Smittybilt 2790 Traction boards

I know I know.. with their reputation for making stuff only good enough for your standard Wrangler that wont see dirt, why did I waste my time. Well at half the price, yet similar design, they cannot be that bad can they? F*CK Yes they can be!

Purchased them on Amazon, picture seemed to show black in color, and they arrived to be a dark green. OK, whatever.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005QAMV1K?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00
Went christmas tree hunting today and decided to get stuck to test them out. It was powdery snow, hard packed smooth ice/dirt under the snow.

All attempts in using them were in pretty basic scenarios, just deep snow and lost traction/momentum. First try I locked the rear, threw one under one side. It worked but I heard a nice crack... yup, cracked in the middle of the board, halfway across. Next time I used them, that one split in two; at least its more compact now!

Stuck time #2... legitimately stuck. I slid off into the shallow ditch against a snow mound and it took a bit of digging. I had those two ramps, brought a snow shovel, and there were other people just down the road, so I wasn't too worried about dying out there.

When I was legit stuck, the second one cracked in two spots I think as well as broke almost all of the tabs off the bottom of the ramp. I am well aware that you are not supposed to spin your tires on the ramps... and I did not. The ramps were mostly placed level in front of the tire, and the snow was all powdered sugar... so it was the easiest test for the ramps IMO; didnt attempt using them to bridge or ramp anything or on any solid rocky surfaces... I cannot imagine how many pieces they'd be in!

Needless to say, they are being shipped back to Amazon. I'll have to pony up the extra dough for quality stuff that works. But buying through Amazon, I knew I'd at least get to give these a risk free try. Had I been worried about being able to return them if this happened, I would've went with maxtrax to begin with.

One thing I did learn for when I get quality ones is connecting string or a strap to them is a GREAT asset. The CB antenna came in handy as a poking stick to locate them buried in the snow, which took a lot longer than expected.

Apparently if I would've just read the box, I would've gotten my answer without breaking them. "Get the original"

Cracks all over, and missing lugs



Apparently it tore against something on the ground when it decided to slide out from under the tire.

Awwwww Snap!






Cracks and missing lugs

 

What a peice of shit lol

 

Pretty much what I thought. I probably would not have tried/purchased them if I wasn't sure I could get a refund in such an event. But I did expect them to last longer than a single use... or maybe break a lug or two, but not this!

And they were inside the bed of the truck with a cap, and temperatures were in the 50's. So its not like they were super cold and brittle or something.

 

This is a pretty common thing, from what I've read. Same with a forum member I know that has the Maxtrax. I went with a waffleboard - 48"x12"x2". I've leaned it against a boulder and drove up half way and stopped. It flexes a little bit but doesn't break even when used for bridging. I got mine directly from AMD Inc. in IL. I think they were like $140 for a set of two. Way more rugged than the Smitty.

 

Well I have used others' maxtrax before for traction like here, and also for using them as a bridging ramp to drive up and they flex but I havent seen one break or deform. And I've seen heavier Land Cruisers bridge the maxtrax without issue as well.

Do you have a link or any info on the waffle boards you purchased? I didnt find anything online.

 

OK back in town. The company doesn't specialize in off-road applications - they specialize in fiberglass gratings for other applications. The salesperson I worked with is Scott Faso but the company website is here: http://www.amdimports.com/.
It takes a few weeks to get the waffleboard since it gets custom made. It's not for everybody since they're much heavier than the Maxtrax, etc. I tend to use mine as a tabletop and for other uses when camping. The only time I've actually used them is when a buddy got wedged on his back bumper going up a rock garden. The boards worked like a champ. I'm guessing (since they are an open grate) they will not work as well in deep snow.

 

Gotcha, yeah snow is one of the main reasons I want to get a set of Maxtrax, as well as lightweight. After I get the new tires on then I'll hope to find some on a groupbuy.