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Sorry in advance for only platitudes and anecdote.
Recovery boards are great. Before, you stuffed branches and rocks in front of the dug out tires to get traction. Which leads me to my first platitudes. Axes are for wannabe lumber jacks. Carry a bow saw. It will do everything you need with out the drawbacks of an axe.
I was very impressed with a Youtuber – SEEK ADVENTURE. He made several video about recovery boards. They are pretty self explanatory. He also saved me about $500 in recovery board purchases. Other good stuff about winching too. Next platitude. Recovery boards will do a lot, but they won’t do everything. Be prepared…with knowledge, not gadgets.
I think there are two type of TCers out there. People who own trucks and have a TC and 4x4ers who drag along a TC. Know which one you are, as they are not really that interchangeable.
Anecdote – Most remote recreation areas have groups that do off roading and recovery (rescue) for fun. Generally they are know as Jeep Clubs or Search & Rescue. They are excellent resources, friendly, knowledgeable and welcoming. A word to the wise. Start your first encounter with a plate of chocolate chip cookies. Can’t go wrong.
Cheers,
You don’t need r.boards. It’s kind of a UK thing; a badge for folks with no sand technique.
What you need is a lot of experience taking your TC on the dunes
and lowering the pressure on your tires to get the needed floatation; and a surefire way to get them back up.
And the right size wheels and tires for sand help a lot.
jefe2020 Ford F-350 XLT FX4 4WD SRW SB SC 7.3L Godzilla Gas TorqShift 10R140 397 amps dual Alt dual batts Frnt Dana 60; Rr Dana M275 E-locker 4.30's 4580/4320/4066# payload 7243# curb wt. 11,300# GVWR 5-er prepped. 2020 Northstar Laredo SC, 12v compressor fridge, cassette, 320w Solar sub zero insulation.
Roger that El Jefe.
I finally tried dropping tire pressure down to 30 in the rear and 25PSI at the front axel on my F350 with a Bigfoot 3000. I was nervous about the tire coming off the rim but I took nice wide turns and I made it out through some sugar sand with no problems. I still carry some cut up milk crates I use as traction boards though. It avoids having to air down if you have a short section of poor traction.
As it happens, I used a set of Amazon Choice Recovery Traction Boards, orange, about 3′ long for the first time this morning in snow, when it was about -10 wind chill. My wife slid off the driveway, again, and we shoved them in front of the FWD Matrix, and walked out of a 6″ drop with no muss of fuss. I got the pair for our TC, but we don’t go into deep snow things intentionally, so we have never used them. They work great on snow. Check out the youtube channel, Living the Van Life. Guy has used them on camera on a VW Westie and other vehicles. Wish we have had them for our GD driveway 30 years ago. I think they are, at least when new, plenty strong for a TC situation until they UV out.
We have Gotreads, I liked that they are much less expensive vs MaxxTrax and are still functional, they are also easier to keep in the space between the camper and the truck.
And they fit better in the other vehicles when we are driving them.I’m a believer in traction boards but like anything they are just another tool in what should be a whole physical and mental tool box of tools to get you out.
We have a Bigfoot 1500 on the back of an F350 4×4
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