Grand Hauler electrics

[GrandOlDaz]

Hi guys,

Had a bit of a mad moment the other day, and without much research I grabbed the Grand Hauler kit and some other bits and pieces (not all here yet)

Thing is, I suspect I made mistakes with the servos and esc etc and would like some recommendations and pointers please.

I have the carson reflex stick 2 (will get a flyski s6 in the future) a couple of carson 6kg servos and a hobbywing quickrun 1060 esc, all of which I suspect are poor choices. However, I will be doing a Scania model and possibly a couple of cars in the future so will be fine hanging onto these items for the moment, but really would like a better chosen esc and servos. 

I don’t imagine the truck will be getting a huge amount of use, but it will be used on carpet so don’t think the servos are up to snuff for that tbh. 

Can anyone suggest some solid servos and esc that are not the bare minimum requirements and can give a bit of headroom in terms of capability?

Oh, also I grabbed a carson poison motor, any better suggestions for a 80t or even 35t motor that people get solid results from?

As an aside, what batteries and specs are people using?

Also ordered the mfc 03 which I know may offend some sensibilities seeing as it is euro style but tbh, I am not entirely convinced I will install it and may save for a euro truck later down the line…everything is up in the air at the minute but I realise servos are pretty much the first thing you start to get fitted to the truck so would like to get those sorted in time for it’s arrival

Cheers all

p.s I am UK based if that makes a difference regarding recommendations and availability etc

[topforcein]

hello and a warm welcome to the club

and what a great kit to buy 

you dont really need strong servos tbh i only run the cheapest servos that was in my lhs for my trucks 

if you are buying a mfu then you wont need a seperate esc as the mfu as it built in 

i can't comment on the motor you brought as i run the tamiya tr truck motors in my trucks but you really dont want a fast motor in a truck as the kit one is to fast tbh and you dont want to speed a truck and risk turning it over esp if you plan on doing a nice paint scheme

and what ever mfu you put in is up to you and no one else they are all diff in specs but one bit of advice install the mfu and lights while you build the truck 

plus if you plan on a trailer then really only use either the flat bed or the tanker trailer as they look to scale with the grand hauler if you want the reefa or the 40ft container type trailer then use that on the euro truck like the scania you plan on getting next

oh and if you get stuck on anything just ask as there is a wealf of knowledge on here with other members

and read and read again and then double check  with the instructions the tamiya manual is a great one to follow when building but if you aint built something like this before it can be a bit scary

[Mad Ax]

Welcome aboard, the Grand Hauler is a fab looking piece of hardware, but its incredible length makes it a challenging drive in a tight area.  Tamiya trucks are known for having limited steering angle (there's a mod you can do but just build the truck and enjoy it first, you can get to that later).

I only use basic servos in my trucks, mostly I drive on plywood so a bit less resistance, but I think the cheap ones will be fine.  The 1060 is a perfectly good ESC too, it's smooth and works well, and you can run LiPo batteries if you want for longer runtimes.

IMO the Carson Poison is the best motor you can buy for a big rig - it's cheap, robust, it's got buckets of torque and a low top speed.  These aren't racing trucks, you don't want too much speed.  I mostly keep my rigs locked in 1st gear, the extra speed isn't useful unless you've got a really big area to play in.

As @topforcein says it's much easier to install the MFU when you build the truck, you pretty much have to take it all apart to get the wiring in, but even then there's a lot you'll learn on your first build (like, it's better to sheath all the LED wires in something before you install them), so much so that if you build a second truck, it will be so much better than your first that you'll probably want to take your first apart and rebuild it anyway.  And that's all part of the fun - build it once, then build it again and again, each time making it a bit better :) 

Whichever way you do it, enjoy the build and let us know if you get stuck  

[GrandOlDaz]

