Knock off Maxx Trax

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.

 

I’m running Maxsa boards. Got them off Amazon. They work just fine.

 

Have you put them through some stuff that would have most people worried about breaking them?

 

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.

 

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).

 

Where are you going to be taking your 'Cuda that you need Maxx-Trax for it?

 

Well cant put a winch on it. So gotta be safe

 

I use Maxsa Escapers. Work fine, last a long time.

 

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.

 

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:

$55 X-BULL Recovery Track Sand Traction Snow Mud Track 4WD Tire Ladder Light Red

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 is an excerpt from an article I wrote for an online blog on Trail4R.com: https://trail4runner.com/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."

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

Yeah I've seen this. I liked his review

 

I know exactly who you are talking about. Too many people caught up in brand-whoring out of pure ignorance.

 

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.

 

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