Used 3/4 plywood for twenty years, hard to beat. Stack flat, flex a bit but don't break, make a great platform for the high-lift jack in soft or muddy conditions. You can burn them in an emergency. They don't slip in sand at all, in mud not as good but usually gets the trick done. A $45 (USD) sheet of ply wood will make you a set of four. Mine double as a camp table with a small light weight folding frame I made. Mine are longer 4' X 12" but could be made shorter.
I own 4 x MaxxTrax. This review is interesting and I can honestly say that if I didn’t own my brand named ones, that I’d be happy to have the knock offs. For sand use which is 80% of my off-roading (as muddy hill climbs etc are not what I got my 200 series for) these would do the job. For the cost - these knock offs would be more than enough. Low Tyre pressures will keep you out of trouble 90% of the time. For those few occasions where you do get bogged (after softening down) then you just need some firm ground to get your momentum going again. After dropping pressures further AND getting going on some tractable ground (insert your choice here) you should be good. The thing is, at say $80.00 you can definitely do this using these as your review shows. Keep them out of the sun (they came with a bag when you unpacked them) so you could keep them in your vehicle. I could easily see them lasting 5 years of casual (say every couple of months you are dumb enough to get bogged) - most guys aren’t and don’t - but assuming you did these would definitely do the job AND at that price point so what if you had to replace them after 3 years of a bit harder use. That’s 9 years of equivalent use to match the same cost - which in all honesty I would be pretty sure very few guys out there would be doing non stop 4WD’g for 9 years simply because life gets in the way. Young guys get married and start families so the off-roading drops down considerably or having the wife and kids In the car / 4WD with you mean you’re going to avoid getting bogged all the time - and I can assure you, when you get older getting bogged with just you and your aging back, knees, hips and wife in the car with you - you’re wanting to avoid the extra hard labour of digging yourself out of a bogged beach situation. Recently I got bogged on a soft camp spot (forgot to re-engage centre diff lock when I was leaving a week later) WITH my 3.5T Off-road caravan hooked up. Softening up and having firm traction got me out (NB Even with my van still hooked up I only used 2 of my 4 MaxxTraxx’s to get me out). The name isn’t the essential item. It’s the firm ground facet. Either of these two products would have met my needs. The only difference is I paid circa $600 but I am 100% confident that the $80 pair would have achieved the same result. For casual use I can lend my honest recommendation to the cheaper brand FOR MY STYLE OF USE viz primarily beach sand use (fishing trips). With the genuine aim of not wanting to get bogged ie soften your tyres (say 16-18psi), read the beach as you travel along it (and use a bit more pedal if you see it softening up), trust the existing track as the ground would be more compressed and stop as soon as you feel your vehicle is not making forward momentum, soften up your tyres some more (12-14psi should really see you get off almost every beach), add some traction and get going and shoot for good momentum ASAP and you’ll be good. Make the missus a nice cold drink because she’s just carried your recovery tracks from that section of soft sand you just got out of - so you kind of owe her - and you’ll all be happy! BTW sound really appreciative and acknowledge her hard work in the heat, sand and flies and hide the fact you were giggling like that 20yo you used to be when it was one of your mates doing the chore - watching her in your rear view mirror as the aircon blew all over you and kept you cool while you waited for her to drag her sorry ass back to the car! (That’s my “How to stay married for 30+ years tip #23”). Oh ... Nice review Michael!
You could by 4 sets of the cheapo ones per set of branded though. And having more sets when you go to bridge something you could stack them together and make it more rigid.
@@SeekAdventure... You could have purchased three (3) sets with the price of your one (1) Maxtrax and have an 18 wheeler go over them on that major hump. You would also have three times the length of usage. I would go with the eBay set hands down... better deal without a doubt.
You are probably the only vid on UA-cam to do that comparo. I’m so glad it’s positive as I bought 4 x-bulls a little while back and always wondered. I’m yet to bloody use them. If the review went the other way, I’d have to thumbs down ya! Hahahaha. Tell ya what, casual 4wders see this and maxtrax are gonna lose sales. Ain’t nothing wrong with competition, especially if it drops prices or spawns new products.
@Mike Wasowski what I got from the video is I will buy Maxtrax now, I was looking at cheap alternates but can see they won't last the long term where Maxtrax have proved they will by many who use them regularly, they compared very old Maxtrax to Brand new copies and the Maxtrax even though flogged for years still worked perfect, the cheapies started to fatigue within a few days or brand new, leave them on top of your vehicle and the UV will probably destroy them in 6 months, I would rather support Australian Made and purchase a Quality product you can rely on, because its going to be that time you really need them to do the job the copiy will probably fail and either leave you stranded or worse , Supercheap have them for $248 currently, it's not a lot of money to pay for a device that will get you out of trouble and bounce back for more, if you think you would only use them once or twice then sure the copies are fine, I tend to buy things I want to last for many years rather then throw them away and buy another.
@@SeekAdventure in now a new subscriber - your videos are excellent - I would like your opinion on the low profile tyres I have on my 4wD - continental 275/40R22 cheers Kev
had a set of xbull tracks for 2 years now, cant fault them so far. best $80 bucks I ever spent. I have a mate who thinks price is everything.... i get the same amount, if not more fish, on my $50 rod than his $1000 rod bahahaha
I fish with a stick and an artificial sinew line and hook, simple ground caught worms... every time I catch just as many panfish as the mad expensive rods do. the adage is true; "fishing gear is really made to catch the fisherman, not the fish!"
So here's the deal $300 for a good quality product versus your $90 for a knockoff with poor quality and one of your comments was well I could buy this three or four times before I have to buy a price on one, yeah that's great math but look at it this way four times you got to order a pair to keep doing it what your time and effort works to you ready for those to break when you really need them and then I'll just go buy another pair as soon as I get unstuck. You already mentioned that things were four or five years old. And yet right out of the box the new ones cracked after using twice, come on, be real they're cheap knockoffs that you have to replace three or four times versus buy one pair of the good brand one time. Maybe that's how you guys think down there in Australia.
uh but the reviews and my personal experience with the Xbull knock offs don't hold up with what your assumption is about them. I simply said that even if they are cheaper in construction it would be hard to justify paying 4 times the price for something that is only slightly better. Since my comment I purchased a set and they don't fall apart after the first use secondly I had ask myself how often does my rig really get stuck? Nearly never. Also I live in California so I'm not sure where you assumed I am Australian lol. Basically it's just your opinion but do you have any first hand experience with the "cheap knock off"? As far as I can tell you could be one of those people that thinks because they spent 300$ on some plastic planks that makes them special. I've used mine twice already on a trip where beach driving was required and they are showing no signs of falling apart or being "cheap". the only thing cheap so far is the price tag.
fun little, helpful tip. if you tie a long cord to them, and tie that cord to your rear bumper, you can drag them behind you after you get out to safety, without having to go all the way back, or risk getting stuck again by stopping to recover them. good video though"
I mean, you just use like, bailing twine. the stuff that can hold like 10-20 pounds, it don't have to be strong, its only pulling the weight of the tracks. if it gets hung up on something somehow (if you don't know how to run line safely, offroading aint for you) it just snaps and you have to go back and get them, like you would have otherwise..bailing twine aint going to break anything on your rig, and if it does...well, you should have replaced that part sooner!
