DHK HOBBY MAXIMUS MONSTER TRUCK REVIEW

The Maximus comes in slightly smaller than most “8th scale” monster trucks, but it is larger than the typical 1/10th MT. It also is has a more narrow profile than a typical monster truck. With all that said, the Maximus was absolutely capable of hanging with the big boys in its class. While not as fast as some, it still had impressive power. On the downside of things was its cornering capability.

Sure it cornered fine for a backyard bash machine, but compared to the better trucks in its class, it tended to traction roll more, and it was harder to drive. About the traction rolling, the chassis is a LCG design, it was the truck’s tires that would sporadically fold over and cause the truck to roll. This could happen at pretty much any time or any speed when cornering.

Also, the Maximus had very touchy steering near neutral, although it tended to push all the way through a corner. The touchiness near neutral on the steering made it hard to make small course corrections while at speed.

In the suspension department, the Maximus was sprung and damped too lightly. This caused some excessive chassis roll in corners, and it also caused the truck to bottom out hard when landing from jumps. By the way, the Maximus jumps impressively when in the air. It has a nice blend of wheelbase to tire weight, and it has a center diff.

These factors allow the Maximus to typically fly nice and flat. Its power system and 4wd also make for easy/forgiving trigger inputs while airborne. But those landings, ouch. Thankfully the truck was tough enough for repeated pavement slap landings, read more on that below.

Overall:

New drivers will have an easy time learning with the Maximus, experienced drivers are given enough power and handling to have a great time.

Power:

4S on the Maximus and it had good power. 4S is the maximum cell count on the ESC, and with stock gearing it had solid yank right off the bottom, some authority in the mid-range, and tore out to a 39 mph top end. No, it isn’t the fastest truck in its class, but it has true brushless power, and more than enough to keep long time hobbyists entertained.

The Maximus feels a lot faster than a typical brushed/27 mph RTR, yet isn’t too insane to learn to drive with. Better still, it appeared the truck was conservatively geared. Based on our temp readings, it appears there is more power to be unleashed by simply bolting on a larger pinion.

Radio:

As much as we like to hate on RTR radios, we think the DHK unit has become our favorite. No, it isn’t high-end, but it has some weight to it, and generally feels like a radio from 20 years ago. Oh and, it sorta reminds us (looks wise) of the old KO Mars, one of the best radios ever.

Special features:

• Adjustable wheelbase, multiple shock mounting options

• Powerful shock protection performance (full metal shock absorbers)

• Machined steel gears and solid differentials gears

• Three differentials and four wheel drive system

• Front universal joint and full ball bearings

• Light but solid anodized aluminium chassis

• High performance durable brushless motor

• ESC with termperature and battery safe protection

• Speed control can be programmed with programming card (supplied separately)

• Front/rear metal sway bars

Where to pick one up:

Banggood