Best tire compounds

[DeadBolt987]

I am planning on buying an SCX10 2 Raw Builder's Kit soon, and I am not sure what tire compound I should be getting for the type of crawling/trailing I do, mostly dry rocks and dirt trails. What are some compounds I should look at, and what are some tires that have those compounds?

 

[WHITE-TRASH]

Depends on the rock. We have great high traction granite around here so my go to is predator compound krawlers. The compound works great and the large open lugs work well in the dirt so they're solid all around.

 

[DeadBolt987]

Depends on the rock. We have great high traction granite around here so my go to is predator compound krawlers. The compound works great and the large open lugs work well in the dirt so they're solid all around.

I will definitely take a look! Thanks for the information! Also, how long would you say the Krawlers last with intermediate use?

 

[DeadBolt987]

Also, how would the G8 compound compare with grip and durability against the predator compound?

 

[ScaleLifeNewbie]

Yep, out here my Proline Krawlers work great on the porous Lava rock, but I am running G8 compound. I feel the G8 Krawlers work better out here than the Hyrax.

 

[AC49]

I have had incredibly good luck with the Duratrax brand (by Horizon Hobby) They have a C3 compound that is just as sticky or maybe more sticky than the Hyrax G8's that I have.

even though the tread doesn't look all that agressive the "Scaler" tread pattern has done well for me on rocks but not as good in the mud or loose dirt.
Deep Woods are a better trail tire for grip in loose dirt. Bigger lugs = more bite but smaller lugs and more of it mean a larger contact patch for rocks.
So just depends what you want to give up and what you want to get.

"Approach" have been my in between tire, decent crawling on hard rocks and also good loose dirt performance.

Showdowns are mud and snow monsters.

For the price I highly recomend the Duratrax brand. No I'm not sponsored, hahaha they just work that well for me and I won't waste my money on Proline again for roughly the same overall performance.

 

[WHITE-TRASH]

I will definitely take a look! Thanks for the information! Also, how long would you say the Krawlers last with intermediate use?

They should last a long time if you don't spend all day spinning tires to find traction. I'm hard on tires but I expect a lot out of them so I treat them as just another consumable.

 

[DeadBolt987]

So as far as I know, the pros and cons of the G8 are they are durable, great for general crawling, but when it comes down to the really technical crawling, the predators are better. However, the predators are less durable. Also, supposedly the Predators do better in cold, and the G8s do better in the heat. I use my rig during all the seasons and enjoy both hard crawling and trailing. I don't want to have to spend too much $ on tires when they wear out. Overall, which compound on the Proline Krawlers would you recommend?

Also, thanks, will take a look at the duratrax

 

[HumboldtEF]

If you're worried about them wearing out I'd say go for the G8 compound. Were I run my crawlers the predator compound doesnt do any better that the G8 compound from what I've experienced.

RC4WD's X2S³ compound is another good option, it wears a bit fast like the Predator compound.

Pit Bull also uses a really good compound, it might be between predator and G8 in terms of wear.

Honestly as long as you're not running stock RTR tires you'll end up with something that performs good.

 

[DeadBolt987]

If you're worried about them wearing out I'd say go for the G8 compound. Were I run my crawlers the predator compound doesnt do any better that the G8 compound from what I've experienced.

RC4WD's X2S³ compound is another good option, it wears a bit fast like the Predator compound.

Pit Bull also uses a really good compound, it might be between predator and G8 in terms of wear.

Honestly as long as you're not running stock RTR tires you'll end up with something that performs good.

Thanks for the advice! Hearing what you have said about Pitbull's tires, I will probably go check out their tires."thumbsup"

 

[Sniper4370]

Good foams will help just as much, if not more, than tire compound alone.
Just food for thought.

 

[DeadBolt987]

Good foams will help just as much, if not more, than tire compound alone.
Just food for thought.

Thanks for the info! Do you think that the Proline Dual Stage Foams would work with the G8 Krawlers or Some Pitbull tires?

Also, I have seen a lot about the Alien Compound from Pitbull. Is that the one where the compound is in between G8 and Predator?

