MaxTrax vs Pull-Pal

[MattScott]

I'm a big fan of Maxtrax, they're lightweight and they really work. They don't replace a winch, but they'll get you unstuck quickly in most situations. IMHO they still aren't a replacement for a winch.

 

[fourstringfletch]

What an awesome thread! Keep the ideas coming!

Pricing is comparable, though weight is not. How about situations where you need to reverse your way out? No sense pulling yourself further in to sand/mud/snow that's too deep.

I'm leaning toward MaxTrax with zero experience with either product. Lots of winch points here in CO

How about total weight package vs versatility of Hi Lift/MaxTrax/Pull Pal combinations? Are MaxTrax strong enough for use as a hilift footprint in snow? Any other clever uses for MaxTrax around camp?

 

[barlowrs]

I have a couple of options! First the scenario I am picturing in my mind, I have room between the rocks to drive in Re-Bar (with welded washer and mushroomed heads (like a big nail)). I drive in 4 re-bars at locations where I have space between rocks at a sloping angle away from the pull. I then figure-8 rope between all the Re-Bar, attaching the winch to the first Re-Bar. All winch and ropes need to be at ground level.

Frenchie

I get this and agree, however, I would opt to equalized all the rebar, much like we do with climbing anchors. Why did you chose to attach to the first one and connect them in series? Seems you could zipper them that way to me

 

[Frankspinz]

... Any other clever uses for MaxTrax around camp?

Lets start a contest !

 

[JUNAC]

What about the industrial composite tread material for stairs and walkways? I watched a video on sand ladders that showed this material but it seemed to sink in the sand. Some sort of lexan or plexiglass could be attached on one side to prevent it from sinking, and probably a lot cheaper than Maxtrax.

 

[Borrego60]

I have a pull pal. Does anyone ever practice recovery technics and different scenarios just to stay on top of your game. Ever pratice winching backwards??? < did that get your attention.

 

[Scott Brady]

I'm looking to start building a better Solo Recovery kit. Right now I'm trying to decide what would be a more useful tool MaxTrax or Pull-pal.

Anyone have any opinion of them. They are about the same cost so right now I'm thinking about utility and weight.

Up until a month ago, I would have said no contest for the PullPal. Then we got so buried in a soupy swamp of mud with 400+' to the exit, no chance of winching forward with the first truck and a broken winch on the second truck (motor stopped working), then a broken winch line. The only way we got backed out of there was with the MaxTrax and about four hours of work.

Here is the legend, Kurt Williams (CruiserOutfitters) loading up for the trek into the bog.

The bog

We have used the Maxtrax so many times to literally build roads or exit ramps from nasty ruts, over dunes, etc. We have also used the PullPal several times, so for serious exploration, I really think you need both.


This stuck was legit, with a super slick and crowned track, the heavy Land Cruiser just slid off the road and was instantly buried.


We needed the winch and every MaxTrax we had and a ton of digging to get the truck out. A lot of work, but great memories.


My current approach is to mount four MaxTrax to the spare tire and have them always on the truck, even the vehicle I drive every day.

The tire mount is slick

On our last snow trip, the MaxTrax made for an easy recovery and helped get the heavy Land Rover back on the track

I suppose my final answer would be: When you really need either one, you will really need it, but for most scenarios, the MaxTrax will be more useful and provides some redundancy should the winch stop working. And you can still bury the spare tire, which I try to do only when there are Marines around. . .

 

[matthewp]

...have them always on the truck, even the vehicle I drive every day.

I'm the same way on my Jeep, they are a "permanent" fixture on the vehicle. Murphy and his screwed-up laws always chase me, kind of like the way the only time you run out of fuel in the outback is the one time you didn't think there would be a need to carry an extra fuel can!

I would definitely get the Maxtrax first, if you already have a winch, as you have a spare tire to improvise a winch point (thanks for the block of instruction by the way FrenchyXL), then get the pull-pall later as you can afford since it's more of a &#8220;luxury replacement for the tire&#8221; kinda deal.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Up until a month ago, I would have said no contest for the PullPal. Then we got so buried in a soupy swamp of mud with 400+' to the exit, no chance of winching forward with the first truck and a broken winch on the second truck (motor stopped working), then a broken winch line. The only way we got backed out of there was with the MaxTrax and about four hours of work.

While that particular bog had us mired for four hours, I can confidently say the MaxTrax saved us twice that in digging and winching. I was sold on them before but now I won't leave them behind on any trip I do.

 

[boxing kangaroo]

Awesome thread im going to order some MaxTrax now just because of it!

 

[pugslyyy]

Thanks for the feedback Frenchie. I have heard of "bury the spare" for years, yet I've never heard of anyone successfully extracting or even attempting an unstuck using the method. Glad you've tried it and that it is actually a viable option and not just an urban legend.

The one time that I buried my 110 to the frame rails and had absolutely nothing to anchor to (in the NW Utah deserts retracing the Pony Express routes, got too close to a spring crossing a lake bed) the 'bury the spare' let me down big time. All I got was incredibly dirty and muddy. It took a good dynamic yank from a truck on solid ground to get me the 10 feet forward that I needed, 12 hours after getting stuck...

The one time that I buried my Fuso to the axles in very sloppy gravel/sand (desert wash/fan) I'm convinced that the Pull-Pal is the only reason I was able to self rescue.

YMMV.