Traction aid encompasses purpose made articles that are placed under the wheels to aid traction. The are made from plastic, rubber, steel or alloy. Some work, others don’t.
Sand ladders/psp/tank tracks
Sand ladders, perforated steel plate (sometimes made from aluminium) and tank tracks are all used as traction aids for vehicle recovery. They are used to pack under wheels in slippery or loose ground to aid traction. These are lengths of galvanised steel or aluminium ladder or perforated plating, generally one to two metres long, that have been used by civilians and the military for years. Their design has changed little and they are bulky, heavy and awkward to use. They are effective in mud and sand. There are some modern and cheaper equivalents made from steel and alloy that look like ladders. These are similar in effectiveness but often easier to stow and lighter.
Flexible sand ladders, called Trac-mats are more effective than traditional rigid types in most situations. Each section of the track is pressed with sharp projections that increases grip and they work in clay mud as well as in sand. Being flexible they tend to mould into the ground. Because of this less digging is required to lay them and they do not kick up and damage the vehicle as sometimes happens with rigid types. They are also compact, easy to stow - in fact, in most respects more versatile than rigid ladders. Use gloves when handling sand ladders to prevent pinched fingers (flexible types) and burns (hot climates). Both perforated steel plate and flexible ladders offer excellent grip either wet or dry and are equally effective in sand and mud.
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