Thread: Maxtrax / recovery boards

Anyone tried these?

Can see a lot of uses when on your own, bit redundant with another vehicle.

Reason for asking is I was out last week and got stuck.... Had to dig out the land anchor and do a decent winch wih pulley, all I needed was a bit more traction to get over a muddy spot.

Reading up on them this evening, the spikes on maxtrax wear off quickly if spinning tyres and aren't designed to be used as a bridge. Thinking back, a small section of bridge / timber would be handy in places

Hmmm also used as ramps, have tried climbing small cliffs before, doesn't do the front bar / bash plate any good

Best insurance when by yourself is a winch/shovel and dont get stuck, seriously just dont get stuck,either dont do it or be sure you carry enough momentum to get threw rather than the take it easy on the truck mentality you should use when you have another vehicle to recover with.
I used to have a high lift jack and hand winch and shovel in the lux all the time, on the two times I had taken all the recovery gear out to give it a bloody good clean (twice in 10 years) I took the dogs for a run got stuck in my good clothes out of phone service in a big clay bog and dug/jacked myself out with the factory jack and a 6 inch cresent and about 200mm of alloy tent peg,six hours and a blown cv later I got back to tarseal in 2wd. the second time wasnt much better so after that I adopted the dont try or make dam sure you will make it policy

I've used the loading ramps from the trailer a few times. Even worked for a large farm tractor stuck in a ditch.

Originally Posted by gadgetman

I've used the loading ramps from the trailer a few times. Even worked for a large farm tractor stuck in a ditch.

Don't have any loading ramps but looking at them more and at $300/ pair wondering if some scaffolding plank cut to size with some sort of traction (thinking 2x1) attached would work as well

I've used maxtrax a lot (in Oz). Found them ok to winch up onto when stuck in the middle of a massive quicksand bog with a hard surface layer that you broke through. This happened a lot. Otherwise, not so useful. Wouldn't buy some myself.

Worth their weight in gold mate. I use them all the time for beach driving up here in broome. Your right, you try not spin your wheels on them too much, the genuine maxtraxs can still take a fair bit of punishment tho. Wouldn't use them for bridging gaps but they save a shit load of digging when your balls deep. I don't leave home without them if we're going 4x4ing. A must have!

Originally Posted by 223nut

Don't have any loading ramps but looking at them more and at $300/ pair wondering if some scaffolding plank cut to size with some sort of traction (thinking 2x1) attached would work as well

The loading ramps are just left over lumps of 250x45 timber 2m long from redoing the trailer deck. The whole lot only cost $200. Stuff had been sitting in the yard a few years so did a deal.

Originally Posted by gadgetman

The loading ramps are just left over lumps of 250x45 timber 2m long from redoing the trailer deck. The whole lot only cost $200. Stuff had been sitting in the yard a few years so did a deal.

Have stack of scaffolding planks lying round and thinking of repurposing those, screws and glue them 2 think and cut to a length that fits nicely in the boot or on roofracks

Scaffold plank with tek screws with heads proud works okay.

I fully agree with VC comments above.
I have a set of Supercheap recovery boards on my roof permanently, a shovel on the bonnet, and a short crowbar under the seat.
A few of the spikes on mine have been melted off due to wheel spin. Best used in conjunction with a winch if possible in my mind. Good though, but yeah not to be used as a bridge, they need to be supported.
There were some cheapie ones on trade me a while ago, made from recycled plastics, that weren't really up to it, they are too thin and break apart with a decent load on them.
Maxtrax seem to have the best reputation over in Australia but they tend to use them more in sand than in mud from what I have seen. TREDs are another good brand.
Another option, potentially not quite as good but easier to store
Car recovery track (Bog Mat) 22x60cm | Trade Me

Originally Posted by ROKTOY

I fully agree with VC comments above.
I have a set of Supercheap recovery boards on my roof permanently, a shovel on the bonnet, and a short crowbar under the seat.
A few of the spikes on mine have been melted off due to wheel spin. Best used in conjunction with a winch if possible in my mind. Good though, but yeah not to be used as a bridge, they need to be supported.
There were some cheapie ones on trade me a while ago, made from recycled plastics, that weren't really up to it, they are too thin and break apart with a decent load on them.
Maxtrax seem to have the best reputation over in Australia but they tend to use them more in sand than in mud from what I have seen. TREDs are another good brand.
Another option, potentially not quite as good but easier to store
Car recovery track (Bog Mat) 22x60cm | Trade Me

Has anyone had any experience with those bog mats, its the sort of thing that could be a good idea to have a couple under the seat at all times.

I've carried a set around for 2-3 years at work without needing to use them yet....

If you drive on sand a lot then yes they are good - used them heaps while doing a 4wd trip down the west coast of Tassie. I wouldn't own them here though. Normally if I get stuck here, they're not going to help.

Originally Posted by gimp

I've carried a set around for 2-3 years at work without needing to use them yet....

Sounds like u need to go for a 'play'

Cheers for the advice folks, going to make do with my planks and save the coin. As has been said, can see there use if doing a lot of sand and soft stuff but don't think they are going to be for me. Bridging was a major issue for me, cracks opening up in odd spots after earthquakes... Filled in the ones I can but always more popping up.

Few hillsides round here are still sliding, seen 400m+ of fence repaired twice and it's gone again. poor bastard