Thanks for the comparison test! No doubt MaxTrax are King, especially for stacking & handle comfort but in the U.S. you can get the X-Bulls for as little as $64 which makes it tough to spend nearly 5x as much for almost the same thing. Even if they degrade over time faster you can replace them 4 times over for the same cost.
@@asifahmed6243 Quit your lying. Those are the xBulls, not the Maxtrax. Xbulls can be had for almost half that price on Ebay www.ebay.com/itm/X-BULL-Sand-Tracks-Recovery-Tracks-Traction-Off-Road-Snow-Tire-Ladder-4WD-Orange/333163334872?hash=item4d92150cd8:g:hh0AAOSwjNxc7hbW
Oh my god you brought back some memories 😂 I bought an old Pontiac 6000 for 200 bucks. Got it running and we went out to the field with it to see what t could take. It’s in need of suspension components now but still drives true lol. Very very bouncy now though. But anywho. It had been raining for like a week straight and we were 4 wheeling in a Pontiac 6000 😂 floor mats came in handy but were ruined.
@@SeekAdventure Haha.. you just cant, if you get bogged you have to make a maxtrax out of the closest bit of wood, or bark, or anything you can find. Maybe your sleeping bag if you have to :) or tip it on its side and use a ratchet strap as a winch.. I have Max Trax, havent used them a lot, but they stand up to it, but they should for the price, like you mentioned. Looking forward to the next thing you decide to destroy in the name of science and entertainment :)
I used these cheap eBay ones (2 sets) in Montana last year in November on an elk hunt. So for the snow and ice they worked great with a Chevy crewcab 2500HD. #1 Backing down a steep hill I got spun out on a trail sideways and they got me straightened up to continue backing down. #2 few days later started sliding on ice on a trail, almost slide off the mountain side, but I laid them out to drive up on with the front tires (10" from edge) while putting chains on back tires, then put front chains on while on tracks and drove off. Tracks were flawless and had no damage from the chains. #3 I also run a lawn service and in spring it's wet, so they've retrieved a few mowers as well. Perfect and easy on the wallet, but as for the stacking they are bulky if you stack 4 together.
So glad to see a video comparison on these. I'd say they held u incredibly well considering the manufacturer states they're not designed for bridging. I'd be curious to see how they'd do if you stacked two of the 10T before bridging.
Small tip here => Put a referral link to the ebay recovery tracks ( that way we can buy them from your link at the same price and also help you out a bit :) Nice testing and the effort u put into it is very well appreciated
Great review, I got stuck in sand a few days ago but I only very lightly go off-road. I’ll never need for bridging just when stuck in sand or mud. Just the cheap ones for me.
just get the ceap ones heaps better i go through max trax like shoes and only pay 50 bucks every time i bend a pair around a rock or chew em up on the hard dirt
I like your style, fun video! I bought those Xbull tracks last year. The first use was in snow and the front couple inches cracked off. Since then, they have held up ok. They do take up a lot of space though and I’ll be buying Maxtracks because they stack much better. It’s good to know that your Maxtracks have held up so well over several years, which certainly helps justify the cost.
So if you off road a lot in remote unforgiving places you prob want the max's. But if you're everyone else and only need them in an emergency, get the cheap ones.
i have had a set of x bulls for about 5 years and have recovered my Ute countless times as well as tractors, large trucks and lots of other peoples cars and 4x4s i have worn a few teeth off on a couple. the only mistake i made was that i bought pale sand colored ones which are very hard to find when they get buried.
Someone made the simple suggestion on this video to tie them off to your bumper. I'd say paracord would work to drag behind until fully out, simple hitch knot for reuse. I'll have a set for the next winter in Colorado for sure!
I had a pair of maxxies and they got pitched. So bought the X Bull, thought might as well, cheap and quick delivery. I reckon they have served me out of situations upwards of 50 times and still good! Thanks for the video man, subbed
Good on you mate. That was a fair comparison. The only other thing id add is that the x-bull will fade pretty quickly if left in the sun. But I wouldn't be leaving anything on the car (without padlocks) nowadays anyway.
Mate nice review. I recently purchased the x-bulls my self with no reviews to go off. After seeing this video I now feel a bit more confident in my purchase. However, I believe the max trax will last longer but you could also buy 4 sets of the x-bulls for the same money. If they get you out of a situation just once either is worth every cent. Well done
It took me 7.5 minutes to realize this wasn't Ronny Dahl. I have the X bull treads and they work great. I was stuck once down to both axles in sand. I was only stuck for a few minutes with these.
I bought some x-bulls in 2017 before a lap around Australia and they were awesome - got me out of some sticky situations on remote beaches in WA. They still look brand new. You'd be a mug to spend $300 on maxxtrax when options like this are available!
I've never heard of these things or this channel. UA-cam recommends things and I watch them. Thanks for the video, dude! I now have knowledge that I will never use lol. I seriously did like the video (: edit: This truck is AMAZING. I love it
thank you so much for this video. I have been doing research for a future endeavor of nomad camping in a van. as a born and raised hoosier (indiana usa) my biggest fear has been driving in sand and getting stuck. I think these cheaper boards would be perfect along with normal camper's jack blocks. I know this does not help your sponsor, but you certainly helped me and got yourself another subscriber. thank you very much
What an incredible test, phew! I felt sorry for those trax! Great demo, varied uses and terrain and done with good Aussie humor, ha ha! Most enjoyable.
