Traction Boards: which ones do I get?

I have seen so many brands of traction boards it is ridiculous. Even after researching them, I still do not know which ones to get! I have a 2019 TRD OffRoad 4x4 and wanted some just incase myself or anyone in the group needs them. Not quite needing a wench yet as I don't do that serious of off-roading out here in California yet. still stock tires with no lift. anywhooo, I am going to mount these boards to my roof rack. So I want them low-pro and after use, I don't want them bending a ton and looking like shit up top. any recommendations? Thanks all!

 

Before traction boards, recommend: tow points front and back, shackles, tow rope, real shovel, real jack.

 

Maxtrax is the gold standard, X-Bull gets good marks for less than 1/3 the price. I just pulled the trigger on these (in transit, so no hands-on report).

I really liked the idea of being able to connect them into a single long board when only one tire has a traction problem.

https://www.maxsainnovations.com/content/flyers/20334.pdf

 

Sub'd

There are SO many options on Amazon and other sites with the $$$ spread being huge. I'm starting to think that maybe an $80 pair for an emergency wouldn't be a bad idea. They may only survive the one usage but unless you expect to get stuck quite often then I'd think that'll get ya home, at which point you may be inclined to upgrade

 

They arrived today, initial impression is they are nice size, stout (and heavy), lots of traction nubs for tires. They will fit nicely against front of the bed. Stored together like this thickness is 4 inches.

 

https://youtu.be/SntXKcKKvW8
This video is fun watch and gives you good idea about the different brands.

 

See, that's my thought too... but then I think to myself, if I'm stuck, don't I want to have the best, something that I can rely on to give me the best chance to get out?

But then I look at the price, and I die a little inside! I hate the idea of spending $500+ on something that may just be a visual accessory on my truck

 

I bought some knock off boards with the jack base cut out. I figured they would get more use as a jack base than actual traction boards, but they look good strapped on my truck either way.

 

Maxtrax are $300 for a set and low profile/stackable like OP is looking for. I believe one of the other pairs is also stackable and fairly low profile but I forget the name, sorry. The problem I found with some of the brands on Amazon is that they were $150-$200 and had some mixed reviews. At that point I would rather have a pair of MaxTrax

 

I tried the cheap china ones, they exploded on me when using them in the snow.


I upgrade big time, to USAction Trax V2.0 with metal studs.



These things are expensive, just like maxtrax as they are exactly the same as maxtrax. The handles are nice and big so when you have gloves on you can still get your hand in there.

They have notches on the end so you can use large zipties and attach them together to make a traction road.

I have modified some of mine for use in the winter, with adding the metal studs to the bottom, so they dont slide out on ice and snow.



I use them all the time. Like every weekend







We used them after crossing this muddy section, the heep ahead of me could not get back up on the snow after getting through the mud, he was plowing instead of raising up. The boards did it, got him back on top no problem. Then it was easy for me to get through of course.

 

I'm glad to finally see others post about ActionTrax. I've been eyeing these for awhile but there isn't a lot known out there just yet. Hopefully these last just as long as MaxxTrax.

 

Awesome to see USA made, but now I have another brand to consider...

 

I bought a pair of X-bull for $50 shipped. Haven't used them yet and I'm sure they won't hold up for bridging but should help get me out of a sand trap or mud hole. Just don't offroad often enough to justify $300 boards

 

Your install into truck bed is nice - clean and simple. I'm happy with my storage, but it was a bit more complicated to avoid drilling holes in the traction boards. In the end, I can easily get them out when needed.

 

What I have discovered is that they are exactly the same as MaxxTrax. I believe 1 partner split from the Maxxtrax buisness, but they both held the patent? So can produce the same product?

I have held Maxxtrax and they seem to be almost the same material.

USAction trax stand behind their product with a great warranty! I had a small issue with some of mine, and they didn't even flinch on the warranty.

 

I chose black boards to help hide them from theft since they aren't locked down. I bought the Toyota OEM cab rail and just used long screws, washers and wing nuts to attach the boards to the rail.

 

Thanks for this thread. Am in the market but was hoping for some cheaper options

 

I’ve used the X Bulls on multiple occasions and never had an issue. The studs are beginning to wear down and I’ll probably get another pair this year or next.