2 hours ago, topforcein said:

hello and a warm welcome to the club

and what a great kit to buy 

you dont really need strong servos tbh i only run the cheapest servos that was in my lhs for my trucks 

if you are buying a mfu then you wont need a seperate esc as the mfu as it built in 

i can't comment on the motor you brought as i run the tamiya tr truck motors in my trucks but you really dont want a fast motor in a truck as the kit one is to fast tbh and you dont want to speed a truck and risk turning it over esp if you plan on doing a nice paint scheme

and what ever mfu you put in is up to you and no one else they are all diff in specs but one bit of advice install the mfu and lights while you build the truck 

plus if you plan on a trailer then really only use either the flat bed or the tanker trailer as they look to scale with the grand hauler if you want the reefa or the 40ft container type trailer then use that on the euro truck like the scania you plan on getting next

oh and if you get stuck on anything just ask as there is a wealf of knowledge on here with other members

and read and read again and then double check  with the instructions the tamiya manual is a great one to follow when building but if you aint built something like this before it can be a bit scary

0h wow really the servos and esc will be ok? That is such a relief tbh, I mean I don’t wan’t anything special just the right gear to have a well working model so that is brilliant info thank you very much

wow even better if using the mfc that I don’t need a separate esc, again, fantastic i fo and takes the nagging worries at the back of my kind away.

oh yes that’s an excellent point about the trailer. I did actually in time wanted to add a trailer and ideally a box trailer so that is a very big consideration for this particular build.

The store I bought from were showing in stock online, however yesterday they emailed saying a small delay…

with the trailer issue in mind I have emailed asking if possible they can change the order to the Scania R620…no issues either way I can still add a flat bed to the GH but a big reason for wanting a truck kit is to recreate the livery of a local haulage firm I and my dad worked at (my dad has been passed 19 years so it is a kind of emotional attachment to the build) 

I think whatever happens I will end up with two truck kits over time anyway so either way will be ok but I did intend for a full tractor trailer kit in company livery so yer that’s def a point I had completely overlooked. Luckily I do like the look of the flat bed trailers so not the end of the world but won’t suit for my painting ideas.

 

thanks very much for the reply and excellent i fo, appreciate it mate

 

 

 

39 minutes ago, Mad Ax said:

Welcome aboard, the Grand Hauler is a fab looking piece of hardware, but its incredible length makes it a challenging drive in a tight area.  Tamiya trucks are known for having limited steering angle (there's a mod you can do but just build the truck and enjoy it first, you can get to that later).

I only use basic servos in my trucks, mostly I drive on plywood so a bit less resistance, but I think the cheap ones will be fine.  The 1060 is a perfectly good ESC too, it's smooth and works well, and you can run LiPo batteries if you want for longer runtimes.

IMO the Carson Poison is the best motor you can buy for a big rig - it's cheap, robust, it's got buckets of torque and a low top speed.  These aren't racing trucks, you don't want too much speed.  I mostly keep my rigs locked in 1st gear, the extra speed isn't useful unless you've got a really big area to play in.

As @topforcein says it's much easier to install the MFU when you build the truck, you pretty much have to take it all apart to get the wiring in, but even then there's a lot you'll learn on your first build (like, it's better to sheath all the LED wires in something before you install them), so much so that if you build a second truck, it will be so much better than your first that you'll probably want to take your first apart and rebuild it anyway.  And that's all part of the fun - build it once, then build it again and again, each time making it a bit better :) 

Whichever way you do it, enjoy the build and let us know if you get stuck  

Again, I am surprised but well happy the servos should be ok for use, I genuinely thought they would be no good, but even if they do me for a while and to get the kit built it’s great news and really puts my mind at rest.

Brilliant news on the motor too, yes I was trying to find something that would slow the truck down and make it more manageable/stable but I had read 35 or 80t motors where the ones to go for, weirdly I can’t find any info on the poison specs as to what T it is but again you have helped put my worries to bed… just to know I can crack on and get building when everything turns on with no real issue is great to hear.

