What is this thing called?
- Thread starter Black Dog
- Start date
njtaco
Explorer
Last edited:
JackW
Explorer
It's actually a section of Marsten Mat - used during WWII to provide a hard surface for temporary runways (particularly during the Pacific campaign). The original design was steel but later on an aluminum version was developed. It got adopted for use to help extract trucks from deep sand and mud. It's become a staple on expedition trucks but it's heavy and can't be used to bridge much of a gap.
Some folks have used sections of the fiberglass grid walkboards used in industrial applications as a replacement for Marsten Mat too.
Some folks have used sections of the fiberglass grid walkboards used in industrial applications as a replacement for Marsten Mat too.
Maximus Ram
Expedition Leader
and they aren't cheap....
Fifthpro
Adventurer
Acronyms for it is "PSP" or "PAP" depending if it is made of steel or aluminum.
PSP - Pierced Steel Planking or PAP - Pierced Aluminum Planking
Marsden Matting is standardized, perforated steel matting material originally developed by the United States at the Waterways Experiment Station shortly before World War II, primarily for the rapid construction of temporary runways and landing strips. The material is also commonly known as Marston mats for a town in North Carolina adjacent to Camp Mackall airfield where the material was first manufactured and used in November 1941. The material was also used in the Korean and Vietnam Wars where its common name, from its NSN nomenclature, is pierced (or perforated) steel planking or PSP.
PSP - Pierced Steel Planking or PAP - Pierced Aluminum Planking
Marsden Matting is standardized, perforated steel matting material originally developed by the United States at the Waterways Experiment Station shortly before World War II, primarily for the rapid construction of temporary runways and landing strips. The material is also commonly known as Marston mats for a town in North Carolina adjacent to Camp Mackall airfield where the material was first manufactured and used in November 1941. The material was also used in the Korean and Vietnam Wars where its common name, from its NSN nomenclature, is pierced (or perforated) steel planking or PSP.
Black Dog
Makin' Beer.
I live out in west central Nebraska, and to my north and south is the great Nebraska sand hills, so maybe I'll use them some times there. But mostly out driving in cow pastures where the cows wear those 3 feet wide by 3 feet deep trenches that a little jeep like mine just can't go through is where I'll most likely use them.
Superu
Explorer
OK Offroad
I got mine from OK Offroad, about $200 shipped.
We spend a lot of time in the summer at a local beach that's accessible only with 4WD down a 4 mile sand trail. Self recovery is a necessity as the cost to be pulled out by the state approved contractor is $700! :Wow1:
We also carry a land anchor on these trips since the ruts can get pretty deep late in the season and the ladders may not always get you out, but the winch (Black Rat, Warn or Hi-Lift jack depending on how much time you have to kill) will get you out of most anything when attached to the Pull-Pal land anchor!
I got mine from OK Offroad, about $200 shipped.
We spend a lot of time in the summer at a local beach that's accessible only with 4WD down a 4 mile sand trail. Self recovery is a necessity as the cost to be pulled out by the state approved contractor is $700! :Wow1:
We also carry a land anchor on these trips since the ruts can get pretty deep late in the season and the ladders may not always get you out, but the winch (Black Rat, Warn or Hi-Lift jack depending on how much time you have to kill) will get you out of most anything when attached to the Pull-Pal land anchor!
Black Dog
Makin' Beer.
I do carry a shovel and an axe and a hi lift and some straps and chains and stuff. I was told to get some engineering stakes too, which I suppose are pretty similar to a land anchor. The land anchor might actually be a better investment than sand ladders at first because up where I like to go out driving there are absolutely no trees for miles, and if there are any trees they are usually too small and bendy for using as a solid anchor for winching with the hi lift.
Alaska Mike
ExPo Moderator/Eye Candy
If you're dealing with ruts or anything that has a ledge, skip the PSP and get bridging ladders. The PSP/PAP will bend rather quickly when used in that manner.
Steel is a lot of weight to carry around, but I guess that's a decision you'll have to make for yourself.
Steel is a lot of weight to carry around, but I guess that's a decision you'll have to make for yourself.
Black Dog
Makin' Beer.
Yeah, and up until this point I've always been able to just drive a half mile or so in either direction and find a spot to cross without needing aid. My biggest problem is that I get to spots where there are big ruts that I have to straddle, so maybe I'll get an anchor point instead, I think I would use that more than sand ladders or he gap bridging whatchamacallit.
snipecatcher
Adventurer
hey
I've never needed anything of the sort in the sand, and I've spent a LOT of time on the sand, in fact the first day I got my driver's license I went to the beach. I've averaged about 1 day a week at the beach in the last few years. Use a high lift and fill in under your tires to get them level, you'll be fine. Also, I hear strips of scrap carpet work pretty good too, though I've never tried them. A few sections of carpet would weigh a lot less and take up virtually no room. Perhaps I'll have to try it one day.
-Dan
I've never needed anything of the sort in the sand, and I've spent a LOT of time on the sand, in fact the first day I got my driver's license I went to the beach. I've averaged about 1 day a week at the beach in the last few years. Use a high lift and fill in under your tires to get them level, you'll be fine. Also, I hear strips of scrap carpet work pretty good too, though I've never tried them. A few sections of carpet would weigh a lot less and take up virtually no room. Perhaps I'll have to try it one day.
-Dan