MAXTRAX vs ARB TRED PRO (2 Viewers)

[wingnutted]

Looking for feedback if anyone has used both the MaxTrax and TRED Pro's. I couldn't find a thread comparing those two specifically, but I also might be using the wrong keywords?

If this is in the wrong place, please let me know or move...

 

[Wafflroo]

While I’ve never owned or used maxtrax, I have tredpros and can say they’re fantastic! Used them on mine and a bunch of other peoples vehicles in mostly snow and couple times mud. Had the same two for 3ish years now and they’re holding up very well. Had multiple people spin their tires on them and the knobs are all still intact.

 

[TheGrrrrr]

I think Ronny Dahl did a compare a while back... not sure if the TRED Pro's were part of it... you may check youtube

Edit... He did.

 

[Kilcarnup]

Everywhere I go I see Max Trax.. They've got the market wrapped up big time here it seems... including me, got some I chuck in the back when going out. All my mates (even the tight ass ones) run them too.

They're on sale reasonably often so most people probably just snag some then.

 

[highfructose]

I had some of the cheap no name ones. Finally splurged on the real ones. Knobs are bigger and plastic is much thicker on the real ones. The real ones are surprisingly heavy too. Don’t know about the tred pros.

it’s definitely not the case that they’re all made in the same factory in China and some just get the max trax logo on them. Big difference between the products.

 

[TheGrrrrr]

I’ve had a few different ones. They all worked for gaining traction. The difference was how well they held up and what I could use them for. The MAXSA on Amazon were probably the ones I got the most use out of, but the would never do for ramps or spans. I used them a couple times in mud and once in snow and they were fine. The Maxtrax Mk2 are what I have now and I wouldn’t hesitate to use them as unsupported ramps or spanning. I’d also be far more comfortable stacking them for spanning. I assume the TRED/pro are both very good as well, but I do not believe they are a better value.

If traction boards are part of your plan to help you get places, then don’t take chances with anything but the Maxtrax. If your traction boards are just for recovery, damn near any will do.

I believe 90% of users fall in the latter category where the boards are an insurance policy to save them from a very expensive tow and most will never use them, let alone use them enough to worry much about durability or longevity.

 

[Markuson]

Everywhere I go I see Max Trax.. They've got the market wrapped up big time here it seems... including me, got some I chuck in the back when going out. All my mates (even the tight ass ones) run them too.

They're on sale reasonably often so most people probably just snag some then.

I’ve used my red set of MaxTrax with many strangers and they are crazy tough. On serious off road trips, I take both sets, but have barely touched my second black set as 2 boards are usually enough. Still, for nasty surprises, two sets can be really helpful.

Honestly, IMO, MaxTrax deserves to have the market wrapped up. As the video confirms again, the material used in the MaxTrax really has no rival. When you pick them up side by side, the difference is obvious. MaxTrax have a heavy, almost fibrous material or conpound that really gives it strength and eliminates brittle factor. Every single other board I’vs seen in person feels plasticky & fragile by comparison.

The one thing that does surprise me is that none of the other companies have come up with a comparable material.

On pro vs non pro MaxTrax— the only practical reason to consider the $$ pro version is if you loan it to folks who don’t control wheel spin. Severe wheel spin can melt the normal teeth. Thats where the metal, replaceable studs come in but Otherwise, the regular MaxTrax really have no equal, and IMO its not even close.

 

[mcgaskins]

I agree with the commentary and personally prefer Maxtrax (though I had a good experience with MAXSA years ago). Something to keep in mind - even though Maxtrax are expensive, there’s always a secondary market for them. Every time I see them for sale on forums or Craigslist, they sell fast for not much less than new.

 

[catastrofe]

Why not these?: GoTreads - Foldable tire traction mats to get out of mud, snow, or sand. - https://gotreads.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA962BBhCzARIsAIpWEL0yduJ5JhULx1tgqkFbV6C323HPLqCHQ-TjPxY0DYSisavJgqxPxrQaArjREALw_wcB

Seems they only lack the ability to function as a “bridge”.

 

[CharlieS]

There is a good Aussie YouTube video of torture testing a wide range of recovery boards. The Maxtrax was head and shoulders above the rest that they tested. To be fair, they didn't have the ARB tred version in the mix. I looked at the Treds, but the savings wasn't significant enough to get them over the tried and true Maxtrax, that are a well known quantity.

