RCC: How long have you been into RCs and/or crawling and what was your first?
Brad: I've been into R/C since I was a kid. My first hobby grade R/C was a Kyosho Big Brute. I was still in Jr. High, and it took me a long time to build.
But, I ended up enjoying the build process just as much as driving it. My
first crawler was a heavily modded E-maxx. I bought one when they first hit
the shelves at my LHS, and began modding it for some mild rock crawling and
hill climbs.
RCC: How did you get started as a designer/supplier of rockcrawling chassis
parts?
Brad: It all started when I built my first hardcore comp crawler using a TXT, and
posted the pics here on RCC. I received a few private messages from other
members wanting to buy parts I designed/machined for that rig. The first
real product I released to the public was the 23mm wheel adapters, and was
surprised by how many sets I sold. Then, I designed a basic TLT chassis and
started competing with it. I ran that version for awhile, and did well at
the comps here in Colorado and the one comp I attended in Moab that year.
That eventually evolved into the SW2, which I decided to try and market/sell
to the masses. The popularity of the 2.2 Class was really growing at that
time because of how capable the TLT kits could be, as well as the
reasonable price. I think that has played a big role in the success of the
SW2 chassis.
RCC: Can you give us an idea what goes into the design of a competent crawler
chassis?
Brad: For a 4-linked chassis I feel link set-up, ride height and shock angle play
the biggest role in how a rig performs. I personally prefer having the upper
and lower links double triangulated. I like the shocks mounted to the axles
and as vertical as possible, while still providing acceptable flex. I like
my ride height to be set so I have a decent break over angle under the
chassis, but still set low enough to climb steep vertical faces. Driving
style, as well as terrain, can play a big role too. Some people prefer
wheelspeed and some prefer a lot of torque, one set-up may not work for both
situations. If you run in bowling ball sized rocks, break over angle is your
friend, but that same rig will struggle on steep climbs. Finding a set-up
that works in both situations is the real challenge.
RCC: You do a lot of driving and testing, and won 1st place in 2.2 class at the 2006 Nationals. What do you recommend to customers and other drivers as far as rig setup?
Brad: If you're trying to dial a new build in, only change one thing at a time
before you run again. Keep in mind that changing one thing, can affect
several others too. It'll help people learn about rig set-up, and what
changes affect what handling characteristics. If you get a lot of torque
twist in a shaft driven rig, add a stronger spring and oil to the offending
rear shock, then try it again. If you still get twist move the upper link
mounting points on the chassis down closer to the lower mounting points, and
see if that helps. Maybe try adding a little weight to the front wheels
after that, if you're still not satisfied with performance. These rigs, like
any other comp bred rig, require a lot of tweaking/wrench time. If you aren't
willing to put in the time at the bench, as well as behind the wheel, it'll
be tough to become a top contender. The best 4-link set-up, in my opinion,
is one that can flex with little change in the wheelbase.
RCC: How would you recommend someone become skilled at crawling?
Brad: Practice, practice and even more practice.....both at the bench and behind the wheel. Drive your rig(s) as much as possible, in varying terrain, with as
many different people as you can. Travel to comps that aren't in your area.
Try to take note of what works where and why, and apply that to your rigs.
RCC: Where do you see the future of comp crawler design going from here?
Brad: That's a good question, the sport has progressed so fast it's tough to say.
There are so many chassis designs out there right now that are capable of
winning a comp. There are a lot of members here that are pushing the design
envelope everyday too. I think more durable rigs will be a must. We're
breaking more parts then ever here in Colorado, because of course design.
The rigs have become so capable, that some of the obstacles are huge and
seem unpassable. But there's usually one or two guys that get through,
leaving the rest at the bottom with broken parts.
RCC: Care to share with us anything new you're working on?
Brad: My newest project is the SW3 chassis, which is due to be released shortly.
It's the 3rd version of my original TLT chassis, and so far the most
capable. It's basically a streamlined version of my 2.2 Class Nationals rig,
only lighter, with better breakover angle and a lower center of gravity.
RCC: Thanks for your time and the tips for us wheelers
