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Old 03-18-2014, 04:41 PM   #1
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Alternative to MaxTrax? Smittybilt Element

I want to get a set of sand ladders, or maybe two sets, but I'm not sure. A couple q's:

Is one pair of ladders enough for most situations? Not planning on rock bending, I just want to get out of soft desert sand, since we usually travel alone. (I have a Quigley 4x4.)

MaxTrax are about $300/pair. I see that Smittybilt has a similar product for $150/pair. Does anyone have the Smittybilts?

Here's a link to the Smittybilts:
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Winches-Winc ... =S%2fB2790

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Old 03-18-2014, 07:40 PM   #2
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Re: Alternative to MaxTrax? Smittybilt Element

I just picked up a pair of Tred tracks, about $150. We'll see, but gets pretty good reviews.

http://www.tred4x4.com/index.php/about-tred
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Old 03-18-2014, 10:40 PM   #3
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Re: Alternative to MaxTrax? Smittybilt Element

Where did you get the TREDs? It looks like the only distributor in the US is TJM, and I can't seem to find them on their site.
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Old 03-19-2014, 06:49 AM   #4
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Alternative to MaxTrax? Smittybilt Element

I found them at Slee off road, a local shop specializing in toyota off road stuff but they have a lot of great overland gear. Go to recovery gear/recovery kits
http://www.sleeoffroad.com

Also found them here:
http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/index. ... il&p=12721

I should really start getting royalties from all these companies....
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Old 03-19-2014, 07:36 AM   #5
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Re: Alternative to MaxTrax? Smittybilt Element

The Smittybilt are on Amazon. You may want to read the reviews though. 5000# vehicles seem to crack them up pretty good, can't imagine what our 8,000-10,000# rigs would do. Might be why some pay the $300..."you get what you pay for"

http://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-279...=Element+Ramps
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Old 03-19-2014, 08:05 AM   #6
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Re: Alternative to MaxTrax? Smittybilt Element

Quote:
Originally Posted by 4MacFam
The Smittybilt are on Amazon. You may want to read the reviews though. 5000# vehicles seem to crack them up pretty good, can't imagine what our 8,000-10,000# rigs would do. Might be why some pay the $300..."you get what you pay for"
Thanks, good to know. Interesting that both MaxTrax and Smittybilt say they are rated for 7700 lbs.

The link I posted had two 5-star and one 1-star reviews. That said, 9 reviews isn't much of a data pool, but it looks to be trending downward.

It appears that wheelspin is the main enemy of these things no matter who makes them.
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Old 03-19-2014, 12:21 PM   #7
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Re: Alternative to MaxTrax? Smittybilt Element

Quote:
It appears that wheelspin is the main enemy of these things no matter who makes them.
If you are buried up to the axle you will need to get the tracks under the tire either by digging or lifting the wheel on top. If your axle is resting on dirt/sand/mud there's no downward pressure on the tires and therefor no pressure on the tracks. They all work just fine if you let off the gas before digging in too far. Having a hi-lift with the tire lift-mate is the best tool when that happens.
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Old 03-19-2014, 01:15 PM   #8
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Re: Alternative to MaxTrax? Smittybilt Element

For my recent stuck adventure, I would have liked to have had 4 MaxTrax -- another pair would have been real nice for keeping my rear wheels afloat too. Even with rocks underneath, my rear wheels kept sinking back down into the muck after I set them back down after jacking & rock insertion. The MaxTrax spread the weight far for nice mud floatation.

I originally chose to get 2 MaxTrax because they fit nicely on my roof behind my solar panels without extending much above the solar panel height.

-- Geoff
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Old 03-19-2014, 02:21 PM   #9
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Re: Alternative to MaxTrax? Smittybilt Element

Right you are, Geoff. Because of your excellent writeup and this thread, I just ordered a pair of Treds to backup the pair of MaxTrax I already own. I do travel alone often and always wanted to have four of those type of things.
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Old 03-20-2014, 12:40 AM   #10
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Re: Alternative to MaxTrax? Smittybilt Element

Thanks for everyone's input! This forum is the best!

I just ordered 2 pair of TREDs at https://www.sierraexpeditions.com

There's a coupon code at http://retailmenot.com for free shipping on orders over $99 at Sierra Expeditions. Expires 4/30/14. I'd post the code, but it may be a no-no.

If there was a code for sending commissions, I'd have used it. Sorry, REF!
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