Smittybuilt Element Ramps

[Paladin]

The video is very poor quality and what was the point to show a fake Maxtrax can crack. It will never be used like that and if it did crack will it still work under the condition it was built to be used. I think to make it fair a side by side of products should be done and let the best plastic win.

Then try them out and report back. I'm not willing to risk my money on these things now.

 

[theicecreampeople]

ok now i cant wait tell mine come in..lol.:sombrero:

 

[Ron B]

If the Smittybilts are anything like the "fakeys" in the video you posted, I would say they are flexible not brittle. In the normal use of sand ladders, I would much prefer them to be this flexible. In the video the guy bent them to nearly 45 degrees before it cracked. When in the real world are they going to see those kinds of angles? If you're using them as a bridging ladder or a ramp, then you shouldn't be supprized when they fail. That is not their intended use.

I think the point was that if they can be bent to 45 deg with less than 100 lbs of force (and crack) then lord knows what 4000+ lbs would do even in the most basic situations. I guess one could try to not get stuck in anything other than perfectly flat terrain to properly support it but having the ability to bridge a hole seems like a huge plus.

all this being said, I have a cheapo winch and pull pal, no ladders (my truck might be a tad heavy for any of the plastic ones?)

 

[Ron B]

typical cya -- I remember seeing a video on youtube with two stacked being used as a "bridge". Probably not ideal but good idea knowing it can be done...just stand back!

 

[4xdog]

The 4wheelparts.com website description of the Smittybilt Element Ramp notes it is "manufactured of Nylon Reinforced Plastic & each ramp can support up to 7,700 lbs".

What on earth are they talking about? Certainly not a bridging load. Maybe a static load on a supported surface? That seems to make no sense either -- a sheet of paper on concrete could "support" 7700 lb...

In addition, MAXTRAX note a weight of 7.5-8.4 lb (3.4-3.8kg) -- the values change at different places on their site -- for each track. If there really were $100 of polymer in each one ($200/pair) that's a polymer cost of over $12.50/lb. Ain't obvious how that's happening. There are polymers that cost that much, but not something like a (glass) reinforced polyamide (nylon), the stated material in the MAXTRAX and the Smittybilt. A value five times lower than that isn't impossible.

We all know the Aussies make great stuff, and expect to be paid for it. (I certainly have over the years). We also all know China (assuming that's the source of the Smittybilt ramp) will make the lowest quality it can get away with and sell solely on price.

I see the new MAXTRAX II has a three-rib design. Looks stronger as a result.

Exactly how good or how compromised this new product is remains to be determined. The price seems pretty steep yet for a Chinese knockoff. Where do you think Harbor Freight would be with these... twenty bucks a pair?

 

[Scott Brady]

The Maxtrax are not constructed or marketed or sold as bridging ladders. I'm sure a Maxtrax even with its $200 Dupont plastic pellets would fail catastrophically as a bridging ladder.

Go to :30. That is a 5,000 lb. Land Rover

 

[Scott Brady]

Admin Note: AlexRex20 deleted his own posts. There was no moderation

I suppose if an image can say 1,000 words, then a video can delete 10,000. . .

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

Admin Note: AlexRex20 deleted his own posts. There was no moderation

I suppose if an image can say 1,000 words, then a video can delete 10,000. . .

He's a flaky cat like that isnt he.

 

[Frankspinz]

Until someone buys and tries out the Smittybilt ramps, these discutions are pointless. Mine are ordered, but it'll be a couple of weeks before I can post my comments...

I do intend to put the full weight of my 5000 pound Xterra bridging on one of these... If it breaks, it's going back to point of purchase for full refund... No big deal !

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

Until someone buys and tries out the Smittybilt ramps, these discutions are pointless. Mine are ordered, but it'll be a couple of weeks before I can post my comments...

I do intend to put the full weight of my 5000 pound Xterra bridging on one of these... If it breaks, it's going back to point of purchase for full refund... No big deal !

x2, I'm doing the same thing.

 

[TangoBlue]

Admin Note: AlexRex20 deleted his own posts. There was no moderation

I suppose if an image can say 1,000 words, then a video can delete 10,000. . .

He's a flaky cat like that isnt he.

For dinner tonight... baked crow! :coffeedrink:

 

[theicecreampeople]

x2, I'm doing the same thing.

x3....

 

[bat]

It is a good video and it clearly shows what other traction device I would not buy. To be fair the Maxtrax are doubled up but with 1500lbs (guess) on them they did not flex at all.

 

[Roaming Robertsons]

It is a good video and it clearly shows what other traction device I would not buy. To be fair the Maxtrax are doubled up but with 1500lbs (guess) on them they did not flex at all.

Maxtrax indicates they can be doubled up to use as a bridging ladder in a pinch. They don't claim to be usable in singles that way.

 

[Paladin]

I do intend to put the full weight of my 5000 pound Xterra bridging on one of these... If it breaks, it's going back to point of purchase for full refund... No big deal !

To be fair, I don't think the manufacturer intends them to be used that way.

Frankly after seeing the videon, I might think they will break just by putting vehicle weight on them in dry unpacked sand. The sand will compress, ladder will flex. Maybe they won't break if they are flexed in the intended direction (video was flexed the wrong way) but I don't really see how a ladder wrapped around the tire will really help get you unstuck in sand.

My need for a ladder is because of bottomless mud, and bridging obstacles my 31" tires struggle with. So these are useless to me.