SCX10 III Base Camp

The budget scale trail rig that made premium crawler performance accessible.

4.6

Category: Rock Crawler
Scale: 1/10
Power: Electric (2S-3S LiPo)
Released: 2022
MSRP: $390

Overview

The SCX10 III Base Camp is Axial's value-optimized entry into the scale crawling world — same LCXU single-speed transmission and AR45 portal axles as the premium SCX10 III kits, with a simplified body, stock Dynamite 35T brushed motor, and lower price point. Released May 2022 and updated in 2024, the Base Camp brought genuine portal-axle performance to the sub-$400 category. The steel C-channel chassis is stiff, the factory geometry is dialed, and the licensed Falken Wildpeak tires and Black Rhino wheels look the part. Big Squid RC measured a 92-minute runtime on a 2S 5000mAh LiPo and 9 mph top speed — slow by design, because this rig is about precision on rocks, not speed.

The Verdict

What's good

Real portal axles at a budget price point
Stock geometry is trail-ready — no immediate mods needed
LCXU transmission is smooth and bearing-equipped
Licensed Falken Wildpeak tires look great and perform okay
Huge Axial aftermarket — upgrade path is infinite

Watch out for

Brushed motor is weak — forward-facing placement adds weight bias
Basic body (no licensed JLU or Gladiator at this tier)
Stock tire compound is hard — poor on wet rock
Bumper needs adjustment out of the box to avoid tire rub
No servo saver — aftermarket servos need careful selection

Who it's for

First-time crawlersBudget buildersScale builders starting a kitTrail drivers

Known Issues

Stock Spektrum S614 servo is underspecced for aftermarket tires heavier than stock — upgrade to at least 250 oz-in (Reefs or ProTek) if you change tires. Front bumper comes too far forward from factory and rubs tires at full steering lock; move it back one hole before the first run.

Common Mods

Reefs hard shocks (stock are mediocre), brass knuckles and brass portal covers for weight-forward bias, Pit Bull Rock Beast or Injora tires, metal panhard mount (already included in Builder's Kit), ProTek 200oz servo, licensed JLU or Gladiator body upgrade.

Active Listings for this Model

Axial SCX10 III Jeep JLU — Fully Built Trail Rig

Owner Reviews

4.6

1 review

Marcus ChenVerified Owner

@rockcrawler_marcus•3/1/2026•Owned 3 years

The only crawler I recommend to new builders

I've owned a dozen crawlers over 15 years and this is the one I hand to anyone starting out. Stock geometry is right, stock transmission is right, stock chassis is right. You don't need to mod it to enjoy it, but if you do mod it, the aftermarket is infinite. My Base Camp has been through 4 tire sets, two shock rebuilds, and zero chassis issues. It's a classic. The Base Camp variant specifically is exceptional value — portal axles and the LCXU transmission for under $400 is a deal that would have been unthinkable five years ago.

Durability

Parts

Maintenance

Value