Recovery is an essential part of off-roading and having the right gear can make a huge difference should you ever get stuck in mud, sand, or snow. Recovery boards are a great way to help you get unstuck and back on track quickly. These boards provide a stable platform to drive onto, and they allow you to spread out your tyres’ traction over a larger area, giving you more surface area contact.
Here’s how you can get the most from your four-by-four recovery boards
1. Gathering the Essential Gear
Before you begin, make sure that your tyre pressures are down for sand this can be somewhere between 15 – 20 psi. For sand, If it is super soft, you can go as low as 10 psi but be careful turning too sharply as you can peel the tyre off the rim. Now prpare your gear by grabbing your recovery boards and shovel. If you plan on doing a lot of off-roading, you may also want to purchase a snatch strap, equalizer strap, winch, and snatch block for more difficult recoveries. Additionally, you’ll need to make sure that you have a shovel and a kangaroo jack (worst case scenario) to raise the vehicle for additional clearance if necessary.
2. Assess the Situation
Have a good look at which tyres are spinning and which ones aren’t. I always put the recovery tracks under the tyres that are spinning. If you have 2 boards its normally best to go under the 2 front tyres. Once you have gathered the essential recovery gear, use your shovel to dig into the terrain and remove any debris or large objects that may be preventing your tires from getting the grip they need. You can also use the shovel to create a suitable platform for the recovery boards. If the boards are on too much of an acute angle the tyres will struggle to grip the boards.
3. Utilizing the Boards
Now that you’ve prepared the ground, place the recovery boards in front of the tyres on the side of the vehicle that is stuck. The boards should be placed in the same direction as your tyres and wedged under your tyres tread for maximum grip.
4. Releasing and Retrieving the Boards
Once the recovery boards have been placed, signal the driver to start crawling the vehicle. This will allow the tires to grip onto the boards and should help you get unstuck. If the wheels slip, you need to adjust the angle of the boards and keep trying to wedge the board into the tread of the tyre. If you accelerate too hard you will rip the grip off the boards. When you’ve finished the recovery don’t forget to recovery the boards. Most brands come with straps that can be attached to the boards prior to the recovery, this makes it easier to get the boards out of mud, snow and sand once buried. Most of the time they need to be dug out.
What are the best recovery boards?
1. MaxTrax
When a vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, snow, or other difficult conditions, MaxTrax are the go-to choice for safe and effective recovery. In this comprehensive review, we’ll discuss the features, benefits and drawbacks of the MaxTrax recovery bords, and provide some tips for using them.
So what are MaxTrax Xreme recovery boards? Essentially, they’re a pair of durable, reinforced plastic tracks with a heavy-duty metal frame. Each track is 4 ½ feet long and 1 ½ feet wide, and has 19 galvanized steel spikes (or Nylon for the MaxTrax MKII) on the top. These spikes dig into the tread of the tyres and the ground beneath your vehicle to provide traction as you work to free yourself.
One of the main reasons why MaxTrax bords have become so popular among off-roaders is their versatility. They’re the perfect solution for getting a vehicle out of sand, mud, snow, or any other terrain where regular tyres would struggle to find a grip.
Maxtrax Benefits and features
MaxTrax are easy to store, clean and maintain too – they’re made from a single block of tough polyethylene material, so they can easily washed down after use. In terms of safety, MaxTrax are a step ahead of their competition with their new steel spikes which provide additional grip and reduce the risk of the vehicle slipping or sliding. Additionally, they can be replaced. Which for those who have used recovery boards know how handy that is. I have ripped many studs off my boards in the past.
Other benefits include the fact that MaxTrax can be used by one person relatively easily, as you don’t need to lift them. You just need to position them in the best spot to give your tyres the most traction, then walk back to your vehicle and drive out. This means you don’t have to rely on anyone else to help you out of a tricky situation.
Of course, MaxTrax aren’t perfect. One of their main drawbacks is the fact that they can be quite expensive. You’ll typically pay between $300 and $400 for a pair of MaxTrax recovery boards. This is obviously a significant investment, particularly if you don’t off-road regularly. Travelling full time with my family MaxTrax have been a must and make me feel safe going off roading by ourselves. I personally have 2 sets so I can put one under each tyre on the beach…. and i have used all 4 many times!
