Alternative to MaxTrax? Smittybilt Element

[rob_gendreau]

But seriously.

Any every see these used?

http://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/re ... yzPOtxg6T8

Look very stowable, and usable for other stuff. Put some bindings on and you have a snowboard.

I'm a burlap and/or carpet kinda guy myself. Some of the videos I've seen have convinced me that it was the Maxtrax use as a shovel that was the determining factor. My buddy once got his majorly stuck 30' class A out with just a shovel and carpet and junk he found laying around. But if I could get other uses out of them, like the carpet and burlap, hmm.

BTW, anyone here every get together and do a group buy of fiberglass grating and then chop it up into chunks for sand ladders? I kinda doubt one length could hold a van, but maybe two stacked could bridge a rut sized hole.

[rob_gendreau]

OK, what about this as an alternative?

http://www.floorandmatstore.com/store/p ... BLACK.aspx

I've seen this stuff used (you can rent it) at construction sites. I didn't realize it was made from HDPE though, and I thought it would be too slippery for vehicles. You can probably get some cheaper at Tap. Maybe some studs and holes for traction. Some guys have used HDPE underneath vehicles for skid plates. It's amazlng tough stuff. Might be hard to cut, drill or work with though; dunno.

[Tapatio]

Anybody interested in a group buy if I can figure out how to get these aluminum ones? Straight conversion is about $120 for the 6 foot model.

http://sandladder.net/

[daveb]

Originally Posted by Tapatio

Anybody interested in a group buy if I can figure out how to get these aluminum ones? Straight conversion is about $120 for the 6 foot model.

http://sandladder.net/

You think those will handle the weight of a heavy van?

[rob_gendreau]

Originally Posted by Tapatio

Anybody interested in a group buy if I can figure out how to get these aluminum ones? Straight conversion is about $120 for the 6 foot model.

http://sandladder.net/

Yeah, but what's shipping from Budapest? Probably killer.

There are some here in the US, and made here too: http://www.okoffroad.com/stuff-sandladders-aluminum.htm

They don't have the nifty weld on design the guy in Budapest has but that could be done.

Or these folks, who seem to have every type of Marsden mat known to man: http://www.calumetindustries.com

I thought about getting a quote once, but then ended up getting aluminum ramps for a car I was hauling on a trailer. I once used them to load a heavier car, probably close to the max of 5K for my ramps, and they worked fine. http://www.discountramps.com/truck-trailer-ramps.htm

Depending on your van's weight, you might need something beefier. And they can obviously be used for bridging.

[rob_gendreau]

I got a response from the fellow at Front Runner (a good sign in itself...sorta hard to get some offroad vendors to respond).

He said the sand ladders they sell that I noted above are made from "ultra strong composite fiberglass laminate." I think that equates to something like this: http://www.spaceagesynthetics.com/files/Technical.pdf

And the specs are truly impressive. About as light as the MaxTrax and associated clones, but dead flat, which means usable for other things and easier to store. Performance wise, dunno. But I'm not too sure about any of these products.

[LenS]

Originally Posted by Ocsmb

Found a steal on Maxtrax http://m.ebay.com/itm?itemId=321322363273

Those are 1/10th scale for radio controlled cars.

[skyrat]

Originally Posted by photographix

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!

Hey Photographix,
Looks like you bought these TREDS about a year ago.
Have you had the chance to use them?
How are they from the durability standpoint?
How did you mount them?
Thanks!!

[Tapatio]

Here's another option from ARB that looks interesting. The mats could also double as a shower or door mat.

http://www.amazon.com/ARB-Bushranger...s=sand+ladders

[BroncoHauler]

Originally Posted by Tapatio

Here's another option from ARB that looks interesting. The mats could also double as a shower or door mat....

Interesting. Some advantages and some disadvantages in storing rolled up tractions aids compared to rigid ones. I think if you can secure them outside, I'd rather have rigid ones, but rigid ones are large. It's great to have choices.

Personally I don't think I'll need a mat style traction aid for my Bronco (1/2 weight of an SMB, and nice WIDE tires), but I can also be cheap (unless its a cool toy, in which case don't tell my wife how much something costs), so I will sometimes carry rolled up strips of carpet with me. Also makes for a little bit of cushioning when laying on them while working on your back under a rig.


Herb