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How to Build the Strongest Crawler

Many kits and parts are available for RC (remote control) hobbyists looking to build a rock crawler. What separates different crawlers when it comes to strength is differences in the chassis and suspension -- the building blocks of the entire vehicle. If you're going to be running your crawler over rough terrain, you'll want to put together the strongest possible vehicle so it will last a long time and continue to operate smoothly.

Instructions

- 1
  Purchase the most flexible spring and shock combination, with a 4-link suspension. This will give your crawler the largest range of axle articulation, which means that when the crawler encounters a higher rock on one side of the vehicle, the wheels on that side will be able to adjust upward to get over it.
- 2
  Choose tires that have a tread pattern with depth to it, so the tires can grab the rocks as your crawler goes over them. They should also be soft, so they will compress down and put more surface on the rock as the crawler's weight goes over them. A spray lubricant can help get your tires even softer.
- 3
  Install your chassis so the crawler's center of gravity is as low as possible. Obviously, you'll need some ground clearance to get over rocks, but if the center of gravity is too high, the crawler will tip over.
- 4
  Keep your crawler in a low gear when you run it over a particularly rocky patch. Lower gear means higher torque when the crawler starts out. Higher RPMs, on the other hand, will just tip the crawler over. Torque gives you climbing power.
- 5
  Keep your differentials locked. Otherwise, when your left wheels go up onto a rock and need power, the differentials will transfer the power over to the right wheels. You'll either get stuck or the crawler will tip over. Purchase a lock from RC craft stores, or simply stuff in some clay to keep the differentials still.

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