Cheap Vs Expensive: What is the Best Traction Board?

If you’re passionate about exploring off the beaten path with your Van or Grenadier then, you already know that getting stuck is more a matter of “when” than “if.” The right traction boards are an essential tool—not just Instagram-worthy rooftop cargo, but the difference between a quick recovery and calling it quits before the real adventure begins.

Whether you’re planning to cross sandy washes in Baja, dig out of a mountain snowstorm, or tackle muddy backroads, here’s what you need to know about choosing the best traction boards for your rig, drawn from our hands-on experience and deep product knowledge.

What Are Traction Boards and Why Do You Need Them?

Traction boards—often called by their brand name “Maxtrax”—are engineered mats made to give your vehicle the grip it needs when tires are spinning in sand, mud, or snow. Unlike a winch, they don’t require another anchor point or a second vehicle; they’re straightforward, fast, and highly effective recovery tools.

Situations where traction boards shine:

• Deep sand traps at the beach or desert.

• Slippery snow patches in the mountains.

• Muddy trails after rain when the ground turns to soup.

• Any low-traction scenario where even airing down doesn’t do the trick.

Your first line of defense should always be airing down your tires—reducing pressure expands your tire footprint and often gets you unstuck. If your van has a locking differential, use it. But when both fail, quality traction boards are what you’ll reach for, whether you’re pulling yourself out or helping someone else on the trail.

Cheap vs. Premium Traction Boards: Not All Are Created Equal

On the surface, most traction boards look similar. But when you’re relying on them under a 10,000-lb van, the differences quickly become stark and expensive. Let’s break it down:

Amazon/Economy Traction Boards

• Pros: Low price, easy to find, often mimic the look of premium models.

• Cons:

  • Inferior plastic degrades quickly under UV exposure (they fade from black to dull gray).

  • Lack UV-stabilization, becoming brittle and prone to micro-cracks or outright snaps.

  • Plastic “nubbins” designed for grip wear down fast—especially under heavy vehicle loads.

• Real-World Issue: After regular use with a heavy adventure van, the traction points can wear flat or shear off completely, making them nearly useless just when you need them most.

Maxtrax

• Pros:

  • Industry gold standard; robust plastic, well-engineered and thoroughly tested.

  • Outstanding UV stability for long-term reliability when mounted externally.

  • Smart, effective nub design for grip.

  • Highly compatible with popular mounting systems and pins (Maxtrax and compatible brands).

• Cons:

  • Price: Around $300 or more for a pair—but you get what you pay for.

  • Still all-plastic: Even quality plastics will become more brittle with age and exposure.

• Summary: Maxtrax have earned their reputation for a reason. If you want proven reliability for standard rigs, this is a solid, if pricey, choice.

ActionTrax (Our Top Choice for Modern Vans)

• Pros:

  • American-made with a clever hybrid design: UV-stable, ultra-flexible plastic plus strategically placed steel traction teeth.

  • Teeth are bolt-through, replaceable, and sited where tire spin is most intense—these things bite.

  • Extreme flexibility lets boards conform to uneven terrain—critical when digging out from a rut, mound, or awkward rock.

  • Steel teeth simply can’t be worn down by even the heaviest van tires—true long-term durability.

  • Fits the same mount spacing and pins as Maxtrax, making upgrades seamless.

• Cons:

  • Slightly pricier than Maxtrax, reflecting their premium materials and labor-intensive construction.

• Summary: For heavy adventure vans and real off-road work, ActionTrax are tough to beat. Their blend of flexibility, longevity, and mechanical grip make them the standout in challenging environments.

What Matters Most When Choosing Traction Boards

1. Material & UV Resistance

• UV exposure is the #1 killer of cheap plastics. Faded, chalky boards crack and fail when you need them most.

• Spend more upfront for UV-stable formulations—ActionTrax and Maxtrax both excel here.

2. Traction Surface

• Board nubs (or pins) are where the action happens. All-plastic? Great—until they wear flat.

• Replaceable steel studs, as seen on ActionTrax, handle aggressive tire lugs and heavy loads without wearing down.

3. Flexibility vs. Rigidity

• Don’t be fooled by “stiff equals strong.” Ultra-rigid boards easily fracture under van weights. Some flex helps boards mold to the terrain and absorb stress.

• ActionTrax wins here again: more flexibility means better conformity and less breakage over time.

4. Mounting Compatibility

• Stick with boards that fit standard pin mounts (Maxtrax-compatible). This lets you mix and match as preferences change, or easily upgrade.

5. Realistic Use Cases

• For Sprinter Vans or Grenadiers, you rarely need four boards—two quality boards paired with smart driving, a locker, and recovery points are enough for 99% of situations.

Common Myths and Mistakes

• Myth: “Traction boards can bridge holes or gaps.”

  Reality: They’re not bridges. Use them only for traction under tires, not as ramps over voids (especially with heavy vans).

• Mistake: Leaving boards mounted in the sun year-round without rotating them.

  Tip: If you must leave them outside, check for brittleness and swap position occasionally.

How to Use Traction Boards Like a Pro

1. Dig Out: Use the serrated end as a shovel to clear a smooth path ahead of the tire.

2. Insert Deep: Stuff the board under the spinning tire as far as possible to maximize bite.

3. Pair Up: Place a board under each driven wheel—especially if you don’t have a locking differential.

4. Gentle Throttle: Apply power smoothly. Spinning out will just kick the boards away (or eat through them).

5. Don’t Cross Gaps: Never use them as makeshift ramps or bridges.

Why We Recommend ActionTrax and Maxtrax

After countless miles (and too many stuck recoveries to count), we stock both Maxtrax and ActionTrax because they deliver. For most van owners, Maxtrax are proven. For those pushing the limits, hauling more weight, or serious about long-term reliability, ActionTrax are the upgrade you didn’t know you needed: more grip, more longevity, and total compatibility with your existing mounts.

Ready for Adventure? Get the Gear That Won’t Let You Down

Whether you’re running a full recovery setup or just prepping for your next dispersed camp, don’t cheap out on traction boards—your adventures depend on them. We’ve field-tested what’s out there and carry only the gear we trust on our own vans.