Anyone have luck with “budget” traction boards?

Yeah, that was clearly staged. That ford wasn’t stuck. It would’ve pulled out of that on its own.

 

Escaper buddies did the trick for me, along with lots of digging of course. No knobs rubbed off or breakage and they we’re put to the test.. we’ll see how they hold up long term.

 

OP - I also don't do serious "off-roading", but do a lot of hunting, fishing, camping, exploring, etc. on forest/logging roads here in Maine. Several years ago, I picked up these modular type traction boards off Amazon (I don't even see them on Amazon anymore and can't even recall the brand) for something like $50. I've used them twice. Once in winter and once in spring with soft/soupy gravel and they worked just fine each time. They flex and countour to the terrain too.

I really like how each section (8" long) can attach/detach to allow for varying lengths depending on the situation. I have a total of 8 small pieces. 4 of them attached makes a 36" board. Storage a breeze. My point really is that they were cheap and have worked fine for occasional use.

 

That’s awesome. Thanks!

 

You bet...glad to be able to share my experience.

 

Bought X Bull and very happy with them

 

I dig the XBull. I've used them 4 times, twice in the sand, once in mud, and once in snow. Every time was someone else's vehicle and every time they have solved the problem on the first go. Nobody has even spun the wheels to trash my nubs.

 

The video on page 1 is a good endorsement of the el-cheapo X Bull traction boards so I bought a set with an Amazon gift card I got for christmas. I tried to go exploring last weekend and when I could only see snowmobile tracks ahead, I tried to turn around and got stuck up to my hubs. I spun out on the traction boards a little bit but it didn't damage the nubs at all. I wedged them another inch under the tires, they instantly grabbed, and I was out of the trench I'd just dug myself into. It was maybe 10 minutes of work with the traction boards and a small shovel. I was relieved AND impressed. I feel like I've already gotten my money's worth.

 

Thread necromancy.

Just picked up these bad bois on Amazon for $80. Am I going to trust my rig and my life to them? Fuck no. But it's another tool in the box. Plus I like the spot for a jack. Probably won't use the farm jack much, but might be useful for the bottle jack. Will test these out first chance.

 

I’ve used the tred pros and they are a lifesaver in snow and mud; but haven’t found them useful in other situations (not tons of sand where I live). I’m guessing cheaper traction boards will work about the same, but will be more likely to crack. Ronny Dahl has at least 2 videos that cover the topic.


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SntXKcKKvW8

For snow, you really can’t go wrong with a shovel. You can dig yourself out of most situations. Just dig down to the frozen ground. Mud and sand are a different story. The more you dig, the closer you get to the earths core.

 

Intersting stuff

 

I think I might just call in a favor.

 

I only used in soft sand, tire spin burns the nubs off. Keep the tire spin down and they work great. Stored on the front bed wall.

 

I'll tell u one thing. Even the cheapo recovery boards even if its one time ur stuck n they get u out, they're worth it. Not 30 minutes ago I live in a very rural area and I went to go to get some cigarettes n being late at nite n not my normal attire I forgot my wallet. So found an approach n flipped around. Shoulda done n Austin powers 30 point turn God forbid the 20 ft of snow we've gotten the past few weeks here in ND. BUT. my ass end slipped into the ditch n got stuck. Finally!! Chance to use my recovery boards n boom. First tried running thru 4 hi 4 lo. Etc. Soon as put them boards down.. im out.
I went cheap n got some knock off brand boards but still got ne out. And its 12am where I'm at so ask urself if ur ever in a bind, wats the money ur spending worth. I don't wanna be out in middle of bumfukt Egypt stranded at 12 am.

 

I've always seen the recovery boards on rigs and never considered trying a pair as I always have iron with me. I was gifted some this year (no clue the brand) but they worked great and I got out after a little bit of digging.