Max Tracks or Ricks Tracks?

Hi fellas, I'm heading down to the Victorian High Country in December & I wanted to make sure I have the ability to recover myself from any predicamant that I may get myself into. A set of Max Tracks or TREDS was high on my wish list but the price they were asking for them I just couldn't justify, so I came up with these, I call them "Ricks Tracks", total cost $70 (8 water drain covers from 'Masters', and some zip ties.

I tied 2 together side by side as I couldn't get them any wider than 100mm, to give a total width of 200mm X 1100mm long, much the same as the Max Tracks & TREDS, but for less than 1/4 of the cost for 4 treads! The more zip ties you put on the better grip you will get, make sure they are good quality zip ties.

I have tried them in sand and they work a treat, I'm pritty sure they will work well in the mud too.

Have a great day guys

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Never thought about using them. How do they hold up with the weight of the troll on top?

Good idea. I Guess they would be strong enough as I gather they would be designed for cars to travel over

Hey Rick,
I like your idea to have a load spreading device without the price tag, will be interested to see if they work in mud. The slots may let through too much liquid, limiting the traction ability, and not sure how much distortion your tracks can handle running over them while not having a solid base underneath ie placed over a hole?
Better than nothing if you cannot afford the tested, proven devices I reckon. Let us know how they perform

:sterb032: Go the pig, I miss the D&B

Be interesting how they go in mud, they are pretty slippery compared to Maxtrax. Wonder if they would give better traction if turned upside down, I think the ridges underneath would give more bite.

good idea, i would use them upside down to give the tyres some grip :)

I've seen the bases of bread trays used and they worked well so can't see why they wouldn't

Rick,

For the High Country, in December, you are very unlikely to have to use them anyway, but good thinking.

The highest use you would have at that time is a bridge over ruts or washaways in the tracks, so make sure that they hold the vehicle weight ( having said that, I have never used any recovery aids in Summer in the High Country ever )

Mic

Thanks for all your responses guys, I'll take all comments good or bad. This weekend I'm going out to try and find some mud, I'll try to get it on video and see how they go. As I said I have tried them in sand and they work a treat.

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Originally Posted by happygu

The highest use you would have at that time is a bridge over ruts or washaways in the tracks,

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Are MaxTrax to Treds strong enough to be used in that way?

Great idea, they only have to get you out of the mud once and they have paid for themselves.
At that price not as many tears if they break or fail, works for me. look forward to the update

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Originally Posted by Cuppa

Are MaxTrax to Treds strong enough to be used in that way?

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I did see it done once on Pat Callinans show but I'd only try it as a last resort. Be looking for some rocks or wood first - cheaper.

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Originally Posted by Cuppa

Are MaxTrax to Treds strong enough to be used in that way?

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not really. but it will kinda work. plus i think it voids the warranty if they fail because of it.

Well fellas to reply to all your comments, I tried them out in mud on the week-end and to answer the question, they did work ONCE, I did get it on video but I can't seem to upload it, however they fell apart in the procces. Once the wheel spin started it tore off the zip ties, but if I had my zip ties I could have tied them back up but thats a pain so I have decided to by 2 sets of TREDS from RVTEK for the great price of $170 a pair. Yes I rang TREDS head office and they will honour their lifetime warranty if buying from E-Bay but you must show proof of sale & register.
I thought this idea might have worked, well it sort of did, it did get me out because if I didn't have them I don't think I would have got out on my own.

Even Albert Einstien found over 2000 ways on how not to make an electric light bulb.

Takes a great man to admit defeat ha ha. Nice idea though but I guess in theory you've just proven why TRED's and Maxtraxs are so popular

Could you try steel cable ties??

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Originally Posted by biggqwesty

Could you try steel cable ties??

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might not be so good for your tyres though

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Originally Posted by Clunk

might not be so good for your tyres though

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No worse than the treads surely. I was thinking stainless steel cable ties as well.

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Originally Posted by Winnie

No worse than the treads surely. I was thinking stainless steel cable ties as well.

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From what I've read, you're more likely to wear out/burn the spikes on the treds/maxtrax if you spin your wheels. I've not had to use mine yet so cant say for sure.
If you think about the cuts and gouges you get in your tyres from rock climbing, I reckon using steel cable ties would have a worse effect

As I stated I have been in contact with TRED head office, they said to keep wheel spin to a minimum, but at least they are willing to back their product with a LIFETIME warranty, and that is why I am buying TREDS and not MAXTacks which only offer a 2 year warranty.

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Originally Posted by Rick111

As I stated I have been in contact with TRED head office, they said to keep wheel spin to a minimum, but at least they are willing to back their product with a LIFETIME warranty, and that is why I am buying TREDS and not MAXTacks which only offer a 2 year warranty.

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I have never used my Maxtrax for myself, and they have already lost a heap of lugs from someone else spinning their tyres all over them .......

Just be careful, apply power gently, and you will be ok ....

Your original method was better in most cases as wheel spin cant destroy the plastic grates

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Originally Posted by happygu

I have never used my Maxtrax for myself, and they have already lost a heap of lugs from someone else spinning their tyres all over them .......

Just be careful, apply power gently, and you will be ok ....

Your original method was better in most cases as wheel spin cant destroy the plastic grates

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Thanks guys for your replies. The thing that really killed them was the wheel spin, which TREDS & MAX tracks advise to keep to a minimum. As I said i am now purchasing the TREDS as they give a LIFETIME warranty compared to MAX Traks 2 year warranty. I really think after my experience that even the MAX Tracks will fail after a few years, which is why I think they only give a 2 year warranty.
After handing over my hard earned money, I would much rather have the security of knowing mine are covered for a LIFETIME. Of course the other problem is usually things under a specific warranty will fail after the 2 year period, even if they have never been used.
Thats just my 2 cents worth, but you make up your own minds.

Note: RVTEK have a special on at the moment $199 including Freight: Tred Total Recovery Extraction Device Pair 1100mm RED 4x4 4WD MUD Trax Gear | eBay http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...r%20%7C%20eBay

$179 + postage, cheaper if you live in SE QLD: TRED - TOTAL RECOVERY & EXTRACTION DEVICE PAIR 1100MM GUNMETAL GREY 4X4 4WD GEAR - Tred http://store.rvtek.com.au/tred-total...air-1100mm~527

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rick111

Thanks guys for your replies. The thing that really killed them was the wheel spin, which TREDS & MAX tracks advise to keep to a minimum. As I said i am now purchasing the TREDS as they give a LIFETIME warranty compared to MAX Traks 2 year warranty. I really think after my experience that even the MAX Tracks will fail after a few years, which is why I think they only give a 2 year warranty.
After handing over my hard earned money, I would much rather have the security of knowing mine are covered for a LIFETIME. Of course the other problem is usually things under a specific warranty will fail after the 2 year period, even if they have never been used.
Thats just my 2 cents worth, but you make up your own minds.

Note: RVTEK have a special on at the moment $199 including Freight: Tred Total Recovery Extraction Device Pair 1100mm RED 4x4 4WD MUD Trax Gear | eBay http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...r%20%7C%20eBay

$179 + postage, cheaper if you live in SE QLD: TRED - TOTAL RECOVERY & EXTRACTION DEVICE PAIR 1100MM GUNMETAL GREY 4X4 4WD GEAR - Tred http://store.rvtek.com.au/tred-total...air-1100mm~527

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I don't think Tred's will cover you for wheelspin causing the lugs to melt ....... only manufacturing defects .....