Recovery boards and mounts for $65

[J.W.]

I’ve been reading a lot about the knock-off MaxTrax recovery boards and after seeing the Seek Adventure Review of them side by side, I decided to give the knock-offs a try. I found a set of Yeeoy Recovery boards on Amazon for $65 with a $5 coupon. These essentially the same as the XBull ones in the review so I ordered a set knowing I could send them back if they were unusable.

There has been a lot of discussion on here lately about finding affordable gear so I wanted to post this in case it would help someone else with an inexpensive solution to carrying recovery boards.




They arrived this week and I finally got to check them out this weekend. Honestly, they are pretty similar to authentic MaxTrax. The thickness and flexibility/rigidity are very close. They don’t stack as thin as MaxTrax and there were a couple of rough edges in the handles that I sanded down but, for the price, I’m happy with them.



Then the question was, how do I want to mount them? I won be leaving them on full time so I didn’t just want to zip tie them on. A quick trip to the hardware store produced some odds and ends for a DIY solution.Total cost for hardware: just under $5.



All I had to do was drill a 1/4” hole in the middle of the stop bars on the U bolts and insert a carriage bolt to thread up between the boards. Add a couple of washers and wing nuts and it was good to go. I also hack sawed off about half the threads on the U bolts after test fitting so that the recovery boards would ride lower. You’re needs may differ.

Pro Tip: Make sure to file the sharp edges after drilling and cutting, You’re fingers will thank you later on.

Also, it’s not pictured here but I added lock washers and some blue LocTite to the U bolt nuts. Don’t want them coming lose while on the road.









The setup works good for me and total cost was right at $65. Are they cheap knockoffs? Well, yes and no. They are inexpensive, and they are knockoffs but I did some testing in my yard and had similar results to what other YouTube reviewers have found. They seem very capable and should suit my needs if I get stuck in the mud or snow. That’s all I need.

 

[Desert Runner]

I’ve been reading a lot about the knock-off MaxTrax recovery boards and after seeing the Seek Adventure Review of them side by side, I decided to give the knock-offs a try. I found a set of Yeeoy Recovery boards on Amazon for $65 with a $5 coupon. These essentially the same as the XBull ones in the review so I ordered a set knowing I could send them back if they were unusable.

There has been a lot of discussion on here lately about finding affordable gear so I wanted to post this in case it would help someone else with an inexpensive solution to carrying recovery boards.

View attachment 109668


They arrived this week and I finally got to check them out this weekend. Honestly, they are pretty similar to authentic MaxTrax. The thickness and flexibility/rigidity are very close. They don’t stack as thin as MaxTrax and there were a couple of rough edges in the handles that I sanded down but, for the price, I’m happy with them.

View attachment 109669

Then the question was, how do I want to mount them? I won be leaving them on full time so I didn’t just want to zip tie them on. A quick trip to the hardware store produced some odds and ends for a DIY solution.Total cost for hardware: just under $5.

View attachment 109670

All I had to do was drill a 1/4” hole in the middle of the stop bars on the U bolts and insert a carriage bolt to thread up between the boards. Add a couple of washers and wing nuts and it was good to go. I also hack sawed off about half the threads on the U bolts after test fitting so that the recovery boards would ride lower. You’re needs may differ.

Pro Tip: Make sure to file the sharp edges after drilling and cutting, You’re fingers will thank you later on.

Also, it’s not pictured here but I added lock washers and some blue LocTite to the U bolt nuts. Don’t want them coming lose while on the road.

View attachment 109673

View attachment 109674
View attachment 109675

View attachment 109676


The setup works good for me and total cost was right at $65. Are they cheap knockoffs? Well, yes and no. They are inexpensive, and they are knockoffs but I did some testing in my yard and had similar results to what other YouTube reviewers have found. They seem very capable and should suit my needs if I get stuck in the mud or snow. That’s all I need.

Simple ,Cheap, and it works for what is needed. My input would be to double your setup, so it is secured in 4 places. A nice solution that is cheaper than some DIY homemade brackets I have seen. EXCELLENT, thanks for the update....

They should be as good as the TRED's 1100.....1/4 the price, and the gen 2 max trax....1/6 the price. That is a win win for any of us that don't live in a perpetual recovery mode. And it can be looked at this way, That is an awful lot of recovery boards for the price of two of the known variety. At that quanity you can road build as seen in some You-Tube videos in soft sand inclines.

 

[J.W.]

Simple ,Cheap, and it works for what is needed. My input would be to double your setup, so it is secured in 4 places. A nice solution that is cheaper than some DIY homemade brackets I have seen. EXCELLENT, thanks for the update....

Thanks man! I mounted them diagonal from one another and that keeps the boards from rattling when I’m driving. I was thinking about using 4 mounts but wanted to make sure the concept would work. $5 well spent. Plus, this way I can mount them to the side of the basket just as easily.

 

[The other Sean]

Looks similar to how I mounted my Maxtrax.

One thought, I would take a file and make the hole in the plate square so the shoulder of the lag bolt slips in and keeps it from turning. I can see where you may end up with tightening or loosening issues because that bolt will want to spin when you go to work the wing nut. I was repurposing some mounts I had made for my Hi lift jack that I was no longer using, so I had the bolt tack welded to the back side.

 

[DoggMan1163]

I’ve been reading a lot about the knock-off MaxTrax recovery boards and after seeing the Seek Adventure Review of them side by side, I decided to give the knock-offs a try. I found a set of Yeeoy Recovery boards on Amazon for $65 with a $5 coupon. These essentially the same as the XBull ones in the review so I ordered a set knowing I could send them back if they were unusable.

There has been a lot of discussion on here lately about finding affordable gear so I wanted to post this in case it would help someone else with an inexpensive solution to carrying recovery boards.

