Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Land Models / November 2004

Hi Sal,

If the 2wd is in any way overpwered (and let's face it, most models are:-)
then it is heaps harder to drive than 4wd. With my 4wd cars (T-Maxx and
previously an Inferno), as long as it is pointed in pretty much the right
direction you can just about mash the throttle and it will sort itself out
and run in a straight line.

With a 2wd car, any time the rear wheels lose traction under acceleration
(which or course can happen all the time unless you are feathering the
throttle) the car will do a donut and spin out. I have an RC10B4 and a Nitro
Rustler and they both display the same behaviour. You can reduce it through
slipper settings, suspension settings, ESC programming or Tx programming,
but unless you do, the effect will generally be there.

Having said which, I now actually *prefer* the 2wd since it offers me more
satisfaction when I get it *just right* and I now find my 4wd a bit boring.
And it looks just great when you exit a corner with the back all over the
place and everything right on the edge. Additional benefits are:

. In theory a 2wd has the potential to accelerate faster
. Less gyroscopic forces at work
. Far less maintenance and spares required
. You generally only wear out rear tyres

I certainly wouldn't rule out a MiniT because its 2wd. I'm not too mad on
some of the engineering in the MiniT and I probably woudn't want one, but
that's another story, and nothing to do with it being 2wd and of course
purely a personal observation.

Mike

Well for bashing I feel 4wd is the way to go.
Handling wise a 2wd not set correctly will be more prone to under or
oversteer. A 4wd is more forgiving to an incorrect set-up.
Its much easier to tail whip a 2wd For bashing you might like that.
4wd will get up and over things better get stuck less.
Jumping - A 4wd you can alter its flight (nose up or down) more so than
a 2wd.

Racing is where you will most notice the handling differences but beings
your not wanting to race dont worry about it get what you like.

Team Associated will be shipping their 4wd 1/18th scale stadium truck
soon. As will Trinity.

Well, it's hard to quantify. It definitely feels different; your
throttle finger has to get finely calibrated.  :-)  

4wd hides a multitude of sins.  2wd is a real-time juggling act between
power and traction.  You spend spend about half the time with the rear
end drifting in and out based on where your throttle finger is.

Ever watched 1:1 scale sprint cars run on a dirt track?  that's an
exaggerated example but may be instructive.