Softer tires for crawling

[rcbubba]

Originally Posted by TacoCrawler

IMO... one should have more then one set of tires/wheels
and they should be swapped out for the various terrains/conditions.

But because I generally crawl slow... with minimal wheel spin
I prefer the softer rubber compound tires. ( ie: R35 - G8 )

Sometimes the best opinion of what tire works best for your needs
and the terrain they're driven on...
...is your own.

IMO... I say invest in at least two sets... for various conditions.
and alternate them for the changing conditions.

Right now I am pretty much strictly crawling on the appalacian trail with is shale with some slick mossy climbs.. I can't imagine my wraith goes more than 3-4 MPH WOT so i am definitely more interested in softer compound for slow technical crawling than high speed.

I have read pretty rave reviews on the proline tsl's and the hammers in the g8 compound too.

I imagine eventually I will have muitple sets too use for differing terrain... along with different cars to put them on... to satisfy my differing need of speed and techincal crawling

[TacoCrawler]

Originally Posted by rcbubba

I can't imagine my wraith goes more than 3-4 MPH WOT so i am definitely more interested in softer compound for slow technical crawling than high speed.

...long winded... probably repetitive
but... possibly I'll type something helpful to you.

I believe your tire choice is on the right path...
just realize that softer rubber means faster tire wear.

A soft/sticky high traction rubber tire compound is what increases traction
on rocks, shale (hard smooth surfaces) and wet surfaces.

Moss... well that stuff is often moist (wet) and generally offers less traction
no matter what tire compound is utilized...
often requiring some wheel spin (speed) to navigate thru.
But if the moss were dry...
deep/wide spaced tire lugs are likely more critical then softer rubber compound tires.

Do not confuse the tire's rubber compound traction with foam insert density.
High flotation (soft foam inserts) work better on some terrain but not all.
Sand and loose surfaces are more easily traversed using higher flotation
because the tire's stay atop the surface rather then digging in.

The principle of a foam insert at slow crawl speeds...
is to ensure that the tire's tread stay in contact with the surface.

Too soft and the tire will deflect too much and cause the tire's sidewall
to roll over the wheel's rim bead...
or buckle (distort) the tire's sidewall during applied throttle.

If the insert is too soft... it may be cupping the center tread of the tire
and so that may not be generating enough pressure on the ground
which offers the most traction to the tire center tread (lugs).

I read a lot of time that folk believe that a soft tire sidewall
that conforms to the terrains irregularities does better for traction.
Tho' it's not as simple as that.

A sidewall being too soft compromises traction in some cases.
Plus side hilling with an insert that is too soft
just sees the tire rolling over the wheel's bead and this is not generally ideal
in the fact that the pressure is on the tires shoulder rather then on the tread's center lugs.

If the tire's insert is too soft...
the wheel's rim bead could be cutting or grinding against the tires inner sidewall
and weaken that or worse... ...if continually used in that manner.

The purpose of a foam insert is to create a reduced tire PSI
But too soft... and the tire sidewall offers little to no support.

Thus creating more leverage on the steering components and stressing those even more.
The servo will be stressed more and could possibly fail if not strong enough.
And steering precision will be reduced if the tire rolls over the wheel's bead.

On my 1:1 rig I generally only air down to around 15 PSI for most trail work.
I will only air down lower if I need to get thru a difficult rock section.
But there's a trade off... as the tire can deflect too much and create steering bind
when the tire is deflecting off the rocks or what not.

The point of beadlock wheels is to keep the tire on the wheel
when aired down extremely low.
But that tire flex and deflection can be really hard on the tires sidewall.

So... having a softer, high traction rubber compound tire increases traction...
but a too soft of foam insert can actually work against the tires ability to bite.

Airing down too low or having too soft of foam insert
can be counter productive to the tire's traction capabilites.

Selecting the proper foam insert density...
is more dependant on the weight of the rig
then the tire's conformity/deflection in the rocks.

The tread's center lugs should be in contact with the surface (terrain)...
not solely the treads shoulder lugs or sidewalls.

Sidewall lugs are there more for their abrasion resistance... then actual traction.

Good luck and have fun

[rcbubba]

WOW! thanks for the input!

I have been in contact with the guys at C.I. for proper foams for my rig weight and terrain. C.I. is great to deal with!

I understand contact patch and such from my 1:1 wheeling and I am trying to apply that to R/C, however there has been a learning curve. You definitely helped spike that curve. Thanks again!

[JatoTheRipper]

Originally Posted by rcbubba

I'm a big fan in the 1:1 world along with the Krawlers. Likewise, in the 1:1 world I am not a huge fan of the Pitbull Rockers because from what i have seen they aren't that great at one thing.(although from the reviews in the r/c world they are the Bees knees)

At this point I'm sure they'll be better then the tires I am currently running. and since i am just getting back into the rccrawling world, I'd like to try different tires out starting with the tires modeled after some of my favorite 1:1's. (now if we could get a nitto trail grappler replica!)

I have the 1.9 R35 Trepadors. They work OK, but they aren't great at anything in my experience. Your results may vary.

I love my Pitbull Rock Beast. They're one of my favorite tires as are the ProLine TSLs.

Every new tire that comes out is called a "game changer" but in the end there aren't many tires that are absolute garbage and there aren't many tires that are world's better than the rest. It all depends on your rig, driving style, and terrain.

[waqr]

The Spawn RTR comes with the R35 compound.