# 2WD vs 4WD (RC)

> Is 2WD or 4WD better for an RC car?

- Category: Car design › Suspension geometry
- Kind: Standard part
- Basis: Design rules and figures from the cited sources; example geometry by Xem Studio
- Page: https://xemstudio.com/objects/2wd-vs-4wd/ · JSON: https://xemstudio.com/api/geometry?object=2wd-vs-4wd · Plain text: https://xemstudio.com/objects/2wd-vs-4wd/sheet.txt
- License: dimension sheet CC BY 4.0 (Xem Studio); files CC BY 4.0 or their publisher's license
- Use in every chat: add https://xemstudio.com/mcp as a connector (https://xemstudio.com/use-with-ai/)

**Exact dimensions.** True size, with no printing tolerance added.

## Notes

- 4WD puts power through all four tyres for steadier cornering, braking and jump control on loose dirt, while 2WD is lighter and simpler but slides its rear on slick surfaces (EuroRC).
- In EuroRC's short-course comparison the 4WD truck weighed about 6.5 lb vs 5 lb and ran 10-15 vs 15-20 minutes on the same pack.
- EFRA applies the same 1/10 off-road dimension limits to both.
- Used on: Traxxas Slash 2WD and 4x4 (EuroRC comparison).

## Sizes

| parameter | value or range | source |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (short course example) | 2WD ~5 lb; 4WD ~6.5 lb | EuroRC |
| Runtime, same battery | 2WD 15-20 min; 4WD 10-15 min | EuroRC |
| 1/10 off-road limits | same for 2WD and 4WD (460 x 250 mm) | EFRA |

## Where the files are

- EuroRC: [Traxxas Slash 2WD vs 4WD](https://www.eurorc.com/news/341/traxxas-slash-2wd-vs-4wd) — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts
- EFRA: [EFRA Handbook 2010, Appendix 3: Electric Cars](https://www.efra.ws/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Handb10App3.pdf) — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts

## Questions

**Which is easier to drive?**

4WD is steadier on loose surfaces (EuroRC).

## Fits with

- [Camber angle](https://xemstudio.com/objects/camber/)
- [Caster angle](https://xemstudio.com/objects/caster/)
- [Front kick-up (RC)](https://xemstudio.com/objects/kick-up/)
- [Front toe (toe-in / toe-out)](https://xemstudio.com/objects/toe-front/)
- [Rear toe-in](https://xemstudio.com/objects/toe-rear/)
- [Ackermann steering geometry](https://xemstudio.com/objects/ackermann/)