Tbh re building and rebuilding, YES, I fully intend and hope to be tinkering with it for years to come adding bits and stuff as my knowledge and experience improve, plus as you say, building it will be an excellent tutorial in it’s own right.

fantastic replies guys thank you so much.

 

I had built an electric tamiya car and a nitro hpi car like 25 years ago so for all intents and purposes i’m as newb as is possible to be so I really appreciate the warm welcome and help, I feel so much better now knowing basically I am ready to go with the gear I already ordered

I will start a build thread once everything turns up and I am ready to go, absolutely cannot wait to get cracking

 

thanks guys

[Tamiya Fan 1]

All good info. You said you were running on carpet. I do the same. I use Futaba S3004, it is a cheapy with quality.

You will probably have more problems with the servo saver that comes in the kit. The plastic flex ring snaps on at least 5 of my trucks. Carpet hangs steering as you know. Any way, I recommend a better servo saver. Tamiya makes one for the trucks that has 3 metal flex rings. ($10) It will hold up to the carpet and still help the servo.(less slop too) Not a big deal to change after it brakes either. I changed on all my trucks and all new builds get one these days. Just a thought as I was reading this.

[GrandOlDaz]

On 1/11/2022 at 9:43 PM, Tamiya Fan 1 said:

All good info. You said you were running on carpet. I do the same. I use Futaba S3004, it is a cheapy with quality.

You will probably have more problems with the servo saver that comes in the kit. The plastic flex ring snaps on at least 5 of my trucks. Carpet hangs steering as you know. Any way, I recommend a better servo saver. Tamiya makes one for the trucks that has 3 metal flex rings. ($10) It will hold up to the carpet and still help the servo.(less slop too) Not a big deal to change after it brakes either. I changed on all my trucks and all new builds get one these days. Just a thought as I was reading this.

Ahhh thats interesting servo horns, i have seen people use metal ones and then have to grind them down a bit…the worry about buying the wrong things prevents me but i’m hoping after I have built the truck I will be a bit more educated and can make better decisions with regards buying little hop ups etc… that’s going to be part of the fun I think, installing little improvements over time

 

thanks for your reply mate, appreciate the advice

[GrandOlDaz]

Just an update, the seller got in touch and I have changed the order to the Scania R620, so will be ideal platform for the trailer combo I wanted

 

fingers crossed it gets here tomorrow (doubt it) this waiting os doing my head in lol

[GrandOlDaz]

Finally, enough gear is here now to get cracking

 

wish me luck, I’ll def need it

[Re-Bugged]

Good luck @GrandOlDaz 👍🏻😉

[tim.senecal]

GrandOlDaz, you will be fine, you are exactly where i was back in june of 2021...  good luck, and have fun.

[Tamiya Fan 1]

On 1/13/2022 at 6:04 AM, GrandOlDaz said:

Ahhh thats interesting servo horns, i have seen people use metal ones and then have to grind them down a bit…the worry about buying the wrong things prevents me but i’m hoping after I have built the truck I will be a bit more educated and can make better decisions with regards buying little hop ups etc… that’s going to be part of the fun I think, installing little improvements over time

 

thanks for your reply mate, appreciate the advice

The one I was talking about is the Tamiya 51000. it will bolt right on like original one. It is a stronger servo saver, so it still protects your servo. Better than solid aluminum servo horn.  I do use the shorter of the 2 horns that come with it and drill the 2 holes bigger for the ball studs. Linkage adjust is minor if at all. Makes steering less "sloppy" on carpet with the stock one witch will break in time if driving on cushy carpet. I had 7 of my trucks snap the plastic ring the stock one has. ( not all at the same time...but) So now that is just a part I install on any new build now.

The Semi's are a great hobby  and it is all a learning process as you go. I like building (creatively) more than driving them. (but that's fun too- the realism) Get all the bells and whistles and it adds to the whole thing. 

Have fun with the build!!

[GrandOlDaz]

Yer the plastic servo savers are garbage lol already learned that lol

 

cheers mate