1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Knock off Maxx Trax

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by NYCTaco52, Oct 3, 2019.

  1. Oct 3, 2019 at 10:30 PM
    #1
    NYCTaco52

    NYCTaco52 [OP] Half man, half goat

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2019
    Member:
    #286574
    Messages:
    4,434
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Somehow known as Stewart, but named Ben
    Ft Lauderdale, FL
    Vehicle:
    2022 Subaru Ascent
    So we all know about Maxx-Trax and how great they are.

    But there's like 2 dozen other types out there. Most look like they are made in the same chinese factory but branded with a different name.

    I've seen a few reviews online (unbiased) and some have actually done pretty well under testing.

    My question is, who here is using the off brand trax and is happy with them? Who isnt happy with them? Give me your experiences. Because if I can save 200 bucks on an off brand for something that gets used occasionally... Why not.
     
    Breakfast Taco likes this.
  2. Oct 3, 2019 at 10:40 PM
    #2
    henryp

    henryp Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2012
    Member:
    #70080
    Messages:
    2,275
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Henry
    Montana
    Vehicle:
    09 DC TRD Off-Road 4x4
    Form follows function
    I’m running Maxsa boards. Got them off Amazon. They work just fine.
     
  3. Oct 3, 2019 at 10:42 PM
    #3
    NYCTaco52

    NYCTaco52 [OP] Half man, half goat

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2019
    Member:
    #286574
    Messages:
    4,434
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Somehow known as Stewart, but named Ben
    Ft Lauderdale, FL
    Vehicle:
    2022 Subaru Ascent
    Have you put them through some stuff that would have most people worried about breaking them?
     
  4. Oct 4, 2019 at 1:44 AM
    #4
    SliMbo4.0

    SliMbo4.0 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2015
    Member:
    #172322
    Messages:
    1,422
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rick
    Colorado Front Range
    Vehicle:
    07 Tacoma DCSB TRD offroad
    BP51, BAMF hangers, BruteForce HC, SCS, Vagabond Drifter
    For me, the cost isn't worth the amount of times they get used. I use the Maxsa ones also. Something to consider though is where they will be stored when not in use. My Maxsa ones were fading during the time I had them on my roof rack from the intense CO sun. The expensive branded ones should have a better quality of plastic to help reduse the fading but I haven't seen any long-term pics of them.
     
  5. Oct 4, 2019 at 2:33 AM
    #5
    YOTA 4X4

    YOTA 4X4 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2018
    Member:
    #242780
    Messages:
    2,313
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 Double Cab Off-Road
    OME HD Lift all around, SCS SR8 Rims, 255 85 R16 Cooper ST Maxx, Decked Drawers, 30" Rigid Pro Light bar above bumper on Rago Mounts, Rigid Dually Side Shooters on Rago ditch brackets, Hondo Garage Un-Holey Phone Mount X2, Hondo Radio Knobs AR Bolt Face, Garmin InReach SE GPS synch'ed to Iphone for GPS only mapping, Wet Okole Seat Covers, Husky Liner Contour floor mats, 63 QT ARB Fridge on Alu-Cab tilting slide. GoFastCamper (#41), ARB 2500 Awning with Full Room, Mobtown Off-road Sliders and Full Aluminum Skids.
    You’ll get virtually no insta-Likes with knock off MaxTrax....

    That said I have the originals and they work as prescribed. My buddy runs a knock off brand and the only real issue i see is pretty bad UV fading (which more than likely weakens them) that said he keeps them on his roof and keeps his vehicle outside.

    They are a rarely used item, though they’re super handy when you need them. I prescribe to the theory of buy once cry once and would rather spend $300 (or $600) once, than $200 on knock offs only to buy the better ones later. YMMV, guess it depends on your budget and use. For what it’s worth I get mine from OK4WD, sign up for their email get 5% off free shipping no tax. It’s not a lot but it’s the cheapest I’ve seen MaxTrax (except for $270 cash last year at Expo).
     
  6. Oct 4, 2019 at 5:01 AM
    #6
    My Name is Rahl

    My Name is Rahl Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2018
    Member:
    #258370
    Messages:
    22,008
    Where are you going to be taking your 'Cuda that you need Maxx-Trax for it? o_O
     
    Kwikvette likes this.
  7. Oct 4, 2019 at 5:14 AM
    #7
    NYCTaco52

    NYCTaco52 [OP] Half man, half goat

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2019
    Member:
    #286574
    Messages:
    4,434
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Somehow known as Stewart, but named Ben
    Ft Lauderdale, FL
    Vehicle:
    2022 Subaru Ascent
    Well cant put a winch on it. So gotta be safe
     
  8. Oct 4, 2019 at 5:15 AM
    #8
    Truggin

    Truggin What a long, strange trip it's been

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2016
    Member:
    #191997
    Messages:
    8,496
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Don
    39.15737720308645, -77.92212986904099
    Vehicle:
    Black 2016 TRD Sport V6 4x4 Access Cab
    It's a work in progress. See my build thread.
    I use Maxsa Escapers. Work fine, last a long time.
     