If I could find Maxtrax for $210 I'd definitely pick up a couple of sets, but they go for $399 in Canada before taxes and shipping... a set of black X-bull tracks was 110$ all in. Wasn't sure how they would hold up but after watching this I'm pretty confident they'll more than do until the price comes down or I can find a sale on the real thing.
I didn't expect them to show any positive results on the china ones .... Most channels are bias toward the name brand due to active or hopeful sponsorship from name brand models ..... Good honest job ...
You're a bloody legend, Subbed! I am in for some extreme 4wd setup in the near future and you sir are showing me what to get. Also i am in love with the other dudes GQ Patrol, what a beast.
Came across this video while looking at some X Bull recovery boards. This review was really helpful in deciding to give them a shot and pick up a pair - which they now are in their 3rd gen model option, so hopefully they are even better than the 2nd gen you tried out.
I have a pair of cheap Aldi ones that have saved the day a handful of times in my 2wd Transporter, that I use to get my dirtbike to off-road places. (I also carry a hand winch that has saved the day a couple of times as well). The Aldi ones have a few cracks and these x-bull ones would be a perfect replacement for my little use.
@@kwakman99 Except.... it's not. The "Ranger" we're getting will be nothing like the BT-50. I'm more interested in the powertrain.. the BT-50 is either a 4 or 6 cylinder diesel. All we're getting is a small 4 cylinder turbo gas engine. Yes, the 4 cylinder turbo gas engine will make a decent amount of power, but it doesn't have diesel torque.
I got two sets of xbulls for 50 dollars each awhile back. I was going to pay 3 times as much for 1 set of maxtrax i figured this way if an xbull breaks i have a backup and still saved hundreds! I feel a lot better about them after this video too.
I live in Florida. We aren't even able to drive on our beaches. Why am I watching this? More importantly, why am I enjoying this? Most importantly, I think I want to take this man on a date, and I have a wife!
I was literally driving on a beach in FLA a couple weeks ago, in St. Augustine. There beaches in Florida that allow vehicles to drive and park on them.
@@SJsAdv haha yeah the would probably grief the Toyota guy if he showed up at a Jeep event. Yeah the beaches are different in different areas and some areas just really don't accommodate vehicles well or are just to small or steep but St. Augustine for instance has about 150'-200' of nearly flat beach before you even get to the wet sand. All I know is the people out there need these bad, someone gets stuck about every hour.......come to think of it, I could probably start renting these tracks out for $20 an hour to stuck people because the police/lifeguards don't pull you out anymore. Most people had to call a tow service.
All depends on how often you plan on getting stuck. I have a pair of the same rip off ones, for about two years. I have only used them once bogged down on a sand track at Moreton Island when fully loaded up. Bit of digging and got them under the front wheels and popped out forwards with no dramas. No damage to the tracks, only problem was it took more digging in the hot sand to find them again than it took digging the car out. I would recommend a rope or a strap to find them again. I would definately not spend $300 on a piece of plastic you might only use once a year.
I have a set of tracks just like those offbrand ones you were using I can tell you one thing about those I have tried them in the snow and they crack a lot easier when they are cold
thanks! its the cheap ones for me, i wont ever use them except for mild snow and mild mud hang ups, i wont ever abuse them like you did so the cheap ones should really last me well, if its anything worse i have a winch and winch anchor to get me unstuck, love the videos keep up the good work
My thoughts exactly. Yes, there are other costs involved, but they are cheap plastic popped straight out of an injection molder. "way over priced" is an understatement.
Cheers for the comparo mate I have a set of both (I do remote prospecting/ fishing and hunting for a living). These are an an improvement on natures max trax aka sticks and logs and have saved me many times. The comments re- justifying their worth amuse me as you'll never appreciate something so simple until it saves your vehicle from an incoming tide or an extended stint away from a water supply. For me the Max Trax are the better product but value for money they are on par, however space is a consideration (I live out of a 97' hilux duel cab) and little things like stackability count.
for when you're in a gnarly situation, tie 30ft of nylon rope with one on each end then toss slip the rope over the ball of your truck and you can drag them behind you until you're comfortable stopping
@@ryanjacobsen9557 Tow balls aren't meant for axial load like what this mentions. Just use a tow pin in the receiver and you don't risk the potential of a cannonball snapping off the back of a truck and flying into something or someone.
I've been using carpet strips going back to the late 70s, when you could actually drive on the beach in Southern California. Enjoy your freedom boys. Driving on the beach enjoying a cold Corona!
@Tony Stott Problem is to store 3 or 4 sets of the cheapies would rob valuable cargo or roof space, plus it's not really blinded by brand names he admitted the Maxtrax have been flogged for years, the cheapies flogged for a few days already fatiguing, 1 set of Maxtrax will outlast 3 sets of the cheapies
@@-PORK-CHOP- , but the cheap ones may be good enough if you only go off road a few times a year or in winter months in the states. They are a good option. Now if you overland several times a year, I would go with the better quality ones.
@@hogwild9408 Maybe not so much winter. ABS will definitely become more fragile as the temperature drops, so you definitely run the risk of having them snap, if not shatter, depending on how cold it is. But yeah, I know a few people who have Maxtrax and don't even use them like that. Sure, good you have them just in case, but they'd definitely be better off with the cheaper alternative.
@Michael Sanders... You could have purchased three (3) sets with the price of your one (1) Maxtrax and have an 18 wheeler go over them on that major hump. You would also have three times the length of usage. I would go with the eBay set hands down... better deal without a doubt.
Thanks for the the product demo. A recovery at the beach down in Texas will cost $300 or more from a tow company. A set of X-Bulls will get you home with beer money in your pocket. They seem to be a good option for weekend warriors or those who are only able to get out a few times per year.
Mate I’ve had the x bull one for a few years now and not had a problem with them use them heaps of time I lost one in a big hole and just left it in there after about 2 mins of looking for it just ordered a new pair on the way home would be a different story if it was a max track
Great 'real world' review boys. I own a set of x-bulls and it has gotten my little T30 X-Trail out of trouble many times. Granted, I only occasionally hit the really soft stuff and my rig only weights
I just wish we could have more cool off road vehicles in America with diesel. Oh, and.. who else just want's to hang out with these guys! LOL. Great video.. thanks.
Been 4x4ing for 30+ years in the USA & honestly NEVER seen anyone with them... When I sink all 4 in the sand, it's usually in camp while towing the trailer slowly.. I lift out with a hi lift, push er off to the side (air down proper) & drive away.... I've only dug a hole to help change a tire when I couldn't get it up enough... I truly want to visit Australia with my 4x4s etc.. and have some good fun with some great people.. Probably a great place to have fun shooting real big rifles also...
