Go Back   RCCrawler Forums > RCCrawler Brand Specific Tech > Heritage Crawlers > Duratrax Cliff Climber
Loading

Notices

Thread: rear steering lockout

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-06-2009, 07:35 PM   #1
Newbie
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 48
Default rear steering lockout

so let me know if this is a total newbie question. I have noticed that alot of you guys choose to lockout the rear steering, is this to conform to comp rules? I seem to be more successful with the help of rear steering. does it make a positive difference or is it to creat more of a challenge.
furiousgeorge is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
Old 04-06-2009, 10:07 PM   #2
Newbie
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Syracuse
Posts: 49
Default

Theoretically it should help, by tightening the turning radius, but it all depends on the driver and the terrain. Generally locking the rear steering makes a truck easier to drive at speed, like the Clod Buster. I find it's a little more predictable, because you don't have to deal with the rear tires sliding on a rock in a different way than the fronts, or the rear steering getting 'moved' by the force of the terrain. Counter-steering will also react differently than you get used to when driving regular cars or trucks.

That's just for 'full-time' rear steering, the kind the stock Cliff Climber has. If you use a 3-channel radio so you can control the rear steering independently from the front, that is definitely an advantage once you figure out how to use it; you can shorten the turning radius, only turn the rear wheels so the front end is the pivot point, turn both wheels in the same direction so it 'crab walks', etc. I have a 3-channel Traxxas radio with a 3-position toggle switch for my Tamiya Highlift and would like to give this a try someday. Full-size monster trucks use this system, so they can turn more sharply and maneuver more easily in arenas and stadiums. Trophee Andros ice racers also use rear steering to help the cars snake around the tight ice courses. For the monster trucks it's an on-off setup, flip the switch and it turns all the way in that direction, but I'm not sure if the ice racers have the same setup or it's proportional like the front wheels.

I can't speak for comp rules, though I'm sure there are some that address this in one way or another.

I locked mine mostly for the reasons above. I was able to do it with spare parts I had, but the kit from Duatrax is very cheap. A few easy modifications will really increase the front steering throw as well.
3DSteve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-07-2009, 04:22 PM   #3
Newbie
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 48
Default

i have noticed that my rear wheels do sometimes get stuck in the turned position while climbing, which sucks. I think i might lock out the rears and and try to increase the front end steering radius.

I am stretching out my frame, inspired by double trouble's frame project, so maybe all this combined will help out.

thanks
furiousgeorge is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-07-2009, 11:33 PM   #4
Rock Stacker
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Titusville
Posts: 83
Default

I threw away the servo savers and used a hitec 645mg in the front and a traxxas 2055 in the rear. Since they are opposite rotation, you can mount the rear servo with the horn pointing down and get rid of that stupid spacer. Just looking at that spacer made me consider locking out the rear, but I had some different servos hanging around so I gave it a shot, and it works great. I like the tighter turning radius, especially since I have to pick my lines a little more carefully with a small truck. I don't have a spare 3 channel receiver (they're all on my race trucks, and my wife wouldn't share her extra spektrum receiver), so I just got used to it.
spartacus_nuc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2009, 03:28 PM   #5
Newbie
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 48
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by spartacus_nuc View Post
I thre Since they are opposite rotation, you can mount the rear servo with the horn pointing down and get rid of that stupid spacer.
i hated that spacer, i didnt have any servos laying around so i went and picked up a servo reverser. it seems to work well.
furiousgeorge is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2009, 11:53 PM   #6
Newbie
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Syracuse
Posts: 49
Default

I've got pics of my setup in a thread I am making shortly.
3DSteve is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply



Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:03 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO ©2011, Crawlability, Inc.
Copyright 2004-2014 RCCrawler.com