4WD Turning Difficulties

[Brandon Holley]

If you have not hooked up a trailer to your robot, do it.

It may seem optimistic when you are driving just the robot, but as Paul said, it is just PAINFUL to drive with the trailer on.

[Ian Curtis]

Originally Posted by Brandon Holley

If you have not hooked up a trailer to your robot, do it.

It may seem optimistic when you are driving just the robot, but as Paul said, it is just PAINFUL to drive with the trailer on.

Really? We've had a different experience. I find driving with the trailer is more enjoyable. Sure, there is a slight loss of control at first, but once you get the hang of it you can pull some really nifty tricks. That said, you need a pretty big practice area to get the hang of driving the thing. From a dead stop, driving really slowly we can barely make an about face on two sheets (with the trailer on).

[rilesmitch]

Think of being on ice. The smaller the tire foot print, the higher the psi, and thus.... better the traction. Let's say the wheel provided has a footprint of 1 square inch, your robot comes in at 120 lbs and you have 8 wheels with the weight evenly distributed. Then you have 15 psi. Go to 6 wheels and your at 20 psi. Go to 4 wheels and you are at 30 psi, 2 wheels.... I think you get the idea.

Ideally, one wheel would be best. Let me know how to make that work.

I'm still in search of a very large bucket!

[rwood359]

Originally Posted by Josh Goodman

I also ran this scenario through a drive train simulator and came up with similar results.

What simulator did you use and is it generally available?
Thanks

[Josh Goodman]

Originally Posted by rwood359

What simulator did you use and is it generally available?
Thanks

Yeah, I have to get it from one of my friends but when I do I'll put it up!