Aluminum Sand Ladders

[GR33N D1]

Hey all,

Been looking for a good set of aluminum sand ladders. I can already see the responses coming in sayin "max trax! or the max trax knock offs!", but I'm really only wanting a solid aluminum Camel Trophy style sand ladder.
This seems to be the closest thing I can find. I'm about ready to pull the trigger and buy them, but before I do, wondering if anyone has any expereince with this specific brand, or if anyone knows of a better buy somewhere.

Billet4X4.com - Aluminum Sand Ladders

OKoffroad.com - Sand Ladders

www.billet4x4.com

Thanks!

 

[Road]

Hey all,

Been looking for a good set of aluminum sand ladders. I can already see the responses coming in sayin "max trax! or the max trax knock offs!", but I'm really only wanting a solid aluminum Camel Trophy style sand ladder.
This seems to be the closest thing I can find. I'm about ready to pull the trigger and buy them, but before I do, wondering if anyone has any expereince with this specific brand, or if anyone knows of a better buy somewhere.

Billet4X4.com - Aluminum Sand Ladders

OKoffroad.com - Sand Ladders

www.billet4x4.com

Thanks!

.
I'll be interested in what you end up with. I like them, too and would love to have a pair of good ones to experiment with on both beach and desert sand.

I'd like to see the other side of the ones you linked to, to see how raised the perforation edge is, which would aid greatly in grip, either to the ground or tire, depending on which side is up.

Here's a pair for 11.84, though 1/10 scale .

On the other end of the spectrum, is a pallet of original Marston Mats (steel), where the sand ladders like you want originally came from, I think. This pallet is only $5379.00.

I was writing about Marston Mats the other day on another adventure forum. Pretty interesting history: Marston Mats

Search google for "sand ladder" and you'll find a couple interesting you tube vids from 10-12 yrs ago testing all sorts of sand ladders. One is from 2009 with Scott Brady, who started Overland Journal and Expedition Portal.

We need some like these, from sandladder.net (Budapest), in North America:

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[Correus]

I am getting this style as well... HOWEVER - before you plunk down THAT kind of money do an internet search for 'Marston Mats'. You can typically get 16 in x 10 feet for $75 or less. The 18 in x 10 feet are usually around $100.

 

[Brian Glendenning]

I've wondered about these - do a review if you get them!

 

[GR33N D1]

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I'll be interested in what you end up with. I like them, too and would love to have a pair of good ones to experiment with on both beach and desert sand.

I'd like to see the other side of the ones you linked to, to see how raised the perforation edge is, which would aid greatly in grip, either to the ground or tire, depending on which side is up.

Here's a pair for 11.84, though 1/10 scale .

On the other end of the spectrum, is a pallet of original Marston Mats (steel), where the sand ladders like you want originally came from, I think. This pallet is only $5379.00.

I was writing about Marston Mats the other day on another adventure forum. Pretty interesting history: Marston Mats

Search google for "sand ladder" and you'll find a couple interesting you tube vids from 10-12 yrs ago testing all sorts of sand ladders. One is from 2009 with Scott Brady, who started Overland Journal and Expedition Portal.

We need some like these, from sandladder.net (Budapest), in North America:

View attachment 196692....View attachment 196693
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View attachment 196694

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Yes, those are the real deal! I cant help but think the ones from billet 4x4 are sub par, knock offs. I'm sure theyre functional, but not as good looking

 

[GR33N D1]

The 'Marston Mats', look about right. But not quite imo. trying to figure out how to get them from sandladders.net. can't seem to get ahold of anyone from there

 

[Road]

The 'Marston Mats', look about right. But not quite imo. trying to figure out how to get them from sandladders.net. can't seem to get ahold of anyone from there

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I believe it's the same stuff, 3 rows wide, perforated with a raised edge. Originally 10' long that was then cut and repurposed for all sorts of things all over the world, including as sand ladders.

When used for landing strips and platforms, it had the interlocking edges. Those were routinely cut off for decades afterward, for use as sand ladders, fencing, all sorts of stuff.
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There's another place, in OK, that sells old original Marston Mats, though only in bulk and for over a grand.

Hope you hear from sandladder.net, though I imagine customs and freight from Hungary would be cost-prohibitive.