Hi mate, I just wanted to tell you how awesome your content is. I’ve been producing my own 4x4 UA-cam channel for a few months now and I know how much work goes in behind the scenes. Your content is bloody brilliant and I love watching it. Keep up the great work and safe travels.
I think it comes down to how often these will get used. If you're a full time overlander maybe get the Maxtrax, but someone like me may only need them a few times a year, the X-Bulls will serve me just fine. Only other test I could think of would be a UV test, will the cheapo get brittle strapped to your roof for a year?
@@Steve211Ucdhihifvshi I see maxtrax mounted outside the vehicle on the majority of overland builds. Yeah it would probably be better to remove them whenever you know you won't be using them that day but its also nice to not have to. Throw 'em on the rack and forget about them till you need to use them. We have snow on the ground 7 months out of the year so I wouldn't mind having these on my rig.
I have had success with the Trac Grabber, a high tech version of the 2x4 ratchet strapped to the wheel. I live high in the mountains with mud, snow, you name it. Reasonable cost and it has got me out every time.
A thoroughly entertaining video. Well done. I honed my off road 4wd skills in the army in East Timor. We had 2 aluminium plates on the roof of our LandRovers. It's called PAP (perforated aluminium plate). It's the sheeting that they used to interlock to make emergency runways in freshly cleared jungle in Pacific Island during WW2. They were strong, large (about 2 metres long) and got us out of a few muddy spots I can tell you! At the time there wasn't a MaxTrax type of product on the market and certainly nothing in green.
I thought you always attached recovery tracks to your vehicle with rope so that if you had to keep going you didn't have to walk for ages to recover them
Just don't let the rope get tangled up in your wheel or drive shaft or something, that could be bad. But, that is a good idea. If I were to do that just thinking about it. Maybe tie the one for the front tire to the one on the back tire (This will also keep the back one from being thrown out while there's still weight on the front one if your tire spins) and then tie the one to the one by the back tire to the rear of the vehicle some where. That way, when you keep going both tracks are tied to the rear bumper and you don't have to worry about ropes and stuff getting caught up underneath the vehicle.
Dont know if you are trying to sell max trax .. but this video just sold me a pair of the other more reasonably priced ones...thanks
😂😂foreal
Used them in snow. They were great
Same
They all did the same, the Max broke too just get the cheap ones?
He was defending his max tracks to the end
Trying so hard to prove max tracks are better
Great to have a presenter who doesn’t take himself too seriously. A good fun educational comparison.
Video Originally meant to be sponsored by maxtrax. Accidentally ended up as a sales tool for x-bull
Good call mate
Yep sold me
When does he say it was sponsored?
@@ZoomStranger 16:30
I think you guys might just be some of the happiest people I've seen on the internet.
2 years and 10k likes later, your video is still giving the gifts for the common folk here. Thanks for what you do, keep having fun!
Used 3/4 plywood for twenty years, hard to beat. Stack flat, flex a bit but don't break, make a great platform for the high-lift jack in soft or muddy conditions. You can burn them in an emergency. They don't slip in sand at all, in mud not as good but usually gets the trick done. A $45 (USD) sheet of ply wood will make you a set of four. Mine double as a camp table with a small light weight folding frame I made. Mine are longer 4' X 12" but could be made shorter.
Get the bumper grip tape that's like sandpaper and put strips across it and add mud grip
Yup! That and a couple pieces of carpet and “Bob’s your Uncle” as they say, I reckon.
This is country AF 👊🏻
4'x12', sorry to nitpick
Old school 4x4.I totally agree
I own 4 x MaxxTrax. This review is interesting and I can honestly say that if I didn’t own my brand named ones, that I’d be happy to have the knock offs. For sand use which is 80% of my off-roading (as muddy hill climbs etc are not what I got my 200 series for) these would do the job. For the cost - these knock offs would be more than enough.
Low Tyre pressures will keep you out of trouble 90% of the time. For those few occasions where you do get bogged (after softening down) then you just need some firm ground to get your momentum going again. After dropping pressures further AND getting going on some tractable ground (insert your choice here) you should be good. The thing is, at say $80.00 you can definitely do this using these as your review shows. Keep them out of the sun (they came with a bag when you unpacked them) so you could keep them in your vehicle. I could easily see them lasting 5 years of casual (say every couple of months you are dumb enough to get bogged) - most guys aren’t and don’t - but assuming you did these would definitely do the job AND at that price point so what if you had to replace them after 3 years of a bit harder use. That’s 9 years of equivalent use to match the same cost - which in all honesty I would be pretty sure very few guys out there would be doing non stop 4WD’g for 9 years simply because life gets in the way. Young guys get married and start families so the off-roading drops down considerably or having the wife and kids In the car / 4WD with you mean you’re going to avoid getting bogged all the time - and I can assure you, when you get older getting bogged with just you and your aging back, knees, hips and wife in the car with you - you’re wanting to avoid the extra hard labour of digging yourself out of a bogged beach situation.
Recently I got bogged on a soft camp spot (forgot to re-engage centre diff lock when I was leaving a week later) WITH my 3.5T Off-road caravan hooked up. Softening up and having firm traction got me out (NB Even with my van still hooked up I only used 2 of my 4 MaxxTraxx’s to get me out). The name isn’t the essential item. It’s the firm ground facet. Either of these two products would have met my needs. The only difference is I paid circa $600 but I am 100% confident that the $80 pair would have achieved the same result. For casual use I can lend my honest recommendation to the cheaper brand FOR MY STYLE OF USE viz primarily beach sand use (fishing trips). With the genuine aim of not wanting to get bogged ie soften your tyres (say 16-18psi), read the beach as you travel along it (and use a bit more pedal if you see it softening up), trust the existing track as the ground would be more compressed and stop as soon as you feel your vehicle is not making forward momentum, soften up your tyres some more (12-14psi should really see you get off almost every beach), add some traction and get going and shoot for good momentum ASAP and you’ll be good.
