DieHarder

I'm looking at getting some new tires soon. I've decided to get a pair of RPM wheels, but I'm not sure about tires. The Dirt Hawgs II wore VERY fast. I thought about the gladiators, but those just seem to pin-style like and stock. So I was going to see if I could get the wide version of the gladiators on 2.2" bead. I know EXT2Rob runs gladiators. How fast do those things wear? Does anyone run badlands? (I'll go search to see if they even exist. )

rclugnut10

My Feedback: (1)

I've had both the 2.2 and 2.8 badlands and 2.2 gladators, none of which wear quickly, i burned through my stock m2 bowties and r3 holeshots faster. the gladiators will wear faster than the badlands... I really like the badlands they're a stupid fun basher tire with gobs of grip and they're just fun. the 2.8's are a little less bouncy/drive a bit better than the 2.2's the only issue with the 2.8's is finding the right offset wheels. I haven't looked at current offerings but i'm betting with some of the wider 12mm traxxas hex's you should be fine... I think the only issue i have is getting the wheel nuts on the last bit you just have to use some needle nose pliers....

the lug

egbasher

I'm running Gladiators on RPM wheels on the rear. Much better traction on dirt than the Dirt Hawgs with about the same wear rate, as far as i can tell. So far I'm very happy with them. I've had them on the car for about 6 months. I run about 6 battery paks a week. Maybe 2 hours of run time per week total. If you're running on pavemanet I would think the Glads would wear as quickly as the Dirt Hawgs.

DieHarder

I finally built a track in the side yard. I just tilled up the soil, and while I was gone dad packed it down a bit with the garden tractor tires. It's a bit bumpy, but if it doesn't rain tomorrow, I'll drag the old steel bed spring behind the tractor over the track to try and smooth it out. It's rough, but after a little grooming,it should be pretty nice.Here's a few pics.

rclugnut10

My Feedback: (1)

Looks like fun, now ya gotta add some jumps

The lug

DieHarder

Yeah. I think I'll put a couple on the straight, and maybe one here and there around the loops. Today, I'm gonna try and groom it. As you can see theres lots of sod chunks, and it's quite bumpy.

EXT2Rob

My Feedback: (1)

That looks GREAT, DH.  Nice layout, and it doesn't look like you have much to hit, just that one tree/pole, and it's well off the track.  You even have some elevation changes.  You'll have great fun!

I like the Gladiators because they seem to work well both in dry and moist conditions.  Although in dry conditions, one still tends to spin the tires and you just can't drive it as hard for obvious reasons.  A fairly dry track wetted down a little with a sprinkler gives the best driving conditions.  As for the wear, well, I certainly wouldn't want to run Gladiators on asphalt, the pins would wear pretty quickly, despite them being pretty beefy pins.  I wanted a pin-type tire for dirt, but one that would last longer than say a Holeshot that has much smaller pins.  That said, in dry conditions on my track, maybe the Holeshots would work better.  But I get two to three months of use out of a pair of Gladiators.  EGBasher gets more TIME out of his tires because he doesn't get to run as much as I do, which is almost every day.  We both initially ran Dirt Hawg IIs on the rear, which were a great improvement over the stock tires (and I still run them on the front), but the Glads definately had better traction in dirt.

If you're going to be running mostly on your track now, DH, yeah, get a set of Gladiators and try them. I'll betcha you'll like 'em. 

Did I see a gravel road in front of your house?  If so I can see why you're looking at lugged tires. They work better on gravel. But if you're gonna be on dirt, try a pin-type tire.  And if your dirt has a lot of clay in it, and you get your track smooth enough, you might even want to try a clay-comp tire.

egbasher

Looks like a cool track DH. You're lucky to have parents that let you make it. Mine would have said no way you're going to rip up the yard! I agree with EXT2Rob. I think Gladiators would work really well on your new track.
Have fun.

DieHarder

Thanks! As great as it seems, it's only temperary. [] Dad is planning on putting a lawn in this summer, so at one point or another it will have to be dimolished. But...my only chance of keeping it for another year, is if dad runs into problems setting up the sprinkling system, or leveling dirt or something. Then it might be too late to plant grass, and I'll be able to keep it for another winter. Fingers crossed!!! That whole side yard used to be full of about 75 dead red pine trees. We cut em all down though. Chainsaw, yo! I might try the gladiators. I finished racing around a little and got back on the pavement, when it stopped running, and started making a squealing sound. I did a little investigating, and found that the axle was spinning inside the wheel. So because as soon as I let off the throttle, the resistance was so strong on the axle that it stopped spinning immediatly, I pretty much figure that the pin was spinning inside the wheel, and ripping it up.

