Properly using Maxtrax
Maxtrax are a lightweight, simple recovery tool made to simplify extracting vehicles out of the mud, snow and sand. When you need just a bit more traction to continue down the trail reach for Maxtrax.
In this article we will cover
Benefits of Maxtrax
Maxtrax is such a simple tool when it comes to recovery no traveler should leave home without them. Made of heavy reinforced nylon, Maxtrax will never break and with a lifetime warranty you can put them to the test.
With a built in shovel at both ends, 6 handles, and the capability to link Maxtrax together they make short work of wet or soft ground conditions. Maxtrax are not a replacement for traveling with a winch but they can, in some cases, eliminate the need to pull cable, or relieve stress on equipment in a winch situation.
3 size options
MKII Standard 45" 
Extreme 
Mini
Maxtrax comes in 3 versions
- MKII Standard 45" long
- Dimensions: 45 inches long and 13 inches wide
- used for trucks and SUV's
- Six built-in handles
- Shovel on both ends
- Weight: 8lbs each
- Maxtrax Extreme
- 88 replaceable anodized alloy teeth
- military units, off-road racing champions, certified 4WD driver trainers and globe-trotting expedition leaders
- Six built-in handles
- Shovel on both ends
- Compatible with MAXTRAX MKII and MAXTRAX mini
- 20lbs per pair
- Mini
- MAXTRAX Mini is perfect for UTVs, side by sides, crossovers, and other adventure enthusiasts with space constraints.
- 60% of the length of our MKII recovery board
- Two built-in handles and a shovel on each end
- 8.8lbs per pair
- Can be stored between 2 MKII's
When to use
Maxtrax is used when a vehicle is lacking traction because of mud, snow or sand. If your vehicle's tires are spinning in these conditions it will dig you deeper making extracting your vehicle more difficult. By placing Maxtrax in front of the tires, your vehicle can grip on to the teeth of the Maxtrax, bringing the vehicle back up to the surface and to solid ground.
How to use
- shovel to clear debris from in front of your tires
- Wedge the MAXTRAX in front of your tires at a 45 degree angle
- slowly begin to accelerate, do not spin your wheels
- Once you have traction, maintain momentum until you reach firm ground
- Retrieve your MAXTRAX
Check out this video to see Maxtrax at work in the sand.
Because of their Fiber-reinforced, engineering-grade nylon construction and capability to be stacked Maxtrax is great to use as a ramp to get over small objects when you need just that extra clearance between a rock to keep your suspension or drive-train from dragging and breaking.
If your vehicle is high-centered, meaning your tires are not touching the ground because your frame is resting on a rock or sunken down in the snow, sand, or mud you will need to winch your vehicle out. But dragging your vehicle out puts tremendous tension on your winch, winch cable, bumper/frame and anchor point. By adding Maxtrax under the wheels they help bring your vehicle up to the surface with much less strain than if you were to drag your vehicle out.
Storage and travel
Maxtrax has partnered with almost every major roof and bed rack company to ensure there are easy, bolt-on adapters and brackets to quickly and easliy mount MAXTRAX and lock them in place including:
- Eezi-Awn
- Front Runner
- Rhino Rack
- Yakima
- Prinsu
- Leitner Designs
- RCI
- Thule
If you vehicle's roof is full with a tent, awning, road shower, roof basket ect. attaching Maxtrax is simple with their rear wheel options. They offer a rear wheel harness or the rear tire mount by GP Factor and makes for easy access while on the trail.
Check out the multiple mounting options we offer.
We'd love to hear from you!
How often do you reach for you Maxtrax? We have the entire Maxtrax catalog available online or in our showroom.
