Rear Locker or MaxTrax?

[adrenaline503]

So I got stuck in the snow this weekend and it sucked. A rear locker (I have to have an ARB air locker) would have certainly helped but I am not sure if it would have gotten me out. So, I pose the question...

"In general" would a rear locker or 4 MaxTrax be more useful in self recovery?

This is how I see it:

Pros of a locker:
-maybe you won't get stuck in the first place
-it will force me to have OBA which means I can air down and maybe not get stuck
-open diffs suck and should be eliminated whenever possible
-less trail damage

Pros of MaxTrax:
-cheaper than a locker + OBA + install
-no installation required
-can be doubled up to bridge
-can be used with other vehicles
-more versatile, could provide traction to the front wheels as well


Now I know the best would be both. That's not going to happen for a while unless someone would like to sponsor me.

 

[Street Wolf]

Locker, don't get stuck to begin with.

 

[kcowyo]

MaxTrax. You can't shovel snow with a locker and you can't lay on a locker in the snow, while clearing snow from under the diffs. Lockers can be 'meh' in snow anyway.


*ARB locker owner, user & fan. Aussie locker owner, user & semi-fan -

.

 

[Stan the Man]

A locker and then when you can afford recovery gear, the maxtrax. You're bound to get stuck, lockers or not. Its just a matter of how stuck you get. Usually with lockers, you get more stuck. :ylsmoke:

 

[brained]

Usually with lockers, you get more stuck. :ylsmoke:

X2 - you drove beyond the limits of the vehicle. If you put a locker in and then drive beyond the new limits you'll still be stuck. Keep it within the limits or invest in recovery gear.

 

[michaelgroves]

Maxtrax, and then when you can afford recovery gear, a locker. (Lockers are more convenient, but in most really difficult situations, Maxtrax will be more effective, IMO).

In any case, open diffs aren't as bad as many people make out - good driving skills close the "capability gap" between locked and unlocked vehicles by a surprising amount.

 

[Mr. Leary]

A locker and then when you can afford recovery gear, the maxtrax. You're bound to get stuck, lockers or not. Its just a matter of how stuck you get. Usually with lockers, you get more stuck. :ylsmoke:

x2.

Maxtrax is on my list as well, but the ability to air down is the single biggest improvement to traction you can make to your vehicle. The locker is a bonus for the occasional sticky spot that can probably be done open with a little momentum. It lets you go more slowly and carefully.

My vote is for the air compressor... locker or not. maxtrax are nice, but why wait until you are already stuck?

 

[adrenaline503]

These are all great points and I appreciate the advice. The situation that I found myself in goes like this:

I was up near Snoqualmie Pass in Wa Cascades hoping to get some snowshoeing in. I pulled into a often used turnout where a few folks were sledding. I went to the opposite side of the opening affording them as much privacy as possible when my passengers side front wheel dropped into a fire pit someone built right in the middle of the turnout. The hole had filled with soft snow and I never saw it. So the front passenger wheel dropped 18-24", lifting the drivers side wheel off the ground and drove my front suspension in the snow. Having the open rear end didnt allow me to gain any traction and the snow was too soft to fill in under the wheel. Luckily a Jeep Rubicon came by and helped me out. So, that was the situation. A locker wouldnt have kept me out of the hole but it might have let me back out or push forward. The Maxtrax would have given me the traction for my wheels to bite and reverse out.

 

[Mr. Leary]

These are all great points and I appreciate the advice. The situation that I found myself in goes like this:

I was up near Snoqualmie Pass in Wa Cascades hoping to get some snowshoeing in. I pulled into a often used turnout where a few folks were sledding. I went to the opposite side of the opening affording them as much privacy as possible when my passengers side front wheel dropped into a fire pit someone built right in the middle of the turnout. The hole had filled with soft snow and I never saw it. So the front passenger wheel dropped 18-24", lifting the drivers side wheel off the ground and drove my front suspension in the snow. Having the open rear end didnt allow me to gain any traction and the snow was too soft to fill in under the wheel. Luckily a Jeep Rubicon came by and helped me out. So, that was the situation. A locker wouldnt have kept me out of the hole but it might have let me back out or push forward. The Maxtrax would have given me the traction for my wheels to bite and reverse out.

If you have already become proficient with the e-brake trick and still want for traction, a locker might be for you. For cases such as the one you mentioned, there is no substitute for a come-a-long, winch, or bridging ladders. I have always been a big fan of the come-a-long. The locker may have gotten you out of the hole. The come-a-long would have gotten you out of the hole.

