RC Camber Explained
What Is Camber?
Camber refers to the angle of a tire when viewed from the front or rear of the car. It describes whether the top of the tire leans inward or outward relative to vertical.
• Negative Camber: Top of the tire leans inward toward the chassis
• Positive Camber: Top of the tire leans outward away from the chassis
• Zero Camber: Tire stands perfectly vertical
In RC cars, Camber is one of the most important alignment settings because it directly controls how much of the tire makes contact with the track during cornering.
How Does Camber Affect Your Car?
Camber has a major influence on traction, tire wear and cornering performance.
Cornering Grip
Negative Camber increases grip in corners. As the car rolls into a turn, the outside tire flattens out, maximizing the contact patch. This improves corner speed and stability.
Straight-Line Traction
Too much negative Camber reduces straight-line traction because less of the tire touches the ground when driving straight.
Tire Wear
• Excessive negative Camber wears the inside edge of the tire
• Positive Camber wears the outside edge
• Balanced Camber promotes even tire wear
Steering Response
More negative Camber generally sharpens steering response, especially on high-grip surfaces.
How Do You Change Camber?
Changing Camber is straightforward and typically done through the suspension links.
Turnbuckles (Most Common)
Adjust the upper camber links (turnbuckles):
• Shortening the link increases negative Camber
• Lengthening the link reduces negative Camber (or adds positive Camber)
Fixed Links or Shims
On some vehicles:
• Use different link mounting positions
• Add or remove shims/spacers at the inner or outer hinge points
Camber Gauge: Always measure with a camber gauge or setup station for accuracy. Eyeballing it will lead to inconsistent results.
When To Increase Or Decrease Camber
Increase Negative Camber (More Inward Lean)
Use more negative Camber when:
• Running on high-grip tracks (carpet, treated clay, asphalt)
• You need more corner speed
• The car feels loose mid-corner
• You want smoother, more consistent steering through turns
Decrease Negative Camber (Closer to Zero)
Use less negative Camber when:
• Running on low-grip surfaces (dusty dirt, loose tracks)
• You need better forward traction
• The car feels unstable or twitchy
• You want more predictable straight-line behavior
General Baseline
Most RC cars start around:
• Front Camber: -1 to -2 degrees
• Rear Camber: -1.5 to -3 degrees
These are starting points and should be adjusted based on surface and driving style.
What to Check After Changing Camber
Adjusting Camber affects more than just tire angle. Always double-check these settings:
Toe Angle
Camber changes can slightly influence toe settings. Re-check front and rear toe after adjustments.
Ride Height
Changing Camber can alter how the chassis sits, especially if adjustments are large. Verify Ride Height on both sides.
Tire Condition
Camber directly impacts tire wear. After a few runs, inspect tires and adjust accordingly.
Shock Setup
More Camber often pairs with stiffer setups on high-grip tracks. Make sure your springs and oil match the new balance.
Roll Center
Changing link positions to adjust Camber may also affect Roll Center. This can change how the car transfers weight in corners.
Track Width
Some Camber adjustments slightly alter track width, especially with different mounting positions. Keep your setup symmetrical.
FAQ
Q: What is the best Camber setting for beginners?
A: Start with about -1.5 degrees front and -2 degrees rear. This provides a stable and predictable balance for most surfaces.
Q: Is more Camber always better for cornering?
A: No. While negative Camber improves corner grip, too much reduces straight-line traction and can make the car inconsistent.
Q: Should front and rear Camber be the same?
A: Not usually. The rear typically runs more negative Camber for stability, while the front uses slightly less for steering precision.
Q: How often should I check Camber?
A: Check Camber anytime you rebuild suspension components, change setup or notice uneven tire wear.
Q: Can Camber fix handling problems by itself?
A: Camber helps, but it works together with Toe, shocks, tires and weight balance. Treat it as part of a full setup.
Q: What happens if I run zero Camber?
A: You’ll get good straight-line grip, but cornering performance will suffer, especially on high-grip tracks.
Related Tuning Adjustments
To get the most out of this setup change, review these related guides:
• Camber Link Locations
• Caster
• Roll Center
Back to the RC Suspension Tuning Guide.
