RC Track Width Tuning (Simplified)

Narrow Track Width

Makes the car more aggressive or twitchy
Transfer more weight and faster at the same time.
More max tire load to the ground – more max grip.
If too narrow the car will be a very inconsistent feel – it will grip hard fast and will lose grip fast if the tire gets overloaded.
usually need thicker oil for the outside tire is carrying most of the load – you don’t want the inside tire (that is doing less work) to rob the power.
In short, the car will have an overall tight feel.

Wide Track Width

Makes the car less responsive/lazy.
Less weight transferring to the outside tires gives more rotation.
You have more even tire load to the ground.
Less weight moving – which gives a more constant feel.
You also gain the ability to run thinner diff oil for you have more weight on the inside tire.
If too wide the tires will be under-loaded, and the car will feel floaty and push (slide up) in the turn.
In short, the car will have an overall losses feel.

Where to start?

The best way I find to tune with track-width is to start with a (wide front) and a (narrow rear). Then drive the car a bit more aggressively than you normally do. If you have a hard time getting the car to respond at the beginning to middle of the turn (mostly off-power) try narrowing the front. If you have a hard time getting the car to rotate in the middle to exit of turn (mostly on-power) try widening the rear. You will find – on a track where you carry a lot of speed – a wider track width will help stabilize and calm down the. On tight tracks – a narrow track width will be more responsive.

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Links useful for RC Track Width Tuning

competitionx.com – RC Suspension Tuning Guide – Track Width

rctech.net – Effect of changing front track width

tamiyaclub.com – Width Vs Traction?

f1technical.net – Rear/Front track width