    Tayoflor likes this.
  9. Oct 4, 2019 at 5:18 AM
    #9
    bodean

    bodean Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2016
    Member:
    #183240
    Messages:
    880
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Shawn
    Crowsnest Pass, AB
    Vehicle:
    02 Taco RCSB, 16 Taco AC6MT, 07 FJC, 22 Bronco
    One of the biggest complaints I’ve seen with knock off vs maxtrax is cold weather use. Seems like the off brand are more prone to breaking in cold temps.
     
  10. Oct 4, 2019 at 5:18 AM
    #10
    iK0NiK

    iK0NiK Insert custom title here.

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2015
    Member:
    #160743
    Messages:
    1,741
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    West
    Columbus, GA
    Vehicle:
    2015 DCSB V6 TRDOR 4WD
    Bil 6112/5160's etc.
    Except the leading knock-off brand is only ~$50 with free shipping. You could buy 6 pair for the price of 1 set of Maxtrax: https://www.ebay.com/itm/X-BULL-Rec...noa=0&pg=2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1

    @NYCTaco52 check out this thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...tion-offroad-boar-4wd-recovery-boards.512366/
     
    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
    #10
  11. Oct 4, 2019 at 5:28 AM
    #11
    Trident904

    Trident904 Touching Drum Sets

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2014
    Member:
    #131875
    Messages:
    5,082
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brian
    Treasure Coast, Florida
    Vehicle:
    17 4Runner TRD OR
    Modded it so much it turned into a 4Runner
    This is an excerpt from an article I wrote for an online blog on Trail4R.com: https://****************/2019/08/23/recovery-gear-outfitting-your-rig-and-where-to-spend/

    I think it applies here...

    "I have been using Maxxsa recovery boards for years and have had the Maxxsa boards and a set of Maxtrax boards that I won in a raffle I put them both to the test with my Tacoma on 35’s in the rain-soaked red clay up in North Georgia. Both boards work as advertised and I can’t say that one is better than the other.

    I prefer the Maxxsa simply based on price. $125 for a pair. The Maxtrax and the new ARB TRED Pro have gotten so overpriced due to the popularity of off-roading and Overlanding. The brand-whoring that occurs on forums and other social media sites doesn’t help with that at all. Remember when you were the FNG (f*cking new guy) and all this seemed to be stuff you had to have because the guy with all the decals and cool accessories said so?

    Being an experienced off-roader and having wheeled my rigs since 1993, I can say that just because something is $400 doesn’t mean it’s better than something that is $100. The same can be said with RTTs. Tepui and CVT are the main brands that are whored out all over the internet and the bandwagoners will tell you any other brand is insufficient.

    Me, being cost-conscious, not because I have to be, but because I choose to be, have used the Smittybilt RTT’s for years now and have never had a problem. $700 vs $1500 is much more appealing to me and with some research, you can learn that most of these products are produced in the same factories and then branded differently."
     
    TacoTRD78, iK0NiK, honda50r and 3 others like this.
  12. Oct 4, 2019 at 5:46 AM
    #12
    YOTA 4X4

    YOTA 4X4 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2018
    Member:
    #242780
    Messages:
    2,313
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 Double Cab Off-Road
    OME HD Lift all around, SCS SR8 Rims, 255 85 R16 Cooper ST Maxx, Decked Drawers, 30" Rigid Pro Light bar above bumper on Rago Mounts, Rigid Dually Side Shooters on Rago ditch brackets, Hondo Garage Un-Holey Phone Mount X2, Hondo Radio Knobs AR Bolt Face, Garmin InReach SE GPS synch'ed to Iphone for GPS only mapping, Wet Okole Seat Covers, Husky Liner Contour floor mats, 63 QT ARB Fridge on Alu-Cab tilting slide. GoFastCamper (#41), ARB 2500 Awning with Full Room, Mobtown Off-road Sliders and Full Aluminum Skids.
    Those are pretty interesting. I googled them and they have favorable reviews. Only complaint I read is they stack nearly twice as thick as MaxTrax so if that’s a consideration you can fit 4 MTs into less than 5 inches. Those referenced above are close to 10 inches thick. May or may not matter.

    that said for $50 bucks there’s no reason everyone shouldn’t have a set around if they think they may have the need. You certainly don’t have much to loose.
     
