Mobile base having trouble climbing out of a crater (20 degree inclination).

[PTNLemay]

Are the XL3 wheels known for having trouble climbing hills, or is it because my mobile base is just too heavy? (It weighs a bit over 25 tons.) The contract called for a base on wheels that could support 17 Kerbals so I figured this would be a great opportunity to use the XL3, but now I'm not so sure. It gets slower and slower as I make my way up the hill, if I try and zig-zag up the whole thing just skids sideways and climbs up the slope of the crater even more slowly. Should I scarp the design and go for the smaller wheels?

http://i.imgur.com/lBfuVLq.png

EDIT:

Well, I made it out. Physical time acceleration didn't really help, but I found out that if you make very quick short zig-zags you could maintain the speed at around 2 m/s. Without the zig-zagging the speed sometimes stalled down to zero and I was afraid I would start slipping backwards. All the same, if anyone has some sort of input or suggestions for getting better torque on inclinations like this I would very much appreciate further advice.

http://i.imgur.com/NaJtsYu.png

Edited February 22, 2015 by PTNLemay

[Starwhip]

No, that's just a REALLY steep hill, no problems there.

I'd say that, if you did make it out of that hole, that 20 degrees is your maximum inclination with that design.

Some tips:

Ditch wheels, use the NERVA engines, if possible.

If not, go with smaller wheels and a lighter craft.

Add some engines to help push you up.

The "plane" gear are un-poppable. (When rolling. Crashing... well. ) Use engines and those gear and you can go at nearly any speed, provided you can still control the thing.

Good luck!

EDIT:

Oh, the plane gear aren't "wheels", exactly. They are, but the contract for a mobile base doesn't like them.

Stick other wheels on it and you'll be good, though. (The tiny little ones will let you complete the contract. I don't think you even have to use them!)

[PTNLemay]

Yeah, in such a situation I think it's worth just jetpacking your way out. And next time I'll try for the smaller rugged wheels.

Thanks for the advice.

Edited February 23, 2015 by PTNLemay