There is a time and place for everything. For the expense of two sets of maxtrax, you could get a come-a-long and a pull pal, about half of an ARB setup, or an x-jack and some logs. This armchair quarterback says that every one of these would have been pretty well guaranteed to get you out except the locker. :coffeedrink: See. Now I sound like I'm contradicting myself.... get the air compressor, an x-jack, and a come-a-long... and call it a day.

 

[wanderer-rrorc]

locker and AIR DOWN...

and dont push yer luck...:smiley_drive:

after a decade of wheelin (actual rock crawlin/muddin/trail ridin...not walmart mudholes and fire-roads)...

my build on the expo 2wd van are FIRST a winch...(already have a highlift and straps!)
then a locker for the rear...
already have onboard-air...
last is REAR winch...(cus sometimes its easier to get out of the situation rather than get DEEPER...and makes loadin junk on the trailer easier with a winch on the back)

 

[Alaska Mike]

A good winch will get you out of a wide variety of situations and costs less than an ARB (especially when you consider installation costs). You don't even have to have a vehicle-mounted winch either. A Tifor or other hand winch is perfectly suitable in most situations, when coupled with the right recovery gear. As has been mentioned- recovery gear has the ability to get you out of trouble. Lockers usually only get you in deeper.

The latest Overland Journal pretty much sums up my thoughts on sand ladders- bulky and of limited utility- especially in the case of the Maxtrax, which make a poor table or platform because of the bumps. They don't even scream Camel Trophy like PAP does, so they're usefulness as "expedition bling" is questionable as well.

That said, I'll likely have a set of PAP planks on my Rover one day, just because they look cool. However, my 8274 will be bolted on long before that happens, and will see far more use.

 

[p1michaud]

Locker or MaxTrax.

My vote is for neither Locker of MaxTrax.

Spend the funds on an air source that allows you to air down. Keep the open diffs, spend what you can afford on quality recovery gear (shovel, winch - hand or electric, etc...).

If you have any additional money burning a hole in your pocket spend it on fuel to get out and gain some field experience with your rig as it is. Perhaps buy a few rounds to get a few friends out with you to help out when you do get stuck. The memories and laughs will last much longer than a locker and MaxTrax. :sombrero:

FYI I own both ARB Air Lockers and MaxTrax. I've used a shovel, winch and strap/shackles way more than the lockers and MaxTrax.

Good luck with your choice.

 

[Metcalf]

Most off road performance enhancing modifications like big tires, low air pressure, locking differentials, low gears, and flexible suspensions just get you stuck farther from home

I would invest in some recovery gear like a winch. If you don't want to do that buy a good hi-lift and learn how to use it. Its true, a hi-lift can do about anything....its kinda like the duct tape of the recovery world. You can winch with it, lift, clamp, turn a vehicle around, lift a tire to put stuff under it, etc.

I don't see the point in the recovery mats and bridges. Evey time I have used them I swear A LOT! Should I tell you the story about having one shoot out from under the tire and almost taking off someones leg

I would also invest in a small air compressor. You can get a pretty decent one for $70 now. Airing down is hands down the biggest improvement in vehicle performance you can make in my opinion.

 

[Scott Brady]

Winch should be the first item on that list, followed by the Air Locker, followed by the MaxTrax. Just my opinion.

 

[targa88]

My vote is for neither Locker of MaxTrax.

Spend the funds on an air source that allows you to air down. Keep the open diffs, spend what you can afford on quality recovery gear (shovel, winch - hand or electric, etc...).

If you have any additional money burning a hole in your pocket spend it on fuel to get out and gain some field experience with your rig as it is. Perhaps buy a few rounds to get a few friends out with you to help out when you do get stuck. The memories and laughs will last much longer than a locker and MaxTrax. :sombrero:

FYI I own both ARB Air Lockers and MaxTrax. I've used a shovel, winch and strap/shackles way more than the lockers and MaxTrax.

Couldn't agree with you more. Pulled more folk out with recovery straps/shackles off roading then anything else.
Have a diff locker because it was an option I could get/wanted - but rarely used.
Being able to air down/up for better traction and getting to know your rig is the best advice.
Some will ascribe to the theory that on "solo" trips - a winch is a life saver. Then spend the $$$ on a decent winch.