Mini traction boards?
Posted by capt311@reddit | overlanding | View on Reddit | 9 comments
Question about traction boards. I've been researching to find boards I want to add to my set up. I've noticed most boards are a good size about a yard long, but then some come up that are significantly smaller. The smaller ones would be ideal to fit on my roof rack considering other stuff I have up there, but I'm curious if anyone has experience with the smaller ones? Do they work the same or have less of an effect? Or is there a specific use for these that I'm overlooking?
myfishisvegan@reddit
Ronny Dahl review This video sums it up pretty well.
MauiDarts@reddit
Any traction board is better than no traction board. Longer board will be better than shorter. Also, if you’re going to be somewhere you need traction boards make sure you have an overland shovel. They go hand in hand.
Dolstruvon@reddit
I used to have an off road built 2nd gen rav4, so with such a small vehicle I bought a set of traction boards same size as the maxtrax mini. Worked absolutely great, but now I have a truck on 33"s, and I actually still use them. Only difference from the full size boards is the length, and I do a bit of sand driving where they do a phenomenal job for both myself and other vehicles. I don't really feel the need to upgrade to full size yet
mrfowl@reddit
I have mine mounted on a sideways rack, that way I can still throw a kayak rack, skis, etc up there. I've only had to use them once (to help a 2wd Honda Ridgeline stuck on a beach) and the entire time I wished they were twice as long...
EverydayHoser@reddit
Best use case for the mini boards is when you are stuck in place, you can jack up each wheel with a hi lift and place a board directly under each wheel. It won’t get you far, but it could get you far enough to get out of a bind. They are not totally useless, but they are not as useful as full length boards
xstrex@reddit
Depends on your use case. If you were to use them for leveling your rig for sleeping, they’d probably work fine. If you’re intending to use them to get unstuck from mud/snow/sand/ditch, they’re simply not long enough to have any real effect, think 1’ of traction vs 3’ of traction.
iq2da@reddit
Seeing some of the wary comments saying they won’t work and just want to add my $0.02 and disagree because they’re simply not true.
I run the smaller boards on my FJ Cruiser because of limited roof space and do a lot of solo winter camping. I’ve gotten stuck in deep snow several times and got out with nothing more than my shovel and my mini traction boards. Never been stranded once. Not saying it can’t happen; but you can also be caught stranded with the full-size boards as well.
Kerensky97@reddit
Those are for UTVs, they have less weight and smaller tires so they can get away with smaller boards. You're going to need the big boards for a full size vehicle.
makked@reddit
Completely useless for actual traction board use and getting out if you’re stuck. Just for looks or maybe useful for leveling, but stackable blocks are more practical.