Your thoughts on the various sand/mud recovery aids.
Submitted: Wednesday, Dec 12, 2012 at 14:55
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TheMightyMoose
The Maxtrax (and copies thereof) are one option.
Was in REPCO the other day and saw some made of rubber strips joined by stainless wire that can be rolled up (Bushranger do one as
well I have since found out). They looked quite robust and compact.
Then there was another variety mentioned recently in a post on here (can't recall name). A flexible mat sort of thing that could be also be used as a bridge across a washout that's too deep to drive through.
Some people have mentioned strips of old carpet or other tough material.
Sand ladders?
There are probably others I've forgotten to include.
So what have your experiences been with them - good and bad.
I like the look (and price) of the roll-up type ones. They seem to take up less space and look easier to carry (especially for those without a roof rack). Just my impression.
Your thoughts appreciated and thanks in advance for any replies.
Reply By: Dr Hook - Wednesday, Dec 12, 2012 at 15:42
Wednesday, Dec 12, 2012 at 15:42
The cubic plastic Milk Crates (get 2 of the same colour):-
cut each side free from the base: tie all 5 them loosely together (in a straight line) with thick cable ties (or other robust means) and fold them up zig-zag-style for stowing away.
Unless you get caught nicking them from your local milk vendor, they work out a lot cheaper and just as effective as the other brands.
Dr Hook
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Follow Up By: Gramps - Thursday, Dec 13, 2012 at 17:21
Thursday, Dec 13, 2012 at 17:21
Nah, get two different colours so you know which one goes on which side :)))))
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Reply By: DaveO*ST-R - Wednesday, Dec 12, 2012 at 16:22
Wednesday, Dec 12, 2012 at 16:22
I have Maxtrax and swear by them - in both sand and mud. Expensive yep, but they work. When I was looking around for what to buy, the Bushranger rubber do-das were way too heavy for me. Maxtrax 8kg, Rubber mats around 18kg? and not a whole lot cheaper than the Maxtrax.
Cheers
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Wednesday, Dec 12, 2012 at 16:53
Wednesday, Dec 12, 2012 at 16:53
Yeah I resisted because of the price for a long time and then caved in. They work brilliantly. Very happy getting my camper out of sand. I haven't used them for anything else.
Occasionally Rays have them 30% off plus the 7% club discount is $208 from memory. At that price they were ok.
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Reply By: Wayne (NSW) - Wednesday, Dec 12, 2012 at 16:55
Wednesday, Dec 12, 2012 at 16:55
Then there is the good old fashion way,
reduce your tyre pressure.
Wayne
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Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Friday, Dec 14, 2012 at 21:39
Friday, Dec 14, 2012 at 21:39
sometimes its not enough to lower the tyre pressures
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Reply By: Member - Michael P (QLD) - Wednesday, Dec 12, 2012 at 17:28
Wednesday, Dec 12, 2012 at 17:28
I carry a few poly weave bags rolled up ,used seed bag from produce stores. If needed fill with sand & tie off with cable ties.
Virtually no weight, take up very little space and cheap.
Mike.
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Follow Up By: PeteS - Thursday, Dec 13, 2012 at 06:42
Thursday, Dec 13, 2012 at 06:42
Usually not much around to fill them with when you're stuck in mud Mike.
I like the simplicity of the weave bags, especially to save some weight. Have you used them successfully?
Cheers
PeteS
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Follow Up By: Member - Michael P (QLD) - Thursday, Dec 13, 2012 at 17:00
Thursday, Dec 13, 2012 at 17:00
Pete Hi,
Point taken re mud,then there normally isn't too much mud around when I travel into the deserts.
With a bit of luck I have not had to test the theory out yet but have had to use the shovel & a bit of sweat a couple of times.
My thoughts are that sand bags & shovels don't have as much "pose" value as Maxtrax etc.
Regards
Mike.
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Reply By: Member - John and Val - Wednesday, Dec 12, 2012 at 19:22
Wednesday, Dec 12, 2012 at 19:22
Combining Wayne's and Mike's systems works
well! ( And suits anyone's budget!)
Cheers
John
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Reply By: Crackles - Wednesday, Dec 12, 2012 at 21:51
Wednesday, Dec 12, 2012 at 21:51
"Your thoughts on the various sand/mud recovery aids.".........
M & M being old school, four wheel drivers have been getting around without these plastic planks in far less capable cars so begs the question are they even neccesary on a modern 4x4? My belief is recovery can always be done another way, often as simple as letting some air out or a few minutes work with a shovel. Many drivers will also just use what's available be it some bush's or even a set of sturdy floor mats. This eliminates the need to carry what are often bulky, sharp, muddy 'Tracks'.
My thoughts are the money would be better spent on 4 wheel drive training, better tyres etc.
Cheers Craig.....
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Reply By: olcoolone - Wednesday, Dec 12, 2012 at 23:22
Wednesday, Dec 12, 2012 at 23:22
I have never had the need for them as I have learnt how to avoid problems and learnt how to get out of them if needed.
Have used a shovel and rubber floor mats with the back and forward technique to compact the ground, tyres at 5psi and drove out...... the side steeps and long range
tank was sitting on the ground......
A few years ago they were the must have look at me look at me accessory for 4x4ers......
Learn the art of 4wding first....... a winch is a different story and a must have.
