Ground Pounder break

[manimaniacal]

I recently purchased a Ground Pounder from Red Cat racing with much enthusiasm. As a couple, and I literally mean a couple read my last post on how to update my Ground Pounder from stock condition to somewhat modified. I have not even been through 5 or 6 battery packs until disaster struck this evening.

Now I live in a concrete jungle, Las Vegas to be exact, Henderson to be even more accurate. There are no massive jumps. There is little place to run your Monster Truck, except for the drive ways in front of your homes. Well, this evening I was running my STOCK Ground Pounder of a very small speed bump made for cars that is maybe 3.5 inches tall. I might get 4.8 inches of air with the Ground Pounder. After my 5th jump of the evening I noticed the vehicle sitting very awkwardly. Tilted prominently to the left. I stopped immediately, only to notice a part, or parts broke on me.

I was extremely disappointed as I have read so many great things about this new, and up and coming truck. First time I had been back in the scene since 1992, and then I have this happen. How does such a, "well put together product by CPE and Red Cat," break just like that? I am beyond frustrated and am ready to go with my original gut instinct of a Traxxas. Maybe it was a fluke, but come one!? How does something so small damage such a supposedly well put together and researched truck? Is this a sign of things to come. I certainly do hope not.

I have added pictures but you must follow the link. I am not sure what exactly I broke, and I also included the INSANE speed bump that ruined my truck. Any help, regarding parts I need to buy would be great. Also, since it is less than 3 weeks old, should this not be covered under warranty?

It is the right front part where the axle meets the driveshaft?????? Anyways, I tried looking for the small spacer that is between the shock and the bottom part attached to the shaft(?), but failed miserably.

Here is the website.

http://picasaweb.google.com/whookstra/Desktop#

Please let me know if the link does not work. Also, please let me know if I am wasting my money on this truck. I need something durable, maybe like a Traxxas Slash. Heck, with the upgrades in the mail I have, I could sell this and the upgrades that are not even installed and buy a Brushless Slash RTR.

Thanks for all the help, if any comes my way.

Will (aka Manimaniacal)

 

[soulja55]

it's just the lower shock link. no biggie. but...before i go back with plastic...i'd go with the aluminum ones from CPE.

http://www.crawfordperformanceengineering.com/upgrade-parts-c-44_46_52.html

 

[cpe mt]

Sorry to hear about the problem encountered with your Ground Pounder. As with any R/C parts can and will break, and can be a result of anything from over-tightening at the factory to simple driver error. A link to Redcat's warranty page is posted at the top of this forum. I can't speak for them regarding replacements, but it can't hurt to send them the broken ones.

The parts you've pictured are BS702-004 and BS702-005 which are the lower shock/link mounts. You mentioned upgrade parts you had ordered for the truck, were these already part of that soon to arrive order?

We can offer you free shipping for those two parts through our website and can get them sent out today for you. Your cost will end up being $3.98 shipped for a total of 4 replacement mounts.

Thanks!

 

[subgraphic]

Sorry to hear about the problem encountered with your Ground Pounder. As with any R/C parts can and will break, and can be a result of anything from over-tightening at the factory to simple driver error. A link to Redcat's warranty page is posted at the top of this forum. I can't speak for them regarding replacements, but it can't hurt to send them the broken ones.

The parts you've pictured are BS702-004 and BS702-005 which are the lower shock/link mounts. You mentioned upgrade parts you had ordered for the truck, were these already part of that soon to arrive order?

We can offer you free shipping for those two parts through our website and can get them sent out today for you. Your cost will end up being $3.98 shipped for a total of 4 replacement mounts.

Thanks!

awesome service!!



I feel bad for him that his truck broke, but for some reason I cant stop giggling that he took a pic of the speed bump. :laugh

 

[HawnMT]

I'm suprised to hear that you broke it in stock form, I ran mine stock for awhile with pretty much no breakage. Are your shocks still stiff? I set my aftermarket shocks up so it's soft enough for the truck's weight to compress them just a little(~ 1/4"). Althugh you won't be able to get the stock shocks that soft you can get them much softer than the factory settings.

