Are Maxtrax (Treds, etc) mostly fashion?

I don’t mean in danger, as being chased by zombies. I mean stranded down a dead-end road with a tree across it. The limitation of bow saws is not the length of the saw, it is the depth it will cut before you hit the top bar/handle.

Also chopping a log, lying across the road, is much preferable to lying down on the road, or kneeling using a bow saw.

Not saying it’s one or the other, but I’d bet on the axe if the size of the tree was unknown.

 

I spend a lot of time in the woods in California. I don't have maxtrax but I've had many situations where they would have been useful.

The question is the following: Are you simply not getting stuck at all? Or are you getting stuck but having no trouble using other methods to recover? If it's the former I'd consider not bringing them along (of course always have SOMETHING to help you recover) because you're not doing the type of driving that needs them. If it's the latter, I'd keep them because it's only a matter of time before you get into a situation where they are the best option, or only option that works.

 

I am getting stuck on occasion, but not needing them.

 

I do

 

I have cheap Walmart recovery mats. They are not attractive at all and live in my bed toolbox. They got a lot of cars out of the snow this winter, though.

 

My mistake for using the word "bow saw". I was just using that as a minimal example. Didn't mean to get fixated on it. I should have made my point clearer. I forgot where I was.

 

Barring the obvious chainsaw, what saw do you recommend? I’d honestly like to know.

 

They got that “silky katana”. Shit could cut faster than a chainsaw.

I have a little silky gomboy, cuts fast as hell for being so small. I don’t have a bow saw because I’m not a nerd.

 

Who needs a saw or an axe when you've got a bear wielding a machete?

 

Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

 

No bow saw, but what about a Bo Staff?

 

I’ve rescued people with mine that’s for sure. Buddy who got his Chevy stuck in his driveway trying to back his boat into his garage. Got him out and then backed his boat in because my tires eat. I saved some AT&T services guys butt here in the city when he pulled up on the curb when it was gold in the morning and then it got soft and muddy later in the day and he was stuck in his utility truck.

Other than rescuing those folks I use the maxtrax to help level my truck when I am setting the roof top tent up. Either one or both under a tire or one under both. I used one to make a flat surface for the ladder since the ground was not flat by any means..It would be the first tool I grab if I get stuck but I’ve been able to wiggle out of everything so far.

 

I skipped two pages, but here's my take.

I started with a shovel and an axe. I use both, a lot. Primarily for camping; I've used the axe to chop kindling and other firewood, the shovel to clean out a firepit or for ensuring it was out at the end of the night.

I've only needed matrax once and it wasn't for me, it was to save a couple in a rental Explorer that thought they could drive over a chunk of standing snow and wound up high centered in the middle of it. Didn't see them get stuck, but they were stuck. Used both the shovel and the trax, got them free, and everyone went home happy. May never happen again, but I was glad to have gear with me that I could use to help someone who needed it.

 

Bo staffs. Not nerdy.

 

using them for food was not where I was hoping this was going

 

Like many have said before better to have than need and not have.

There’s a spot I go fishing accessed from the beach and then there’s a crossing through the dunes to the bay. Sometimes it’s a pain when sand shift it gets sugary, soft, and and deep. Especially when it hasn’t rained in a few months. For that I’d always have a bunch of 2x10s cut down to 4’ in my truck ready to make a ‘road’ for the short soft spots. Heck I’ve even scavenged for wood on the beach with a hammer. Even cooler lids work.

Now these mats are just brilliant to have. They stack nicely and are gluten free. Get some.