MaxTrax Lite Recovery Boards (Pair, Black)

The MAXTRAX Lite is a pair of recovery boards built for lighter rigs and the driver who wants real traction without the weight or price of the full-size Mk2. Each board is 35 in long with 66 teeth, and the set weighs 7.8 lb total. That is 48 percent lighter and 22 percent shorter than the Mk2, which makes the Lite easy to mount on a small SUV, a dual-cab, or a roof basket where every pound counts.

The pair is rated to 7,700 lb (3,500 kg per board) and molded from impact-resistant thermoplastic. Four handles per board make them easy to grab, carry, and wedge under a buried tire, and the pin holes double as linking points so you can stack same-length boards for storage. Two leashes are included for pulling the boards back out once you have driven off them.

This is the budget tier of the MAXTRAX range, so know the trade-off going in: the shorter board has a smaller footprint than the Mk2, which matters in deep ruts or soft sand under a heavy rig. For an everyday driver, a smaller 4WD, or your first set of boards, the Lite covers the recovery you will actually run into. Mounting pins and a carry bag are sold separately. Lifetime warranty.