Quick top about leveling your rig. You can always dig a small hole to level your vehicle. Instead of raising one side, dig a small flat hole on the opposite side and drive into it. Has the same effect.
I bought these for my campervan. Fortunately I have not had to use them to get out of a stuck situation but I use them as my levellers when I need that. Works well for that purpose for me.
I first saw the GoTreads on a video clip covering one of the Overland Expos. I then read some good reviews. I bought them for two reasons. As Bob points out here, they serve two purposes (levelers AND recovery board). The other reason is that when driving an Outback, roof rack space is precious, and these are easily stowed, in or above the vehicle. Thanks for sharing Bob.
I think these are good starter runs, and add a couple of ‘’water hog’ mats (also used to wipe feet before entering van/bed(or simply floor mats) once you get the run going, thx Bob and team!
These look cool. I got stuck in some real thick Missouri mud a month ago and the only reason I got out was because I used the yellow leveling blocks you buy at Walmart. They were a life saver!
My father was a professional truck driver. We lived in the Northeast where it snowed. He carried rugs in both his truck and the family car. I doubt they had these devices back then.
this is a really good in between product it seems for those who are trying to save space and not going to really remote places. Thank you for sharing this with us!
I bought the Go Treads last winter and about a month later used them in wet snow to get unstuck. They shot back about 6 feet but did the job of getting my ambulance moving. Glad I bought them.
Just incase : If youre are stuck or almost ,in sand,pour water infront of the "driving" tire along the way of travel Just dont get too deep into the sand where your belly of the vehicle is near contact with the sand.That will usually get you out,if you have enough water. Just dont get too deep into the sand where your belly of the vehicle is near contact with the sand.
You can also get unstuck by letting air out of your tires. But if you don't have a way to air them back up afterwards, you need to drive real real slow until you get to a gas station. So in other words, I you need your own compressor.
@@nmr6988 exactly, off roader’s trick I do it all the time even before I start the trail depending on the terrain I’ll be driving on. Also recycled tire mats, they fold to almost nothing and after all they’re made from tires, great traction, one of my mats is 20 years old, has helped to get out of snow and sand, another thing is that people (I loaned it) have spawned over them and they’re almost indestructible. Get to your campground and use it as a regular mat in your tent’s vestibule.
Hey Bob, cool you are reviewing these. I have them, but have not yet had to use them for getting unstuck, only for leveling my truck. Had them for a couple years... they've actually been around for a couple decades I think, so not exactly a new product. After purchasing I was surprised to discover their headquarters / factory being located just a couple miles down the road from my cousin's home in rural Kansas! On an unrelated note, it was a fun surprise catching you crossing the street in Mammoth Lakes not too long ago.
I found these at the Flagstaff Overland Expo several years ago and really like them. I think you covered the pros and cons pretty well. I do also carry a couple blocks of wood for additional leveling height.
I’ve used the Go Treads a couple of times including under my 9300 pound Promaster. They also sell a very useful carry bag for them. They work fine but like anything you have to dig. A lot. I use a folding entrenching tool which works well. I prefer my winch which is expensive but easy to use.
Every car or vehicle owner of any type should own these, whether they are a nomad or have an RV or a trailer. If you own a car or truck you should have these.
I added them to my Wish List, but they do need a storage bag. Nothing worse than packing them up full of muck and mud. If you use them as ramps someone will surly wonder into your camp asking for help regarding their stuck vehicle.
I have had Go Treads for some time now and really like them. I have used them in Mexico sand at least 3 times. They perform well and I am so glad I had them! I have a tandem axle trailer and the yellow levelers do not work for me at all.
Another benefit of GoTreads is a lifetime warranty, if they break or fail, they get the parts replaced or complete replacement, so no need to repurchased after years of use
Hello From Montana🤠 I have heard of people that were stuck out on the prairie, in gumbo clay. That have buried their spare tire and hooked their winch cable to the tire before covering it up with soil. They would do this if there is nothing around to hook to.
Great review! Thank you. Very informative. They might be a good option for people who want a leveler on urban hills but won’t necessarily rely on it as a rescue device. 👍
while driving log truck east of cascades in Oregon above 4,000' elevation during winter and the spring thaw traction getting to the log landing empty going in then loaded going out was the reason we carried tire chains and small rolls of used carpet, the kind carpet stores throw away. you don't wait till your stuck to put the chains on. common sense tells you to prepare for the worst and avoid it. tire chains take up little room and can also be used as a tow device to pull someone. small rolls of carpet come in handy in all sorts of situations. definitely carry a quality shovel and a bottle jack and a 'handyman jack' 4x4 off-roaders will tell you endless stories. don't wait for winter ice and snow to buy the tire chains for full price. here in Elko, Nevada above 5,000' elevation we get our share of ice and snow. I visit the thrift stores weekly and buy snow tire chains during the warm weather months for $5 bucks a set (2 tires) rather then $50 to $75 during the winter months. for $24.95 Harbor Freight has a cable winch puller (come a long) that has a racket cable spool that extends long enough to anchor to something then your bumper to winch yourself out and avoid a costly tow bill...for $9.99 Walmart sells 70" x 80" blue moving blankets. they keep you warm when all else fails and make excellent traction devices
Really helpful, thanks! I have both levelers and recovery boards, but they are so big for my small minivan. I tend to stay out of areas, where I might get stuck, but these do look interesting.