Summary
To get the best use out of your MaxTrax, it’s important to position them properly. Make sure the steel spikes are placed as close to the tires as possible. This will provide the most traction and help ensure your vehicle can dig itself out of the mud or sand.
There are a number of different mounting kits available. You can mount Maxtrax on your roof racks, spare tyre, bonnet, where ever you want. Overall, MaxTrax recovery tracks are an excellent choice for off-roaders looking to make sure they’re prepared for anything. They’re well-made, reliable, and they give you the assurance that you can get out of any sticky situation.
2. Tred Pro
If you are an off-road enthusiast, then you’ve probably heard of Tred Pro 4×4 recovery boards. These innovative recovery boards are designed to help you get your vehicle unstuck from whatever situation you’re stuck in, whether it be sand, mud, snow, or something else.
Here’s a look at what makes them so special
The Tred Pro 4×4 recovery boards are designed to provide maximum traction and ensure that your vehicle is able to get out of any sticky situation you find yourself in. They are made out of a high-density polyethylene material that is highly durable and tough enough to handle the toughest off-roading conditions.
The treads on the boards are designed to be able to dig into any surface and allow your vehicle to gain the traction it needs to get out of the situation. Tred Pro 4×4 recovery boards are designed with convenience and ease of use in mind. They are lightweight and compact, making them easy to transport and store.
When you need to use the recovery boards, they can be quickly and easily set up. The boards interconnect, allowing you to create a platform that is specifically tailored to your vehicle’s size and weight.
Summary
One of the best features of Tred Pro 4×4 recovery boards is that they have a unique anti-slip design that helps to reduce the risk of your vehicle slipping even further into a situation. The anti-slip technology helps keep your vehicle on the recovery boards, giving you the opportunity to get out of the toughest situations.
Overall, the Tred Pro 4×4 recovery boards are the ultimate off-road accessory and a cheaper alternative to the MaxTrax. ARB have actually partnered with Tred to create an ARB coloured Tred Pro recovery board.
3. X-Trax II 4×4 Recovery Tracks
X-Trax II 4×4 Recovery Tracks are a must-have for any off-roader, whether you’re a beginner or a pro. Designed with extreme off-road conditions in mind, the X-Trax II 4×4 Recovery Tracks provide unparalleled traction, recovery and traction control.
The X-Trax II 4×4 Recovery Tracks are designed to be durable and offer maximum traction and recovery. They offer superior strength and traction for off-road use and feature anti-slip and anti-roll technology for added safety. The tracks are available in a range of sizes, so you can pick the size that’s right for your vehicle, and the unique design ensures that they will stay hooked to the tires in extreme conditions.
The X-Trax II 4×4 Recovery Tracks are resilient and easy-to-use. The tracks are made of lightweight, yet strong material, and feature treads that are designed to improve traction. The tracks are easy to install, with no complex tools needed, and no specialist fitting required.
The X-Trax II 4×4 Recovery Tracks are also designed to be highly serviceable, so you can keep them in top condition, and in working order for years. They come with a 1-year warranty, and the tracks are tested to withstand harsh conditions and extreme temperatures, allowing for better reliability.
Summary
The X-Trax II 4×4 Recovery Tracks offer a comprehensive solution for off-roading enthusiasts. They provide increased stability and control when driving off-road and provide unparalleled traction, recovery and traction control, allowing you to conquer even the toughest of terrains with ease. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, they offer a reliable solution that will ensure you have a safe and enjoyable off-road experience.
Final Thoughts
Recovery boards are incredibly useful pieces of equipment and quite essential for any off-roading adventure. While they may seem like a lot of work, the process of using 4×4 recovery boards is relatively straightforward. By gathering the right equipment, assessing the situation, and carefully placing and retrieving the boards, you can easily get unstuck and be on your way to more off-roading fun. MaxTrax are our top pick. These have been tried and test against all other boards and Maxtrax remain the best. I have had mine for years and will not get another brand,
