Traction Boards for Off-Road Recovery: MaxTrax, ARB & Alternatives

Traction boards provide a rigid, high-grip surface between your tire and the terrain beneath it. When a tire loses traction in sand, mud, or snow, it spins against a material that can't provide friction. Traction boards bridge that gap with an engineered surface featuring aggressive nub patterns that interlock with the tire tread while distributing vehicle weight across a larger surface area to prevent further sinking.

The concept is ancient: soldiers in World War II laid sandbags and planks under bogged vehicles. Modern traction boards refine this idea with lightweight, engineered nylon composites that flex without breaking, provide consistent grip geometry, and resist the crushing forces of a multi-ton vehicle driving over them repeatedly. A quality pair of traction boards weighs 8 to 15 pounds total and can support vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds.

The key advantage of traction boards over every other recovery method is speed and simplicity. There is no rigging, no anchor point, no second vehicle required. You place the boards in front of (or behind) the stuck tires, engage low range, and drive out. In sand or snow where the surface is otherwise firm beneath a loose top layer, recovery takes under two minutes.

MaxTrax is the original and remains the benchmark. Developed in Australia for sand recovery, MaxTrax boards use a reinforced nylon composite with a specific flex pattern that prevents the board from snapping under load. Their MKII model weighs 7.7 pounds per board and is rated to 18,700 pounds static load. The nub pattern is designed to channel sand and mud away from the tire contact patch. MaxTrax are the most expensive option at roughly $300 per pair, but their durability and engineering justify the cost for frequent off-road use.

ARB TRED Pro boards are the closest competitor, offering similar performance with a slightly different nub geometry. The TRED Pro includes built-in leash attachment points and a multi-functional shovel tooth edge that doubles as a basic digging tool. At around $250 per pair, they're a strong alternative. ARB's standard TRED (non-Pro) model comes in around $200 and performs well for lighter-duty use.

Budget alternatives from brands like X-Bull, BUNKER INDUST, and ActionTrax range from $50 to $120 per pair. These work for occasional use in sand and light mud, but the nylon compounds are typically less flexible and more prone to cracking in cold temperatures. The nub patterns are often less aggressive, providing less tire interlock. For a Jeep owner who hits the trail a few times a year, budget boards are adequate. For dedicated off-roaders in demanding conditions, MaxTrax or ARB TRED deliver meaningfully better performance.

Correct placement is everything. First, assess which tires have lost traction and in which direction you plan to recover: forward or reverse. Clear any debris, rocks, or branches from the path immediately ahead of the stuck tires. If the vehicle is deeply rutted, dig a gradual ramp with a shovel so the tires can climb out progressively rather than hitting a vertical wall of material.

Slide the leading edge of each board as far under the stuck tire as possible. The nubs should face up, contacting the tire tread. Push the board firmly against the tire so there's no gap that would allow the tire to spin before engaging the board surface. If you can't slide the board under the tire, place it directly in front of the tire with the leading edge touching the rubber.

Engage four-wheel drive low range and turn off traction control. Apply throttle gently and progressively. The goal is to creep onto the boards, not spin the tires. Once the tire engages the board, maintain steady, moderate throttle. The vehicle will drive across the board length (about 3.5 to 4 feet) and onto the terrain beyond. Don't stop on the boards. Once you have momentum, continue driving until you're on firm ground.

If one set of boards isn't enough to reach firm ground, you'll need to leapfrog: drive across the first set, stop, retrieve them, and place them ahead of the tires again. This is where having a set of four boards (front and rear) saves significant time.

Traction boards need to be accessible without unpacking your entire cargo area. The most popular mounting locations are the roof rack, the tailgate-mounted spare tire carrier, or a dedicated side-mount bracket on the rear bumper or bed rack. Roof rack mounting keeps them out of the way but adds wind resistance and noise at highway speeds. Spare tire carrier mounting is convenient but adds weight behind the rear axle.

Dedicated traction board mounts from brands like MaxTrax and Front Runner use quick-release pins for fast deployment. Generic mounts using ratchet straps or bungee cords work but are slower to deploy and can vibrate loose on rough trails. Whatever mounting solution you choose, ensure the boards are secured firmly enough to survive washboard roads and rock garden trails without rattling loose.