 

[CharlieS]

Why not these?: GoTreads - Foldable tire traction mats to get out of mud, snow, or sand. - https://gotreads.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA962BBhCzARIsAIpWEL0yduJ5JhULx1tgqkFbV6C323HPLqCHQ-TjPxY0DYSisavJgqxPxrQaArjREALw_wcB

Seems they only lack the ability to function as a “bridge”.

I imagine they are fine for getting out of a slippery spot. We used to use floor mats in a pinch in the snow... I wouldn't want to plan on them for more severe off road use. Great to throw in the family sedan or CUV for emergency use, especially given the more compact storage.

 

[WesSiler]

FYI: Maxtrax was the original. There's a lot of knockoffs now, which kinda sucks. Over the cheaper competition, Maxtrax are made from a unique nylon polymer, not plastic. That's what helps them stand up to repeated use, and is why the cheap ones don't last beyond one or two recoveries.

ARB basically copied the Maxtrax design and material. I have friends at both companies, but remain loyal to Maxtrax. Support the innovators and little guys, basically.

 

[Hulsty]

I had some of the cheap no name ones. Finally splurged on the real ones. Knobs are bigger and plastic is much thicker on the real ones. The real ones are surprisingly heavy too. Don’t know about the tred pros.

it’s definitely not the case that they’re all made in the same factory in China and some just get the max trax logo on them. Big difference between the products.

I dont know where maxtrax are made, but Tred pro are made in Australia.

 

[Wafflroo]

ARB doesn’t make or own Tredpro, they distribute their products for the US market. Tred is its own company. They were also the first ones to offer a lifetime warranty standing behind their equipment. I’d say that is a testament to their quality.

 

[Markuson]

I dont know where maxtrax are made, but Tred pro are made in Australia.

MaxTrax are 100% Australian made.

 

[Kilcarnup]

Ironman do recovery boards as well if you want to be part of the fluro green crew...

But everyone knows Orange crew is where it's at..

 

[1world1love]

Looking for feedback if anyone has used both the MaxTrax and TRED Pro's. I couldn't find a thread comparing those two specifically, but I also might be using the wrong keywords?

If this is in the wrong place, please let me know or move...

I don’t have direct experience with the Treds. I have a set of maxtrax that I have only used to get other people out in snow. I had a set of cheap knockoffs that were gifted to me and again I only ever had to use to help a sedan stuck in snow.

My only experience with the treds was once when we came upon a group with a 4Runner stuck in mud. Somebody had a set of the ARB treds and while they did a great job of getting the truck out as you would expect, they seemed to propel out at a decent rate of speed unlike anything I’ve seen. I am not sure if that was user error or some design flaw.

 

[Markuson]

I don’t have direct experience with the Treds. I have a set of maxtrax that I have only used to get other people out in snow. I had a set of cheap knockoffs that were gifted to me and again I only ever had to use to help a sedan stuck in snow.

My only experience with the treds was once when we came upon a group with a 4Runner stuck in mud. Somebody had a set of the ARB treds and while they did a great job of getting the truck out as you would expect, they seemed to propel out at a decent rate of speed unlike anything I’ve seen. I am not sure if that was user error or some design flaw.

I wouldnt really blame a board for ejecting on icy snow. If a board isnt at least a little bit embedded into the surface, it can definitely do that. I’m no snow exoert, but I used my boards on several snow-stuck trucks back to back last winter. If I hadn’t roughed up the i ece, they would have shot out.

Bogging in sand is different because you’re usually in a “hole” your tire created so it stays put better. But icy snow can mean youre stuck on a perfectly flat surface...with nothing stopping the board. On icy stuff, ya really gotta use the end of the board (or some other object) to rough up the surface if you can so the board can grab a little & even if you do, don’t let people stand behind the tires. :-0

The other goofy thing is sorta the opposite problem—where in soupy mud or powdery sand/snow— Tbe board can end up “injected” under the surface, and suddenly you can’t find the dang thing.

-That’s why MaxTrax come with tethers, or “leashes.” You attach the leash in that setting so you can find the board if it knifes under the soft stuff. The leash will usually stay visible and help you find & pull it ouf of the goo.

 

[Kilcarnup]

-That’s why MaxTrax come with tethers, or “leashes.” You attach the leash in that setting so you can find the board if it knifes under the soft stuff. The leash will usually stay visible and help you find & pull it ouf of the goo.

and I think short of youtube videos I've seen about 0 ever attached to the boards haha.

 

[Markuson]

and I think short of youtube videos I've seen about 0 ever attached to the boards haha.

Ya, same here. Only once for me.
But sometimes its pretty smart. Here’s one...