My budget sand ladders

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T

Teotwaki

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Some free sections of waffleboard (reinforced fiberglass grating) from a friend's business. One side is smooth and one is a very rough non-slip surface.


Get out the Sawzall and start trimming!


Finished sand ladders, one for positive and one for negative :D



Each is 48" x 11"


Next is to figure some sort of mounting setup for stowing them on my my African Outback rack.
 
have you driven over them yet.?
 
I'm thinking those are going to break under the weight of your rig
 
Some of that stuff is crazy strong. Sometimes used in harsh chemical environments where metal would otherwise be used, but can't be because it would be corroded or reactive.

Seeing them in action would be neat. Not that I'm suggesting you go get stuck on purpose or anything...
:lol:
 
also depends on how they're used. Sand ladders is not that demanding a job compared to bridging ladders.
 
shelfboy1 said:
have you driven over them yet.?
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I mainly wanted them for traction in deep sand out near Kanab, Utah. I plan to go to South Coyote Buttes and White Pocket and thought it would be fun to try these things out. I don't have an easily accessible sandy area nearby and laying them flat on concrete and driving on them didn't seem worthwhile. I wrecked 5 or 6 Sawzall blades trimming these things so I'm not worried about weight handling. :D
 
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greentruck said:
Some of that stuff is crazy strong. Sometimes used in harsh chemical environments where metal would otherwise be used, but can't be because it would be corroded or reactive.

Seeing them in action would be neat. Not that I'm suggesting you go get stuck on purpose or anything...
:lol:
Click to expand...

I will try them out as I'll be camping out at White Pocket and later on at Romano Mesa. I'll get some pictures too as half the fun is trying all of these gadgets out.

These things weigh about 13.5 pounds each so if I was spending money I'd get something like the MaxTrax or some shiny aluminum bridging ladders :hillbilly:
 
e9999 said:
also depends on how they're used. Sand ladders is not that demanding a job compared to bridging ladders.
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That is a good assumption about my intentions; primarily sand ladders. One side of them is very rough, almost as if it has some infused grit in it. I think that folks that use this waffleboard stuff for bridging cut them at 14" wide. I made mine a little wider than my tires.
 
badlander said:
Good job! That material looks similar to what RADIOBOABAB used in Congo. See post 13. Democratic Republic of Congo: Lubumbashi to Kinshasa - Page 2 - Expedition Portal Forum.
It does look a little thinner though.
Any more of that material available? If so, I might be interested in some, or maybe you can get some info as to what it is designed for and where it might be purchased from.
Thanks.
cp
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Theirs do look like a composite material waffleboard
lubum110.jpg


What I got was some leftover pieces but I can ask my friends where they purchase it so that you could find a source closer to Florida. It is a heavy material so shipping would be pricey.
 
cartercd said:
I have 2" thick fiberglass bridging ladders and they are quite strong. See pics and some buying tips on my post:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/camping-outdoor-gear/120420-bridging-ladder-buying-tips.html
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I did look at your thread when I started researching. The ebay seller from 2006 was long gone. There is one on there at the moment that is $10 sq. foot for 1.5" high material, Shipping via freight from Illinois.

HEAVY DUTY FIBERGLASS GRATING | eBay

Your points about how to instruct the seller for trimming is really good advice!
 
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