I need some cheap recovery boards for snow and mud... Any suggestions?

[ser3nitynow11]

I have a Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD, and I need a pair of recovery boards for a trip from Los Angeles to Chicago that I'm doing this January. I'll be sleeping in dispersed camping areas on public land along my route w/ relatively easy access if the weather isn't too bad, but I don't want to find myself in a situation where, despite checking weather forecasts, it unexpectedly snows overnight and I end up getting stuck... My tires are the all weather Bridgestone Dueler H/L 422's and are not rated for heavy snow conditions, but I will have a pair of snow chains with me. I think I'm going to get the Konig (Thule) XB-16, 250's.
I can't justify spending so much money on the MaxTrax or any other pricey boards right now, so I need a cheap, but decent alternative for possible snow and mud situations that are around the $70 or $80 price range. Does anybody have any good suggestions?

 

[billiebob]

you get what you pay for I've seen a few cheap ones shredded

 

[Joe917]

Forget the boards and bring a good snow shovel.

 

[jgaz]

This thread ought to give you more info then you thought you wanted.

MaxTrax, are they worth it?

So I see nearly every overlanding rig these days with at least one set of Maxtrax's if not two. Are they worth the $300 price tag per set? Can you get by without them, or is there a better alternative? I've seen others talking about aluminum ones, but those don't sound as durable to me. Does...

expeditionportal.com

 

[nwoods]

How about something like this? But drill holes in them, and tie them together with a short length of marine grade nylon cord

 

[nwoods]

Sorry, yes, I am being a bit of butthead with the above comment.

 

[OverlandNA]

If you're feeling crafty, a couple hunks of 2x6"x3'-4', a drill and bit, box of 1/4" nuts & bolts. Paint em blaze orange if you want to be overlandy about it.
A few years ago I picked up a used aluminum 6'x6' pool platform. It was made from 1' wide planks welded together with punched raised holes for foot traction. I cut it apart and made recovery boards.
If you go with the plastic ones be real careful not to spin your tires.

 

[ser3nitynow11]

you get what you pay for I've seen a few cheap ones shredded

I totally understand that! Lol... The online reviews and videos for the cheap ones clearly demonstrate that. I'm just looking for the best of the worse, just to have something that will get me by for this trip if I get stuck

 

[ser3nitynow11]

Sorry, yes, I am being a bit of butthead with the above comment.

Hahaha! No worries... I know the cheap ones are junk. As long as I can get out of some snow or a bit of mud a few times if needed, I don't care if the boards break

 

[ser3nitynow11]

This thread ought to give you more info then you thought you wanted.

MaxTrax, are they worth it?

So I see nearly every overlanding rig these days with at least one set of Maxtrax's if not two. Are they worth the $300 price tag per set? Can you get by without them, or is there a better alternative? I've seen others talking about aluminum ones, but those don't sound as durable to me. Does...

expeditionportal.com

Thanks, I'll check it out

 

[86scotty]

Cheap? go old school. Throw a few residential roof shingles in the trunk.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Amazon has dozens of options for under 100.00.

 

[ser3nitynow11]

Amazon has dozens of options for under 100.00.

I know... That's the problem! Hahaha. I have no idea which ones should be considered a crime to sell, and which ones might hold up at least a few times. It looks like most of these companies just found one manufacturer in China and simply rebrand the same garbage product, so I'm trying to figure out which company found a slightly better manufacturer than all the rest

 

[ser3nitynow11]

Cheap? go old school. Throw a few residential roof shingles in the trunk.

Lol. I'm thinking about it at this point... Just throw some kitty litter on top for good measure and you're all set to go! ?

 

[socceronly]