Thread: Recovery tracks - do you own them and do you use them?

I have two Treads which I've used several times on the beach and in The Simpson.

My max tracks have travelled around the country every trip I have done for the last few years...

Only location that have ever come on and off the car is my driveway....

Having them with me has given me some comfort on beaches and places like Googs track..... but so far, never stuffed up badly enough to need them.......... yet

I have six 1200 x 300 fibreglass bridging boards. They weigh 5 to 6 kgs each compared to Maxtrac's 3.6kg each. Use them 2 to 3 times a year. They form a bed base in the back of a vehicle when required. Seen them used as tables etc.

I carry a fire grate which I made from ARC Weldmesh fencing with a 10mm rod welded around the sides for reinforcing and this has doubled to assist in recovery from a mud bog on one occasion in over 40 years. I've never needed to use it on sand despite four Simpson crossings and numerous beach drives - I have found that a long handled shovel was more than adequate for sand bogs. The grate weighs in at 7kg, fits into a garden fertiliser bag and packs flat on the floor inside the vehicle.
I have worn out a couple of my fire/debogging grates during the 40 + years that I've been using them to cook on though.

No doubt, the Maxtracks are very effective but I think for many 4WD's they are a bit like High Lift jacks - they are 'worn' on their trucks as a statement that 'I am a tough 4WD'er' and very seldom, if ever, get used.

Just my 2c worth on the subject.

better to have them and not need them

Originally Posted by workingonit

I have six 1200 x 300 fibreglass bridging boards. They weigh 5 to 6 kgs each compared to Maxtrac's 3.6kg each. Use them 2 to 3 times a year. They form a bed base in the back of a vehicle when required. Seen them used as tables etc.

I've often thought of something similar to these, longer though as a bolt on base for a roof rack. When you're really stuck or actually need to bridge a gully or rock step, unload the rack, unbolt the bridging section/s, conquer the obstacle, reload and continue on your way. A bit inconvenient and time consuming maybe but you'd always have them with you and they'd be serving that double purpose which I like with 'accessories'.
The problem I've struck is to find something strong enough to bridge a decent gap without deforming and without being too deep in cross section. Could be fiberglass, recycled plastic or alloy. Bobcat loading ramps are appealing but were a bit pricey last time I looked.

Xtreme, you can buy the fibre glass tread in different thicknesses, widths and lengths - they originally come as large sheets, the size maybe of ply sheet, then they are cut up to suite. The full sheets may be used in sloppy conditions on worksites to improve heavy vehicle traction. If you are handy, then you may be able to source a full sheet and cut as you want. I rang all around Darwin to find full sheets, but no luck - eventually bought the cut sheet from WA - 24 months later I see a ute in Darwin with a tied down full sheet at 45 degrees from the tray and over the roof - would liked to have pulled him over to find out where he got it!

When I first got them I put the bridging claim to the test over maybe an 600-800mm span using a LRover D1 - the boards sagged slightly, and you could hear one or two fibres pop - but failure seemed highly unlikely - returned flat without issue.

Design improvements could be addition of a shovel nose, and a way to link them together.

Like a lot of things their use comes after the fact - should have read ahead and put them down before driving the terrain. Also use them as a base for the winching vehicle to rest on, so it too does not sink and join the vehicle being rescued.

Don't think I would be pulling a full sheet, or cut sheets from a roof rack regularly (or at all) - they do weigh a little bit more than the plastics.

I have Maxtrax and have not had to use them - well before they were invented I used to go onto 9 mile beach at Belmont in NSW with my D1 and would regularly get stuck - I always made sure I had the car floor mats in the car and an old doona in the back - with a big of digging to clear the mound of sand in front of the tyres using the mats and doona I always managed to get out.

I think the Maxtrax will just make things easier and really they do not weigh all that much and are easily stored.

Garry