Sand Tracks do we need them?

[grips]

Like the title says. Do we need Sand boards/tracks or whatever you call them?

[Mad Manny]

I have never needed them.
I've actually almost never seen them used.
But I think the guys who do the Wes Kust, Bots & Nam may feel they are essential.

[Paul#25]

I think a lot will depend on what the majority of your vehicle usage will be and if you are traveling alone or in a group. In my case I very seldom go playing in areas I could need them when I'm on my own and then it's somewhere I will be able to call for assistance. When we travel with the caravan, I try to plan my route to not cover terrain that is going to be a problem to get through with the rig. Maybe I'm the "bang-gat" that certain members claim I am but I'd rather get some more experience with soft sand / mud when I'm out in a group before I get myself stuck on my own.
The fancy name-brand sand tracks are more than I'm willing to dish out for something that at the moment will only be an ornament on my vehicle.

[Wave]

I have a pair, I used them once in Kosi area when a mate got his 2x4 Fortuner stuck in the soft sea sand going up a hill.
So from my side, because we needed them and had them, yes, it helps to have the equipment.

[AndreasR]

As Wave said. It helps to have the equipment. Sometimes not for yourself but for others.

I have used mine a few times in Namibia and Botswana Pans. Never for my vehicle but it sure made recovering someone else's vehicle easier. A very wise old long haired lout from the Gordons Bay area told me once that using a shovel is undignified. Who am I to argue.

For solo travel they are essential if doing terrain where they may be required. They are most effective in soft sand. Mud, not so much.

If you can and have space on your rig to store them you will be very grateful when you need them.

[cor123]

...and they look cool on the roof rack

[HenriSteyn]

I am amazed that I do not think I have ever seen a set of 4 on a vehicle, always a set of 2.

Thus getting out of trouble you only have half a chance.

But no I dont have. I am a bang gat like Paul

[BushWacker]

... I dont have any ...
...though crossing rivers eg crossing Limpopo and other smaller rivers into Gonarezhou and
travelling up Oliphants (where I was stuck for several hours ... would have at least felt more confident with tracks ...
Middle of a river crossing can be a lonely place!

I only got unstuck in Oliphants when we attached a 100m rope to tree at side and winched ourselves out of the mud.
Like standing on beach, flowing river can
bury wheels deeper ...

... so yes I will if possible take pair of tracks
when next do a remote terrain trip ...
... maybe two step sections of those catwalk
steps such as they use on treatment plants at mines ?

[cor123]

Not very useful in mud or rivers , for that you need a landy , so invite me along next time


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[grips]

I have never owned sand tracks. I very seldom do get stuck in sand. With the correct lowered pressures nobody should get stuck in sand.
They might however work in mud. Like many have posted here I avoid mud as far as possible. The only time I have used something similar were in a serious mud stuck. Long story. In the end we used steel grids that one of the guys in the group has cut to be used as sand tracs. They provided that much grip that I have snapped a side shaft with very little effort.

[BushWacker]

This is the type of modular plating I mean
and one often sees it used in plants on the mines, sasol etc
Its punch-perforated and if used smoother-face
down would probably be good for mud and ? probably smooth face up for sand ...
Anyway Its Industrial kit and would probably be damnsight cheaper than the stuff we meant to buy in 4*4shops.

(Id carry them flat on my roof-rack and
not side-decked decorations as Tappits would)

[Bugger]

I used trailer ramps to try and help in mud it just digs in and you gain small increments
So they do have a purpose

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

[cor123]

This is the type of modular plating I mean
and one often sees it used in plants on the mines, sasol etc
Its punch-perforated and if used smoother-face
down would probably be good for mud and ? probably smooth face up for sand ...
Anyway Its Industrial kit and would probably be damnsight cheaper than the stuff we meant to buy in 4*4shops.

(Id carry them flat on my roof-rack and
not side-decked decorations as Tappits would)

Cool , do you get them in oranje


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[grips]

You need sand tracks when you drive like this The guys who deflated to correct pressures just glides past



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_3D1mW8d18