Smittybuilt Element Ramps
- Thread starter Arvin G
- Start date
theicecreampeople
Adventurer
ok now i cant wait tell mine come in..lol.:sombrero:
Ron B
Explorer
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?)
4xdog
Explorer
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?
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?
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Scott Brady
Founder
The Maxtrax are not constructed or marketed or sold as bridging ladders. I'm sure a Maxtrax even with its $200 Dupont plastic pelletswould fail catastrophically as a bridging ladder.
Go to :30. That is a 5,000 lb. Land Rover
Scott Brady
Founder
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. . .
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
Adventurer
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 !
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
American Adventurist
theicecreampeople
Adventurer
x3....
Roaming Robertsons
Adventurer
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.
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