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Traction boards

Discussion in 'Recovery & Gear' started by Wahayes, Feb 21, 2021.

  1. Feb 21, 2021 at 9:33 PM
    #1
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

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    325/60r20 falken at3w, 2.25 dobinsons ,20x9 +20 fuel torque wheels, leer xr100, bmc
    So last year I bought some orcish Amazon traction boards. Didn't think much of them honestly, and have been collecting dust since. I bought them for a trip that never materialized bc of covid. They went in my garage. Took some day trips and tossed them in the truck once. Never opened the bag. Today took another day trip and for whatever reason I took them with me . Not sure why as it hasn't rained or snowed in about a week. Man am I glad I did. I got stuck in what seemed like wet beach sand mixed with mud and these things drove me right out. 70 bucks on Amazon. I was out in the west desert of Utah and would have been screwed without them. Well that and my folding shovel.. Probably would've been spending the night because digging alone would have taken forever and with how sticky the sand mud clay mix was , don't know it would've done much good. Two things saved me being prepared to self extract and my solo 4 wheeling experience. These boards won't stay home again.20210221_175201.jpg 20210221_175151.jpg 20210221_175156.jpg 20210221_175135.jpg
     
  2. Mar 11, 2021 at 11:24 AM
    #2
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

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    325/60r20 falken at3w, 2.25 dobinsons ,20x9 +20 fuel torque wheels, leer xr100, bmc
    So I came up with some lessons learned from that trip:
    1. Be prepared to get yourself out. I took my traction boards that time but usually didn't. Now I always have them shovel and shackles, straps etc.
    2. Don't get complacent. This was close to my house so I really didn't map out or plan because home was nearby.....which led me to getting on this "trail". Had I mapped it I would've known better.
    3. Just because you don't go out in the dark doesn't mean you won't be wheeling in the dark. I had no offroad lights and didn't plan on needing them , until I needed them. Got lights now just in case
    4. Let people know where you're going. I had to drop pins late after the fact to let people know where I was . If had been in an area with no cell service no one would have known how to get to me.
    5. Overnighters might happen anytime. Keep a basic overnight gear, just in case. Had the boards not worked I would have been sleeping there til the ground refroze. Would have made it very uncomfortable not having the basics.
    6. Stick to the plan. Whole reason this mess happened was because I thought I would take a shortcut off the trail I was somewhat familiar with to get home earlier because wife texted.
     
  3. Mar 11, 2021 at 11:30 AM
    #3
    BravoDeltaRomeo

    BravoDeltaRomeo Old Man Little Blue Finger

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    Looks like they saved your butt nicely.

    Do you have a direct link to the ones you used? There seems to be a lot of them on there, some highly regarded and some not so much.
     
  4. Mar 11, 2021 at 11:36 AM
    #4
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

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    325/60r20 falken at3w, 2.25 dobinsons ,20x9 +20 fuel torque wheels, leer xr100, bmc
  5. Mar 11, 2021 at 11:37 AM
    #5
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

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    325/60r20 falken at3w, 2.25 dobinsons ,20x9 +20 fuel torque wheels, leer xr100, bmc
    The key is digging a trench for them to fit into. If you just dig a little shove them in sticking up at some crazy angle and hope for the best, won't work.
     
  6. Mar 24, 2021 at 4:14 AM
    #6
    mtb-sam

    mtb-sam New Member

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    Ive been looking at purchasing a set of the X Bull ones. Cant justify spending 300 on maxtraxx
     
    Wahayes[OP] likes this.
  7. Mar 24, 2021 at 4:19 AM
    #7
    boudain

    boudain New Member

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    I’m glad to see the market opening up on these. Maxtraxx are stupid expensive. I’m sure on some level they’re worth it, but I’ll take the cheapies for now.
     
    Wahayes[OP] likes this.
  8. Mar 24, 2021 at 7:12 AM
    #8
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

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    325/60r20 falken at3w, 2.25 dobinsons ,20x9 +20 fuel torque wheels, leer xr100, bmc
    In my experience with these there's no need to. Only difference if it matters to you would be these are not as thin when stacked and may weigh a bit more.
     
  9. Mar 24, 2021 at 7:13 AM
    #9
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

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    325/60r20 falken at3w, 2.25 dobinsons ,20x9 +20 fuel torque wheels, leer xr100, bmc
    Double stacked these and used them as a bridge Monday. Didn't work as the mud was too slick to get over a washout but the boards held up fine in a bridge situation too.
     
    Sumo91 likes this.
  10. Mar 24, 2021 at 10:05 AM
    #10
    des2mtn

    des2mtn Third Member

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    Where my wheels stop rolling
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    Tonto cover

    This is great advice. Always bring extra overnight food/ water AND MEDICINE if you rely on it. I had to stay on an unplanned overnighter once and was glad I had the foresight to put extra meds in my first aid kit.
     
