Traction Board Review... Tred, Maxtrax, Traction Jack, Maxsa

This is a dumb question but how well do these work in sand?

At work we go into some nasty tailings sand and getting stuck is a pain in the ass.

 

Which ones are you referring to specifically? There are plenty of YouTube videos of people getting out of sand with traction boards

 

Anyone using the Smittybilt Element? Seems to be a mid price range option

 

I’ve seen a lot of negative reviews on them. Cracking I believe.

 

I ordered the TredPro traction boards in December of 2018 for just over $200 for the pair (Lucky8 Off Road on Ebay). Mounted super easy with carriage bolts and wing nuts to my Prinsu rack.
I have several trips on them, but haven't used them yet! Posting as a reminder to get stuck and use them soon.

 

Anyone try actiontrax? They’re a bit newer to the marketplace.
They sell a set with stainless lugs too https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/113193072610

ActionTrax - Self Recovery Track System for Snow, Sand, Mud and Silt - Nylon - Orange - 1 Pair

$299 ActionTrax - Self Recovery Track System for Snow, Sand, Mud and Silt - Orange - 1 Pair (Total of 2)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07942QM39/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_BY-NCbTDFWK34

It’s tough to spend 225$ on a brand that i know nothing about. When i could spend 75$ more and get maxtrax

 

I carry a pair of Smittybilt boards. I haven't used them in 2 years. If I ever do need them and they break or wear out I can replace them 4 times for what the big names cost.

 

I’d be worried about the steel tearing up your tires. For that price, I’d just get the Maxtrax.

 

I have X-Bull recovery boards and another off brand that I purchased both from eBAY and I've used them on the beach over a dozen times and they worked perfectly for my use. The X-bull was $97 and the other called Recovery for $65. They both are the exact same boards, but one is branded as x-bull. I think for the price and using the boards as properly as possible will give the best results. I dig deeps holes with my shovel and make sure to not spin on the boards to avoid melting. There is a lot of situations that come up and everyone only tells you there perception of what they can see, but there are so many factors that come into play like weather, weight, angle, ect.. Recovery boards are to be used as a tool to help and not set as a total save all situation is how I see it. If you go out into a place with not so favorable situations then I think that person should prepare as such like Recovery boards, winches, friends with winches, and a rig built to be able to go into those specific situations.

 

So far I've had good luck with the Maxsa boards, but have not put a ton of stress on them in extremely cold conditions yet.

 

Guys let me see how you’ve mounted your maxtrax or other recovery boards without a roof rack or bed rack (post pics Pls)

 

Thank you for this post. I think I will be going with a set of ebay ones for safe keeping!

 

I’m also curious about the action trax. Sounds like there is a backstory between the guy that makes them and maxtraxx. So drama of some sort. Supposed to be just as good. My local overland outfitters carries them and I would like to support them but I need exceptional boards. I have a prerunner so I can’t have medium results.

 

I've heard nothing but good things about ActionTrax from the few guys in Vegas that run them. Seen them used on hard dirt under a Taco and come out just fine... I'm considering some USActionTrax myself. And you're right Nate, it looks like 6-7 years ago he had a deal with Max that fell thru, so now he makes his own. Plus, they're US-made and actually used heavily in the military, but are now available for consumers.

Anyone tried these "FieryRed" tracks on eBay or Amazon.. Reviews seem decent and I actually found 2-3 videos of them in use without cracking. They're only $130 and have a $20 off coupon with Prime.

 

I was at an overland expo this weekend and got a chance to put my hand on the ActionTrax. Very nice! Flexible, stack nice. Seems like it would take quite Bit to crack one. I’d buy them if they were cheaper. $250. Still steep for me considering there’s a good chance I may never use em.

 

I keep maxtrax in my sequoia since it's 2wd. It's paid for itself a few times in loose sand, although I never put that truck in situations that I put my tacoma in.

 

I have 2 sets of Maxtrax mounted on a Prinsu rack with their load panels. I haven’t used them yet but they are very easy to get to from the passenger side.

 

I had cheap boards that worked for a few years, until I really started to wheel more. Putting the cheap boards in snow, is a sure way to make them explode. When they get cold they turn brittle right away.

So I went ahead a purchased the Actiontrax, with the metal studs on the end. All studs are replaceable with the same nuts, bolts and washers you can buy anywhere.

@ATXJoshL you should not be spinning your tires on your traction boards, so damaging your tires with the metal studs is not a problem. Right? I have had 0 problem with them damaging my tires, but I use them correctly.

I have used them many many times in the snow already, and they are the amazing.




Tonight I am going to be replacing some of the studs that have snapped off. I am also going to try and replace the studs on the bottom that grip the ground. In the snow and ice you need them to grip the ground better, so I am going to try it out and see what happens.

 

Bit of an update on my USAction Trax...

I started installing new metal studs (stainless nut+bolt+2washers per stud) and found out part way through that both of my boards had cracks or splits.

I contacted ActionTrax and submitted my images of the flaws. They said it was a manufacturing defect and they would send me a brand new set that day! I have the tracking number for my new set already, should have them in a week.

These are the images I sent them to show what was wrong.


Very happy with the outcome of this!

 

They shipped my new warranty replacement set of boards, as 'Gift'. Got them this morning.

Did not have to pay duty for entry in to maple syrup land.