    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
    #12
    NYCTaco52[OP] and iK0NiK[QUOTED] like this.
  13. Oct 4, 2019 at 5:52 AM
    #13
    iK0NiK

    iK0NiK Insert custom title here.

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2015
    Member:
    #160743
    Messages:
    1,741
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    West
    Columbus, GA
    Vehicle:
    2015 DCSB V6 TRDOR 4WD
    Bil 6112/5160's etc.
    You're absolutely right. Also MaxTrax do have the cheaper versions beat in the flex/bridging department: https://youtu.be/xkI2qPsa96I?t=729

    But heck at $50 for the knock offs it's still hard to beat.
     
  14. Oct 4, 2019 at 6:00 AM
    #14
    henryp

    henryp Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2012
    Member:
    #70080
    Messages:
    2,275
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Henry
    Montana
    Vehicle:
    09 DC TRD Off-Road 4x4
    Form follows function
    Sand, mud and snow. But only a handful of times before I got the winch and better tires (none since). They worked well in mud and sand. Pretty bad in snow, but I don’t think any traction board would have helped. Worst abuse was when I was helping a kid get unstuck at the beach. He kept flooring it and left some rubber on the boards. Rubber washed off, didn’t loose any knobs. They way I see it is that if they break, the replacement is much cheaper. I’ve not owned the fancy brands so I have nothing to compare. I’d buy them again, regardless of my budget.
     
  15. Oct 4, 2019 at 6:09 AM
    #15
    diabetiktaco

    diabetiktaco Instalander

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2016
    Member:
    #196480
    Messages:
    5,732
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Eric
    New Jersey
    Vehicle:
    Lexus LX 470
    I had the MAXSA board from Amazon and they melted the first time I used them w/ limited wheel spin. Youtube proves they all work well. I went with maxtrax due to the mounting options. They mount flat and clean on my cross bars which is important because they are out of my way when I don't need them but easily accessible when I do need them. I had the MAXSA boards mounted on the roof also but it looked sloppy and my OCD couldn't tolerate it.
     
  16. Oct 4, 2019 at 6:11 AM
    #16
    NYCTaco52

    NYCTaco52 [OP] Half man, half goat

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2019
    Member:
    #286574
    Messages:
    4,434
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Somehow known as Stewart, but named Ben
    Ft Lauderdale, FL
    Vehicle:
    2022 Subaru Ascent
    This reminds me of that "Wayalife" guy. Will bash anyone that doesnt like or use products that sponsors him. Will even ban you from his forum if you even write a positive review about another product that he isnt Associated with
     
    Paul631 likes this.
  17. Oct 4, 2019 at 6:11 AM
    #17
    NYCTaco52

    NYCTaco52 [OP] Half man, half goat

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2019
    Member:
    #286574
    Messages:
    4,434
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Somehow known as Stewart, but named Ben
    Ft Lauderdale, FL
    Vehicle:
    2022 Subaru Ascent
    Yeah I've seen this. I liked his review
     
  18. Oct 4, 2019 at 6:21 AM
    #18
    Trident904

    Trident904 Touching Drum Sets

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2014
    Member:
    #131875
    Messages:
    5,082
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brian
    Treasure Coast, Florida
    Vehicle:
    17 4Runner TRD OR
    Modded it so much it turned into a 4Runner
    I know exactly who you are talking about. Too many people caught up in brand-whoring out of pure ignorance.
     
  19. Oct 4, 2019 at 6:21 AM
    #19
    NYCTaco52

    NYCTaco52 [OP] Half man, half goat

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2019
    Member:
    #286574
    Messages:
    4,434
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Somehow known as Stewart, but named Ben
    Ft Lauderdale, FL
    Vehicle:
    2022 Subaru Ascent
    Although I do like the mounting of the maxxtrax, cant justify me paying that price for them. So as long as these still worked with the mounting locations like maxxtrax, I'd say these make sense for me. Maybe get the 4 maxxtrax mounting bolts and use 2 of these.
     
  20. Oct 4, 2019 at 6:22 AM
    #20
    NYCTaco52

    NYCTaco52 [OP] Half man, half goat

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2019
    Member:
    #286574
    Messages:
    4,434
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Somehow known as Stewart, but named Ben
    Ft Lauderdale, FL
    Vehicle:
    2022 Subaru Ascent
    Funny thing is, I used to follow him back when I had my 2012 wrangler. Didnt know he would turn into what he is now. Its disgusting and sad
     
    Trident904[QUOTED] likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top