MAXTRAX MKII Black Vehicle Recovery Board

Awesome product can’t wait to have to use them.

I bought the Maxtraxx boards as a Christmas gift for my husband and he loves them. After comparing/reading reviews I felt these were the best product for our needs.

I drive a rear-wheel drive 15 passenger van for a hot air balloon crew chase vehicle pulling a small trailer. On rare occasions the van gets stuck mostly on gravel or unmaintained roads after it rains. I purchased two sets of the Maxtraxs just days ago. Last night the van got stuck in deep powdery sand in a field. This was not the a wet muddy gravel road slipping tire situation I intended for the Maxtraxs. This was deep to the hub, off road real world stuck in the sand just like in the videos situation. Two sets of Maxtraxs, a decent shovel, 15 minutes and three attempts the van was unstuck and we were on our way again.I never expected to really need the Maztraxs. There is usually another vehicle around to pull the van far enough along a road to get traction again. I purchased as a backup just in case there was no other vehicle around. In this situation, short of a tractor the van wasn't going to be easily pulled out by another chase tuck or van. I see why these are so highly recommended recommended. These are very sturdy and yet flexible enough to handle the weight of the van in uneven ground.The cost stings. Is Maxtrax worth it? I knew nothing of recovery and extraction tracts a week ago so I could not say what is great, good enough or not good when I purchased the Maxtraxs. I could only judge based on reviews and videos that the Maxtraxs are the choice if money was not consideration and serious use was intended. I could not afford to try something just to have the product break and fail while customers were looking over the shoulder. Not in my business. I paid the extra cost because I figured either these will work or not. At no time did it appear as if using these tracts working was going to be a wing and a prayer.

I received these on a Monday and a snow storm hit on Friday. On my way home from work in the storm, I used the MaxTrax to help two nice people who were stuck. The first young man was stuck in an area of black ice even though the road was essentially flat. The MaxTrax under the rear wheels provided the traction and momentum he needed to get beyond the ice and on his way. The next was a teenager in a four wheel drive vehicle who was off the road and partially in a ditch with just the front driver's side wheel still clinging to the shoulder. The MaxTrax were used to dig away a little snow and then placed under the front wheels. He touched the gas, and up and out of the ditch he went. He was a young kid from another state and seeing the sense of relief on his face was priceless. I ordered another pair for my wife's car. Expensive, but I think they're worth it. I have read that the MaxTrax nubs can be melted off if tires are allowed to spin on them. That didn't happen in either case mentioned above, so mine are still like new. Also a word of common sense caution: once freed in winter conditions, drivers might not have full control of their vehicles. Make sure they have a wide driving path that is clear of other vehicles and friendly people who have stopped to assist.

I was tempted to save some money by getting one of the cheaper options that are essentially copies of Maxtrax boards but in the end decided that when it came to recovery gear, I wanted to make sure I had gear that I knew I could count on when I really needed it.As soon as I received these, I knew that spending the extra money to get the real deal instead of a knockoff was worth it. There is nothing cheap or plastic feeling about these boards. I have no concerns about them under the weight of my truck and holding up when I need them. I thankfully have not needed them yet but feel very confident in their ability when I do.

No substitute for traction boards, MAXTRAX are industry experts! i tried others the only ones that came close were the ARB ones. For real offroad and overlanding these are the ones' to get. If you consider the other brand's you will always wonder....IF i only gotten the MAXTRAX!!

Update: I received the new boards today and Maxtrax has made right from the mistake. The boards are new, in the right color, and the leashes were included. I'm happy to update my rating and am looking forward to having these in my recovery kit for when I need them. Kudos to Maxtrax for making this right.(Original review; issues rectified)Not a commentary on the Maxtrax Recovery Boards, rather Maxtrax itself. I received mine and it was clear from just tilting the package that something was off. When I opened it, I found red recovery boards (I had ordered orange ones) but worse - they were heavily used and still covered with rocks, sticks, and dirt! Also - there were no straps. I have sent them back and ordered another set - hopefully this was just an error in their shipping department.

this color did not match my 2012 FJ trail teams despite the name FJ red! i returned them and got black which looks 100x better. glad i purchased real max trax. they look awesome and i’m confident they’ll perform when i need them to.