Maxsa vs maxtrax vs aluminum

Are the maxsa boards stackable? And, are the maxtrax really worth the extra $100?

Has anyone used aluminum “sand ladders? What are pros / cons?

 

Check out the section called "Recovery" there is lots of good info there on traction boards.

 

All I have ever used are MaxTrax. Are they worth an extra $100? I am not sure, I use them because of their customer service record. I have never been put on hold and they have bent over backwards to warranty their product (as long as you do not show heavy wheel spin on them). I also like the "bridging" factor with MaxTrax. As far as aluminum, I don't like the "clunkiness" of them (IMO).

With all that said... my TRD is hard as hell to get stuck without all the recovery gear!

 

For what it's worth, I've used my Maxtrax and they're not broken, so that's an endorsement of sorts. If I'm spending $200 for a fancy piece of plastic, then what's the harm in spending $300 dollars for a fancier piece of plastic -- if only for peace of mind? When I'm buying in that price range, I'd rather not experiment with the cheapest recovery gear I could find on Amazon. $150 Maxsa boards quickly become $450 when you have to replace broken ones with maxtrax.

 

@tacoma16 has the maxsa ones
They work pretty good but do not stack well.

I have treds they stack pretty good but not as well as Maxtrax.
3 tred pros are as thick as 4 Maxtrax .
I bought the treds cause I wanted something that stacked better than the maxsa and although there fine the other cheap one like smittybilt suck and do not stand up to the cold if that matters for you.

The treds have stood up great teeth are all great still which Maxtrax do not stand up as long. And treds have a lifetime warranty and all reviews I've heard that their customer service works absolutely great.

I've been happy with mine, and they were cheaper to get than Maxtrax. All reviews I've read on Maxtrax is that they technically work a tiny bit better at least on sand but after a few uses the teeth wear off anyways and then they're useless.

 

If you search youtube there are a ton of videos where people are doing comparisons of all mentioned above. There is a lot of good information for all the recovery tracks. It took me about 3 months before I pulled the trigger and purchased.

 

I run Maxtrax. Proven, tried and true.

I have never heard of or seen a case where Maxtrax have cracked or broken. TW is littered with complaints for TREDs cracking and breaking time and time again. TRED has different versions of their boards. Maxtrax? One version. Again, proven time and time again. No need to reinvent the wheel when there is something that does the job and does it well.

Like someone said above, if you're spending $200 for a pair of recovery boards, why not dish out the extra $100 for something a bit better.

My .02.

 

Great questions - here is a little backstory on MAXTRAX:

Brad McCarthy, author of Dirty Weekends “The Essential 4WD Guides”, devised the idea for MAXTRAX in 2001 after a particularly stressful incident on a remote north Queensland beach where he almost lost his bogged vehicle to the incoming tide, despite being equipped with all of the traditional recovery equipment. From his experiences, Brad recognized the need for a system that makes vehicle recovery and extraction a safe, simple, one-person task and eliminates the need for any outside assistance such as towing, snatching, or winching.

MAXTRAX came from Brad’s idea to develop a foolproof and fail-safe quality Australian made product to make extracting or recovering a stranded or bogged vehicle a safe, simple, quick and easy procedure. Due to Brad’s experience, ingenuity and “hands-on” research, the idea of an alternative and innovative vehicle recovery device that was safe, simple, quick and easy to use eventually came to fruition in the form of MAXTRAX.

We tested several types and grades of super tough nylons to create a lightweight, yet durable product that provides superior performance with our focus on the key issues of strength, effectiveness, usability and aesthetics. MAXTRAX was trialled countless times using typical (and not so typical) bogging scenarios and after many late nights and product refinements, MAXTRAX was ready to launch onto the Australian 4WD accessories market in late 2005



The MAXTRAX MKII is made of UV-stabilized, flexible, super tough engineering-grade reinforced nylon. Each board features 3 longitudinal beams running across for supporting fully weighted vehicles. While they are strong, they are not going to snap! They have been tested at the University of Queensland to wrap completely around a 33-inch tire without breaking. Each MAXTRAX MKII also features 88 teeth for incredible traction, handles for comfortable carrying, keyholes for linking or locking, as well as ramps for easy climbing.



If for some reason something happens to your MAXTRAX we'll get you taken care of. We have a Lifetime Manufacturers Warranty against defects and faulty materials. Here is a link to our Warranty.

Above are just a few reasons why customers choose to spend their money on MAXTRAX. For years we've been providing a quality product that we stand behind and continue to improve. And we'll be expanding our product line in the near future for extreme and compact applications!

Please post up or contact us with any questions. We are off-road and adventure enthusiasts and are always happy to chat

MAXTRAX
https://us.maxtrax.com.au

 

I've only had the Maxtrax based off recommendations from fellow TW members. I've used them and they work great. Like it was said above, check out some comparison videos.

 

I did a whole writeup and test video. Maxtrax wins

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/traction-board-review-tred-maxtrax-traction-jack-maxsa.470774/

 

Here's a good one also:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR3LUgZXw2Q

 

Except the teeth wear out too fast. I heard all the issues with the old ones but haven't had or seen any issues with the Tred pro

And for me I wanted for snow Maxtrax aren't rated for the -40 we get here so treds it was

Maxtrax warranty is only for breaks and defects not worn teeth where tred covers damaged teeth

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Maxtrax-Re...188094?hash=item2cadd8327e:g:wUcAAOSwepJXXfoI

 

Why am I going to pay to repair them when I can buy ones that won't wear off after a few recoveries lol

I'm not saying Maxtrax aren't good. I've seen them one of my buddy's has them they are great but they wear out too fast for me .And I've let idiots use mine they spun their wheels and they're still great and worked flawlessly in -40C.
Even without spinning your wheels they will spin a little just pulling the Trax in and wear off.
I know my friend doesn't spin his wheels on them and they look way worse than mine.

For me that's why I went with tred, and they were easier to get than Maxtrax.

Both are great to me but personal preference is tred. And if you watch Ronny video he mentions his dad with the Jeep prefers tred too.

 

Our warranty does not cover broken or melted lugs due to wheelspin. Being in a cold climate won't change your warranty. Currently MAXTRAX is in active use in Antarctica by Australian Scientists. We are also used by Expeditions 7 in their record breaking crossings of Antarctica and Greenland.

We don't have a set rating when temperatures are below freezing since there are many variables (vehicle weight, bridging, etc.). If for some reason something comes up, we're happy to get it resolved as quickly as possible.

MAXTRAX
https://us.maxtrax.com.au

 

And Maxtrax come in the most awesome color of Taco on planet earth!

 

According to the TRED website the Pro's are rated to -10c or 14f, and the warranty doesn't specifically say that the teeth are covered, instead it says the warranty is limited to manufacturing defects and workmanship, so not sure where you are getting your information.

 

They make the teeth from a different material that doesn't melt from wheel spin so if it melts they replace it because it's material defect.

 

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but how did you mount those pins?