Cheap yet useable traction boards?

I just saw RhinoUSA got traction boards and I guess they might be good?

I'm very disappointed with Amazon ones so sharing if anyone interested. Also share info if you have used them.

Definitely love to see top quality USA made product just like the top of the line down and under made traction boards.

 

I’d like to see any feedback on these as well. I have a rhino hitch tow point, and it’s seems to good quality. I haven’t really tested it yet, but have used some of their shackles.

 

You’re not gonna get “made in USA and quality and cheap” all in the same sentence.

 

GoTreads. Made in USA.
https://gotreads.com/

 

I’d consider them, but their directions are not good.



They tell ya to turn off the vehicle, but never tell you to turn it back on.

 

I’ve never used traction boards, but these look good. I’d probably buy them.

 

You're supposed to PUSH!!! ?

 

Look identical to xbull which are 30.00 cheaper elsewhere.

 

Looks like a job for my passengers

 

Me personally regret buying Xbull. I won't recommend them to anyone.

 

The RhinoUSA boards look good from the website, but although it’s a USA company they are made overseas. If that’s important to your decision.

I like that the GoTreads fold up into a carrying case, easy to store inside the vehicle.

 

You can also use them to help level your vehicle, good for rtt.

 

I have these, and have used them a few times:

Maxsa Innovations 20333 Escaper Buddy Traction Mats for Off-Road Mud, Sand, & Snow Vehicle Extraction (Set of 2), Orange, standard

$130 Maxsa 20333 Heavy-Duty Escaper Buddy Traction Mats for Off-Road Mud, Sand, & Snow Vehicle Extraction and Recovery, Bendable, Unbreakable, Orange, 2 Pack

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AV2HONS




They're made in Taiwan, so better than China at least. I would definitely buy them again.

 

Agreed. But I was referring to the fact these are the same not promoting them lol.

 

I impulse bought a pair of Actiontrax, made in USA. Expensive at $269…

Havent tried them yet though

 

Interested as well looking for RB also. might have to look at https://gotreads.com/ i like that they fold up but you can't use them as a bridge

 

are others strong enough that you can use them as a bridge? That seems like they would have to like steel to handle the vehicle weight.

 

Another option is Ironman 4x4 - https://ironman4x4america.com/1100mm-ironman4x4-total-traction-by-treds-recovery-boards/ I havent bought them, yet, but bought other products are liking them so far.

 

if you look up maxtrax on youtube they show that they can take weight of the car going over a hole where your wheel would sink in and get stuck they bend but do not break or crack and the other thing is that you can use them like a shovel to dig to get under the sand, mud or snow

 

When I'd go off-road around Yuma, Az, the most modern, up-to-date, High-tech, item I carried for getting out of sand and such was...A carpet remnant. Worked like a dream. Slide it down under the driven wheel(s), and they'd crawl out of nearly any sand. Might need to do a little shoveling to bare the wheel(s), but heck, I was used to using an e-tool already

If I forgot my carpet, we'd wander around cutting what little brush is around, and stuff that under the tires. Worked pretty well, and completely bio-degradable. Not such a big deal back then, but hey, it is what it is. Mainly meant you didn't have to pack the stuff out.

In the winter up here in Oregon, I carry a bag of clay cat litter. It works pretty good in the snow and ice. Good traction out of that stuff. Still have my e-tool, of course

None of that costs me very much. I'm a cheap SOB...errrr...frugal, yeah very frugal

Have fun, all!
Pat☺

 

I used to carry a carpet remnant also, an old time technique. Another idea was to rig up a length of paracord to it and your trailer hitch so after extraction you would drag it behind you, driving to safety and not have to immediately stop and walk back to retrieve the carpet from that sloppy place you were stuck.

 

Actiontrax had their reps out at Rendezvous in the Ozarks, this last weekend. I bought a set of desert tan ones for $220 cash on Sunday as they were loading up their trailer.


I previously bought a set of cheapies off of ebay for $50. I've used them once. Similar set for $53:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/265321641140

 

As mentioned none of RhinoUSA's products are actually made in the USA. Those are the same Chinese traction boards that are for sale on Ebay and Amazon at double the price.

 

If we're talking about $200 recovery boards, we're not really talking about "cheap" anymore. If I were willing to spend $200+ I would just throw down a little more and get Maxtrax. If you're going to spend a lot, might as well get the best, IMO.

 

I'm happy with my decision. These things are heavy compared to my cheapie Chinese ones.

 

I'm sure they're definitely better than the Amazon/Ebay options. I'm just saying that if I were spending a lot, I would go with the Maxtrax.

My Maxsas were a little over $100 and are holding up very well. So far, based on prices and reviews of other products, I couldn't be more satisfied.

 

i bought a pair of x-bulls just to have a pair. i dont off road enough to justify the maxtraxx or another higher price board at the moment. havent used them yet but will report back when i do.

 

I wheeled in Arkansas this last Saturday. Did lots of rock stacking to get down steep ledges. At one point I got stuck in hole created by a tree root. Front tire went into a muddy wet hole. I used my winch and pulled myself out. Next vehicle hit the same hole and got stuck. He also winched out. The next 2 vehicles put a set of Actiontrax down and went full send. The traction boards worked just fine for bridging that hole. I imagine my Chinese ones would've done the trick as well.

This was my 3rd time using my Warn on a trail in the past month. 2x's for recovering myself, once for pulling another vehicle. Sunday I stretched out the winch line only to find my Warn was dead. No power and the drum locked up in free spool. Dang it!!! Pulled it and replaced it with a Badlands Winch from Harbor Freight.

Looks like I'm good for the warranty but will shoot for a refund. Otherwise the replacement will go on my Nissan Frontier. Along with my cheapie Chinese traction boards.



Muddy 4Runner looks so good!


FU Chinese Warn VR10

 

What specific Warn model did you have?

People bash on Smittybilt but I had one or 5 years, didn't use it for 3 years, and it worked like a champ the very next time.

 

Warn VR10 (made in China) w/ steel cable. Warn has already discontinued it. My guess too many complaints...
Looking at my manual - no trouble shooting info. Reading around Warn's website supposedly you're supposed to use it monthly to keep it lubed. None of my paperwork mentioned that. I rarely used mine till this last month and it seemed to work just fine, till it didn't work at all.

My wheeling buddies have Badlands and Smittybuilts all work just fine.