Make the missus a nice cold drink because she’s just carried your recovery tracks from that section of soft sand you just got out of - so you kind of owe her - and you’ll all be happy! BTW sound really appreciative and acknowledge her hard work in the heat, sand and flies and hide the fact you were giggling like that 20yo you used to be when it was one of your mates doing the chore - watching her in your rear view mirror as the aircon blew all over you and kept you cool while you waited for her to drag her sorry ass back to the car! (That’s my “How to stay married for 30+ years tip #23”).
Oh ... Nice review Michael!
“that is a pretty significant gully. let’s give a whirl.” by far the most Australian thing i have ever hear
You could by 4 sets of the cheapo ones per set of branded though. And having more sets when you go to bridge something you could stack them together and make it more rigid.
I have two set no problems
@@SeekAdventure... You could have purchased three (3) sets with the price of your one (1) Maxtrax and have an 18 wheeler go over them on that major hump. You would also have three times the length of usage. I would go with the eBay set hands down... better deal without a doubt.
Or you could support the AUSTRALIAN design and engineering sector, then there's the support of the AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURING industry to consider.
yeah nah exactly,always support your own economy
@@NoName-tz5ji
Both brands are Australian companies...
don't know why I'm here but I watched the full vid. Entertaining!
lol same
You are probably the only vid on UA-cam to do that comparo. I’m so glad it’s positive as I bought 4 x-bulls a little while back and always wondered. I’m yet to bloody use them. If the review went the other way, I’d have to thumbs down ya! Hahahaha. Tell ya what, casual 4wders see this and maxtrax are gonna lose sales. Ain’t nothing wrong with competition, especially if it drops prices or spawns new products.
@Mike Wasowski what I got from the video is I will buy Maxtrax now, I was looking at cheap alternates but can see they won't last the long term where Maxtrax have proved they will by many who use them regularly, they compared very old Maxtrax to Brand new copies and the Maxtrax even though flogged for years still worked perfect, the cheapies started to fatigue within a few days or brand new, leave them on top of your vehicle and the UV will probably destroy them in 6 months, I would rather support Australian Made and purchase a Quality product you can rely on, because its going to be that time you really need them to do the job the copiy will probably fail and either leave you stranded or worse , Supercheap have them for $248 currently, it's not a lot of money to pay for a device that will get you out of trouble and bounce back for more, if you think you would only use them once or twice then sure the copies are fine, I tend to buy things I want to last for many years rather then throw them away and buy another.
@@SeekAdventure in now a new subscriber - your videos are excellent - I would like your opinion on the low profile tyres I have on my 4wD - continental 275/40R22 cheers Kev
had a set of xbull tracks for 2 years now, cant fault them so far.
best $80 bucks I ever spent. I have a mate who thinks price is everything.... i get the same amount, if not more fish,
on my $50 rod than his $1000 rod bahahaha
I fish with a stick and an artificial sinew line and hook, simple ground caught worms... every time I catch just as many panfish as the mad expensive rods do. the adage is true; "fishing gear is really made to catch the fisherman, not the fish!"
Things start getting weird at 7:17
hahahahaha
yea wasnt quite sure what kind of test was coming up
hahahha!
Doesnt everybody Jack Off of their Recovery tracks?
Must not be a known phrase down under. ;-)
Just ordered the X-bull as my very first ever recovery track for $74 in Amazon. This was a really helpful video. Thank you
Great stuff. For 76$ I’ll break them and replace them 4 times and still spend less than a pair of maxxtrax
Ha, what about the hired off-road recovery company you hire because you broke your recovery gear?
@@veganpotterthevegan so you think I'll break both at the same time? yeah haha. Good thing I've got lockers and don't get stuck
So here's the deal $300 for a good quality product versus your $90 for a knockoff with poor quality and one of your comments was well I could buy this three or four times before I have to buy a price on one, yeah that's great math but look at it this way four times you got to order a pair to keep doing it what your time and effort works to you ready for those to break when you really need them and then I'll just go buy another pair as soon as I get unstuck. You already mentioned that things were four or five years old. And yet right out of the box the new ones cracked after using twice, come on, be real they're cheap knockoffs that you have to replace three or four times versus buy one pair of the good brand one time. Maybe that's how you guys think down there in Australia.
uh but the reviews and my personal experience with the Xbull knock offs don't hold up with what your assumption is about them. I simply said that even if they are cheaper in construction it would be hard to justify paying 4 times the price for something that is only slightly better. Since my comment I purchased a set and they don't fall apart after the first use secondly I had ask myself how often does my rig really get stuck? Nearly never. Also I live in California so I'm not sure where you assumed I am Australian lol. Basically it's just your opinion but do you have any first hand experience with the "cheap knock off"? As far as I can tell you could be one of those people that thinks because they spent 300$ on some plastic planks that makes them special. I've used mine twice already on a trip where beach driving was required and they are showing no signs of falling apart or being "cheap". the only thing cheap so far is the price tag.
@@Raevenswood no, but it only takes one break for you to need to pay someone far more than $300 for a recovery
fun little, helpful tip. if you tie a long cord to them, and tie that cord to your rear bumper, you can drag them behind you after you get out to safety, without having to go all the way back, or risk getting stuck again by stopping to recover them. good video though"
Hey dumbass what if it catches on something?
@@Karan-vp7uk ... it snaps the cord?
I mean, you just use like, bailing twine. the stuff that can hold like 10-20 pounds, it don't have to be strong, its only pulling the weight of the tracks. if it gets hung up on something somehow (if you don't know how to run line safely, offroading aint for you) it just snaps and you have to go back and get them, like you would have otherwise..bailing twine aint going to break anything on your rig, and if it does...well, you should have replaced that part sooner!
This is an awesome tip!
Does it work if you're using them over and over, because you didn't get out the first time?
Thanks for the comparison test! No doubt MaxTrax are King, especially for stacking & handle comfort but in the U.S. you can get the X-Bulls for as little as $64 which makes it tough to spend nearly 5x as much for almost the same thing. Even if they degrade over time faster you can replace them 4 times over for the same cost.
Too bad they're no longer $64...
He’s been stuck on that beach for 6 years somebody send him some gd help
I just can't believe the sun faded the paint from black to blue in 6 years 🤯
Not sure he needs help, he looks pretty happy !
@@SeekAdventure broooooo🤣🤣🤣🤣
Hahahahahaha
Any traction aid is better than no traction aid is what i've learnt here
And for $76 for decent capability vs $300 for sightly bet capability...
Carpet strips..
