RC Car/Tires for grass

[TommyM]

I am going to purchase my first RC car for open backyard runs. What tires are best for grass?

 

[CertifiedMike]

Welcome to RCTALK.COM, Tommy!

What kind of RC do you think you'll be buying?

What sort of performance are you looking to get out of your RC?

Will you be bashing mostly? Is there a track involved?

Do you think you'll be running on asphalt at all? Asphalt is a knobby tire killer for sure!

Tires are a huge part of racing. There are a lot of options to choose from.

Unless you are looking to get a specific 'feel' from your RC, I would buy the RC and try running it with the stock tires.

Once you figure out how your RC performs on grass and what you'd like to improve on, its time to start looking for upgrades. I'd say you're jumping the gun by buying new tires (or much else) right now.

Upgrade what needs upgrading.

Lets say you want to try drifting on grass. That might require slicks. That may be a different situation.

My 'best tires for grass' on my 40 year old 4x4 1/10 scale Optima Mid are going to be very different than the 'best grass tires' for a new Arrma 6s... than will be for a 2wd...

There is no generic answer to your question.

 

[ohsnap]

What he said...

 

[Ritz413]

Welcome! My favorite rc on grass is a Kyosho Outlaw Rampage pro. It's a 2wd truck. Running on what you might see as a radial truck tire like you would find on an f150 pickup out around town. It has good ground clearance, gearing that keeps the motor running cool, and the tires slip enough to not constantly traction roll on every turn. It also has enough power to toss a light roost of grass behind it everywhere it goes. That's fun for me, you may be looking for a different experience.

 

[OnwardGuinevere]

My TRX4 eats grass for breakfast

I think it depends on what you're looking for in an RC. Do you want a basher? Monster truck? Trail rig?

@CertifiedMike makes some very good points on things to consider.

 

[TommyM]

I have attached a screenshot of the RC car I intended on getting, with a couple extra items added in. I haven't pulled the trigger on this purchase yet, but I like what Traxxas has to offer. I will be gently, compared to most Bashers, bashing around the yard a bit with mild jumps and nothing crazy. I am 70 years old, and the young boy is still inside of me wanting to play with RC cars, and I just want to buzz around with it a little bit. I won't be racing much at all, if any, and will be also running it on blacktop every now and then.

 

[CertifiedMike]

Keep it stock for now and see if you like it. I bet those tires will do well for you.

Do be aware, running in grass will require regular removal of your tires to clean out between the hubs, bearing and parts.

Grass (my grass anyways) likes to wrap around the axles and make a mess.



I'm sure that truck will be more speed and performance than you will really be able to use in a small backyard lawn.

Its gonna be quick!

On asphalt, the stock tires should have some chance of survival. You'll blow 'spikes' off in no time. You'll have a brand new set of 'nubs'!

You already own the stock tires anyways. Try them out. See what you think.

If you still want to upgrade after a few runs, go for it!

 

[desmobob]

The fairly open pattern knobbies on my Team Associated MT10 V2 hook up very well in the grass on my lawn. I'm guessing the stock tires on the Rustler will be pretty good as well.

 

[Tunedfrog]

I am going to purchase my first RC car for open backyard runs. What tires are best for grass?

Keep a close eye on the esc and motor temps. They will run hotter than normal running on grass.

 

[RustyUs]

Even with an overpowered 1/8 scale truck with wide tires to help keep it afloat... grass is going to generate the most drag out of any running environment. Gearing down may not be enough to get long run times. Definitely want to invest in an infrared thermometer. I'd probably suggest start taking baseline temps at a 5 minute mark and check again every minute thereafter.

 

[RustyUs]

I am going to purchase my first RC car for open backyard runs. What tires are best for grass?

I have attached a screenshot of the RC car I intended on getting, with a couple extra items added in. I haven't pulled the trigger on this purchase yet, but I like what Traxxas has to offer. I will be gently, compared to most Bashers, bashing around the yard a bit with mild jumps and nothing crazy. I am 70 years old, and the young boy is still inside of me wanting to play with RC cars, and I just want to buzz around with it a little bit. I won't be racing much at all, if any, and will be also running it on blacktop every now and then.

View attachment 274963

Oh, and... welcome to the fold I think you'll have a blast with a Rustler 4x4. If indeed you are planning to run a 3S LiPo pack right from the get-go, I'd compensate a bit on the gearing.

Calling any/all Rustler 4x4 owners... get your butts in here!

 

[RustyUs]

Unless you are looking to get a specific 'feel' from your RC, I would buy the RC and try running it with the stock tires.

