Trac Grabbers

[Oldbloke]

So lately I've been getting out a bit more in the old Triton. Generally very conservative in my driving but just looking for a little extra insurance. What do people think about these. Any real experience. Not interested in buying winches already have rope, shackles, snatch strap and gloves. Carry carpet in sandy areas.

Screenshot_20200725-110422_Chrome.jpg (350.64 KiB) Viewed 9577 times

At $80 a pair seem a cost effective addition

[RoginaJack]

Had a similar set on the Nissan and went all right but I was only on gravel, dirt or bush tracks - no bush bashing type of thing and price was great.

[GQshayne]

My thoughts are that they would have occasions where they were not as useful as a recovery track. A slippery uphill, or a hole, they would struggle I reckon, as they only provide traction at a small percentage of the wheel rotation. My vote is for one of the types of rigid recovery tracks available, as a preference.

[on_one_wheel]

I reckon they'd make driving in 4th interesting

I'd probably go for a set of Maxtrax, they've been tried and tested for years and everyone who's used them love them.

I'd imagine those things you've pictured would be awkward to put on once your stuck, especially if your up to your belly in mud.

[CAVEMAN]

Potential to do damage too, spin a wheel in a mud hole. Thats gonna make it pretty jerky between when it spins and when it finds purchase. Might snap a cv or axle.

Also if the do work, once your out if you get some suspension movement you might find they close the gap between wheel and guard and they might take one off.

Id suggest a set of tracks. Doesnt need to be Maxtrax (arguably they are the best) but for the casual user for some piece of mind there are more budget orientated devices out there. And they work on sand so no need for carpet anymore.

[Oldbloke]

Potential to do damage too, spin a wheel in a mud hole. Thats gonna make it pretty jerky between when it spins and when it finds purchase. Might snap a cv or axle.

Also if the do work, once your out if you get some suspension movement you might find they close the gap between wheel and guard and they might take one off.

Id suggest a set of tracks. Doesnt need to be Maxtrax (arguably they are the best) but for the casual user for some piece of mind there are more budget orientated devices out there. And they work on sand so no need for carpet anymore.

Mmmm, perhaps your right. I see Kings sell them, I think Aldi have in the past too.

[CAVEMAN]

They are the modern day version of the old aluminium plates. And they're versatile beyond just adding traction.

If i had to suggest recovery gear to anyone, first would be a compressor, repair kit and gauge. Not using your tyre's to they're full advantage is the biggest mistake i see.
Then probably tracks.

[JimTom]

Interesting bit of gear Oldbloke, can’t say I have ever seen them before. To be honest I’d probably lean towards Maxtrax or similar.

[Oldbloke]

What about 2 metre x 200mm lengths of aluminium plate?

Not perforated. Just plain alloy. Maybe ok for sand but got my doubts about mud.

The maxtracks are looking better.

[CAVEMAN]

What about 2 metre x 200mm lengths of aluminium plate?

If your taking the old perforated stuff, it still works. The old military pierced aluminum plate is the goods if you can find it.

[TassieTiger]

^ these. When your knee deep in mud, something simple and effective is key.

[GQshayne]

What about 2 metre x 200mm lengths of aluminium plate?

Would work well if they had a textured/dimpled etc surface, but would cost more than the recovery tracks.

[Die Judicii]

Hey Old Bloke,,,,
When I first looked at the pics you put up,,,,, my immediate thought was that they would only be equivalent to 1/360th degree of the
old fashioned tried and true "Snow Chains"

[wanneroo]

They look a bit gimmicky to me, kind of like those winch things you bolt to your axle.

[Oldbloke]

They seem to work in sand and mud

.https://youtu.be/pjOkIa7jXF0

[TassieTiger]

I think a few of them would install some extra confidence - like 8 lol

[YoungBuck]

Might be worth a shot as a last resort but not sure I'm convinced... The video is edited before it gets out of the sand...who knows what really happened.
Here is a still I have grabbed from the Youtube clip.... notice anything missing?

[Oldbloke]

Very good pickup there YB. I havnt bought any. Been up in the air. Looking like maxtraks type gear are a better option.
I wonder if Aldi sell em?

Keeping in mind just looking for a bit of insurance here.

I got these about a year ago. Alloy but too slippery I think.

Ally trax.jpg (211.58 KiB) Viewed 8962 times

[wanneroo]

Might be worth a shot as a last resort but not sure I'm convinced... The video is edited before it gets out of the sand...who knows what really happened.
Here is a still I have grabbed from the Youtube clip.... notice anything missing?

