Backwoods R/C's Since 2001

Well, basically when referring to the Toe, we are talking about the angle of the tires in relation to the front-rear “center” line of the vehicle…….. If you are to imagine a line that runs front to rear down the center of your rc, and the front of your tire is pointed inward towards this line then you are “TOE-IN”. Accordingly when the rear of the tire is pointed inwards toward the line then you are “TOE-OUT”. To have “ZERO-TOE” then the center line of your tires are perfectly parallel to the center line of the R/C.

Toe is measured in degrees just like chamber… As is my opinion with chamber you really don’t need any fancy hudy boards or anything to use toe adjustments to your advantage! This along with camber adjustment can really enable you to squeeze every last bit of performance out of your r/c….. These things can and do make a night and day difference. All you really need is an adjustable turnbuckle kit and some patience…. Before you get started always adjust to zero-toe especially for your first setup on the veh as this will really enable you to appreciate each adjustment made and what it equals in performance as well as on different surfaces. A quik way to check your are adjusted to ZERO-TOE on all 4 wheels is to take a ruler or other solid straight edge (This will only work assuming your wheels are not worn like cheerios …. Line this up down the side of the veh from the front wheel to the back…. Both the front and rear edge of each wheel should be flat against the edge when the servo or servos are at dead center… also make sure the left and right links are at equal lengths unless your system utilizes unequal length steering rods then refer to your owners manual for starting points. Your left and right wheels should always have equal Toe adjustments….. the only exception would be on a oval or heavily one turn biased layout but this is way beyond my league to even consider

I would recommend only playing with front toe first before moving onto rear toe. While camber in effect is your key to optimal traction toe in effect is the key to optimal handling. Toe is everything when it comes to dialing in your car for turns once you are hooking up! Proper TOE will have a huge effect on ability to control the car when things get hairy…. The more TOE-IN the more stable-planted the veh will feel both front and rear…. When you start to think of separate adjustments just remember front TOE is for corner entry adjustments and rear TOE is for corner exit adjustments. Remember this does cause drag and will cause abnormal tire wear as well on the outer most corners of the tires when TOE-IN and visa versa…. If overly exaggerated this will destroy foams with easy chunking and rubbers by breaking glues seals like butter!

Front TOE-IN will help bump steer, cause a loss of steering feel while improving tracking, and can be used to counteract over steer in corner entry….. Front TOE-OUT will increase bump steer, increase steering feel while deteriorating tracking, and can be used to counteract under steer in corner entry.

Rear TOE-IN will help keep your rear down in bumps, Cause a loss in steering feel while improving tracking, and will help counteract under steer in corner exit….. Rear TOE-OUT will increase rear bounce, increase steering feel and deteriorating tracking, and will help counteract over steer in corner exit…..