For a hundred bucks, if they get you out even once it's worth it. If one spends a lot of time off-road, or does it for a living, I can see investing in the more expensive ones, but for the casual person I think these are good for a few time uses. I have an inexpensive set from a different maker, I've used them once in 2 years, and it was to help someone else recover their vehicle in mud. They were actually effective and did not take damage.
Good advice given here. The drive up and out was pretty violent. That can account for the damage done to the boards used here. Nonetheless, at least it worked. Could be good for a few times until they are too far gone. There are a LOT of choices out there. And if you have no clue what to buy, the quality brand that is often pointed too as worth every penny are "MAXTRAX". I personally in the decades of Off roading and recoveries have NEVER owned a set of anything. I have had some home made that worked just fine. Cheap and usable. But then, they were not mine either. Used those once. Shovels, and surrounding debris often are more than sufficient in a pinch. That bottle jack is what comes with the Broncos? That is what I have for my 4R and I am not happy with that either. In fact, for a base plate, I have a home made version I carry with me. Along with additional pieces to get extra height. Not all terrain is going to accommodate a tire change. (sinking the jack too low) Which means you can either dig down under the tire or lift the vehicle up higher. I have done both before. Recoveries alone require creative thinking sometimes.
the maxtrax are 3x the cost. can they go more than 3 uses without cracking? I personally have maxtrax, but have only used them once- and I wouldn't even consider that one time a real use since it was so gentle. I figured if im at a place I need traction board, I must be pretty stuck and paying the premium was worth it to me knowing I had the "best". if it fails, then I know there isn't much more it could have done.
In the UK, back in the 90's and early 2000's we used fibreglass flooring that was for oil rigs. You could get it in big sheets and just use a angle grinder to cut it to the size you want. Always worked well, lasted years with competition use and would support the weight of the vehicle if using it to cross a ditch etc.
It did its job, but it would be interesting to see how a more premium board would’ve performed. We think these boards might be too rigid, and if they were more flexible, they might not have cracked. Some people have pointed out the speed of the exit, and while that wasn’t the intention (we know better), there was a decent-sized rock in the ditch where the cracked board was pulled from, which could’ve played a role. Tire speed and that rock might’ve just been a bad combination. We’re still planning to check out more Nilight products!
Agreed-something is always better than nothing, especially for those who aren’t ready to spend a lot on something they might only use occasionally. These boards got the job done, and they’re like any budget tool: they’ll work, but durability will vary depending on how they’re used.
For $78 even if you destroyed them first time out. It still saved u from hundreds in calling for help. They are cheap enough to just buy another set. Considering how often you may or may not need them. I have the expensive maxtrax…. And have yet to even use them once. Most of the time I could have used them, I instead chose to winch out. (I have a winch) Or had someone close by to pull me out.
I do carry cheep traction boards and they can be useful But they only work if installed precisely and even then only when the vehicle is lightly stuck. I kind of agree with Matt of Matt's Off-Road recovery -- "If traction boards got you out, you weren't really stuck." I feel like you over-sold the abilities of traction boards. Specifically, when you demonstrated with the jack you were on fairly hard ground, try that on a soft surface (sand, snow, mud), and the traction board will flex, and sink significantly. The ones you have might even break as they seem a bit brittle. In my experience, a wood board makes a better jack base than a traction board. Something like a 2 foot long piece of 2X10 works in most conditions. Then, in the recovery test, you didn't have the traction board tucked under the tire at all. It is usually the first inch of moment that is the hardest. If the vehicle moves the first inch, it is likely to get out.The way you placed the traction board, the vehicle had to move before the tire was on the board. I don't think the traction boards made a significant difference in your test. It looks to me like your Bronco would have gotten out just as easily without the traction boards. In my experience, you need to dig a ramp in front of or behind the tire so that you can jam the end of the traction board under the tire. In fact, jacking the vehicle up so you can slide the board fully under the tire may be necessary.
I found a pair for $100 🇨🇦 at Princess Auto, other than being orange, on top they look very close to the same as those, but have more like chisel points simaler to maxtrax. However, underneath they have alot of cross ❌ webs cadt into them, heavier, like 7lbs per pair. Same jack placement rectangle, advertised as capable of supporting 22,000lbs, on decent ground, not really soft stuff. If i remember, the brand was northern ridge. Sure they don't stack compact like maxtrax, but for the number of times i might need them, those are overpriced.
