2 or 4 Recovery Tracks?

[Ent]

Only reporting how I found them. First up brought the Treds as could not justify the extra for the MaxTrax but in the field found I preferred the MaxTrax and when the Treds cracked rather lost faith in them. So when Supercheap had MaxTrax for $268 brought two sets. Actually only one set to begin with but again based on recent experience decided the second set worthwhile.

Actually when cleaning both at the car wash found the Treds much more painful than the MaxTraxs as well. According to a friend I am not the first person to have found this out.

The double ended MaxTrax is also better as despite care you can destroy the lugs on one end. Treds you get no chance to learn to be gentle with wheel spin.

The wider foot print of the MaxTraxs plus probably better ground grip meant they stayed in place longer while the Treds quickly got spat out in mud. On sand probably much of a muchness.

So pay your money and take your chances.

Let you know on Treds' warranty. And yes I am past keeping receipts so be more a case of trust by them and photographic proof. Warranties requiring receipts are just not worth much to busy people. Hence, my preference for Repco tools. If it stuff up you hand it over and get another one. However, never happy when things fail. Hope my faith in MaxTrax is rewarded with a long life. Time will tell.

[ticky]

Hi

That left an impression with with my Treds cracking So decided what the hell and brought four MaxTraxs and the matching joiners and pegs.


Cheers

I agree with Old Jack, although I only have 1 pair myself so far.

The way I look at it, spending $100 less on an inferior product is not saving $100, it's wasting $180

JMO

Steve

[Hookie]

The double ended MaxTrax is also better as despite care you can destroy the lugs on one end. Treds you get no chance to learn to be gentle with wheel spin.

This was the deciding factor for me when I was tossing up betwen maxtrax and treds. I have 4 maxtrax, got them during a "buy anything, get anything else half off" sale at BCF, so $450 for the set. Haven't used them yet, but one day I'm sure I will and I'm sure I'll be very happy to have them.

[Poita]

I purchased a set of the Tred Pros. A compete redesign and looks like a very well thought out product. I have used both the previous model treds and maxtrax without any issues The maxtrax did seem to melt lugs easier though.

[old Jack]

I too have melted lugs on one Maxtrax, very easy to do if running aggressive tread tyres. It only takes a 10 or 20 seconds of wheel spin and the lugs are gone. If you have good traction control then it less of a concern but on the Challenger you need to be very careful.

Wheel spin occurs when there is none of the cars weight is on the Maxtrax, solutions are to dig more from under the car once the Maxtrax is in place so you get some weight transfer or my preferred option as I do not like digging and this is quicker, is to jack the wheel up and place the Maxtrax under the wheel then lower the weight of the car down onto the Maxtrax.

I have also used a long handle shovel to lever the Maxtrax under the tyre as the wheel begins to turn but this is a technique that requires 2 skilled people and an automatic transmission, extreme care and clear communication are required because if you get it wrong then injury and damage to the car and recovery gear will result.

So on easy recoveries I use the conventional dig with the Maxtrax method, if the car is bellied out I use the jack, place and lower method. If it is a deep soft bog like on the waters edge and an incoming tide or the car is at an unsafe incline to jack then it is the long handle shovel method. The jack, place and lower method will work 100% every time but it does take longer and you do get dirtier!

I have also used 2 Maxtrax's and my spare tyre as a car ramp when travelling. You have to tie the Maxtraxs together and then throught the rim spokes so to Maxtrax cannot slip but can pivot. It looks like a see-saw, so as you drive up the ramp the Maxtrax pivot flat and are resting across the rim. This way the tyre is always on the Maxtrax and the load is spread evenly across the rim. I use a rubber floor mat to protect the alloy rims face from scratching.

cheers, OJ.

[paj whisperer]

Just my two bobs worth
I bought 2 x 1100mm TREDS when I first got the Paj and hardly needed them, only used them twice.
Before going on a 7 week road trip over Christmas both on and off road with the trailer, (after much deliberating as to whether I needed a 2nd pair) I decided to buy a 2nd pair (just in case).
The first time I needed them when I got stuck with the trailer on, they proved their weight in gold. Used them quite a few more times on the trip as they are quick and easy to use and was very impressed. I have had no probs with cracking or melting lugs.

[Natator]

I only have two, MaxTrax, and they've always got me unstuck from mud. However, I can see situations where having 4 would be a bonus.

It's just the cost stopping me getting another pair. I'll be sticking with MaxTracks, if I can afford another pair, partly as I know they are good, and partly so they will all stack correctly.

[GOSSAMER]

Anyone tried the cheap ones off eBay? 4 1200 long for $165

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/181803904308

I've never been in a position where I though gee I wish I had maxtrax so if I buy cheapie a I may never use them anyway.

[Ent]

Hi

Brought Treds and they cracked first use. While at times anything is better than nothing in a recovery position you are already at plan B so often nice if things just work.

Cheers

[underdog]

I've had just 2 of the 900mm long treds for going on 4yrs now and can honestly say they've been brilliant. I can count on 2 hands how many times I've used them but they've been more than enough in those situitions. 4 would probably be handier, but unless I start towing a trailer, I think using the winch would be just as easy.

[serapax]

Anyone tried the cheap ones off eBay? 4 1200 long for $165

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/181803904308

I've never been in a position where I though gee I wish I had maxtrax so if I buy cheapie a I may never use them anyway.

I haven't tried those particular cheapies, but have had the Aldi ones for a couple of years now. From memory, they were around the $130 mark (for the pair), came with shackles and strapping to join them together for extra length, and seem very solid.
I did a course with a guy who had the Maxtrax and the edges all splintered off both of them on the rocks, making them pretty much junked. If they're likely to break anyway, I'm happy to go cheap