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[Correus]

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I believe it's the same stuff, 3 rows wide, perforated with a raised edge. Originally 10' long that was then cut and repurposed for all sorts of things all over the world, including as sand ladders.

When used for landing strips and platforms, it had the interlocking edges. Those were routinely cut off for decades afterward, for use as sand ladders, fencing, all sorts of stuff.
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View attachment 196698
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View attachment 196695
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View attachment 196697
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View attachment 196696
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There's another place, in OK, that sells old original Marston Mats, though only in bulk and for over a grand.

Hope you hear from sandladder.net, though I imagine customs and freight from Hungary would be cost-prohibitive.

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You beat me to it. These are the original metal sand ladders that the modern ones are based off of.

 

[mep1811]

I have a set of British sand ladders I bought 20 years ago . I could be convinced to sell them . Shipping would be costly.

 

[Correus]

Thought I would share these pics. They are from an original Land Rover that participated in the 1992 Camel Trophy held in Guyana (it’s up for sale). The sand ladders are most definitely surplus Marston Mats and they didn't even bother to trim the edges off. The edges actually grab into the ground as well as attaching to others.

 

[mep1811]

The Sand Ladders on the Camino del Diablo.

 

[mep1811]

These are what I have. I was mistaken as these are from Germany.

 

[genocache]

Hey all,

Been looking for a good set of aluminum sand ladders. I can already see the responses coming in sayin "max trax! or the max trax knock offs!", but I'm really only wanting a solid aluminum Camel Trophy style sand ladder.
This seems to be the closest thing I can find. I'm about ready to pull the trigger and buy them, but before I do, wondering if anyone has any expereince with this specific brand, or if anyone knows of a better buy somewhere.

Billet4X4.com - Aluminum Sand Ladders

OKoffroad.com - Sand Ladders

www.billet4x4.com

Thanks!

Those look a lot like these; OKoffroad.com 4x4 Recovery - Sand Ladders

I found mine on my local craigslist, got lucky! IIRC they were $50. Some gal getting rid of her ex's stuff.

 

[mep1811]

You can get some Made in the USA sand tracks on Amazon. Good price.

 

[El-Dracho]

Even though some of the new (high-quality) recovery boards are of course really great, I'm also a big fan of classic aluminum sand ladders.

Unfortunately, I don't have an overview of the market in North America. In Europe there is a large range of sand ladders. But shipping to the US is currently presumably just as annoying as in the opposite direction, in terms of duration and customs processing, right?

I use the classics, as they were also shown above: 4mm thick with 4 longitudinal beads and good grip through relatively sharp-edged holes (caution because of possible tire damage) suitable for vehicles up to about 4 to. These sandladders usually come in 1.5 meter length or about 40 inches. I have cut mine to the length that suits me. In addition, there are now quite a number of manufacturers who have "reinvented" the classic sand ladders with partly fancy profiles. Whether it makes sense? I do not know. I am happy with the classics.

As a holder I use very simple hooks and hinged fasteners. They are available since many years. Simple and good. This simple attachment has the advantage that the sheets can be easily and quickly removed and put back. Also, the sand ladders fit so still in the holder, if they are sometimes slightly bent during a recovery. This is not always given with fancy modern holders (which then partly have double functions such as foldable tables). Also, I would not use any special screws or locks for fastening. From my experience these fall anyway only down and disappear never to be seen with in the mud or sand.

Will search my harddrive for some photos and post later.

 

[El-Dracho]

And here come the promised photos:

Sandladders in the rear:

Mounting detail:

 

[Shokgoblr]

You beat me to it. These are the original metal sand ladders that the modern ones are based off of.

Wow. I never realized what these were. I know where there is a huge PILE of these laying on public land from back in the coal mining days. I might have to go out there and do a "clean up" .

 

[genocache]

Wow. I never realized what these were. I know where there is a huge PILE of these laying on public land from back in the coal mining days. I might have to go out there and do a "clean up" .

Make sure they are aluminum and not steel.

 

[Shokgoblr]

Make sure they are aluminum and not steel.

dang... you're right.. these are steel.

 

[Road]

dang... you're right.. these are steel.

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A lot of folks still use them; they're just a fair bit heavier and need cleaning up more regularly, if not rusted all to hell.
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