy front yard.
I sent the truck flying off of a homemade ramp a few times, with some landings yielding more excitement than others and the 16899 kept coming back for more.
An Initial Verdict
I walked away from my initial shakedown of the Haiboxing 16899 impressed by the truck’s performance and handling. If the stock configuration of this truck was the only thing to review, I’d say this is a no-brainer in terms of adding it to your R/C basher collection. The fact that you get a decent amount of add-on parts and body options are simply icing on the cake.
Then there’s the price. At $79.99, the Haiboxing 16899 is an amazing bargain. You could easily buy two (or more) of these trucks and enjoy hours of fun with family and friends. The visual customization options are impressive, the performance is solid, and this truck is purely a fun machine to drive.
