Influencer II
I think the Maxtraxx are AWESOME! But, i'd prefer not to spend that much cash on a chunk of plastic. Any proven, quality options out there that are more cost effective?
Cheaper substitute for Maxtraxx?
- Thread starter Overland-Indiana
- Start date
Treds are probably your best alternative. Some might say they are better than maxtrax. Smittybuilt also makes a traction pad.
Off-Road Ranger I
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- Dave
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- Kaplan
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- KG7IGY / WRTJ268
I did a ton of research earlier this year. Based on what I found, avoid the Smittybilt entirely, they have a horrible reputation of essentially being one-time-use before they crack or break.
Tred does a bit better, there are mixed reports of cracking and breaking, but some people claim that was only in the early lot numbers. Supposedly Tred is working on an updated ramp that would be significantly less than Maxtrax, but they are a ways out.
I know that some people are using surplus aluminum Marston mats ( or the cheaper and more common Pierced Steel Planking).
Tred does a bit better, there are mixed reports of cracking and breaking, but some people claim that was only in the early lot numbers. Supposedly Tred is working on an updated ramp that would be significantly less than Maxtrax, but they are a ways out.
I know that some people are using surplus aluminum Marston mats ( or the cheaper and more common Pierced Steel Planking).
Pathfinder II
So much so, that I bought two... thinking they were Maxtrax. I mean come on, Maxsa - Maxtrax copyright much? No occasion to use them yet, but I'd sell them cheap to replace with Maxtrax lol
Pathfinder III
Off-Road Ranger I
- 2,809
- First Name
- Dave
- Last Name
- Kaplan
- Member #
1028
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- KG7IGY / WRTJ268
Pathfinder III
Fiberglass grating
As an alternative to maxtraxx. it works well!!!, not MAXTRAXX OMG thats amazing ...well....but it holds up, and holds up to the bronco being the pig that it is. 5,950 lbs (empty).. and when it is stuck..its bad... so all joking aside, they offer great traction even with my HMMWV 37" baja mt tires being the hard compound they are. They are a cool lookin green color too.
The drive on ramps i built are the red stuff, never had a traction issue there.... and before i reinforced them with an angle iron frame i loaded a powerstroke with them... but the green stuff has non skid style surface molded its, its pretty great! Thats what my 2'x4' (scraptraxx LOL) are made of.
Having said too much (as usual) i will leave you with this..... this stuff is pricey. So i recommend trying to score some from a construction project near you. i paid 100$ and they let me have what i needed. i am working on getting a whole sheet to use as a bottom to my roof rack rather than just bars :-/
it runs it 4x8? 4x10? sheets when new.
As an alternative to maxtraxx. it works well!!!, not MAXTRAXX OMG thats amazing ...well....but it holds up, and holds up to the bronco being the pig that it is. 5,950 lbs (empty).. and when it is stuck..its bad... so all joking aside, they offer great traction even with my HMMWV 37" baja mt tires being the hard compound they are. They are a cool lookin green color too.
The drive on ramps i built are the red stuff, never had a traction issue there.... and before i reinforced them with an angle iron frame i loaded a powerstroke with them... but the green stuff has non skid style surface molded its, its pretty great! Thats what my 2'x4' (scraptraxx LOL) are made of.
Having said too much (as usual) i will leave you with this..... this stuff is pricey. So i recommend trying to score some from a construction project near you. i paid 100$ and they let me have what i needed. i am working on getting a whole sheet to use as a bottom to my roof rack rather than just bars :-/
it runs it 4x8? 4x10? sheets when new.
My ramps are 12 years old and in great shape, tractors, trucks, worse...
The ones i use for traction are good too, im sure there are different grades of it though.
I like mine, and for the price ill put on gloves if they ever do that.
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RUMOR has that the new wood alternative board used for decking (plastic wood) makes a decent low budget one.
I thought it was cool
Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
I thought it was cool
Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
Off-Road Ranger I
- 2,809
- First Name
- Dave
- Last Name
- Kaplan
- Member #
1028
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- KG7IGY / WRTJ268
Seconded. When I was a kid I had to have hand surgery to remove some fiberglass that got in there and burrowed into my muscle.
Influencer II
These have shown no amount of wear to date, but i will kep you guys updated on it.
Its an industrial contruction material designed to be an alternative for metal grating, i wear gloves for recovery work anyways.
Looking forward to getting maxtraxx one day regardless
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Its an industrial contruction material designed to be an alternative for metal grating, i wear gloves for recovery work anyways.
Looking forward to getting maxtraxx one day regardless
Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
Pathfinder I
Was looking at other brands, and at half the price of maxtraxx they sounded tempting.
Then read reviews on others and bought a couple maxtraxx.
Will buy two more eventually.
Quite impressed to see them used on Expedition Overland series, where they recovered vehicles easily where winch recoveries would have been necessary without them.
The bridging capabilities are a plus too.
Then read reviews on others and bought a couple maxtraxx.
Will buy two more eventually.
Quite impressed to see them used on Expedition Overland series, where they recovered vehicles easily where winch recoveries would have been necessary without them.
The bridging capabilities are a plus too.