View attachment 109668


They arrived this week and I finally got to check them out this weekend. Honestly, they are pretty similar to authentic MaxTrax. The thickness and flexibility/rigidity are very close. They don’t stack as thin as MaxTrax and there were a couple of rough edges in the handles that I sanded down but, for the price, I’m happy with them.

View attachment 109669

Then the question was, how do I want to mount them? I won be leaving them on full time so I didn’t just want to zip tie them on. A quick trip to the hardware store produced some odds and ends for a DIY solution.Total cost for hardware: just under $5.

View attachment 109670

All I had to do was drill a 1/4” hole in the middle of the stop bars on the U bolts and insert a carriage bolt to thread up between the boards. Add a couple of washers and wing nuts and it was good to go. I also hack sawed off about half the threads on the U bolts after test fitting so that the recovery boards would ride lower. You’re needs may differ.

Pro Tip: Make sure to file the sharp edges after drilling and cutting, You’re fingers will thank you later on.

Also, it’s not pictured here but I added lock washers and some blue LocTite to the U bolt nuts. Don’t want them coming lose while on the road.

View attachment 109673

View attachment 109674
View attachment 109675

View attachment 109676


The setup works good for me and total cost was right at $65. Are they cheap knockoffs? Well, yes and no. They are inexpensive, and they are knockoffs but I did some testing in my yard and had similar results to what other YouTube reviewers have found. They seem very capable and should suit my needs if I get stuck in the mud or snow. That’s all I need.

I have the same traction boards myself and I have used them 2 times they have worked out great with no problems and one of the 2 times was with a 27,000 lb similar tractor that was stuck in mud and they held up I've got a second set on order my salutation was the same as yours I just bought a long bolt with wing nut and fender washer for mounting them

 

[ZFrick]

I may have to give them a try.. thanks for posting.

 

[MidOH]

I'd use a standard nut, so my electric impact (for sway bars) can zap them on and off.

Remounting maxtracs after getting stuck in summer mud, is no fun at all.

 

[DoggMan1163]

I'd use a standard nut, so my electric impact (for sway bars) can zap them on and off.

Remounting maxtracs after getting stuck in summer mud, is no fun at all.

My first time getting stuck and using them was in sand the second time was another driver parking his simi tractor in the wrong place he sunk in the mud took them to the office and washed them before putting them up

 

[MidOH]

I've considered just leaving mine in the ground.

Maxtrax should make some out of WOOD, so we can do exactly that.

 

[DoggMan1163]

I've considered just leaving mine in the ground.

Maxtrax should make some out of WOOD, so we can do exactly that.

Lol right friend of mine lost a set of maxtrax in the mud we never found them we dug for hrs it's like the earth ate them

 

[WAYAWAY]

Lol right friend of mine lost a set of maxtrax in the mud we never found them we dug for hrs it's like the earth ate them

I have a set of MAXSA Escaper Buddy MaxTrax knockoffs.. I've only used them twice to help others get unstuck.
I try to remember to tie a strap on the plate.. that way I can find it and pull it out. This time I didn't... buried in sand once the Colorado was free.

 

[Crossoverlander]

I own 4 of these knock offs, they work great. Super stiff and hard plastic that isn't going to break on you. For the price you can't beat these, I will say they are super thick and do not stack well, but its the sacrifice for getting the cheaper product. Used em a couple times. I have even used them to level out my DJ speaker tripods when I was DJ'ing out at the Muncie Drag Strip on uneven terrain haha (otherwise my tripod would have fallen over when the first drunk guy trips over them)

 

[DoggMan1163]

I own 4 of these knock offs, they work great. Super stiff and hard plastic that isn't going to break on you. For the price you can't beat these, I will say they are super thick and do not stack well, but its the sacrifice for getting the cheaper product. Used em a couple times. I have even used them to level out my DJ speaker tripods when I was DJ'ing out at the Muncie Drag Strip on uneven terrain haha (otherwise my tripod would have fallen over when the first drunk guy trips over them)

I never remember to take pics of them when I use them

 

[Haminacan]

Just bought some now. Looks like a great deal!

 

[WAYAWAY]

I never remember to take pics of them when I use them

The first time I used mine, it was for 2 young kids that thought it would be a great idea to drive their Mercedes out the Shafer Trail in Moab. There was a spot about 50 feet off the main road that was DEEP sand. They had the car all the way down to the pan.
Thankfully they had the good manners to help dig out and not simply watch me shovel.

Good times.

 

[MidOH]

I just toss my shovel at people and jump back in my AC.

When you get four ramps dug perfectly, I'll try my winch.

 

[DoggMan1163]

I just toss my shovel at people and jump back in my AC.

When you get four ramps dug perfectly, I'll try my winch.

My first recovery with my Taco was the day after I bought it got to work and one of the Simi tractor was buried up to the bumper had a mack truck tring to pull it out and was getting no where I hooked the taco up put it In 4 low and started pulling on the third time it popped the truck out even i was impressed by it i really didn't think that it would do it since then I've bought a winch and traction boards

 

[WAYAWAY]

Has anyone used those Yeeroy boards to bridge big ruts in dirt roads?

 

[Brewbud]

I am not sure if these are the same boards but they compare them to Maxtrax across a rut later in the video.

Maxtrax vs xBull

 

[Desert Runner]

I am not sure if these are the same boards but they compare them to Maxtrax across a rut later in the video.

Maxtrax vs xBull

X-Bull, Orich, and at least 3-4 other offerings are the same product, all from China. Prices fluctuate quite a bit....$45.00-$100.00, so shop around.

Your linked video, was the same one I watched, and was the impedance for purchasing my 2 sets. Very Impressive with all the latest responses above from new owners, and how many have used them so soon after purchase. ...........tow truck, not needed.