Can You Drive Your RC Car on Sand | Important Tips

A remote-control car is a radio-controlled car powered by an engine and controlled by a radio station. This type of RC car can run on different types of surfaces according to its various features.

Can you drive your RC car on sand

    The answer is YES! Driving on the sand, for many factors, is similar to driving on mud or other soft ground; you need to be very careful. Driving on the sand requires special precautions with peace of mind. It is also needful to carefully evaluate the consistency of the surface itself, that is to say, whether it is as hard as asphalt or whether it is excellent. In any case, the proper precautions must be considered to move, brake and, avoid getting bogged down.  

How to drive your RC car on sand

One of the most exciting natural realities for those who love challenges on four wheels and above all aboard an off-road vehicle is undoubtedly on the sand. Passionate RC car drivers dream of experiencing the thrill of venturing into one of the incredible expanses of the Sahara. The various competitive challenges played right on the Saharan tracks, such as the well-known Dakar, a charm that never ceases to attract RC car runners.     Driving on the sand, in any case, requires particular attention and a certain amount of preparation, as well as a passion for complex challenges. The consistency of the sand where you drive an RC car is also of great importance, as it plays a vital role in the sustenance of the vehicle. Therefore, a clear analogy must be made between a sandy expanse and a dune. For experienced RC car drivers, a glance is clearly enough to assess the consistency of the sand. Generally, the more consistent and solid sections appear shinier and have more marked granules to support even larger vehicles more adequately than finer sand. In the case of sand, its consistency is greater on the bumps, where the wind carries out a cleaning action, pushing the softer sand layers downstream and making sure that the most solid and resistant ones remain. When crossing the sandy hollows, care must be taken to avoid RC cars being trapped in the soft sand, mainly since uphill, the inclination of the ground increases so that the load on the rear axle also increases. All this weighs on the work done by the rear tires to push the car uphill, digging the surface with the risk of covering up the vehicle. In the stretches characterized by substantial differences in height, you must have a sustained pace to make the vehicle move forward without the wheels making an excessive effort. On the sand, moreover, as on all surfaces with poor grip, it is good to avoid sudden acceleration or sudden braking. On the contrary, it is necessary to have an optimal speed, respecting the vehicle’s characteristics, such as weight, speed, and engine power. Pay particular attention to the standing start. Starting with a second or third gearbox is advisable, avoiding slipping the wheels or the clutch. When in motion, it is essential to maintain a constant speed, avoid gear changes or sudden turns that break the vehicle, even digging in the sand.  

How to brake RC cars on the sand

It is necessary to minimize the tire pressure to have better traction on sand than that indicated for traditional tires. To maintain the momentum needed to move forward, you need to engage the 4WD High mode. Of course, this also depends on the conditions of the sand, in which case you would have to select different gears to advance. It is good to do it broadly when you are in front of a curve, as tight turns risk slowing the car, even worse, blocking it.     Driving on the sand means always keeping the engine running, that is to say, always using a long gear and with very soft starting and stopping maneuvers. The brake is necessary to stop RC cars on sand. To start again on sand, however, you will have to resort to a more extended gear. Conversely, you risk digging holes under each wheel if you unload too much power on the ground in a short bag. Where possible, it is advisable to stop the RC car on a downhill slope so that its weight gives the momentum when moving off again, without the risk of getting stuck. It is also essential that the wheels have low pressure to increase the support surface on the ground. When driving an RC car on the sand, it is also important to avoid following the ruts that have been left by other RC vehicles, but it will be better to travel adjacent areas. Better to avoid dunes and hollows, as maneuvers that tend to slow down the RC car’s movement speed could risk being silted up. If you are in front of a dune, you must pay attention to the gears you use because a gear change uphill can cause the vehicle to stop. If you notice that the RC car risks stopping even if you try to take a run and start again, it will be more appropriate to try to go along with the stop, thus avoiding getting stuck. If you try to persist, you risk sinking, while in this way, you can stay afloat. Subsequently, you can enter reverse with extreme gentleness to go up again, but this time, with a more extraordinary run-up. If, although all these precautions have been taken, you find your RC car being covered up, it will be good to strive with other means and platforms to free yourself from the block placed by the sand. In this case, it will be needful to resort to a jack, or a shovel, and special sand plates. Once they are freed, the RC car’s wheels will have to be placed on these vehicles to restore adherence to the car then.  

Where else can you drive your RC car

It is essential to know if you will drive the remote-controlled car on asphalt or track, in the mountains, in sand parks, etc. Think carefully about where you are going to run before buying an RC car. RC cars are so varied that you should choose well depending on the terrain you will race. Some recommendations on the surface are: At home: If you want to shoot in small spaces such as terraces or rooms, we recommend 1/14 scale RC cars or more minor ones. The all-terrain or track has greater agility for small circuits. Beach: You will need off-road 1/10 scale RC cars or higher. The ones that work best on the sand are the bigfoot, Truggy or speed crawlers. Remember that sand and saltpeter can damage car parts, and you will need to carry out exhaustive maintenance.     Earth or Mud: You need a 1/10 scale or a more extensive and off-road car. For this reason, we recommend the buggies that are the kings in this type of surface, in addition to being fast, agile, and adapted to jumping. Also, the Truggy is excellent to provide further versatility since they have the buggy’s speed and the height of the bigfoots. Asphalt or cement: Touring or drift types are thoroughly recommended. They are cars of all sizes but with smaller wheels that reach breakneck speeds. Drift cars can perform curves with authentic effects.     Grass: As is evident, you will need remote-controlled cars with a certain height and great power due to the high friction. We recommend 1/10 scale or larger cars, including speed crawlers, bigfoot, or Truggy.     Rocks or mountains: With total security, the best RC cars are the crawler type. Its four × four traction and low speed are perfect for mountain trial circuits. Ice: To run through the snow, you will need RC cars with chains and tracks. This way, the grip will be more excellent. Keep in mind that standard tires will not work, and the electronics can be damaged.  

Other information you might be interested in

  • Traction
We can choose between 4WD (4 × 4) or rear-wheel drive (2WD). Rear-wheel-drive vehicles tend to be lighter and have longer battery life. As for the 4 × 4, they are cars with a 4-wheel drive heavier and consume more battery. There are many scales in initiation remote control cars. The smallest is the 1/24 going up to 1/9 bigger cars. The smaller the car, the smoother the surface it will run on and the smaller. Against more significant, it will run on more uneven terrain with potholes, and you will need larger surfaces.
  • Battery types
There are two types of batteries: NI-MH and LIPO. The oldest would be the NI-MH, and they are becoming obsolete due to their limited power; they do not have much discharge, and they are heavier. We recommend using lipo batteries, thanks to their high shot, lightweight, high energy, and reduced measurements. We recommend buying a remote control car that includes lipo batteries as they give more fun and performance. We have the buggy (very popular for their speed and jumps), the bigfoot or monster truck, Truggy, crawlers, etc., designed to go on any surface and with stud wheels. We also have the touring, rally, or drift types designed for asphalt or smooth surfaces, even with tread or smooth wheels.  

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