@@asifahmed6243
Quit your lying. Those are the xBulls, not the Maxtrax. Xbulls can be had for almost half that price on Ebay
www.ebay.com/itm/X-BULL-Sand-Tracks-Recovery-Tracks-Traction-Off-Road-Snow-Tire-Ladder-4WD-Orange/333163334872?hash=item4d92150cd8:g:hh0AAOSwjNxc7hbW
Oh my god you brought back some memories 😂 I bought an old Pontiac 6000 for 200 bucks. Got it running and we went out to the field with it to see what t could take. It’s in need of suspension components now but still drives true lol. Very very bouncy now though. But anywho. It had been raining for like a week straight and we were 4 wheeling in a Pontiac 6000 😂 floor mats came in handy but were ruined.
You're a hero I tell you
No nonsense, no BS, just great comparison . These are the reviews people want. Keep up the great work Michael.
Another great test video. Breaking your stuff so others dont have to :)
@@SeekAdventure Haha.. you just cant, if you get bogged you have to make a maxtrax out of the closest bit of wood, or bark, or anything you can find. Maybe your sleeping bag if you have to :) or tip it on its side and use a ratchet strap as a winch..
I have Max Trax, havent used them a lot, but they stand up to it, but they should for the price, like you mentioned.
Looking forward to the next thing you decide to destroy in the name of science and entertainment :)
I used these cheap eBay ones (2 sets) in Montana last year in November on an elk hunt. So for the snow and ice they worked great with a Chevy crewcab 2500HD. #1 Backing down a steep hill I got spun out on a trail sideways and they got me straightened up to continue backing down. #2 few days later started sliding on ice on a trail, almost slide off the mountain side, but I laid them out to drive up on with the front tires (10" from edge) while putting chains on back tires, then put front chains on while on tracks and drove off. Tracks were flawless and had no damage from the chains. #3 I also run a lawn service and in spring it's wet, so they've retrieved a few mowers as well. Perfect and easy on the wallet, but as for the stacking they are bulky if you stack 4 together.
So glad to see a video comparison on these. I'd say they held u incredibly well considering the manufacturer states they're not designed for bridging. I'd be curious to see how they'd do if you stacked two of the 10T before bridging.
Small tip here => Put a referral link to the ebay recovery tracks ( that way we can buy them from your link at the same price and also help you out a bit :)
Nice testing and the effort u put into it is very well appreciated
Great review, I got stuck in sand a few days ago but I only very lightly go off-road. I’ll never need for bridging just when stuck in sand or mud. Just the cheap ones for me.
$210 from super cheap then go to anaconda and get them to price beat by 10%
Paid $188 for new max trax the other day
How did you go about doing that? I would love to do the same. Actual “maxtrax” for $188! I have to do it
@Paul Tanner currently Supercheap is $248 Anaconda is $249 club price
just get the ceap ones heaps better i go through max trax like shoes and only pay 50 bucks every time i bend a pair around a rock or chew em up on the hard dirt
I like your style, fun video! I bought those Xbull tracks last year. The first use was in snow and the front couple inches cracked off. Since then, they have held up ok. They do take up a lot of space though and I’ll be buying Maxtracks because they stack much better. It’s good to know that your Maxtracks have held up so well over several years, which certainly helps justify the cost.
So if you off road a lot in remote unforgiving places you prob want the max's. But if you're everyone else and only need them in an emergency, get the cheap ones.
i have had a set of x bulls for about 5 years and have recovered my Ute countless times as well as tractors, large trucks and lots of other peoples cars and 4x4s i have worn a few teeth off on a couple. the only mistake i made was that i bought pale sand colored ones which are very hard to find when they get buried.
Someone made the simple suggestion on this video to tie them off to your bumper. I'd say paracord would work to drag behind until fully out, simple hitch knot for reuse. I'll have a set for the next winter in Colorado for sure!
Great review, really liked all the fellas having a chat and taking the piss at the end.
I'm happy for the unbiased review
I had a pair of maxxies and they got pitched. So bought the X Bull, thought might as well, cheap and quick delivery. I reckon they have served me out of situations upwards of 50 times and still good! Thanks for the video man, subbed
After digging it out that far, you could drive it out on a gum wrapper.
😂😂😂
BF3GOONZ but you gotta have recovery tracks to dig it out that far in the first place 😂😂
They could just get an E-Tool (folding shovel) right? That's a lot of digging to do with a plastic track.
@@aleksandrterletskiy2443 or you know, a shovel
E tool $20.00 bucks
What I am seeing dollar for dollar, unless your using track boards often heavily - the xbulls are a great option for the weekend warrior.
Good on you mate. That was a fair comparison. The only other thing id add is that the x-bull will fade pretty quickly if left in the sun. But I wouldn't be leaving anything on the car (without padlocks) nowadays anyway.
First time seeing your channel. Your videos are pretty informative and you joke around whilst making the vid it makes it more enjoyable to watch.
The fun you and your friends are having on this video is just refreshing! Thanks for sharing!
been waiting for something like this for a while, Great video. Cheers from the USA! Finally gonna get some knock offs to save my butt someday!
Mate nice review. I recently purchased the x-bulls my self with no reviews to go off. After seeing this video I now feel a bit more confident in my purchase. However, I believe the max trax will last longer but you could also buy 4 sets of the x-bulls for the same money. If they get you out of a situation just once either is worth every cent. Well done
It took me 7.5 minutes to realize this wasn't Ronny Dahl. I have the X bull treads and they work great. I was stuck once down to both axles in sand. I was only stuck for a few minutes with these.
I bought some x-bulls in 2017 before a lap around Australia and they were awesome - got me out of some sticky situations on remote beaches in WA. They still look brand new. You'd be a mug to spend $300 on maxxtrax when options like this are available!
I've never heard of these things or this channel. UA-cam recommends things and I watch them. Thanks for the video, dude! I now have knowledge that I will never use lol. I seriously did like the video (: edit: This truck is AMAZING. I love it
thank you so much for this video. I have been doing research for a future endeavor of nomad camping in a van. as a born and raised hoosier (indiana usa) my biggest fear has been driving in sand and getting stuck. I think these cheaper boards would be perfect along with normal camper's jack blocks. I know this does not help your sponsor, but you certainly helped me and got yourself another subscriber. thank you very much
I have ebay knockoffs, had them for years. Used them heaps and never let me down. Maxtraxx are overpriced.
Maxtraxx aren't made in China, so I'm reluctant to call them "overpriced"
@@taylorhickman84 You're down lots of $ huh? lolololololol
@@usbombs you're down lot of braincells huh?
