Traction board alternative?

[Ninjaneer]

I’m as new to this as possible so please don’t crucify me for this. I’m just not a fan of the idea of lugging around big traction boards. Don’t have my rig built out enough yet to have a winch or a decent place to mount traction boards that’s isn’t gawdy. So my question is, why do I never seen anything about overlanders using these Big Grippers from Instatraction? Or maybe the better question is, why shouldn’t I use them? Are they unsafe? Would they cause undue damage?

 

[smritte]

Everything has a place where it works best. Those look like they would work best in snow/ice or shallow non sticky mud. In my area I have sand and very sticky slick mud. In both situations i need to get on top and get some momentum. I also have rocks, that device and traction boards wont work there.

Do those look unsafe? No. Don't spin the tire and make sure the hook it uses to mount doesn't catch your brake caliper as it moves around.

 

[MidOH]

I’m as new to this as possible so please don’t crucify me for this. I’m just not a fan of the idea of lugging around big traction boards. Don’t have my rig built out enough yet to have a winch or a decent place to mount traction boards that’s isn’t gawdy. So my question is, why do I never seen anything about overlanders using these Big Grippers from Instatraction? Or maybe the better question is, why shouldn’t I use them? Are they unsafe? Would they cause undue damage?

In the northeast, and most of the midwest, you're already smarter than 90% of overlanders. Traction boards suck compared to chains.

Or truck claws. Since I'm in a fullsize f250, I use the truck claws for muddy grass, stucks.

You'll need 4 or more of those claw things (if 4wd or AWD). And drive slow. The thing you have to beware, you likely already tried getting out, before giving in and getting the claws out. If you have active ABS braking during Traction control, your brakes will be red hot. They'll melt the claws straps while you're putting them on. Wait for the brakes to cool.

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If i need a ramp like thing, similar to a traction board, Ill cut down a Joshua tree and stuff it under my tire.

 

[OkieDavid]

Another option is GoTreads. Essentially foldable traction boards.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

For ice, at least, we often use strips of old carpet.

These clamps, seem to me that the lateral side would hot the ground before the claw could get enough purchase, and twist the strap maybe? Seems good on paper but chains might be better

 

[MidOH]

Nah, they hold. Boy do they hold.

I was skeptical too. I even have the slide in extenders. They'll reach out of the rut, and lift the truck. Or you can use a log. I thought they would just tweak, with 3000# set on them.

But a square bar, on a square tread, sticks really well.

 

[Smileyshaun]

I think the main problem with traction boards is people use them wrong especially in snow . Once you’re beached you have to get back on top of the snow and the boards are almost never going to get you back up there with just driving . Now if you wedge them under your tires then dig out your undercarriage/axles you have now made a ramp to get back on the snow . For me personally I use them in conjunction with my winch to make getting back on top of the snow easier or flipping them across my tire and using them like a stopper block when winching trees or other people . Don’t waste your time mounting them just toss them in the back of the rig before you head out.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

Nah, they hold. Boy do they hold.

I was skeptical too. I even have the slide in extenders. They'll reach out of the rut, and lift the truck. Or you can use a log. I thought they would just tweak, with 3000# set on them.

But a square bar, on a square tread, sticks really well.

Huh. Go figure.

I wonder how much of it is clawing action vs that little bump of a lift. Cool.

 

[MidOH]

Mine have always been claw action. No part of my truck was grounded, except for the tires.

 

[PCO6]

I was given a pair of roll up traction mats but I have never used them. They look like they may be OK for light duty use. I have traction boards but don't always have them in my Jeeps due to space. These would help with that. Does anyone have any experience with them?

 

[SVgarage]

Another option is GoTreads. Essentially foldable traction boards.

I use something like this. It's compact and stores easily. I also use them to level my vehicle, so I don't roll out of my RTT.

 

[Speric]

I've never had much luck with traction boards, except when leveling my truck. It's also very possible I don't know what I'm doing with them. I'm also interested in alternatives. My current ones are all cracked and do take up a lot of space.

 

[MOAK]

I am a former skeptic of traction boards. I believed them to be a waste of space and show offy. Now that we are full time travelers I do carry four gray ones, very discreetly up on the rack. Last summer we camped on a sandy beach for 5 nights. Upon leaving, I got the shovel down and dug wide trenches out in front of each tire, to no avail. Next I dug trenches wide enough to set a board down in front of each tire. Once we gained purchase we lifted right out and onto the nearby packed sand. We use them for leveling up all the time and I’ve found that the off road status screen in the F350 is very accurate. Each board provides 1 degree of lift making it easy to get it level. They worked great in sand and properly used would help in mud. Anything else? My wife convinced me that we need a winch as we have turned around a couple of times this past summer in situations that with a winch we would have kept going.

 

[lolzhax]

I spend most my time in the mountains with plenty of trees. Never had luck with traction boards and thought my energy was better spent pulling winch line rather than fiddling with traction boards.

Maybe if you're going someplace that doesn't have trees... but IMO nothing worse than being tired and having to dig to find your traction board in snow or mud.