One of the most important things in a RC rock crawler is the suspension. To be able to climb steep rocks and claw over and around them, you need a multi-link suspension. An independent A-arm suspension just won’t cut it. To get maximum suspension articulation, you need solid front and rear axles with multi-link suspension and the softest spring and shock combination possible to reach places that other non-rock crawler remote-controlled vehicles will be unable to.
As mentioned here, the ideal height should not be too high, nor too low to provide a balance between clearance and center of gravity for a stable, yet solid RC rock crawler. Getting it too low would make the chassis drag through the rocks which we do not want, but raising it too high will compromise balance.
Unlike RC cars built for speed, RC rock crawlers benefit from controlled power or torque instead of just speed and RPM. A setup wherein power is delivered in a steady manner at a relatively low speed will prove to be more beneficial when climbing those rocks.
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Electric RC Truck 1 10 Car Rock Crawler Rockslide RS10 |  |
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US $159.99 | 1h 5m |
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Electric RC Rock Crawler Truck 1 10 Car Rockslide RS10 | |
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US $159.99 | 4h 16m |
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Electric RC Rock Crawler Truck 1 8 Car ROCKSLIDE SUPER | |
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US $235.99 | 10h 16m |
For optimum maneuverability, you need 4-wheel steering to complement your soft suspension. Since the 1980’s, having the ability to control both the front and back wheels to enable the vehicle to turn to whichever direction you want it to go has been the norm. This capability gives RC rock crawlers easy maneuverability in narrow spaces and uneven surfaces, as well as provides better traction. Locking differentials reinforce this by giving power to the wheels to cruise through the rocks instead of risking getting them off the ground. If you prefer, you can make also make adjustments to the setup in case you want all 4 wheels turning on the same direction all the time as well.
Furthermore, tires of RC rock crawlers are typically soft, narrow, yet large and equipped with an aggressive tread pattern for more tread on the sidewalls and ultimately, better traction all around.
What makes RC rock crawling fun is the fact that it’s not just your ordinary racing hobby, which involves speed and almost nothing else. RC rock crawlers are more complicated leaving enthusiasts with a lot to discover, tinker with and improve on, making it all the more enjoyable.
For an RC rock crawler enthusiast, there’s nothing more fulfilling than seeing the vehicle you built from scratch in action. Beginners can actually get themselves a complete chassis and suspension setup and some find joy in modifying their existing RC rock crawlers, but the real hobbyists know that there’s more to watching the neat vehicles maneuver through the rocks. The entire process of finding parts and putting it together makes it much more fun.