@@taylorhickman84 imagine spending money on Maxx traxx and arguing.
What an incredible test, phew! I felt sorry for those trax! Great demo, varied uses and terrain and done with good Aussie humor, ha ha! Most enjoyable.
If I could find Maxtrax for $210 I'd definitely pick up a couple of sets, but they go for $399 in Canada before taxes and shipping... a set of black X-bull tracks was 110$ all in. Wasn't sure how they would hold up but after watching this I'm pretty confident they'll more than do until the price comes down or I can find a sale on the real thing.
Another Canuck. From where did you buy the X-bull if I may ask ?
Contacted a local seller from BC who had some on ebay to meet him and avoid paying shipping.
May be a bit light for 4X4s but will work great for Side by Sides and ATVs. Great test and product review. Great value recognizing the lighter duty.
got a pair of X-Bulls - they are pretty good
I didn't expect them to show any positive results on the china ones .... Most channels are bias toward the name brand due to active or hopeful sponsorship from name brand models ..... Good honest job ...
You're a bloody legend, Subbed! I am in for some extreme 4wd setup in the near future and you sir are showing me what to get.
Also i am in love with the other dudes GQ Patrol, what a beast.
Came across this video while looking at some X Bull recovery boards. This review was really helpful in deciding to give them a shot and pick up a pair - which they now are in their 3rd gen model option, so hopefully they are even better than the 2nd gen you tried out.
great video thanks for making it.. Great positive vibe in your videos keep it up!
I have a pair of cheap Aldi ones that have saved the day a handful of times in my 2wd Transporter, that I use to get my dirtbike to off-road places. (I also carry a hand winch that has saved the day a couple of times as well).
The Aldi ones have a few cracks and these x-bull ones would be a perfect replacement for my little use.
I didn't know Australia had the internet!
Sgt G they aren’t a real place
We got internet last week. It’s been great so far.
we got dial-up bro
Nope, it's called "EEEEANtanet"
Lmao
I'll be buying a pair of Maxtrax after this. well sold my friend. good test and very fun to watch.
Here I am sitting in America wishing I could buy a truck like that..
Ford Ranger is basically the same as the Mazada B series truck shown here. Dirt cheap and you could easily set it up like his.
@@kwakman99 Except.... it's not. The "Ranger" we're getting will be nothing like the BT-50. I'm more interested in the powertrain.. the BT-50 is either a 4 or 6 cylinder diesel. All we're getting is a small 4 cylinder turbo gas engine. Yes, the 4 cylinder turbo gas engine will make a decent amount of power, but it doesn't have diesel torque.
sittin in Straya we wish we didnt have to pay 6 bucks a gallon for fuel ;)
Canada gets a 4 door diesel ranger. Sure we get huge one ton full sizers, that can't get anywhere or do anything but look cool.
Jensen Nusbaum um no we don’t
I got two sets of xbulls for 50 dollars each awhile back. I was going to pay 3 times as much for 1 set of maxtrax i figured this way if an xbull breaks i have a backup and still saved hundreds! I feel a lot better about them after this video too.
Great video, I like your style!
Here in the NW of Oregon we get it all from dunes, mud, rock, mountain and my favorite snow!! Love Oregon!
I live in Florida. We aren't even able to drive on our beaches.
Why am I watching this?
More importantly, why am I enjoying this?
Most importantly, I think I want to take this man on a date, and I have a wife!
I want to move to Australia. Too bad I can't get there from Florida.
I was literally driving on a beach in FLA a couple weeks ago, in St. Augustine. There beaches in Florida that allow vehicles to drive and park on them.
@@TheMuddman74 Around my area they only allow it once a year as part of a Jeep event. Not sure if a Toyota would be too welcome at the event.
@@SJsAdv haha yeah the would probably grief the Toyota guy if he showed up at a Jeep event. Yeah the beaches are different in different areas and some areas just really don't accommodate vehicles well or are just to small or steep but St. Augustine for instance has about 150'-200' of nearly flat beach before you even get to the wet sand. All I know is the people out there need these bad, someone gets stuck about every hour.......come to think of it, I could probably start renting these tracks out for $20 an hour to stuck people because the police/lifeguards don't pull you out anymore. Most people had to call a tow service.
All depends on how often you plan on getting stuck. I have a pair of the same rip off ones, for about two years. I have only used them once bogged down on a sand track at Moreton Island when fully loaded up. Bit of digging and got them under the front wheels and popped out forwards with no dramas. No damage to the tracks, only problem was it took more digging in the hot sand to find them again than it took digging the car out. I would recommend a rope or a strap to find them again. I would definately not spend $300 on a piece of plastic you might only use once a year.
I have a set of tracks just like those offbrand ones you were using I can tell you one thing about those I have tried them in the snow and they crack a lot easier when they are cold
thanks! its the cheap ones for me, i wont ever use them except for mild snow and mild mud hang ups, i wont ever abuse them like you did so the cheap ones should really last me well, if its anything worse i have a winch and winch anchor to get me unstuck, love the videos keep up the good work
$80 and $300 for $5 worth of plastic 🤣
Great design but still way over priced for what it actually is. It’s a fancy piece of wood
My thoughts exactly. Yes, there are other costs involved, but they are cheap plastic popped straight out of an injection molder. "way over priced" is an understatement.
@@aaronsbarker i mean, you guys are more than welcome to make your own
Nylon isn't cheap, it's pretty expensive actully.
MrPaukann not when you’re buying industrial pallets of it at a time.
@@mrmidnight32, ABS will be multipe times cheaper and will probably require cheaper equipment.
Don't go 4wd very often the cheaper ones look good for me. Also good to see you and your mates having a good time at the beach with a beer.
300 vs 76...
Sir, just about all your videos make me giggle - which is exactly why I watch! The often-cited vernacular phrase only helps even more lol
Good value....The thing is you are not going to bend them like that very much.
Cheers for the comparo mate I have a set of both (I do remote prospecting/ fishing and hunting for a living). These are an an improvement on natures max trax aka sticks and logs and have saved me many times. The comments re- justifying their worth amuse me as you'll never appreciate something so simple until it saves your vehicle from an incoming tide or an extended stint away from a water supply. For me the Max Trax are the better product but value for money they are on par, however space is a consideration (I live out of a 97' hilux duel cab) and little things like stackability count.
for when you're in a gnarly situation, tie 30ft of nylon rope with one on each end then toss slip the rope over the ball of your truck and you can drag them behind you until you're comfortable stopping
Freaking awesome tip dude
@@ryanjacobsen9557 Tow balls aren't meant for axial load like what this mentions. Just use a tow pin in the receiver and you don't risk the potential of a cannonball snapping off the back of a truck and flying into something or someone.
