Axial SCX10 III Base Camp V2 Review (AXI-1375T2): Full-Size Performance Without the Full-Size Price Tag

If you've been waiting for the right moment to step into 1/10 scale crawling, the Axial SCX10 III Base Camp V2 in Grey (AXI-1375T2) is that moment. This is Axial's answer to the question the hobby has been asking for years: can you build a full-size, trail-ready rock crawler with portal axles, a proper radio system, and real upgrade potential without pushing past what most people are willing to spend on a first rig? The Base Camp V2 proves you can — and then some.

I've run micro crawlers, I've run high-end 1/10 builds, and the Base Camp V2 sits in its own category. It's the rig that doesn't ask you to compromise on the things that actually matter — chassis, axles, electronics, suspension — while still coming in at a price that doesn't require a lengthy internal justification before you hit checkout. The grey colorway is clean, the build quality is immediately apparent, and the V2 accessory loadout makes it look like a truck someone spent real money on, not a beginner's budget buy. This is my go-to crawler right now, and it's earned that spot.

What Makes the SCX10 III Base Camp V2 Different

The SCX10 platform is the benchmark for 1/10 scale trail crawling. It's the rig serious hobbyists reference when evaluating everything else, and it's held that position for years because Axial keeps the engineering honest rather than chasing trends. The Base Camp V2 is the accessible entry point into that platform — and that doesn't mean stripped down. It means Axial made deliberate choices about where to invest and where to trim, and every important choice landed in the right place.

The V2 update brought something unusual to the hobby: better looks at a lower price. It added a full suite of scale accessories — snorkel, half roll cage, functional bed storage case, rock sliders, side mirrors, door handles — and managed to bring the cost down at the same time. That combination doesn't happen often, and it's a big part of why this rig generates the kind of consistent community praise that most ready-to-run rigs never achieve.

This is a 1/10 scale, 4WD, ready-to-run rock crawler. Motor, ESC, radio, receiver, and servo all arrive installed. The only thing you need before your first run is a LiPo battery and charger — more on that below.

Out of the Box: The Build Quality Speaks for Itself

The first thing I noticed pulling this out of the box was that it doesn't look like a budget rig. The grey polycarbonate body is factory-finished with real attention to detail, and the V2 accessories make a genuine difference. The snorkel and half cage give it trail credibility right out of the packaging. The rock sliders look like they belong on the truck rather than being bolted on as an afterthought.

The officially licensed DeMello Off-Road high clearance bumpers front and rear are aggressive and functional — not decorative. The licensed Black Rhino Primm one-piece wheels pair well with the grey body and give the rig a purposeful look that holds up next to builds costing significantly more. Nothing about it reads as entry level.

What builds confidence faster than the cosmetics is what you feel when you pick it up. The adjustable steel C-channel chassis is rigid and substantial. Metal links, metal pivot balls, aluminum shock bodies — the components that take real abuse on the trail are built to handle it. The sealed receiver box is a V2-specific detail worth calling out: moisture and debris stay out of the electronics, which matters the first time you push it through wet conditions

Full Specs: Confirmed and Verified

Spec Detail

Scale

1/10

Drive System

4WD, shaft drive

Chassis

Adjustable steel C-channel

Wheelbase

12.3" (312mm)

Length

20.75" (527mm)

Width

9.25" (233mm)

Height

9.75" (248mm)

Ground Clearance

2.5" (63.5mm)

Axles

AR45 Portal Axles

Transmission

LCXU Single Speed (all-metal gears, full ball bearings, dig-upgradeable)

Motor

Axial Slickrock 35T 540 Brushed (AXI-1376)

ESC

Spektrum 40A Waterproof Brushed (SPMXSE1040)

Radio

Spektrum SLT3 3-Channel 2.4GHz (SPMRSLT320)

Receiver

Spektrum SR515 5-Channel DSMR Sport (sealed receiver box)

Servo

Spektrum S664 15kg Steel Gear Waterproof 25T (SPMS664)

Tires

Licensed Falken Wildpeak M/T, R35 compound, 1.9"

Wheels

Licensed Black Rhino Primm one-piece

Bumpers

Licensed DeMello Off-Road high clearance

Shocks

Oil-filled aluminum threaded coilovers, fully rebuildable

Top Speed

~9 MPH

Battery

2S or 3S LiPo — NOT included

Run Time

~92 min on a 2S 5000mAh LiPo

Water Resistance

Water resistant (ESC and servo waterproof)

Part Number

AXI-1375T2 (Grey)

AR45 Portal Axles: The Feature That Sets This Apart

Portal axles are not standard equipment on a rig at this price — which is exactly why their inclusion matters so much. On a conventional straight-axle crawler, the differential sits at the axle centerline and becomes the lowest point of the rig, the first thing to contact an obstacle and hang the truck up. Portal axles relocate the final drive gear outward to the wheel hub, raising the differential above the axle centerline and adding meaningful clearance under the housing. The AR45 portals give the Base Camp V2 a 2.5" ground clearance that lets it clear obstacles that would stop a conventional build in its tracks. This is a real-world performance difference on every single run — not a spec sheet talking point.