True...people need to know the basics of how to USE boards (regardless of brand, cost or quality) -- most people don't. Even some reviewers don't, but she did pretty well here considering -- have seen way worse use of them by off-roaders who clearly had NO clue. The rule is "go slow" to get on the boards and once there -- as you said -- go as slow as you can and don't spin the tires. And get the angle right: As level as you can so the board is fully supported. Also, if it's really cold weather, make sure your boards are rated for those low temps, or they'll likely break/crack due to becoming brittle. My ARB Tread-Pro boards (purchased for $300 several years back) are rated down to 5F...not bad but not the best for Colorado Winter temps that can be below zero. In the Summers though, temps wouldn't matter. "Jeep Wave" -- BR
For context, this is my first manual off road vehicle, and I was wearing a medical boot in the video after injuring my foot, which made modulating the throttle and clutch tricky. What you saw was my final attempt-we cut earlier tries where I was going too slow and couldn’t get unstuck to keep the video moving. I also learned at Bronco Off-Roadeo to go slow on traction boards, which might’ve been worth mentioning. While speed may have contributed to the crack, I think the boards rigidity compared to premium options (which flex more) played a role too. Thanks for watching!
@@AutoJourney You did fine...and better than most people. 🙂 And although you did spin a little when ON the boards, you let off the gas when that happened, so you did seem AWARE of that issue.When I use my board to rescue someone I need to instruct them NOT to spin the tires...just go slow once on the boards.You'll have plenty of traction on the better-quality boards, so slow is fine (and no damage to board OR tires that way as well). And you were using cheap boards (as mentioned in the title) so they're less forgiving of "operator errors" (misuse) more expensive boards could probably survive. In my case I have a Jeep Gladiator (Rubicon)...but ALL serious off-road-focused/4x4 vehicles should be carrying "self-recovery" devices -- traction/recovery boards are one of them. It's especially important if you're off-road alone (not the best idea though) and don't have another vehicle to recover you. I only have 2 recovery boards (no winch) but the trails I do aren't rated difficult so needing a winch isn't likely. But I also carry 2 serious (heavy loads) straps: One for towing (no stretch) and one for recovery (does stretch). I MAY get a winch in the future though but it'd be mainly to rescue others, not so much to rescue myself -- like getting people unstuck from snow or out of a ditch...even in the city in Colorado winters PLENTY of people get into trouble, especially during the first snows of the season. "Jeep Wave" ...even though you don't have a Jeep. "It's a Jeep thing." ;-) -- BR
24 дні тому
lol just look at all those free rocks that can be used
For a hundred bucks, if they get you out even once it's worth it. If one spends a lot of time off-road, or does it for a living, I can see investing in the more expensive ones, but for the casual person I think these are good for a few time uses. I have an inexpensive set from a different maker, I've used them once in 2 years, and it was to help someone else recover their vehicle in mud. They were actually effective and did not take damage.
100%
Good advice given here. The drive up and out was pretty violent. That can account for the damage done to the boards used here. Nonetheless, at least it worked. Could be good for a few times until they are too far gone. There are a LOT of choices out there. And if you have no clue what to buy, the quality brand that is often pointed too as worth every penny are "MAXTRAX". I personally in the decades of Off roading and recoveries have NEVER owned a set of anything. I have had some home made that worked just fine. Cheap and usable. But then, they were not mine either. Used those once. Shovels, and surrounding debris often are more than sufficient in a pinch. That bottle jack is what comes with the Broncos? That is what I have for my 4R and I am not happy with that either. In fact, for a base plate, I have a home made version I carry with me. Along with additional pieces to get extra height. Not all terrain is going to accommodate a tire change. (sinking the jack too low) Which means you can either dig down under the tire or lift the vehicle up higher. I have done both before. Recoveries alone require creative thinking sometimes.
the maxtrax are 3x the cost. can they go more than 3 uses without cracking? I personally have maxtrax, but have only used them once- and I wouldn't even consider that one time a real use since it was so gentle. I figured if im at a place I need traction board, I must be pretty stuck and paying the premium was worth it to me knowing I had the "best". if it fails, then I know there isn't much more it could have done.
In the UK, back in the 90's and early 2000's we used fibreglass flooring that was for oil rigs. You could get it in big sheets and just use a angle grinder to cut it to the size you want. Always worked well, lasted years with competition use and would support the weight of the vehicle if using it to cross a ditch etc.
Okay, that's a lie.
@lankey6969 nope, still got a set. I have been doing 4x4 stuff for the the last 30 years or so. 🙄
I love Nilight products. I have purchased and used things from light mounts, to lights, etc. This is the first product I have seen that I question.
It did its job, but it would be interesting to see how a more premium board would’ve performed. We think these boards might be too rigid, and if they were more flexible, they might not have cracked. Some people have pointed out the speed of the exit, and while that wasn’t the intention (we know better), there was a decent-sized rock in the ditch where the cracked board was pulled from, which could’ve played a role. Tire speed and that rock might’ve just been a bad combination. We’re still planning to check out more Nilight products!
The instructor at the Tennessee office roadeo warned us against buying the cheap boards off Amazon lol. Glad you made this video
Something is better than nothing....
