Pillow talk...oops Pillowtrack

[michaelgroves]

While it's quite interesting to hear people's opinions on what they think the product would be good at etc., the fact is none of us have first- or even second-hand experience of it. We're just guessing.

It would be a pity for people to form opinions and nail their colours to the mast before using them or actually seeing them in action, or at least reading an in-depth review. It's much harder to change an opinion than to form one in the first place.

 

[I Leak Oil]

Well said Michael, 5 pages of opinion. Someone needs to get their hands on one and try it out! I'm sure it will have benefits as well as down sides over other tools.
Jason T.

 

[1leglance]

I have a set of them (2) here in Phx and have played with them quite a bit. I am out of the country now but watch for a full report, pics and all on these very soon.
I really like them but like any tool you have to know it's limitations and then practice to get the most benefit.

Just hold on a bit more and you will get my 2 cents worth

 

[muskyman]

I have a set of them (2) here in Phx and have played with them quite a bit. I am out of the country now but watch for a full report, pics and all on these very soon.
I really like them but like any tool you have to know it's limitations and then practice to get the most benefit.

Just hold on a bit more and you will get my 2 cents worth

Lance

I am looking forward to your review.

Thom

 

[michaelgroves]

Thanks Frenchie - good info! I look forward to Lance's impressions too - hopefully some specific comparisons with bridging ladders?

 

[Antichrist]

Any independent reviews done yet?

 

[1leglance]

I am taking them with me this weekend to do some more testing.
I will write everything up next week.

 

[Mc Taco]

...I not only think they are a bad idea I think they would be dangerous and would not use them.


the pillows will ALWAYS be trying to get out from under the tires thats is what by nature compressed air wants to do.


I to commend anybody that trys to develope a new novel product but hey not every idea is a good one.


I did have a email conversation with the guy from pillow tracks and offered to test a set and video the results both to them and post them on youtube and they declined. That offer is still out there.

this is just my personal opinion on what I have seen.

Sir I do not know you or have any clue as to your expertise in off road travel and recovery of stuck vehicles. I will take you at your word. That being said, based on the above statements I would have difficulty accepting your test as being truly independent and unbiased. It seems that you have made your decision about this product, not just come up with a hypothesis that you want to test with real world experiments.

I have no interest or financial stake in this product or company. If I did, I would be reluctant to provide you with free products to test. Again, only because of your statements quoted above.

 

[7wt]

I got the chance to spot Phil over a couple of obstacles today using the Pillowtrack at the OEX training . The first obstacle was a crest at a 45 degree angle that would have caused him to high center as well an being cross axled. We placed the pillows in a manor that picked his right rear tire enough to gain a little clearance at his crossmember that allowed to get over without a hang up. We also placed one for his front drivers side to climb over to fill in the drop. They worked great in that situation. We purposely placed the pillows on and against rocks in order to really test them and the seemed no worse for the wear.

The next test was a failure of sorts but in no fault of the product. Nobody had any experience with the pillows or probably read any directions (I sure didn't) we placed two pillows end to end on a ever so slight off camber hill with the intent of leveling the camber. Well what do you think happened? If you guess that as soon as Phil placed his front tire on the pillow and it promptly rolled you would be correct. The pillow rolled Phil off line enough to almost slide him into a large sharp rock. Had Phil not stopped immediately and drove a little farther up the pillow with a little more momentum, he would have rolled into the rock for sure.

I was not aware of the product at all and the experience encouraged me to look for this thread. I was not aware of the manufacture stating that the Pillowtrack not be used on an off camber situation (although looking back it should have been obvious). Having used them, I plan on getting a set. In certain situations they would prove invaluable. In other situations, they could be down right dangerous as any recovery gear would be. You just have to know what they are for and use them appropriately.

I am more than tired after being rained on all day long (did I mention it was wet???) so my memory of the event might be missing a few details. I am sure Phil could add his side of the coin from a driver's prospective. I might remember something else as I warm up and sleep on it a little but all in all I give the product an A+ with the previously mentioned caveat.

I almost forgot, the construction quality is top notch. No loose stitching or any other obvious defects. The way the Pillowtracks closed off the valves was pretty ingenious. I almost thought the fill tubes would pop out but they held strong. Pretty neat actually.

 

[Scott Brady]

The next issue of Overland Journal will feature a comprehensive review of the Pillow Track and four other sand ladders/recovery mats. We have been capturing HD video of each product in varying scenarios, including sand hill, bridging, ramping, etc.

We are heading to the Imperial Sand Dunes this week for more testing.

No doubt you will find our conclusion surprising.

 

[1leglance]

There are some unique uses for the Pillowtracks I have found that make me really like them...if only they would change the name

First off let me say that there is no perfect solution, you find what fits the need.

I have used the PT's for getting up rock ledges without a problem.
They fill in a crevice or gap nicely (assuming they are sized for that hole).
I have placed one deflated under a tire that wasn't quite making contact when I high centered and inflated to give me traction.
I have learned to tie a bit of paracord on to them so after I get through/over the problem area they flop along behind me until I get to a place where I can safely get out and retrieve/pack them (very important for a person with mobility issues not to return to a muddy,sandy,rocky area).

And the last and most creative use (which I still need to get good pics of)...
I have found that when changing a tire the act of lifting the wheel onto the hub is a real pain for me, much less someone in a wheelchair.
So I roll the tire onto the deflated mat & add air to raise the tire up until I can tilt it onto the hub. It has worked well in a few test cases.

Again I am not saying these are the perfect solution for everyone or everything...but the solve some problems for me in a nice, light,easy to pack way and so they are in the kit with my other air powered toys.

 

[overlander]

The next issue of Overland Journal will feature a comprehensive review of the Pillow Track and four other sand ladders/recovery mats. We have been capturing HD video of each product in varying scenarios, including sand hill, bridging, ramping, etc.

We are heading to the Imperial Sand Dunes this week for more testing.

No doubt you will find our conclusion surprising.

:victory: says it all!

 

[muskyman]

And the last and most creative use (which I still need to get good pics of)...
I have found that when changing a tire the act of lifting the wheel onto the hub is a real pain for me, much less someone in a wheelchair.
So I roll the tire onto the deflated mat & add air to raise the tire up until I can tilt it onto the hub. It has worked well in a few test cases.

.

This is awesome Lance and a very inventive use for them for sure.

 

[Antichrist]

The next issue of Overland Journal will feature a comprehensive review of the Pillow Track and four other sand ladders/recovery mats. We have been capturing HD video of each product in varying scenarios, including sand hill, bridging, ramping, etc.

Very good! I'm looking forward to it. I do hope the article will address versatility, i.e., which products provide the widest variety of uses.

There are some unique uses for the Pillowtracks I have found that make me really like them...if only they would change the name

This is what I've been wondering about. I've never believed the mfg claim that they "will do everything a bridging ladder will do, and more"

I have placed one deflated under a tire that wasn't quite making contact when I high centered and inflated to give me traction.
...
So I roll the tire onto the deflated mat & add air to raise the tire up until I can tilt it onto the hub. It has worked well in a few test cases.

Two unique uses that a bridging ladder would not fill.

 

[Streakerfreak]

Unfortunately, these are the only pics of them in use as I was the driver, but they worked like a charm when used properly. Used improperly...well...let's just say as the driver it was a very uncomfortable feeling when they moved.