I've been using carpet strips going back to the late 70s, when you could actually drive on the beach in Southern California.
Enjoy your freedom boys. Driving on the beach enjoying a cold Corona!
Just proves that wankers get blinded by brand names. 3-4 sets of eBay tracks would give VASTLY improved capability.
@Tony Stott Problem is to store 3 or 4 sets of the cheapies would rob valuable cargo or roof space, plus it's not really blinded by brand names he admitted the Maxtrax have been flogged for years, the cheapies flogged for a few days already fatiguing, 1 set of Maxtrax will outlast 3 sets of the cheapies
@@-PORK-CHOP- , but the cheap ones may be good enough if you only go off road a few times a year or in winter months in the states. They are a good option. Now if you overland several times a year, I would go with the better quality ones.
@@hogwild9408 Maybe not so much winter. ABS will definitely become more fragile as the temperature drops, so you definitely run the risk of having them snap, if not shatter, depending on how cold it is. But yeah, I know a few people who have Maxtrax and don't even use them like that. Sure, good you have them just in case, but they'd definitely be better off with the cheaper alternative.
Both brands were definitely put through their paces. Thanks for the great vid.
$300 for plastic. Christ no go the cheap
Just gotta appreciate his time and effort.
Great Info, that was the point of the video, Thanks's Michael
@Michael Sanders... You could have purchased three (3) sets with the price of your one (1) Maxtrax and have an 18 wheeler go over them on that major hump. You would also have three times the length of usage. I would go with the eBay set hands down... better deal without a doubt.
I have owned affordable knock offs for 6 years and used 4-5 times and work just fine!!!
Drinking game: drink every time you hear MaxTracks ;)
Thanks for the the product demo. A recovery at the beach down in Texas will cost $300 or more from a tow company. A set of X-Bulls will get you home with beer money in your pocket. They seem to be a good option for weekend warriors or those who are only able to get out a few times per year.
Excellent, perfectly timed as I am just about to get a set. X Bull looks good enough for what we want.
Mate I’ve had the x bull one for a few years now and not had a problem with them use them heaps of time I lost one in a big hole and just left it in there after about 2 mins of looking for it just ordered a new pair on the way home would be a different story if it was a max track
Great 'real world' review boys. I own a set of x-bulls and it has gotten my little T30 X-Trail out of trouble many times. Granted, I only occasionally hit the really soft stuff and my rig only weights
Just brought x-bulls. Cheers mate.
I just wish we could have more cool off road vehicles in America with diesel. Oh, and.. who else just want's to hang out with these guys! LOL. Great video.. thanks.
Man keep up the videos just found you and enjoy watching your content
Thats actually the video I was looking for at the moment. Thanks a lot
300$..thats just insane
Been 4x4ing for 30+ years in the USA & honestly NEVER seen anyone with them... When I sink all 4 in the sand, it's usually in camp while towing the trailer slowly.. I lift out with a hi lift, push er off to the side (air down proper) & drive away.... I've only dug a hole to help change a tire when I couldn't get it up enough...
I truly want to visit Australia with my 4x4s etc.. and have some good fun with some great people.. Probably a great place to have fun shooting real big rifles also...
When you try to talk shit about a knock off and the knock off ends up being better😂
Hi mate,
I just wanted to tell you how awesome your content is.
I’ve been producing my own 4x4 UA-cam channel for a few months now and I know how much work goes in behind the scenes.
Your content is bloody brilliant and I love watching it.
Keep up the great work and safe travels.
Thanks for you guys saved $223 for me!
You guys look like your having fun. Very informative.
Not too bad for 60 ish dollars , ok for a budget option
@@SeekAdventure Depending on the situation you only need to use them once for them to have paid for themselves.
It's nice to see people having fun doing reviews.
I think it comes down to how often these will get used. If you're a full time overlander maybe get the Maxtrax, but someone like me may only need them a few times a year, the X-Bulls will serve me just fine. Only other test I could think of would be a UV test, will the cheapo get brittle strapped to your roof for a year?
UV test would be a good one to do- might take some time but def would like to see that done
In reality who the fuck keeps it strapped to the roof in the sun for a full year??? Unless you drive a tampon triton or nutless navara
@@Steve211Ucdhihifvshi Anyone who keeps them locked to their roof...LOL
They come in a bag.
@@Steve211Ucdhihifvshi I see maxtrax mounted outside the vehicle on the majority of overland builds. Yeah it would probably be better to remove them whenever you know you won't be using them that day but its also nice to not have to. Throw 'em on the rack and forget about them till you need to use them. We have snow on the ground 7 months out of the year so I wouldn't mind having these on my rig.
I have had success with the Trac Grabber, a high tech version of the 2x4 ratchet strapped to the wheel. I live high in the mountains with mud, snow, you name it. Reasonable cost and it has got me out every time.
The price is in the pudding 👌
A thoroughly entertaining video. Well done.
I honed my off road 4wd skills in the army in East Timor. We had 2 aluminium plates on the roof of our LandRovers. It's called PAP (perforated aluminium plate). It's the sheeting that they used to interlock to make emergency runways in freshly cleared jungle in Pacific Island during WW2. They were strong, large (about 2 metres long) and got us out of a few muddy spots I can tell you! At the time there wasn't a MaxTrax type of product on the market and certainly nothing in green.
I thought you always attached recovery tracks to your vehicle with rope so that if you had to keep going you didn't have to walk for ages to recover them
Just don't let the rope get tangled up in your wheel or drive shaft or something, that could be bad. But, that is a good idea.
If I were to do that just thinking about it. Maybe tie the one for the front tire to the one on the back tire (This will also keep the back one from being thrown out while there's still weight on the front one if your tire spins) and then tie the one to the one by the back tire to the rear of the vehicle some where. That way, when you keep going both tracks are tied to the rear bumper and you don't have to worry about ropes and stuff getting caught up underneath the vehicle.
We have two sets of X Bulls and found them very good, we use ours on a 5 1/2 tonne 4WD Oka truck and have not broken them. Great value for money