Once you figure out how your RC performs on grass and what you'd like to improve on, its time to start looking for upgrades. I'd say you're jumping the gun by buying new tires (or much else) right now.

Sorry, I like looking at manuals for stuff like this, and Traxxas has some darn good ones. They have a lot of "do" and "don't do" info jammed in there to cover their butts. From the manual...

Like I said in earlier post, you may need to gear down when inducing 3S LiPo battery and grass. Keep the dark blue "preferred" gearing idea in the back of your head when you go out for initial shakedown.

 

[TommyM]

Keep a close eye on the esc and motor temps. They will run hotter than normal running on grass.

That's why I am thinking of purchasing the heat sync and fans, I hope that will help?

 

[Tunedfrog]

It will a little bit but I suggest you follow @RustyUs advise and have extra pinions on hand with an infrared gun.

 

[TommyM]

It will a little bit but I suggest you follow @RustyUs advise and have extra pinions on hand with an infrared gun.

Well I should probably read up on gear ratios to see what is appropriate for grass. I thought it would be easier than this, lol, but the gearing should be right for the road.

 

[dustyroller]

I never saw mention of but There are lots of grasses, what kind or height is your yard, fairly well kept or kinda tall?

 

[TommyM]

well kept, not thick, with a berm in the back.

 

[Ritz413]

Big tire monster trucks are also a great choice for grass. Fms f100 is great out in the yard....but I also don't really do 4wd in go fast vehicles

 

[CreepyQuarryCrawler]

I have attached a screenshot of the RC car I intended on getting, with a couple extra items added in. I haven't pulled the trigger on this purchase yet, but I like what Traxxas has to offer. I will be gently, compared to most Bashers, bashing around the yard a bit with mild jumps and nothing crazy. I am 70 years old, and the young boy is still inside of me wanting to play with RC cars, and I just want to buzz around with it a little bit. I won't be racing much at all, if any, and will be also running it on blacktop every now and then.

View attachment 274963

I had this truck prior to this configuration; It's based around the Traxxas Slash LCG/Stampede 4x4 VXL.

Your biggest enemy in this situation for your running situation is the 3S battery. You'll want to stick to 2S unless you are on gravel or in a parking lot.

I 100% agree on reading up about your RC to familiarize yourself. I also agree with the other points around gearing and a temp gun.

Traxxas does a pretty good job setting it up for most conditions out of the box, I would just keep that voltage down.

Once I started running 3s my temps were high, then I was chasing gearing, then swapped in a bigger motor, shaving the chassis to squeeze in yet, a bigger motor, etc, etc.

They have since improved their electronics (ESC and motor) to something stronger than when this chassis originally debuted.

If this is what you go with, just grab it and a temp gun. Get out there and enjoy the thing

Fix stuff as it breaks. Use aluminum sparingly (knuckles, rear hubs, etc) and they're awesome rigs.

Good luck!

 

[RustyUs]

I had this truck prior to this configuration; It's based around the Traxxas Slash LCG/Stampede 4x4 VXL.

Your biggest enemy in this situation for your running situation is the 3S battery. You'll want to stick to 2S unless you are on gravel or in a parking lot.

I 100% agree on reading up about your RC to familiarize yourself. I also agree with the other points around gearing and a temp gun.

Traxxas does a pretty good job setting it up for most conditions out of the box, I would just keep that voltage down.

Once I started running 3s my temps were high, then I was chasing gearing, then swapped in a bigger motor, shaving the chassis to squeeze in yet, a bigger motor, etc, etc.

They have since improved their electronics (ESC and motor) to something stronger than when this chassis originally debuted.

If this is what you go with, just grab it and a temp gun. Get out there and enjoy the thing

Fix stuff as it breaks. Use aluminum sparingly (knuckles, rear hubs, etc) and they're awesome rigs.

Good luck!

Oh, I would be doing the same...

... but it's all about lowering the Kv of the motor when increasing the voltage for general use. I don't want to derail @TommyM's thread too much with efficiency mumbo-jumbo, because I totally agree, he just needs to get into the hobby and start the experience.

Well I should probably read up on gear ratios to see what is appropriate for grass. I thought it would be easier than this, lol, but the gearing should be right for the road.

It doesn't have to be difficult. Everyone just wants you to be cautious when you put your first RC vehicle on the ground and flip that switch on while using a 3S LiPo battery. You just happen to include the "g" word in your RC quest. Grass, like everything else in life, has lots of variables.