RC car snow chains.

[ZzZGuy]

This is the RC car that I have
http://www.traxxas.com/product...e2006/trx_stampede.htm

This is what I am currently doing to winterize it is this
http://www.misbehavin-rc.com/p...ne/chains/g-chains.asp

Question is, do I need to add chains to the front tires as only the rear wheels get power. Or would it be better to stud the front tires with screws in a straight line in the center of the tire for better steering.

I do not wish to use studs on the rear tires because it'll be going through some soft snow as well as ice, studs won't be able to grip as much snow.

The chains almost double the weight of the tires, will this shorten the life of the electric motor?


For water proofing I'll simply use electrical tape and electrical sealant gel (I used this stuff to turn a cheap RC boat into a RC sub once, though it had a one inch radio range). Still debating if I should tape off the air intakes on the motor as it'll be -5 °C/ 23 °F outside. I also used it outside in the snow without water proofing without ill effects, except one one tire seems to get less power but I don't know what the heck caused that.

I also wonder if I can get away with running it on really thin ice as I can make the tires air tight by sealing two tiny holes (tires are glued on the rim), just enough so it doesn't instantly sink. O and if it gets stuck in the middle of the pond we would throw rocks at it until it sank so no idiot tried to go out and retrieve it.

 

[jagec]

RC trucks have a pretty light footprint. You could probably go out over fairly thin ice without even breaking through. If the holes are truly tiny, it might NEVER sink as the air will not be able to escape simultaneously with the water entering, so the tires could be completely submerged and still be filled with air (obviously once you get down to a pressure where the rubber deforms it will no longer be buoyant).

As for the life of the motor, who cares? Yes, it puts more stress on it, but RC motors live a pretty high-stress life anyway, and the purpose of them is to have fun, not bring Grandma her heart pills. Just have fun, if it breaks, have fun some other way.

I'd just stud the front tires myself. ANd I wouldn't block the cooling vents on the motor.

 

[randay]

make studs by screwing wood screws or something into the tire from the inside out.

 

[ZzZGuy]

Originally posted by: randay
make studs by screwing wood screws or something into the tire from the inside out.

Tires are glued onto the rims, so I'd have to screw from the outside in (doable). I could use the regular screws with the cone shaped head or hexagon head.

@ jagec
Do you mean stud the front tires along the middle or throughout the width of the tire?

 

[randay]

Originally posted by: ZzZGuy

Originally posted by: randay
make studs by screwing wood screws or something into the tire from the inside out.

Tires are glued onto the rims, so I'd have to screw from the outside in (doable). I could use the regular screws with the cone shaped head or hexagon head.

@ jagec
Do you mean stud the front tires along the middle or throughout the width of the tire?

i dont think that would work well, perhaps a new set of wheels. since youll only use them during winter the rubber shouldnt wear out since its just snow, and it should last like... forever?

 

[ZzZGuy]

Originally posted by: randay

Originally posted by: ZzZGuy

Originally posted by: randay
make studs by screwing wood screws or something into the tire from the inside out.

Tires are glued onto the rims, so I'd have to screw from the outside in (doable). I could use the regular screws with the cone shaped head or hexagon head.

@ jagec
Do you mean stud the front tires along the middle or throughout the width of the tire?

i dont think that would work well, perhaps a new set of wheels. since youll only use them during winter the rubber shouldnt wear out since its just snow, and it should last like... forever?

I'd have to order them online, and I'm traveling in a months time.

 

[randay]

Originally posted by: ZzZGuy

Originally posted by: randay

Originally posted by: ZzZGuy

Originally posted by: randay
make studs by screwing wood screws or something into the tire from the inside out.

Tires are glued onto the rims, so I'd have to screw from the outside in (doable). I could use the regular screws with the cone shaped head or hexagon head.

@ jagec
Do you mean stud the front tires along the middle or throughout the width of the tire?

i dont think that would work well, perhaps a new set of wheels. since youll only use them during winter the rubber shouldnt wear out since its just snow, and it should last like... forever?

I'd have to order them online, and I'm traveling in a months time.

ah, well for next time you should look into bead locks as well. no more gluing tires to rims.

and id go with the chains for now then i guess?

 

[ZzZGuy]

Originally posted by: randay

Originally posted by: ZzZGuy

Originally posted by: randay

Originally posted by: ZzZGuy

Originally posted by: randay
make studs by screwing wood screws or something into the tire from the inside out.

Tires are glued onto the rims, so I'd have to screw from the outside in (doable). I could use the regular screws with the cone shaped head or hexagon head.

@ jagec
Do you mean stud the front tires along the middle or throughout the width of the tire?

i dont think that would work well, perhaps a new set of wheels. since youll only use them during winter the rubber shouldnt wear out since its just snow, and it should last like... forever?

I'd have to order them online, and I'm traveling in a months time.

ah, well for next time you should look into bead locks as well. no more gluing tires to rims.

and id go with the chains for now then i guess?

The tires came that way.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: ZzZGuy

Originally posted by: randay
make studs by screwing wood screws or something into the tire from the inside out.

Tires are glued onto the rims, so I'd have to screw from the outside in (doable). I could use the regular screws with the cone shaped head or hexagon head.

@ jagec
Do you mean stud the front tires along the middle or throughout the width of the tire?

I'd start by studding them along the middle and seeing how it worked. Then put another couple of rows if needed.

 

[compman25]

Use balloons to waterproof the electronics. Stick the receiver in an un-inflated balloon and then zip tie the opening closed. You can do the servos that way also.

 

[ivan2]

new tires:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/c...wti0001p?&I=LXDT99&P=7

 

[ElFenix]

i remember back when traxxas was an also ran in the r/c world. back before the rustler and stampede rtr kits made them the hottest thing on the planet.

<--- has a trx-3

 

[alfa147x]

i really want to pull out my RC car and weather proof it

But its GA it dont snow here