Maxtrax or something cheaper?

So in the process of compiling my recovery gear and tools and getting ready for winter snow and wondering what people’s real life reviews are of the Maxtrax sand ladders or any recovery boards? I’m trying to avoid getting a winch and want some good recovery gear but also didn’t know if it’s worth spending the $300 or anyone had some cheap knock offs that worked great? Thanks for yalls help

 

I will also add I don’t plan to use them much and hope I don’t need them often but we all know it’s nice to have certain items handy. This will be the first winter I’ve had in many years without my Rubicon and while I love this 4R and it’s a much much better overall truck, it’s no Rubicon when it comes to off road capabilities.

 

I have the Maxsa escaper buddies. I tried to use them once, but I never really got them under the tires, and had a buddy pull me out. I think they would have gotten the job done if we kept trying.

Another good thing to have is a hand winch of some sort, and/or a Hi-lift jack with an off-road kit. The Hi-lift can be used like a come-along, so it can be an alternative to a winch.

 

I’ll check those out. Thanks for the advice. And yea I’m not sure of their value. I’ve never used an actual recovery board before. I mean I’ve thrown rocks and other things under tires before obviously but never purchased any so I was even wondering if I should. And yes I agree on the hi lift or jack of some sort. I def keep one of those on board.

 

There’s some Aussie’s on YouTube that compared a bunch.

I completely trust that my offbrand will get me out of a situation

 

Funny you said that because I just finished watching that video 2 mins ago.

 

I have ARB traction boards, I’ve used them a couple times and they’re stout. Bought them off of Amazon for about $175 I believe on sale, and I think they’re good, if not better than maxtrax. The Australians have their overland scene dialed in.

 

What about the folding ones? Easy to store and less expensive. These are GoTreds. I've been super happy with them. Only thing they can't do is build a bridge... or make you look like a badass strapped to your spare tire...

 

Thanks! I’ve been looking at the ARB ones that are $190. I don’t really need the Tred Pro but these seem to be top notch and at $190 well worth it.

 

I’m checking these out now! Thank you. I wouldn’t keep mine strapped to the 4R so that’s no problem for me. I just want some to throw in the back when I’m out cruising on the farm and playing. Thanks for posting these.

 

So I just purchased these on sale. Thank you! The entire bundle with carrying bag shipped was $134 and these have pretty good reviews. Can’t beat that and this is exactly what I’m looking for in terms of practicality and not taking up a ton of space. Thanks for the help.

 

Haha! Converted! Suck it, Maxxxxxxtraxxxx boyz!!!

 

Hahaha look I’m about practicality of these and not looks. I’m not strapping them to my vehicle. From the looks of it these are pretty sturdy.

 

However! MaxTrax seem to be pretty bad ass.

 

I bought some cheap x-bull gen 3 to see how it works out and tried it the 1st time last weekend to get some practice. They worked fine and didn't break. No way to know if X-Bull is comparable to maxtrax unless they are used for few years in multiple different scenarios. Youtube videos only go so far but @$60 it doesn't matter if x-bull doesn't last as long as maxtrax

 

I think those are solid as long as you don’t use them for a bridge. I’d say they all work about the same until it comes to that.

 

My experience is none of them are good at bridging without support except aluminum traction boards. Can't speak to how these perform or durability, only issue I'd caution is if used in mud/wet terrain. They've got to be a mess trying to fold back up when caked with mud, let alone stuff back in the case.

I have an older set of ARB TRED's. Carried them inside until after first use in sloppy wet conditions. PITA to dig them out of the ruts. Took half hour at the carwash to clean the mud off the things and longer than that to clean up the cargo area (no roof rack on the JK).

Still carry them inside with the 4Runner, but bungies/roof rack are your friends post deployment.

 

I feel like if you use traction boards, the juice is worth the squeeze; meaning - who gives a shit if you get your interior dirty, your ass ain't stuck!

They hose off fine.

 

Not only this, but a plastic trash bag goes a long ways.

 

My mileage varies..........

Your point may be valid for some, but the quality of the "dirt" and the degree of the "dirty", well, that Moab red dirt mixed with water not only clings to everything, it stains permanently.

You may not care at the time because, as you said, "your ass ain't stuck". But replacing carpet, after trying everything else, doesn't quality as "hosing off fine".

 

Fair enough

I'm often guilty of giving zero shits about stuff like that, I forget other people often do