Smittybilt element ramps..

Scott

Scott

Adventurist
I know what you are all thinking here. . I'm looking at getting some sort of sand ladders. I of course would love maxtrax, but I am curious if anyone runs the smittybilt element ramps? They are carbon copy of the maxtrax, for about half the price. Yes I know maxtrax are proven, but given how much I would really use these, is it worth it to pay the extra in this case? If there is an overwhelming argument as to why I should pay more for maxtrax I won't have an issue with it, but really, both products are made out of a "disposable" plastic... Imho

So which would you choose and why?

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Maxtrax meh. We all know someone who had a set mounted to the top of his van for a long time. Pulled them down to use them ONCE and they disintegrated. Too much UV I guess. Which all of them are going to do if you mount them exposed. So, for the price, get best deal you can get.
 
I think it was Herbie that was giving some of the Smittybilt's away, he felt they weren't sturdy enough for a heavy vehicle.
 
bob91yj said:
I think it was Herbie that was giving some of the Smittybilt's away, he felt they weren't sturdy enough for a heavy vehicle.
Click to expand...
Well you know I have a heavy rig... from what I read each smittybilt is rated for 7700 lbs, which would be ok if spread between 2 for me, but if they suck thst bad, it's worth spending extra..

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Herbie's review from the MRV swap meet thread...

Smittybilt Element Ramps - Almost free* to a needy home**

smittybilt_2504.jpg


I bought these as an inexpensive way to fill a gap for recovery ramps. But the reviews on these do not inspire great confidence, especially for people with heavier rigs. Some have clearly been abused (lots of photos of melted spikes from people spinning tires on them), but I've seen a few examples of broken ramps too. I have never had to use them, I've literally gotten more use out of the cardboard box they came in when I cut it up for templates for brackets. My opinion, based on what I've read, is that the construction and material just isn't up to par with Maxtrax or the new redesigned TRED product (which I have finally received from my Kickstarter pledge lo those many months ago.)

Since these are now "surplus to requirements", I want 'em out of the garage. That said, I feel sketchy about selling something that could fail on someone else. So here's the deal: I will trade these for a cold six pack of mexican beer (your choice), but only to a user with a relatively lightweight rig and for whom these would literally be "better than nothing". If you can afford good gear, go buy it. If you're seriously strapped for cash and you're running a Subaru or something without recovery ramps and would rather have these than nothing, find me with a sixer of Corona or Negro Modelo or something.
 
The Smittybilt units might look like a carbon copy (of the first-generation MAXTRAX), but they are made out of that "disposable" plastic and do not hold up to the same amount of abuse (including UV exposure). There's a reason I chose not to carry The Rusted Pony on our mere 3,000-pound Subaru. MAXTRAX uses a very different formula in their plastic which is far more durable against heat, cold, and UV (and a bit more expensive to produce, thus the price difference). The same black MAXTRAX I've had bolted on the Discovery's roof for five years are now on the Subaru's roof...if they can handle Arizona sun, they can handle any sun. :)

Whether they're worth the investment really depends on the vehicle and roads traveled. I hesitate to take the Subaru far off the beaten path without them, and they've been used to recover that vehicle more than once. Though I never had to use them when they were on the Discovery, I do plan to pick up another set for it. Doubling them up helps for bridging, but they will still bend (from experience with a 7,000-pound vehicle). Keep in mind none of the plastic traction mats are designed for such use...
 
I was at a event that was pushing MAXTRAX, they had them out and using them, but it your tire slipped they would freak out cause they didn't want to tear them up, also was funny watching grown men dig in the mud in near panic because they lost the string they had attached to the MAXTRAX, that was over 5years ago. I really don't want something I'm that afraid of loosing/messing up. I was axle deep in mud once, jacked up the rear end with a Hi-lift and pulled it out, had no problem locating bright red jack and rinsed it off with a hose later, had I messed up the jack I would take it back to 4wheelparts and get it replaced, one of the very few times I have ever bought a product warranty but one I don't regret. They may have a use and be a good product but I have never seen anything that made me believe they are worth the cost.
 
That is funny. The whole point of the leases is to attach them to the rear bumper so the MAXTRAX follow the vehicle to solid ground after unbogging. :D

Though you're not supposed to wheel-spin on them, they can take a bit before any significant damage...certainly no need to freak out over slipping. I put a lot of spin on them with the Subaru's last recovery (off camber and no flex, so no choice), only lost a couple of the little traction tabs.
 
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