 

[Bob_in az]

I see you're in New Mexico. I'm in the Phoenix area & our terrain & weather are very similar. Predator compound works the best in the cooler months, but they lose grip when wet. G8 compound works best in the hot months & still does well when wet. As others have said, foams make a big difference. I like Crawler Innovations Lil' Novas much better than the proline dual stage foams. I use 4.5" foams in my 4.75" tires. Proline Krawlers & Super Swampers seem to work the best on our terrain, but the Hyrax & Trenchers work nearly as well.

 

[DeadBolt987]

I see you're in New Mexico. I'm in the Phoenix area & our terrain & weather are very similar. Predator compound works the best in the cooler months, but they lose grip when wet. G8 compound works best in the hot months & still does well when wet. As others have said, foams make a big difference. I like Crawler Innovations Lil' Novas much better than the proline dual stage foams. I use 4.5" foams in my 4.75" tires. Proline Krawlers & Super Swampers seem to work the best on our terrain, but the Hyrax & Trenchers work nearly as well.

I will definitely check out the Lil' Novas foams, and knowing this info, I will probably go with some dual stage foams and the G8 Krawlers. Thanks for the great help everyone!"thumbsup"

 

[DeadBolt987]

Also, one more thing. For the Dual stage foams, should I go with the soft, mediums, or a combo?

 

[garyk]

To me the softer predator compound seems like it lets the tread blocks roll over easier (at least with Krawlers and Hyrax) which actually can hurt grip. The super soft sidewalls also want to roll under easier. My take is that you kinda need stiffer foams with the predator compound to fight that, which isn't necessarily bad as it also can help with turning and sidehilling. That said, I prefer how the Krawlers and Hyrax work in G8, but for the Swampers I like the Predator...they're pretty different tread designs. A friend is about to try the Trenchers in predator compound, I'm real interested in how they do.

As far as foams, the Proline dual stage aren't bad at all IMHO. I use them in some of my tires, and even win comps on them. But I do think CI foams are technically better, its just difficult to know exactly which ones to buy sometimes. I have found that the 'comp cut' inners are preferable simply because they seem to help keep the outer from slipping to the side.

 

[DeadBolt987]

To me the softer predator compound seems like it lets the tread blocks roll over easier (at least with Krawlers and Hyrax) which actually can hurt grip. The super soft sidewalls also want to roll under easier. My take is that you kinda need stiffer foams with the predator compound to fight that, which isn't necessarily bad as it also can help with turning and sidehilling. That said, I prefer how the Krawlers and Hyrax work in G8, but for the Swampers I like the Predator...they're pretty different tread designs. A friend is about to try the Trenchers in predator compound, I'm real interested in how they do.

As far as foams, the Proline dual stage aren't bad at all IMHO. I use them in some of my tires, and even win comps on them. But I do think CI foams are technically better, its just difficult to know exactly which ones to buy sometimes. I have found that the 'comp cut' inners are preferable simply because they seem to help keep the outer from slipping to the side.

That's good to know about the sidewalls on the predators. My mind is now made up for the G8 compound and the Krawlers, and I will check out the dual stage foams!

 

[ferp420]

there is no one best compound or tire only what works on the terain you run on at the time your running them

any proline tire will be hard to beat and any of the name brand tires should work
the best is a opinion you will have to form on your own

 

[tjohanne]

there is no one best compound or tire only what works on the terain you run on at the time your running them

any proline tire will be hard to beat and any of the name brand tires should work
the best is a opinion you will have to form on your own

I agree completely.
And also, the Proline tires are reasonably priced, which is always a good thing.
If I died and came to RC heaven, and could only bring two sets of tires with me, I'd bring my BFGoodrich Krawler T/A KX 1.9" Rock Terrain in g8, and BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 in Predator compound. The TSL Swampers are also fantastic. Proline all the way.

 

[Egsise]

Also, how would the G8 compound compare with grip and durability against the predator compound?

Have you read the Pro-Line tire specs?
I've used G8 and predator, G8 is slippery even at 60F.

Also, one more thing. For the Dual stage foams, should I go with the soft, mediums, or a combo?

It depends on your rig weight and tires, temperature, and personal preference.

RC4WD Wrangler MT/R is like predator compound, 4.19" is sweet sweet size and they outperform my 4.75" Pro-Line G8 Hyrax and 4.75" predator KM3.