Best Battery for Team Associated RC10DR Dakar 2WD Desert Buggy

If you’ve just picked up the Team Associated RC10DR Dakar 2WD Desert Buggy, you already know it’s not your run-of-the-mill off-road RC. Don’t be fooled by its sharp desert rally paint job—underneath is the battle-hardened RC10B5 competition chassis. And that means one thing: your RC10DR Dakar isn’t just reliable. It’s infused with the DNA of a championship team that’s spent over a decade perfecting every last detail on the track.

Born from Team Associated’s world-title-winning RC10B5 chassis, the RC10DR Dakar takes race-proven engineering and turns it into a desert predator. This isn’t just a new shell for show—it’s a machine forged on the track, now ready to tear up the open terrain. Whether it’s a dusty straight or a loose dirt corner, this buggy was built to conquer them. Just pin the throttle and let it eat.

The RC10B5 Heritage

First launched in 2014, the RC10B5 platform marked a turning point for 2WD buggies. With sharper suspension geometry, a mid-motor layout, and a sealed drivetrain, it became a go-to weapon for competitive racers. That same DNA evolved into the DR10 drag car, the RB10 all-terrain buggy, and now the RC10DR Dakar—a straight shot from track champion to desert beast.

RC10B5 Platform Lineage

This family tree shows why the RC10DR Dakar is so versatile. It shares the same race-proven bones as its drag racing and all-terrain siblings, making it a true jack-of-all-trades.

Choosing the Right Battery

To save you from wasting time and money, we’ve hands-on tested two CNHL Racing Series packs that fit the Dakar like a glove and squeeze every drop of performance out of it:

• [Combo] 2 Packs CNHL Racing Series 5600mAh 7.4V 2S2P 120C Hard Case LiPo Battery with T/Dean Plug – If you want silky-smooth throttle response, precise steering feel, and plenty of runtime, this 2S is the one to grab.
  
• CNHL Racing Series 8000mAh 11.1V 3S 120C Hard Case LiPo Battery with T/Dean Plug – If you’re chasing outright speed and that “leave-’em-in-the-dust” thrill across open sand, this 3S delivers more than numbers—it’s chest-thumping acceleration and a top-end surge that’ll get your heart racing.
  

2S vs 3S: Which is Right for You?

So, which path do you choose? If you’re about finesse and control—making the buggy carve perfect lines like its full-scale counterpart—the 2S 5600mAh is your surgical scalpel. But if you’re all about raw power and adrenaline—unleashing pure chaos across the desert—then the 3S 8000mAh is your sledgehammer.

Fitment and Installation

Both packs are hard case designs with T/Dean plugs, dropping straight into the RC10DR Dakar’s battery tray—no adapters needed. The hard case adds that extra layer of protection against puffing and impacts when you’re bouncing over rough terrain.

Learn More

Want to see how the legendary RC10B5 platform transformed into today’s desert monster? We’ve put together a clear “family evolution chart” for you. Head over to the RC10DR Dakar battery collection page and check out the full story.