MaxTrax Extreme :: First Field Test

“Expedition Portal gets a first look at the newest, and most durable MaxTrax yet.”

I remember the first time we really, really, really needed Maxtrax. The Expeditions 7 team was deep into the Canning Stock Route in Australia and encountered a half-mile long, water-logged track. We had already been stuck many times that day, but this would prove to be the greatest challenge. Fourteen hours later and with the help of 12 Maxtrax MKIIs, we were finally free. We broke a winch, a winch line, and a fairlead in the process. With the winches disabled, we built a road of Maxtraxs to achieve freedom from the bog.

Editorial reference: Read our comprehensive traction board review from Overland Journal HERE. Maxtrax vs. Tred Pro vs. Mantec vs. Smittybuilt vs. Crux vs. Pronghorn

In the years that Maxtrax have been available, they have gone through several iterations. Their founder, Brad McCarthy created the first prototypes out of pure necessity, nearly losing one of his Land Cruisers to the rising Australian tides. The MKI was good, and now the MKII is even better, but their newest version, the Extreme is the most durable and effective Maxtrax yet.

Vehicles like this 3-ton 200 Series Land Cruiser 6WD is the perfect application for extreme-duty recovery tools. A 6WD will rarely get stuck, but when they do… 

In late October, I got access to a set for evaluation in North America and then I had access to 16 units total in Australia for comprehensive and repeated field tests along the Great Australian Bight. The conditions of the track were difficult, criss-crossing large dunes and long stretches of beach. Some days, the Land Cruisers were stuck a half-dozen times, and each time we employed the new Maxtrax Extreme. And it was not just because we wanted to test the new product, but because it was simply the best tool for the job.

Properly stuck on the beach with a rising tide. This is what adventure is all about!

The features of the new Extreme are notable, but nearly all have an emphasis on increased durability, which was as a result of Brad’s military client needs. The MKII is a good tool for occasional use, but it does require a driver with enough experience to manage wheelspin. Excessive wheelspin creates heat and can damage the MKII teeth. To address this, Brad worked with his engineers to incorporate 88 user-replaceable teeth into the high-strength nylon.  The teeth are coated black and can be field-serviceable with a TORX bit. The profile of the metal teeth on the Extreme is nearly identical to the nylon ones on the MKII, but they will survive excessive wheelspin and repeated abuse. During the entire trip across the Bight we experienced only a few damaged teeth, which was a result of hard impacts to the metal edges of the chassis. This would have broken the nylon teeth too, but in the case of the Extreme, we just replaced them.

One of the key features of the Maxtrax is that every board also works as a high-volume shovel, helping to clear material from in front of the tire and allow for proper placement of the track for recovery. Also shown is the backside of the board, where the metal teeth are molded into the board, but are still field serviceable with a Torx bit. 

There are a few other key updates too, with additional reinforcement of the back of the board for higher weight-carrying and spanning capabilities and increased durability. The added thickness at the leading edges of the boards helps with bridging and ramping, and also provides increased material for supporting the threaded studs. In practice, it all works as hoped. Surprisingly, the metal teeth and added material did not significantly increase the weight (about a pound per board), but it did increase the total nested height of a set of tracks. Four tracks sits about an inch taller.

As shown in this image, the Extreme mounting pegs (orange) are taller than the standard MKII mounting studs (black). 

So, who should buy the Extreme? Anyone that intends to do remote overland travel, particularly unsupported (i.e., no additional vehicles). Also, military, contractors, commercial applications, 4WD trainers or anyone else who experiences a high use frequency or drivers with limited experience. It is easy to just focus on the durability of the teeth, but the other strengthening attributes will also assist in spanning, ramping, and trail-stabilizing scenarios. They will be available in mid-spring and will sell for $449 for a pair. @maxtraxhq and maxtrax.com.au

Pros
Most durable and serviceable recovery board on the market today
Less affected by wheelspin than any other nylon board on the market
Improved spanning and ramping rigidity

Cons
Slight increase to nesting height

Editor’s Note: To preempt some of the potential comments, we would like to note that with the images of the stuck Land Cruisers, they were all aired down, some to low teens or even single digit PSI.  What may look like an over-inflated tire is actually the slope influencing ground pressures. The second note is regarding the images that show participants on the trip working with recovery gear without gloves.  At Expedition Portal, we recommend gloves, sturdy shoes, proper attire, and eye protection during any recovery operation. I say recommend, because people get to be adults and make their own choices, and each scenario can be different. Best practice is still best practice though—wear PPE.

The heavy VDJ79 (also pulling a heavy trailer) exits from the mire, thanks to the boards.

Big sand dunes and big Land Cruisers require extreme tools for recovery. 

Time spent preparing for the recovery is always worthwhile, including clearing the chassis of ground material and digging an exit ramp for the tires.