 

[manimaniacal]

I realize the break wasn't that bad....compared to a lot of other breaks I have seen on here. The truck was in complete stock form, so hopefully that answers the CPE Performance gentleman's question...I did get my new motor, battery and ESC in the mail today, but now must wait to get the replacement parts.

I had to add the picture of the speed bump as it was ridiculous, because that is the only jump that I have anywhere. I was not too worried when it happened, I was more worried about the wrath of the wife. When I walked through the door I got the, "that thing is a 300 dollar piece of ****." So I had to vent a little on the forum boards.

The whole thing is funny. I am surprised my post made sense, as I had been celebrating the Easter holiday with a 12 pack of happiness (Sam Adams).

 

[cpe mt]

My question was if you'd already ordered replacement shock mounts as part of your order that arrived today. You can send the original parts back to Redcat, but our offer stands in the meantime to help you get back running quicker.

 

[soulja55]

Brett...that's super super duper service. you have a life long customer bro.

 

[manimaniacal]

Brett, I personally want to thank you for the outstanding customer service. When I get back from conference I will place the order for the parts ASAP. I am only getting public WIFI as of right now, and really do not feel comfortable throwing my credit card information out there for all to see. Again, huge kudos to your company.

Thank you all again for the help. Do I need to to do anything special in getting this deal, or just fill out the warranty information sheet? Again, I can not thank you enough. The RCMT forum is a solid community, so kudos to all the people on this forum. I will most definitely be speaking highly about Redcat/CPE to all my clients!

Again, once I am back in Satan's sandbox (Las Vegas) I will get the parts ordered.

 

[manimaniacal]

My question was if you'd already ordered replacement shock mounts as part of your order that arrived today. You can send the original parts back to Redcat, but our offer stands in the meantime to help you get back running quicker.

I have not ordered replacement shocks as of right now. The upgraded parts I ordered were a different engine, different ESC, and an upgraded battery. I am however not doing a single upgrade, and will not mess with upgrades until I receive parts from your company. Let speed bumps be a lesson to all those people out there....they may look harmless, but they are evil.

I apologize for the duplicate posts. I am very gracious for the support, and I will again be letting all know the quality of your product and the customer service, especially to my clients.

 

[bpare207]

My only issue with the whole thing is that you didn't explain to your wife that yea its a $300 piece of crap, but that's what happens in this industry. Plastic breaks, and unfortunately that's how companies make their money in the rc industry. I have a buddy who's dad owns The Time Machine in Manchester, CT and their RC dept makes most of its money from replacement parts, not by the kits and RTR's that sit on the shelves. I think next time rather than get frustrated, realize that every RC you buy will inevitably break and even "All Hail Traxxas RTR's" break. It just depends on the batch of vehicles that you're truck happened to come in. Not being mean, but before you start ranting and raving, try to seek out your options when something breaks. The replacement parts for this truck are mad cheap so it really isn't unreasonable when parts break.

 

[BC.livewire]

just think you ware runing this RC truck at full speed

what would happen if you did that to your full sizes truck

for one it would not last long

 

[cpe mt]

Thank you all again for the help. Do I need to to do anything special in getting this deal, or just fill out the warranty information sheet? Again, I can not thank you enough. The RCMT forum is a solid community, so kudos to all the people on this forum. I will most definitely be speaking highly about Redcat/CPE to all my clients!

Again, once I am back in Satan's sandbox (Las Vegas) I will get the parts ordered.

The broken parts would need to go back to Redcat directly. As far as ordering replacement parts from us, we'd simply refund whatever the shipping costs were back to you after you've placed the order. Shipping on most of our spare parts is a flat $3, so replacement parts down the road won't break the bank either.

 

[manimaniacal]

just think you ware runing this RC truck at full speed

what would happen if you did that to your full sizes truck

for one it would not last long

Yes, I was running it at full speed. If I were to do this with my full size truck, yes there would be repercussions. I am fully aware of the laws of physics, and the negative impacts it has on vehicle parts, be it full size or remote control.