    AggiePhil likes this.
  11. Mar 24, 2021 at 12:10 PM
    #11
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

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    325/60r20 falken at3w, 2.25 dobinsons ,20x9 +20 fuel torque wheels, leer xr100, bmc
    Yea if you have meds that should always be in a first aid.kit. I don't , but IfI did (have meds I relied on) I'd keep a pill bottle for my first aid kit exclusively
     
    AggiePhil likes this.
  12. Mar 25, 2021 at 11:18 AM
    #12
    Team4M

    Team4M New Member

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    I just got X-Bulls and they seem to be a good option. I haven't "had" to use them but I drove over them a bunch in the dirt to see if they were ok or junk and I have confidence taking them along wherever I go.
     
    Rocko9999 likes this.
  13. Apr 26, 2021 at 3:05 PM
    #13
    Rocko9999

    Rocko9999 New Member

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    Glad you got out! Man I could have used those this weekend. I need to put together a desert kit. I am not use to driving this truck in the desert.

    IMG_5255.jpg
     
    Darkness and Wahayes[QUOTED][OP] like this.
  14. Apr 26, 2021 at 3:07 PM
    #14
    Rocko9999

    Rocko9999 New Member

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    Like a trench in the desired direct for the board to be almost level with bottom of tire?
     
  15. Apr 26, 2021 at 3:37 PM
    #15
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

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    325/60r20 falken at3w, 2.25 dobinsons ,20x9 +20 fuel torque wheels, leer xr100, bmc
    Yea so a trench the direction you want the vehicle to go for the board to sit in. Doesn't have to be level but does need to be able to sit on the ground and not be up in the air. These boards work by grabbing traction on your tire AND the board setting up into the ground , mud , sand etc.. for it to grip. If its it pointing in the air the ground can't do its part
     
    Rocko9999[QUOTED] likes this.
  16. Apr 26, 2021 at 3:38 PM
    #16
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

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    325/60r20 falken at3w, 2.25 dobinsons ,20x9 +20 fuel torque wheels, leer xr100, bmc
    Yea they make quick work of sand
     
    Rocko9999[QUOTED] likes this.
  17. Apr 27, 2021 at 10:45 PM
    #17
    reimord

    reimord New Member

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    I like the Go Treads because it is foldable and cheaper than Maxtrax.
     
    Black Wolf and JustJake like this.
  18. Apr 28, 2021 at 12:14 AM
    #18
    Nando_TRD760

    Nando_TRD760 New Member

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    What's a good brand besides the expensive Maxtracs?
     
  19. Apr 28, 2021 at 2:30 AM
    #19
    RJVA

    RJVA Former Lurker

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    OEM 18" wheels off a 2.5 gen 275/70/18 Falken Rubitrek A/T FabFour Redsteel front bumper with HF winch. Dobinsons IMS with 2.25" coils (610) JBA UCA's Iron Man +300lb rear leaf packs with Dobinsons IMS shocks ECGS bushing in front diff Black Oak Led Flood Pods. 40watt (x2) Black Oak 20" light bar. 100 watt OEM style rear bumper, black powder coat, added aux reverse leds. Stubby AM/FM antenna Century Camper Shell with Roof rack and bed mat
  20. Apr 29, 2021 at 1:28 PM
    #20
    RJVA

    RJVA Former Lurker

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    OEM 18" wheels off a 2.5 gen 275/70/18 Falken Rubitrek A/T FabFour Redsteel front bumper with HF winch. Dobinsons IMS with 2.25" coils (610) JBA UCA's Iron Man +300lb rear leaf packs with Dobinsons IMS shocks ECGS bushing in front diff Black Oak Led Flood Pods. 40watt (x2) Black Oak 20" light bar. 100 watt OEM style rear bumper, black powder coat, added aux reverse leds. Stubby AM/FM antenna Century Camper Shell with Roof rack and bed mat
    Mine just arrived. A guy could really get his Hasselhoff on if he took off his shift, tucked one of these under his arm and started jogging in slow motion.
     
    Darkness, Wahayes[OP] and Rocko9999 like this.
  21. Apr 29, 2021 at 1:41 PM
    #21
    eick

    eick New Member

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    There’s a really good video where they did a shootout of these things from like ten different brands. The maxxtrax won pretty easily.

    That said I still can’t see paying 300 for them. I’d rather pay 70 and have them break after one use
     
    AggiePhil and Rocko9999 like this.
  22. Jan 29, 2022 at 5:03 PM
    #22
    Fallingblock

    Fallingblock New Member

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    I am am big fan and have had a set of crux offroad bridging ladders for years http://www.cruxoffroad.com/ Good videos on the web page. I was there at the 2015 overland festival when he was running around tossing them down in front of every stuck truck. They work great.
     
  23. Jan 29, 2022 at 5:32 PM
    #23
    AggiePhil

    AggiePhil Texas Chapter President

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    08766155-7F3E-4AB7-9822-28C6691FE833.jpg
     
  24. Feb 2, 2022 at 6:20 PM
    #24
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol Brake Czar

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