Maxtrax - Take the Easy Way Out!

If you are stuck in snow, sand, or mud, Maxtrax MKII recovery boards are a quick, first option to deploy to get you moving forward again. At a minimum you need a pair of them to perform the recovery, and some folks run with quantity four. Finally nothing says you are an Overlander than a set of Maxtrax mounted on your rig.

A pair will take up about 4.5 square feet and weigh 14lbs [ each board measures 46” L x 14” W x 4” T ]. UV resistant, fiber reinforced Nylon is the material choice, and there are many color options. They are simple to use when properly placed underneath your tires, have built in grab handles, and the blunt ends can be utilized as a shovel.

My first Maxtrax deployment was a solo, self-recovery June 2016 while stuck at 10,000 feet in the Colorado mountains. At the top of Geneva Creek Trail near Duck Lake, I got high centered in a mound of snow across the trail. Polū sank down to the frame rails as I tried to drive through the snow. Using them as a shovel, I dug out as much snow as possible from underneath the truck. Also take your time to ensure that the Maxtrax are definitely underneath the tires a few inches as slippage and tire spin can occur. If that happens, the knubs will get hot and deform from the spinning tires. It took a few attempts to get the Maxtrax finally under the tires for them to get grip and move the truck forward and out.

Having multiple options for self-recovery is key for any Overlander or adventurer. A set of Maxtrax is just one tool in my arsenal of gear to get either myself or others unstuck. A Deadman Off-Road Earth Anchor is my other go to recovery item.

Purchased the pair February 2016, $311