Traction boards - worth hauling or forget about it?

[azsndvl]

I have seen people running around with traction boards attached to their JTs. Are they worth adding or just a “cool” show gear to add Baywatch style? I have never needed one in my past years of wheeling.,. Never needed them in my old YJ.. Just like I have never needed a Hi-Lift jack unless doing home upgrades. Just curious of peoples experiences…. I have an EVO skeleton setup on the bed that I could attach it to. But wondering if it’s really worth hauling or just forget about it…. thanks.

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[A 2]

Matt from MORR says if you need traction boards you aren’t really stuck.

 

[aFatBird]

Those boards do have a place. Generally that place is in soft sand/snow to help get back on top of it or in stuff like mud. I say they are worth it if you deal with mud/snow/sand. If that isn't you, they are just an expensive decoration.

 

[ttn333]

Never needed them... until that one day when I had to use them to get myself out of some slushy trail, then my buddy and then some other guy, all on the same day. Haven't had to use them since. But I keep them in my truck.

 

[Ryan...]

I drive around with an empty bed 95% of the time anyway, so in the winter months I toss them in because why the hell not? Someday I might need them, but more likely I'll lend them to some stranger that thinks "all season" tires are adequate in 12" of snow.

 

[stuckindeep]

A couple years back my son gave me a set of recovery traction mats. They came in a nice little carrying case. I through them in the bed under the tonneau cover. We went to the beach I had to parking the lot and he had a drive on pass. He owns a F250 fully loaded with every option. When driving back to the lot Ironically, he got stuck in the soft sand. I went back to the jeep and retrieved the recovery traction mats. We put them under the rear wheels and out he came. Well at least they work on Fords.

 

[Zachanadandy]

I wish I'd had them in the JLUR out by lake mead this summer. Lost traction and sank in the mud with the front tire 2' from dry ground. Even with 100' winch line, 100' extension, 30' kinetic rope, and 20' strap I still couldn't reach anything to winch to. 3 hours of trying to jack, stack rocks, etc later and maybe 1' of forward progress. Fortunately there was service and the guys from southern Nevada off road recovery came out to help. I even tried beating the hilift handle into the ground and winching. The traction boards would have saved me 3 hours of brutal work and another 3 hours of waiting for help. We got back to Mandalay at 1am after getting stuck around 6pm. There are some scenarios where they are the best tool for the job.

 

[stuckindeep]

I wish I'd had them in the JLUR out by lake mead this summer. Lost traction and sank in the mud with the front tire 2' from dry ground. Even with 100' winch line, 100' extension, 30' kinetic rope, and 20' strap I still couldn't reach anything to winch to. 3 hours of trying to jack, stack rocks, etc later and maybe 1' of forward progress. Fortunately there was service and the guys from southern Nevada off road recovery came out to help. I even tried beating the hilift handle into the ground and winching. The traction boards would have saved me 3 hours of brutal work and another 3 hours of waiting for help. We got back to Mandalay at 1am after getting stuck around 6pm. There are some scenarios where they are the best tool for the job.

When I go off roading especially when I have not been in the area, I carry the following.

3-20' tow straps.
A set of the traction mats
Spare tire
A heavy-duty battery powered jump starter
Portable air compressor
A military shovel
A hatchet
A set of tools
3- 2" x4' solid aluminum round stock sharpened on one end
An 8-pound short handle mall

I used to have a winch but never used it much. If I get stuck in deep, I drive the aluminum round stock in the ground at a 45-degree angle. Then I hook the tow strap through the tire rim and around the face of the tire. I take the other end and weave in in figure eights in the round stock and make a clove hitch. Then I put the jeep in low and as the strap wraps around the tire it pulls out the jeep.

 

[Zachanadandy]

When I go off roading especially when I have not been in the area, I carry the following.

3-20' tow straps.
A set of the traction mats
Spare tire
A heavy-duty battery powered jump starter
Portable air compressor
A military shovel
A hatchet
A set of tools
3- 2" x4' solid aluminum round stock sharpened on one end
An 8-pound short handle mall

I used to have a winch but never used it much. If I get stuck in deep, I drive the aluminum round stock in the ground at a 45-degree angle. Then I hook the tow strap through the tire rim and around the face of the tire. I take the other end and weave in in figure eights in the round stock and make a clove hitch. Then I put the jeep in low and as the strap wraps around the tire it pulls out the jeep.

Winches are too convenient for me to not run 1. 90% of the places I've ever been stuck have plenty of trees. Snow wheeling is the time I most often use the winch and getting moving and back in the warm Jeep quick and easy is worth every penny. Just ordered a bumper and winch for the mojave for Christmas today.

 

[Steven_B]

I carry a set. I frequent the coast (sand) and the mountains (snow) and it’s usually a lot faster to help people get unstuck with a pair of boards than hooking the Jeep up to them. Plus sometimes I will use them as leveling blocks at camp.

 

[Gvsukids]

it’s usually a lot faster to help people get unstuck with a pair of boards than hooking the Jeep up to them. Plus sometimes I will use them as leveling blocks at camp.

Unless you're stuck in a mud puddle.

 

[Alan SOBX]

I drive on sand at the beach all the time and never deflate unless I am going to be on a remote barrier island away from a "friend". I have only gotten stuck once. Someone cut me off in deep sand (one of us had to slow down) in rain so my treads were packed with sand. Bogged down on the restart. Tossed these cheap traction boards under the wheels and was immediately out. The only problem I had was finding the driver side traction board because it buried on the restart. DEEP and soft sand.

https://www.amazon.com/WawaAuto-All...869187&sprefix=traction+plate,aps,131&sr=8-10

I recommend getting a collapsible entrenching tool too. Cheap and takes up no space. You get the boards and entrenching tool for about $30 and I haven’t needed anything else. Then again, I don’t really get stuck in sand except that one time. I do have a tow line too but have only used that to hold steps up on my dock while putting in lag bolts to secure them.

Jeeps are made to not get stuck. Go cheap, light, and small for stuff you will rarely use.

 

[Rusty PW]

Always tie a section of rope to your traction boards. Make it easier to recover them when they're buried.

 

[chorky]

Unless you're stuck in a mud puddle.

I pity the fool who has to open that door to hook up. Man thats going to be some cleaning up to do.

 

[BourbonRunner]

@OP 90% of the ones I see on Jeeps,Tacomas and other "adventure" vehicles regularly are never going to do anything but get bleached in the sun mounted on the truck. Those are the same guys that have their Rotopaks mounted all the time. Totally for showing off their "build."

But like someone else said above- they're insurance. When you need them you're going to really want them.

Ive carried a HiLift for years. Just in case. Only time I ever tried to use it-- the truck was in muck too deep to get out on its own. I used it as a fulcrum with an old Allis Chalmers field tractor to haul it out. And that thing halfway tore my ARB bumper off.

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