How Much Do Monster Trucks Cost?

Given their size and the amount of punishment they take during events, it is natural to assume that monster trucks must be quite expensive, but how much does a monster truck actually cost? As one might expect, buying or owning a monster truck is not cheap, and the cost of outfitting, building, and maintaining one is quite high, often in a similar price range as buying a house. Below, we will analyze the costs of owning a monster truck, calculating the overall expenses one might expect for such a vehicle.

Body Cost

One of the most important parts of a monster truck is the body and frame of the vehicle. In addition to their size and speed, monster trucks are known for their flashy paint jobs and body shapes, with many often having bodies that are brightly painted or shaped in unique ways, such as in the form of animals. These custom-made bodies are generally constructed from fiberglass, which is extremely durable and resistant to damage. To create a custom body for a monster truck, an owner must go to a fiberglass company, which designs the body and makes a custom mold. A custom body for a monster truck can initially cost as little as $15,000 but can go as high as $50,000. Remaking or repairing damage to the body can cost between $3,000 and $8,000.

After receiving the body, the truck must be painted. Paint jobs for a monster truck will vary based upon the intended design, its detail, and the cost of the colors required. Typically, one can expect to pay around $5,000 for a monster truck paint job. 

Another important part of a good monster truck is the roll cage. This metal frame protects the driver of a monster truck from injury in the event of a crash. A solid roll cage with good welding, designed for a monster truck, can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000.

Engine Cost

After the body and frame, the next most important part of a monster truck is the engine. Monster trucks use custom-built, supercharged engines, and the parts and work required to create these powerful motors are considerable. An engine alone can cost a monster truck owner between $20,000 and $50,000 to purchase or build and can often cost more.

In addition to the engine, part of a monster truck’s operation will include decent suspension and shock absorbers, which are needed to protect the truck from the rough course and tracks. A monster truck suspension can cost around $2,500, and since monster trucks require four suspensions, outfitting a full truck with suspensions can cost $10,000 or more. Shock absorbers, meanwhile, will cost between $1,000 and $1,600 apiece, and most monster trucks will require at least four shock absorbers, though many can require up to 8. This would add another $4,000-$12,800 to the cost of a monster truck.

Tire Cost

The final major expense involved in owning a monster truck is the tires. Monster Jam requires that monster truck tires be 66 inches high and 43 inches wide. All monster truck tires have to be hand-cut due to their size, and making one tire often takes 50 hours. On average, a single monster truck tire will cost between $2,000 and $6,000, making the cost for a full set of four tires anywhere from $4,000-$12,000. 

Other Expenses

In addition to all of the major expenses listed above, monster trucks require a number of other expenses to maintain and own. For example, all monster trucks require appropriate seatbelts, harnesses, and seats. All monster trucks are also required to have what is known as a “Remote Ignition Interrupter (RII)” or “kill box,” a small, handheld device that can instantly turn a monster truck off in the event of a crash. Safety devices such as fire extinguishers and first-aid kits are also vital. These expenses are small on their own, but can add up to another $10,000.

Finally, monster truck owners will require money to pay their crew and to maintain and move their trucks. A monster truck crew consists of mechanics and drivers, all of whom will need to be clothed, housed, and fed during tours. Additionally, monster trucks will require yearly and sometimes monthly maintenance as damage accrues, and also cost a lot to move via hauler trucks. Monster truck fuel adds an additional, costly expense. These expenses can total an additional $250,000 per year, though they are often partially or totally paid for by the owners of Monster Jam.

Overall Cost

In all, when tabulating all of the above costs, a decent monster truck will cost its owner approximately $250,000-$300,000 a year, if not more. This represents an enormous investment of time, effort, and money, and thus, it is often not feasible for the average person to own a monster truck without being sponsored by a major monster truck racing organization, such as Feld Entertainment, which manages Monster Jam. Even with a major backer, monster trucks are extremely expensive to maintain.

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