Traction Boards

Can someone recommend a good pair of traction boards? Preferably that you had to use them and they didn’t break. Thank you!

 

The better brands I’ve laid my hands on are Maxtrax and ActionTrax, the latter being made in America.

The good ones are expensive and if you think you need a pair, it’s better to have 2 pairs.

If seldom used, buy anything off of Amazon and save some money.

Lastly, consider if you want to mount them or toss them into the back. Enjoy!

 

I’ve been really happy with actiontrax

 

Buy once, cry once…Maxtrax

 

I have the ones on Amazon from Bunker industries. I've only used them once, but they held up fine. It was one of those just in case things, I wasn't thinking it was something I was going to use on any regular basis, otherwise I would have bought once and cried once and went with Max trax.

 

Don’t waste your money on higher end ones.

here’s why:

they’re going to sit on your roof rack for years and never once get used. The one time you do use them, they’ll do their job and get you out, but they may crack.

keep a good UV protectant on them to prolong life.

 

Maxtrax have been proven to stand up to uv very well. The cheaper brands not so much

 

I carry 2 Maxtrax boards all the time, carry 4 when I hit the trails. Use them several times both on trails and on regular roads. The boards are about ten years old and still holding up (no cracks or fading). Rather spend more once than spend less several times.

 

if you read my post, it doesn’t matter.

I had 4 year old Amazon boards that were structurally fine.

spend a couple hundred for roof decoration if you want.

 

regardless of the UV protection. A lot of cheap traction boards do not bend as much and will crack if too much weight on it. Also more likely to crack in cold temps, etc... (there might be some that wont but it's unlikely they will be as strong as brands like Maxtrax or Actiontrax)

 

The good products are expensive and the cheap ones may not be up to the task. Now we know everything we need, pick a color! It’s all good!

 

Man, I sure do appreciate everyone’s advice. Thank you!

 

I went for actiontrax. Made in America and customer service is great. I lost one with a pretty gnarly vehicle recovery. The owner reached out directly and asked for pictures of the recovery! He then offered a blemished set at a steep discount. When they arrived I couldn't find a "blemish."

I don't keep them on the rig at all times. Just mount a couple when going wheeling.

 

Which ones did you go with from Amazon

 

Go with Maxtrax. Far superior to others and if they end up on your roof for years you will know they will still prefome as they would on day one. They also don't fade. Mine have been on my roof for years and are perfect.

 

Those pics are bad ass. That’s exactly what I do when we head out west

 

my old ones I couldn’t say, my newer ones are x bull.

 

I agree with this. I feel they are mostly for show. I have never needed or used traction boards or wheeled with anyone that has needed them. Never wheeling alone and having a winch are much better options.

 

100%

my tires, airing down, or my winch have always done the job. If I needed my $50 Amazon boards after 4 years, they’d have gotten me out even if they crumbled

 

^ Great points.

Ime traction boards are no replacement for a winch. Just simply another tool in the toolbox.
Prioritize a winch, tool kit, a spare tie rod end and a spare CV. If you have room leftover, consider traction boards then.

 

Really awesome work, looks like a great place. In the second picture, the woman in the blue tee-shirt, is that a Toller puppy?

 

Sorry to disappoint but I have no idea. These pictures were taken at Merus Adventure during Texas Toyota Takeover last year. We had a group of 7 or so rigs go through this (normally dry) creek bed. After realizing it was flooded and this was the only way out, we committed. Hence why my board was lost in the mud.

The park staff told me someone found the board and used it to get out of the same area a few weeks later. It was then hung in a nearby tree to commemorate the recoveries it's helped with.

 

It helped someone else! Awesome (and it held up to the UV too )

 

I saw the x bulls on Amazon. You’re happy with those?

 

I'm not sure about in the States but up here in Canada Maxtrax dropped in price for 2024 (by almost $150CDN) making them a little more affordable.

 

Worst case, use your floor mats.

 

X2 for Amazon Bunker.

 

got stuck in the mud when I backed up just a little to far trying to turn around, we gathered sticks and used those to get moving.

 

Any one ever used traction boards to level out the vehicle for RTT sleeping?

 

they look good and came with mounts, so yeah.

lmao funny but honestly, what did we always use before? A fuggin 2x4