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Reply By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Thursday, Dec 13, 2012 at 06:27
Thursday, Dec 13, 2012 at 06:27
We like to travel solo and thus do not rely on just one recovery type.
We have a winch, a compressor to pump tyres back up, a shovel and maxtracks. Weight, strength and visibility were paramount in choosing the maxtracks.
Certainly dont want them in the car if caked with mud so they had to be easy to store on the roofrack and handle 100kph winds, rain and not go brittle in the sun etc.
Our primary aid is that we do not go where we don't really need to go.
Phil
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Follow Up By: Member - VickiW - Friday, Dec 14, 2012 at 20:48
Friday, Dec 14, 2012 at 20:48
Phil, I'm with you.
When I travelled with my ex we only got into one really dodgy situation, we'd stopped on the bank to cross an apparently dry river. We walked the sand river & decided against it when we jumped & found
water percolated up. so what happend? HE turned around by driving off the bank onto the river bed (he was not always so stupid) & the car immediately sunk into the sand with
water coming up around the tyres. I now wonder why I was so tolerant & didn't give him a bollocking like he gave me for getting stuck on a
sand dune in the simpson.
A very stressful half hour followed - digging next to the
wheels to drain
water away and me collecting a lot of bark and sticks & luckily we got out on first attempt. Don't remember if that was in the days we had a compressor.
So now I travel solo & carry all the stuff you do. To be honest I'd rather drag out the maxtrax than dig. But letting the tyres down has to be first choice.
Like you guys I try to stay in situations I'm comfortable with, just don;t always know what is going to present itself!
Take care,
Vicki
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Follow Up By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Friday, Dec 14, 2012 at 21:43
Friday, Dec 14, 2012 at 21:43
Hi Vicki
A bit of the Boy Scout or Girl Guide preparedness!!!
I thought that the photo below would ring a few bells. But no need to get off track here.
Take care.
Phil
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Reply By: Rockape - Thursday, Dec 13, 2012 at 07:12
Thursday, Dec 13, 2012 at 07:12
What ever people say they are a great tool, as without them you have to carry a 2 legged passenger to dig you out. They cost more than the sand ladders as you have to feed and cloth them + you have to put up with the incessant whinging when you get stuck. Now you have to purchase a cattle prod. More cost and weight. Cost of prod $100 and the extra weight between 60 and 120 kilos.
Most of the middle aged crew will remember them as kids. Marsden Matting left over from WW2 was everywhere. Many properties had them and they were always around beaches. They made good yard fences as
well.
I like the rigid ones but they are hard to store. Some of the other methods look good especially the milk crates as they are built to last. The Milko won't be happy though.
RA.
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Reply By: Robin Miller - Thursday, Dec 13, 2012 at 10:11
Thursday, Dec 13, 2012 at 10:11
MightyMoose
Exploring is our main game and we haven't yet learnt not to go to some
places so we need everything going for us.
If you check around I believe you will find those roll up mats are less useful than Maxtrax
I find I will take maxtrax on a trip heavy in sand but not in mud where I have found them less useful.
You can buy 800mm versions of maxtrax (copies) now and these ease the size problem.
If I had one thing to reccomend to people I would get them to invest in making it easier to put tyres up and down - for some even a kit in a bag is to much trouble to set up.
On the cheap side we always go with a full size matock , as it probably pulls sand out from under a car better than shovel and has many other uses.
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Reply By: member - mazcan - Thursday, Dec 13, 2012 at 13:34
Thursday, Dec 13, 2012 at 13:34
hi the mighty moose
yes those ones you mention made out of rubber strips wired together with st/steel wire are x-trax11 mats and are sold by off rd equipmt as
well they are easier to pack in the load area as you can put them in different positions or what im trying to say is they blend into the luggage area a bit easier than the maxtraxs imho
i saw them this year earlier and was taken by the simplicity of design
but am yet to see a demo for real
2x 1500x300mm $198 including 2 storage bags
dont know how they compare with maxtrax pricing
would like to see a comparison demo mud and sand
www.offroadequipment.com.au
i have no connection with company just relaying matter of interest
cheers
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Reply By: Atta Boy Luther - Thursday, Dec 13, 2012 at 15:20
Thursday, Dec 13, 2012 at 15:20
Just get a set of maxtrax and strap them to your rear spare tyre . A long handled shovel as
well . Flexible mats , carpet etc hahahaha .
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Reply By: wizzer73 - Thursday, Dec 13, 2012 at 20:08
Thursday, Dec 13, 2012 at 20:08
I have seen both types (maxtrax and the rollups) in use for the same bogged vehicle on a beach. The vehicle was bogged try to go slightly uphill to get off a beach in very boggy sand.
The rollups were used first as the were handy. When placed under the wheels and vehicle trying to take off the rollups were just spat out the back of the wheels.
Then the maxtrax were placed under the wheels and vehicle just simply drove along them, up and out of the boggy beach, The maxtrax dug into the sand.
I bought some maxtrax after that little demo.
wizzer
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Follow Up By: Les - PK Ranger - Saturday, Dec 15, 2012 at 09:32
Saturday, Dec 15, 2012 at 09:32
too true wizzer, have found youtube vids of the rubber wired tracks, and they can get spat out the back (or rolled up around the tyre).
I think though, that too many just gun it on all these traction devices, when it should be easy does it and in low range.
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