Agreed-something is always better than nothing, especially for those who aren’t ready to spend a lot on something they might only use occasionally. These boards got the job done, and they’re like any budget tool: they’ll work, but durability will vary depending on how they’re used.
Could you please make a video on Bronco wind noise reduction if there are any alternate options available off market ?
For $78 even if you destroyed them first time out. It still saved u from hundreds in calling for help. They are cheap enough to just buy another set. Considering how often you may or may not need them. I have the expensive maxtrax…. And have yet to even use them once. Most of the time I could have used them, I instead chose to winch out. (I have a winch) Or had someone close by to pull me out.
I would love a bronco but damn they’re expensive 😂
I do carry cheep traction boards and they can be useful But they only work if installed precisely and even then only when the vehicle is lightly stuck. I kind of agree with Matt of Matt's Off-Road recovery -- "If traction boards got you out, you weren't really stuck." I feel like you over-sold the abilities of traction boards.
Specifically, when you demonstrated with the jack you were on fairly hard ground, try that on a soft surface (sand, snow, mud), and the traction board will flex, and sink significantly. The ones you have might even break as they seem a bit brittle. In my experience, a wood board makes a better jack base than a traction board. Something like a 2 foot long piece of 2X10 works in most conditions.
Then, in the recovery test, you didn't have the traction board tucked under the tire at all. It is usually the first inch of moment that is the hardest. If the vehicle moves the first inch, it is likely to get out.The way you placed the traction board, the vehicle had to move before the tire was on the board. I don't think the traction boards made a significant difference in your test. It looks to me like your Bronco would have gotten out just as easily without the traction boards. In my experience, you need to dig a ramp in front of or behind the tire so that you can jam the end of the traction board under the tire. In fact, jacking the vehicle up so you can slide the board fully under the tire may be necessary.
I found a pair for $100 🇨🇦 at Princess Auto, other than being orange, on top they look very close to the same as those, but have more like chisel points simaler to maxtrax. However, underneath they have alot of cross ❌ webs cadt into them, heavier, like 7lbs per pair. Same jack placement rectangle, advertised as capable of supporting 22,000lbs, on decent ground, not really soft stuff. If i remember, the brand was northern ridge. Sure they don't stack compact like maxtrax, but for the number of times i might need them, those are overpriced.
Spinning tires on the traction boards is a no no
True...people need to know the basics of how to USE boards (regardless of brand, cost or quality) -- most people don't. Even some reviewers don't, but she did pretty well here considering -- have seen way worse use of them by off-roaders who clearly had NO clue.
The rule is "go slow" to get on the boards and once there -- as you said -- go as slow as you can and don't spin the tires. And get the angle right: As level as you can so the board is fully supported. Also, if it's really cold weather, make sure your boards are rated for those low temps, or they'll likely break/crack due to becoming brittle. My ARB Tread-Pro boards (purchased for $300 several years back) are rated down to 5F...not bad but not the best for Colorado Winter temps that can be below zero. In the Summers though, temps wouldn't matter.
"Jeep Wave"
-- BR
For context, this is my first manual off road vehicle, and I was wearing a medical boot in the video after injuring my foot, which made modulating the throttle and clutch tricky. What you saw was my final attempt-we cut earlier tries where I was going too slow and couldn’t get unstuck to keep the video moving. I also learned at Bronco Off-Roadeo to go slow on traction boards, which might’ve been worth mentioning. While speed may have contributed to the crack, I think the boards rigidity compared to premium options (which flex more) played a role too. Thanks for watching!
@@AutoJourney You did fine...and better than most people. 🙂
And although you did spin a little when ON the boards, you let off the gas when that happened, so you did seem AWARE of that issue.When I use my board to rescue someone I need to instruct them NOT to spin the tires...just go slow once on the boards.You'll have plenty of traction on the better-quality boards, so slow is fine (and no damage to board OR tires that way as well).
And you were using cheap boards (as mentioned in the title) so they're less forgiving of "operator errors" (misuse) more expensive boards could probably survive.
In my case I have a Jeep Gladiator (Rubicon)...but ALL serious off-road-focused/4x4 vehicles should be carrying "self-recovery" devices -- traction/recovery boards are one of them. It's especially important if you're off-road alone (not the best idea though) and don't have another vehicle to recover you.
I only have 2 recovery boards (no winch) but the trails I do aren't rated difficult so needing a winch isn't likely. But I also carry 2 serious (heavy loads) straps: One for towing (no stretch) and one for recovery (does stretch).
I MAY get a winch in the future though but it'd be mainly to rescue others, not so much to rescue myself -- like getting people unstuck from snow or out of a ditch...even in the city in Colorado winters PLENTY of people get into trouble, especially during the first snows of the season.
"Jeep Wave" ...even though you don't have a Jeep.
"It's a Jeep thing." ;-)
-- BR
lol just look at all those free rocks that can be used