Recovery Track use (Maxtrax, ARB TRED) on packed ice

ffxcores

[fully disclosed]
Supporting Member
Location
Virginia
After my disastrous winter offroading trip, I've been doing lots of thinking, scheming, and online searching for what I could've done different.

The question/theory I've come up with is whether I could have use Maxtrax or similar recovery tracks to get past an ice patch on a slope.

PXL_20201226_191529256~2.jpg

In this situation, the driver side tires had some traction on the edge of the snow pack, indicated by the red arrow. Since I don't have a locker, my passenger side was spinning.

Could I have simply put down recovery tracks on the passenger side, and used either tent stakes directly on the tracks, or tethered by straps? Without securing them, I'd probably kiss them goodbye.

I've searched both generally and on YouTube, and while there's no shortage of examples of using tracks in snow, I haven't found anything specifically on ice, or where the tracks are secured to the ground.

Is this a case where the simple solution is the right one? What's your experience getting past ice on the trail?
 

DoomX

Bought an X
Location
Wyoming
Possibly, sure. Or build up a natural bridge with dead trees or rocks.... When I had a Mercury Mariner, I got stuck out in the mountains twice, and worst case scenario, there is no phone coverage out there. The first time I dug out with an entrenching tool, which took hours, and the second time, my wife pulled me out of the hole I was stuck in with her Mazda. These are budget recovery tracks, however I don't leave home without them.

 

ffxcores

[fully disclosed]
Supporting Member
Location
Virginia
I'm debating doing the budget ones based on rarity of use, but at the same time if I had them two weeks ago I would've helped out a stuck coworker with them. But then she might've spun her tires on them and made them one-time use. With that and knowing I would've tried to use them a second time last weekend I may opt for name brand.
 

outback97

Wheeling
Supporting Member
Location
SLC, Utah
I have Tred Pros and they worked well the single time I have used them, in sand, so consider that my advice and experience aren’t worth much.

For the scenario you show above, I don’t know if plastic recovery boards would have been much help. That looks more like a snow chains or studded tire situation... or turn around and try another day.

On my Treds there’s not really much on the bottom to bite into ice. You might be able to add some metal cleats, but without modifying them IMO they may not be useful on something that hard packed and slippery.

Consider the terrain in Australia where Maxtrax originated. Lots of sand and mud. IMO that’s where they’re most useful, though I know they’re also beneficial in snow.
 

TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
I'm taking mine off the roof this week. They've ridden there for three years with 0 needed use. The one time I did use them in the offroad conditions we encounter here (sans those who beach drive) they didn't help and I wound up winching.

I'll make you a good deal in my set for you to play with if you want. They are the XBull 10T set I believe.
 

ffxcores

[fully disclosed]
Supporting Member
Location
Virginia
... or turn around and try another day.

On my Treds there’s not really much on the bottom to bite into ice. You might be able to add some metal cleats, but without modifying them IMO they may not be useful on something that hard packed and slippery.

Consider the terrain in Australia where Maxtrax originated. Lots of sand and mud. IMO that’s where they’re most useful, though I know they’re also beneficial in snow.

Turning around and going back was the correct move and what I'll do next time.

But yeah, they wouldn't have done any good unless they were secured somehow. That's why I was considering tethering them somehow.

I'm taking mine off the roof this week. They've ridden there for three years with 0 needed use. The one time I did use them in the offroad conditions we encounter here (sans those who beach drive) they didn't help and I wound up winching.

I'll make you a good deal in my set for you to play with if you want. They are the XBull 10T set I believe.

This would have been great if I hadn't already ordered some! We're also hoping to do some beach camping this upcoming summer. Somebody — I'm pretty sure Kyle — was talking about wanting some also when we were last up at Peter's Mill Run.
 

ffxcores

[fully disclosed]
Supporting Member
Location
Virginia
I have Tred Pros and they worked well the single time I have used them, in sand, so consider that my advice and experience aren’t worth much.

For the scenario you show above, I don’t know if plastic recovery boards would have been much help. That looks more like a snow chains or studded tire situation... or turn around and try another day.

On my Treds there’s not really much on the bottom to bite into ice. You might be able to add some metal cleats, but without modifying them IMO they may not be useful on something that hard packed and slippery.

Consider the terrain in Australia where Maxtrax originated. Lots of sand and mud. IMO that’s where they’re most useful, though I know they’re also beneficial in snow.
So to follow up on this… we tested it out today and yeah the Tred Pro basically have no grip on the underneath for a hard surface. On hard pack ice with about an inch or so of snow on top they slide like a sled.

Another guy had Smittybilt tracks, and the plastic grip studs on the bottom held firm under just my body weight and under the vehicle.

The Smittybilt doesn’t hold up to abuse very well based on videos I’ve watched, so now I may switch to Maxtrax since they have little + shaped studs on the bottom and I need something that will hold up and maintain shape when I put it in a weird spot and park on it overnight.
 

TheCrabby1

I Smell Fishy
Supporting Member
Location
Burtonsville, Md
So to follow up on this… we tested it out today and yeah the Tred Pro basically have no grip on the underneath for a hard surface. On hard pack ice with about an inch or so of snow on top they slide like a sled.

Another guy had Smittybilt tracks, and the plastic grip studs on the bottom held firm under just my body weight and under the vehicle.

The Smittybilt doesn’t hold up to abuse very well based on videos I’ve watched, so now I may switch to Maxtrax since they have little + shaped studs on the bottom and I need something that will hold up and maintain shape when I put it in a weird spot and park on it overnight.
How about drilling small hole's and putting small bolt's thru with wide washer's on top and bottom to disperse the strain on the plastic. I think having a 3/8's of an inch of bolt sticking out past the washer-lock washer and nut on the bottom . Any way the excess bolt sticking thru the bottom should grip in the ice . Maybe they could be longer , probably a trail and error type deal or put in alternating length's . Just my 2c worth ..
 

ffxcores

[fully disclosed]
Supporting Member
Location
Virginia
How about drilling small hole's and putting small bolt's thru with wide washer's on top and bottom to disperse the strain on the plastic. I think having a 3/8's of an inch of bolt sticking out past the washer-lock washer and nut on the bottom . Any way the excess bolt sticking thru the bottom should grip in the ice . Maybe they could be longer , probably a trail and error type deal or put in alternating length's . Just my 2c worth ..
There are holes all down it (I’ll take a picture when I leave for work) and it almost looks like they’re designed for studs of some sort. I have to do some googling today. They definitely would fit tent stakes, which would have worked on the trail, but at that level of effort I may as well use the winch.
 

ffxcores

[fully disclosed]
Supporting Member
Location
Virginia
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These are the holes. But I’m not screwing around with modifying or adding to them. If I’m going to pay that much for equipment I’d hope it works as-is. Here’s the really confusing part… the regular, non-“Pro” Tred boards have grips on the under side!
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Gen X

First Fill-Up (of many)
Supporting Member
Location
Ashburn, VA
Tire chains, dual purpose for ice. You can lay them down in front of your tires like traction boards, they won’t slip away. If it’s really bad, you fully chain up and drive away.
 

ffxcores

[fully disclosed]
Supporting Member
Location
Virginia
Direct comparison of Maxtrax MKII and ARB TRED Pro. Maxtrax is lighter and has grips on the bottom. Otherwise I think TRED Pro is better in terms of ability to bridge/not flex, overall tread pattern (designed for AT/MT tires), width of tread, and the lugs being a reinforced material.

So in a situation where there’s ice or pavement with just about an inch or two of snow I’d rather have the Maxtrax. In any other situation, I think I’d rather have the ARB.
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