King Hauler Turning Radius

[Heavy Metal]

Hi all. Newbie and just did my "welcome" post so getting down to business on some questions now.

My first time operating an RC tractor trailer was a couple days ago. It's a stock King Hauler w/ flatbed trailer and the fun factor did not disappoint. However, my immediate impression is two things in particular are inaccurate about the "simulation experience".

1. The speeds are way too fast relative to the real thing so backing and maneuvering operations are not realistic and were disappointing. Some internet searching confirms this concern - all the serious RC truck guys have geared their trucks down. No questions here as yet. I am kicking around the various ideas (mostly from this site) and will pull the trigger on this mod soon.

2. The turning radius seems to be greater than the real thing (needs to be tighter). It seems like I should be able to make tighter turns and is mostly an issue trying to chase the trailer around turns in reverse (rookie driving skills aside). I suppose I could search the internet to find the actual turning radius for 1:1 tractors w/ same (proportional) wheelbase but I figure someone on here might know the answer straight away. I found a couple posts about mods to MAN and Merc trucks to solve this but those both suggest the KH has tighter, acceptable turn radius. Am I right or wrong on this?

Thanks. Joe

[roadranger]

Joe, you can mod the steer axle by shaving off part of the knuckles to get a tighter turn radius. Posts I've seen on this were on the old (now dead) Garden forum.

[aseejr]

Is the steering servo pushing the steering to their mechanical end (binding) points?

[Tamiya Cowboy]

I think there is picks on the steering modd in Stepsides big 170" sleeper white truck..

[Stepside]

tks Paul, I did take pic:



http://www.rctruckandconstruction.co...read.php?t=238


As for the 4:1 reduction, I am a firm believer in the GD-600 mod. For the money, its un-beatable. I did an RC-4wd unit in my one rig, which is good, but if I had to do one tomorrow, I'd go w/ a GD-600.

http://www.rctruckandconstruction.co...ight=reduction

[aseejr]

Guys in here never cease to amaze me. The ingenuity in the builds and mods are endless.

Awesome work guys!!!

Albert

[Heavy Metal]

Originally Posted by aseejr

Is the steering servo pushing the steering to their mechanical end (binding) points?

aseejr: Yes sir.

Originally Posted by Tamiya Cowboy

I think there is picks on the steering modd in Stepsides big 170" sleeper white truck..

TC: Thanks.

Originally Posted by Stepside

tks Paul, I did take pic:
http://www.rctruckandconstruction.co...read.php?t=238

As for the 4:1 reduction, I am a firm believer in the GD-600 mod. For the money, its un-beatable. I did an RC-4wd unit in my one rig, which is good, but if I had to do one tomorrow, I'd go w/ a GD-600.

http://www.rctruckandconstruction.co...ight=reduction

Stepside: Nice!! The tie rod with the 45 deg bends each end is the exact idea I had in my head to get clearance from the shock mount on front suspension. I think I'm going to go that route but leave my servo in the front and just trim here and there as needed to get full mechanical clearance.

Glad to hear your thoughts on the GD-600 'cause I ordered one this afternoon. I will post a separate thread soliciting some advice on mounting options for it.

Thanks all!!

Joe