The LCXU Transmission

The single-speed LCXU sits low in the chassis, which does two things worth understanding: it drops the center of gravity for better stability on steep angles, and it keeps the drivetrain layout clean and accessible for maintenance. All-metal internal gears and full ball bearings are built for longevity. The LCXU is also explicitly designed to grow — it accepts an optional dig unit for advanced crawling capability, and the internal gears can be swapped to run standard axles if you want to change up the geometry down the road. This is a transmission you build around, not one you outgrow.

The Slickrock 35T Motor and Spektrum 40A ESC

The Axial Slickrock 35T 540 brushed motor is purpose-built for crawling. The 35T turn count means lower RPM and higher torque — exactly right for a rig where precise low-speed control determines whether you make a line or blow it. Paired with the Spektrum 40A waterproof ESC and its low-voltage cutoff protection, the power system is smooth, predictable, and well-matched to what the Base Camp is designed to do.

The brushless question comes up constantly in forums, so I'll address it directly: the brushed setup here is not a problem that needs immediate solving. It's genuinely capable stock, and when you're ready to make the brushless jump, the upgrade path on this platform is clean, well-documented, and widely supported.

Suspension, Shocks, and the S664 Servo

Front suspension geometry is optimized to reduce bump steer — a detail that matters when picking technical lines at slow speed. The rear 4-link controls torque twist under hard acceleration, keeping the chassis planted on steep climbs rather than squatting and wandering off-line. All links are metal, all pivot points use stainless steel balls. The oil-filled coilover shocks have aluminum threaded bodies — adjustable for preload and fully rebuildable. At this price, that's not a given. At this price, it's impressive.

The Spektrum S664 15kg steel gear waterproof servo is the right component for a trail rig that will run in real conditions. 15kg of torque handles steering loads without strain, steel gears resist wear under sustained crawling use, and the waterproof rating means wet terrain doesn't require any second-guessing.

The Radio System

The Spektrum SLT3 3-channel radio and SR515 5-channel DSMR receiver are meaningfully more capable than the electronics you'd expect at this price. Five receiver channels give you room to add accessories — lights, winch, whatever you build toward — without replacing the radio system to do it. The DSMR protocol is Spektrum's current standard, so if you're already running Spektrum gear, this rig integrates directly into that ecosystem.

On the Trail: How It Actually Performs

Rocky terrain, wet grass, gravel paths, a shallow creek crossing — the Base Camp V2 handled all of it with the kind of composure you expect from a platform that's been refined over multiple generations. The portal axles deliver on their promise: the ground clearance is genuinely impressive for a stock build, and the rig walks over obstacles that make you reach for your spotter and then just... clears them on its own. The LCXU transmission keeps power delivery smooth and predictable at low throttle inputs, which is where rock crawling actually happens.

Top speed sits around 9 MPH, which is telling. This isn't a basher. It's a trail machine through and through, and it excels completely at being one. The waterproof servo and ESC mean you run it in real conditions without overthinking it — which is how trail rigs should be run.

What You Need Before Your First Run

Unlike the SCX24 and SCX30 in our lineup, the Base Camp V2 does not include a battery or charger — this is standard for 1/10 scale RTRs, not a hidden cost. Budget for both before you order.

A 2S 3000–5000mAh LiPo gets you that ~92-minute run time at predictable, controllable power. Step up to a 3S LiPo when you want more bite on tougher terrain — Spoiler I went with the 3S.

Something to consider to safely charge and store your LIPO batteries is a Fireproof Explosionproof Large Capacity Battery Storage Guard Pouch for Lipo Charge & Storage.

Upgrades to start: This Platform Is Built to Grow

The SCX10 III Base Camp has one of the deepest upgrade ecosystems in 1/10 scale crawling. Here's where to put money and in what order:

1. Brass Upgrades Brass hex weights and portal covers are the first recommendation from virtually every experienced SCX10 III owner. They add low, wide rotational mass that dramatically improves side-hill stability and traction without touching the drivetrain. Budget $20–$50 and the difference on the trail is immediate and obvious.

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