Sooo...now I really need a new set of wheels and tires. [:@] I was trying to squeeze by because I don't have the funds currently. Work has been delayed for 2 weeks straight. 3 Saturdays ago, I worked an 8hr day doing yard work. Sadly, I had to spend it on $55 worth of debts, and that left me with about $25 to spend. I still think that the gladiators look a little stock. I may need some more convincing to pull the trigger. Also Bob @ Cobblestone Hobbies called today, and said that my aluminum motor plate and new gear cover is in. My old gear cover is cracked like crazy, and the motor plate is original and really worn out. I have some scrapped up money to get that stuff. I was looking at getting badlands, but not sure yet. Also, I don't know if I should get some more black rims, or some chrome RPM rims. What do you guys think?

cumquat

get black, the chrome will flake off eventually anyway.

DieHarder

Ok, cool. I've never had chrome before anyway. Thanks cumquat.

EXT2Rob

My Feedback: (1)

I like the chrome, but it DOES flake off eventually.  When they start looking really cheesy, I paint them.  And that isn't permanent either.

Dang, DH, too bad.  Here's hoping Dad runs into problems and you get to keep the track!

DieHarder

LOL. I was going to try and groom the track with an old bedspring, but I'm trying to find a way to pull it. I have to involve chains and a 18hp tractor. I'll try to come up with something.

DieHarder

Groomed the track today! Looks pretty good. I still need to groom it again tomorrow. I figured out a way to attach some 1/4" chain to the bedspring using some old 1/8" sheet metal brackets and lag bolts with locking nuts. Then I found the middle of the chain loop and put a bolt through both sides, and left a little loop at the end to wrap around the ball of the hitch. Worked GREAT. I know with the desciption, your probably clueless on how it works. Maybe if I feel like it, I'll draw it up and post it.

On the other hand, I got my retainers today. One on the bottom (Red), and one on the top (Blue). I'll post pics of this stuff later. They feel so tight, and I can't talk right. Imagine pushing on your molars with your thumb until it feels weird like it's gonna rip, and hold it there all day and night for 2 weeks straight! It's gonna be miserable!  I have to take them out every now and then so I get a relief. [:@] What's worse, is when I eat, I have to take them out, rinse them off, and put them in the case. And then after I eat, I have to brush my teeth and then I can put them back in. So everytime I eat something, even some chocolate chips for a snack, I have to complete this process. Urgh! [:@]

rclugnut10

My Feedback: (1)

I can kinda follow about the bedpan chain combo action thing if it helps. And retainers suck I need to wear mine more tho cuz my teeth have started to space out a bit... and you'll get used to wearing/talking with them in soon enough...

the lug

DieHarder

Here's a few pics of my retainers. Both sides of each one, and when they're in my mouth. (Please don't get grossed out on the last two pics.)

The blue is the top, and the ruby red is the bottom.

rclugnut10

My Feedback: (1)

yumm :P how about some pics of your track groomer and the track now thats it's groomed i'd like to see how that worked out for you

dtxandtrx

I had top and bottom retainers for 2 years and never did any of that. My teeth are fine.

DieHarder

Sorry, can't post that right now. I'm up north at our cabin on Wells Lake in LeRoy, MI. No track around here!

EXT2Rob

My Feedback: (1)

TMI

DieHarder

How do ya figure? How do you think the orthadontists take it? Also, I get really annoyed when my sister repeats that 20 times a day. I'm not a gross person, I just have a lower standard of what To Much Info is.

I'll tone it down a little...just for you.

EXT2Rob

My Feedback: (1)

Ha ha ha.  Thanks DH.   

DieHarder

Here's some pics of the track! (Pic # listed and description)

1. Mechanism I was trying to describe.
2. Chain View.
3. Whole System.
4. Further pic of mechanism.
5. Whole chain view.
6. Front View.
7. Very close up on mechanism.
8. Front Chain View.
9. Pic From window. Took that later. See the stupid tree.
10. Mechanism when being pulled.
11. Bolt going through chain behind the hitch ball.
12. My controls.

Tomorrow I'm going to lawn roll the track. I put the jumps in today, and after I roll it, I'll take up a little dirt around the track so there is some loose surfaces. I'll take more pics tomorrow. I got too late on me to take pics.

DieHarder

Lawnrolled it, raked up some loose dirt, and now I'm all done! I'll be running it tonight.

DieHarder

Dame it! it rained! now if I take it out, it'll be a mud bog. [:@]