 

[manimaniacal]

My only issue with the whole thing is that you didn't explain to your wife that yea its a $300 piece of crap, but that's what happens in this industry. Plastic breaks, and unfortunately that's how companies make their money in the rc industry. I have a buddy who's dad owns The Time Machine in Manchester, CT and their RC dept makes most of its money from replacement parts, not by the kits and RTR's that sit on the shelves. I think next time rather than get frustrated, realize that every RC you buy will inevitably break and even "All Hail Traxxas RTR's" break. It just depends on the batch of vehicles that you're truck happened to come in. Not being mean, but before you start ranting and raving, try to seek out your options when something breaks. The replacement parts for this truck are mad cheap so it really isn't unreasonable when parts break.

As I believe I pointed out, yes I was frustrated and irritated, and realize maybe I did "pull the trigger" a little too quick. I understand that plastic breaks, and I realize that it does not (in most cases), matter what brand it is, it will inevitably end up breaking. Again, next time I won't be so apt to "rant and rave" as you put it.

 

[HawnMT]

Ease up guys, we've all been in manimaniacal's shoes where we got frustrated with a truck. Heck if I had a few beers in me when I posted up after I broke something I'd give the swear word filter a workout.

Truth is this truck is much more break prone than a Slash. If I had to choose between the two I'd choose the Slash. But since I didn't want a Slash and I wanted the challenge of a new monster truck I stuck it out with this truck even though it did get frustrating sometimes. As was pointed out, and I've said many times, is the fact that parts are so cheap it's not so hard on the wallet when you do have to fix it.

 

[manimaniacal]

Ease up guys, we've all been in manimaniacal's shoes where we got frustrated with a truck. Heck if I had a few beers in me when I posted up after I broke something I'd give the swear word filter a workout.

Truth is this truck is much more break prone than a Slash. If I had to choose between the two I'd choose the Slash. But since I didn't want a Slash and I wanted the challenge of a new monster truck I stuck it out with this truck even though it did get frustrating sometimes. As was pointed out, and I've said many times, is the fact that parts are so cheap it's not so hard on the wallet when you do have to fix it.

I am a newbie around here, and I understand the "breaking in," with all the comments aforementioned. I was, and still am frustrated with the whole situation. Oh well. At times, I wish I would have went with a Slash, but am glad I went with the Ground Pounder. I will most likely buy a Slash when I have more room to roam, but am happy with the purchase. Upgrading the truck seems to be a joy from the sounds of it. Lastly, to all of those people who want to bash a newbie, go for it. I'm game.

 

[BC.livewire]

I will let you in on some thing

I had a GP and quickly sold it for a 2wd slash

I love monster trucks but the GP is to fraggel for my taests

the next monster truck I make will be runing all alunam axels like found over at rc4wd

 

[manimaniacal]

I will let you in on some thing

I had a GP and quickly sold it for a 2wd slash

I love monster trucks but the GP is to fraggel for my taests

the next monster truck I make will be runing all alunam axels like found over at rc4wd

I was torn between a Ground Pounder and a 4wd Velineon Brushless Slash. I know they could not be more dissimilar, but we all have our own tastes. I have always been enamored with the Clodbuster and the like. Hence, why I went with the Ground Pounder. I love the sheer size and the upgrade possibilities of the Ground Pounder and will stick with it. I am not a Traxxas, Losi, or Team Associated whore, in any way shape or form. I researched, read all the forums, and then bought the Ground Pounder.

I am happy and took your suggestions BC with the upgrades, although nothing is upgraded yet (upgrades are bought though, just not installed), due to my oh so over-dramatic break (note the sarcasm please). Anyways, people on here seem to be a little on the serious side. This is a hobby and should be fun. More people need to invest in 6, 12,18,24 packs of happiness and just have fun! Heck, maybe having both would not be that bad of deal? I am going to talk to my financial adviser (the wife) and see if I can swing it.

 

[DEVASTATOR]

There will be no "newb bashing". Nothing was said to provoke a bash fest and it won't be tolerated. Everybody is entitled to their opinion as long as it all falls within RCMT board rules. Let's all play nice