I can see some potential in some situations where they could work but the durability of those things I'd wonder about.

[perentie]

What?. Its pulled the tyre off the rim?

[animalpest]

I wouldn't waste my money, or even worse, rely on them when you become stuck! Max Traks are the way to go and as been suggested above, a compressor, tyre gauge and tyre plugs are essential. Oh, and a snatch strap with shackles.

[YoungBuck]

What?. Its pulled the tyre off the rim?

The black rubber 'Grabber' seems to have broken off. Its now just a fluro strap around the tire.

[Skinna]

I see what Perentie is saying, it looks like the tyre has popped off the rim. It looks like the wheel is spinning backwards so the impression of tyre off the rim could be a build up of sand.

For interests sake, this coming Saturday.
https://www.aldi.com.au/en/special-buys ... -tracks-4/

Got me thinking about getting some too. I dont own any recovery gear & have been lucky so far--mind you my biggest threat is wombat burrows in sandy mallee country, & aint no recovery track getting my bus out of one of those i tell ya lol.
Ive come mighty close on a few occasions-bloody things!
If that happens the first thing ill do is walk to a place with service & call the farmer to bring his loader, then head back to the car & start digging--hoping the day never comes, & dreading if it does lol

[Oldbloke]

I think I'll lash out and get the Aldi ones. Shopping around $200 is about as cheap as u get them. So $129 is pretty cheap. Knowing Aldi will come in a bag too.. Normally extra.

[Oldbloke]

Sooo, found these. Bloody cheap but a tad shorter than most. I figured I would give them a crack at $57 a pair.
Aldi were very tempting but given the price difference I figure these only need to get me out of trouble a couple of times and I will be happy. But easier to store being about 6" shorter.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2pc-NEW-10T ... 0841833425

These look the same and appear to do the job.

https://youtu.be/xkI2qPsa96I

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[Die Judicii]

I wouldn't waste my money, or even worse, rely on them when you become stuck! Max Traks are the way to go and as been suggested above, a compressor, tyre gauge and tyre plugs are essential. Oh, and a snatch strap with shackles.

Agreed,,,,,,,,, but a Snatch strap ain't worth zilch unless you've got another vehicle. Just sayin,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Cos I'm nearly always on my own out bush and have the dubious sole responsibility of getting oneself out of sticky situations.

[Die Judicii]

Sooo, found these. Bloody cheap but a tad shorter than most. I figured I would give them a crack at $57 a pair.
Aldi were very tempting but given the price difference I figure these only need to get me out of trouble a couple of times and I will be happy. But easier to store being about 6" shorter.

Beware OB,,,,,, of, you only get what you pay for.
Maybe,,,,,,,,, they won't even get you out once,,, let alone a couple of times.

But,,, then again,,, the new price of MaxTrax is bullsh!t really considering they are only plastic (that breaks) (Ive got some),,,,,,,,,,,
And the manufacturing cost is probably in cents rather than dollars.

[Oldbloke]

Sooo, found these. Bloody cheap but a tad shorter than most. I figured I would give them a crack at $57 a pair.
Aldi were very tempting but given the price difference I figure these only need to get me out of trouble a couple of times and I will be happy. But easier to store being about 6" shorter.

Beware OB,,,,,, of, you only get what you pay for.
Maybe,,,,,,,,, they won't even get you out once,,, let alone a couple of times.

But,,, then again,,, the new price of MaxTrax is bullsh!t really considering they are only plastic (that breaks) (Ive got some),,,,,,,,,,,
And the manufacturing cost is probably in cents rather than dollars.

Yes agree. I've taken a punt. Like you usually on my own. Will only carry them 2 or 3 times a year. But as I've said, very conservative so if I got bogged expect to get out without too much trouble. Or a long walk to the nearest farm or road. Lol Will see how they look in about a week. Might test them down the beach. Ha, ha

[Oldbloke]

On a side note I did wonder if you could use some short lengths of heavy chain like the track grabbers then bolt them in place or use shackles lol

[CAVEMAN]

Mud chains are a thing, just like snow chains. Military used to issue them allot but i think there effectiveness was marginal.

The grippier the tread the more they bite. The more they bite the more material you move and the track wears down or away more and more. Guys with big mud tyres are always ripping up tracks instead of just plodding through. And after a bit of use its gone from passable to a challenge.

An interesting one is undtitching beams for tracks, tried during WW1 to help tanks.