The new XL Continuous Tracks take too long to turn compared to their smaller brethren

[Fireheart318]

The new tank tracks take an extremely long time to turn compared to their older counterparts. Would it be possible to make them turn faster?

 

[HeX]

Physics dictates that more surface area means more friction therefore it must take more time to do anything other than moving directly forwards and backwards.

 

[Saelem Black]

Unfortunately tracks don't work like wheels. No matter what you do, some part of the track has to slip sideways during turning. This fights with grip/friction and makes turning feel poor. It's not a bug, that's how tank tracks actually work. In the real world, tanks are notorious for damaging roads they drive on - this is why. When turning, they forcefully slide the front and back tips of their tracks left or right across the road, scraping it and chewing up asphalt or concrete.

There is still some work to be done in TT on optimizing tracks. They have suspension problems and I'd argue the grip of most the recently released tracks aren't anywhere good enough (but that would make turning feel even worse). It's a delicate balance.

 

[Kevin Vanderhoef]

Also helps if you place the tracks for leverage, as in spread them a bit wider. Then you are using the tracks grip against the friction.

 

[MrTwister]

However, even 50-60 ton tanks can turn very fast, because they have 1200-1500 horsepower on average and a huge engine momentum.

The turning is a function between weight, friction and power. Bigger is not synonymous with slower.

As long as power-to-weight ratio is maintained large tracked vehicle would be no slower than a tiny one.

Much slower in this case can mean it is underpowered or the friction ratio is whacked up.