You mentioned 8ft lumber to get you out so I had to comment. One time in Cali (out in the country, old dirt roads) it rained so much the ground was mush. I couldnt back up, I couldnt go forward, and it literally took 16ft of lumber to get out twice. The normal driveway was inaccessible (there where 3 ways in and out of this property, there where 3 homes on 5 acres) and digging down once wasnt enough, it had to be done a second time. It was so muddy that I couldnt even be chained out. The other car got stuck too. Luckily My car is meant for 4x4 cause after the second time and a very scary acceleration uphill I could get out. The truck though was so so heavy that we just had to wait for it to dry to get out =( I still feel bad about that. That being said, I am HIGHLY interested in a good set of these, as in those conditions with slick tires, wood just doesnt cut it. It sinks under your weight and your tires spin on how slick it is.
I need these! I got stuck in Joshua Tree inches from the road...inches...and these wonderful people tried to get my rig out and couldn't get it out. I had to pay a tow truck 500 bucks to get me out...😔
I only have a mini van and small trailer. I use maxtraxs. I have had them 2 years. Used them twice. Paid for themselves already. If i had to call a wreaker it would have taken forever to get to me. AAA is good in a city but it can take hours to get out to state parks or blm land. MaxTrax was worth every penny. This ewuipment takes up a lot of space. This is why i care the small trailer. I need room to stay in my minivan. I also put my totes in the trailer. The trailer weighs about 350 lbs by itself. My stuff adds a 240 lbs. I still get good fuel economy. 28 miles per gallon. Without trailer i get 28.6 mpg. 18.7 city. I paid $198 2 yrs ago for the recovery boards.
Morning Bob, I used the leveling LEGO leveling system, they were ok for my '83 Dodge camper van a few times, they are ok for light weight vans but much more than that they would start to get stuck together, so now with my 19ft class C I'll try the wedge style that you carry because the extra height of the wedge over the folding boards in your video, they will store between the rear bumper & body. Just slide them down like a wedge, can line them up along the bumper so as to save on storage space in the "C". Probably slide a cable from side to side through the carry handle, not a perfect way to keep the thief's from cutting the cable but will keep most of them honest,,,,, I hope.
I was looking for some levelers and being traction mats also a good deal worth every penny when you are stuck. I just bought a cheap used pop up trailer to pull behind my van to use as a screenhouse, a place to cook and extra space, I'm planning on sleeping in my van, and I'll be able leave the pop-up set up at camp when I leave and explore, I'll have a little over 1000 bucks in it after I put new hubs and tires on it.
Thank you... Very informative - always Wondered what to do if people got stuck. Let air pressure out of tires is what I was told. So a cigarette lighter 12 volt tire inflator is something that's in the car. It's good to see these other devices in the marketplace for RVers vanlifers.
Learned a lot about these things. Wouldn't have thought that the Go Treads would be a decent product. Please do let us know how they hold up over time, and if they performed as well for recovery as your blue boards. Thanks for showing us how these things work. Good health and happiness to you always, Hugs and kissies for Cody!
thanks for posting. Have you had trouble with plastic units braking when sitting on very uneven camping ground ( rocky)? also we have found some plastic units 'fly' out ( dangerous) when moving off them ( on a site with plastic ground material- like shade cloth) We think we have found a better option, than 'plastic'
If those superior leveling blocks interconnected so that one could form the downhill after you go up the first one, I reckon they could be used as recovery boards. They have a nice wedge in there. Only problem I see currently is that you'd fall off the high end.
Do you ever need 3 levelers? Those folding recovery boards would work as a 3rd leveler. The same could be said for your blue traction boards. You could put the folding one under your big levelers to raise them up an inch more.
I'm not sure the plastic will work on my 26,000 lb rv for for my pickup, which is much more likely to get stuck, I think they would be awesome. As for the yellow levelers I think they're about the same price as making them out of 2x12s when you factor in the wood, screws, maybe a little cheaper and probably lighter too.
I have Camco's stacking leveling squares for leveling, also good for supporting rv steps, table legs, etc., because of versatility. Alternative product - What I have for getting unstuck is "Tow Truck in a Box", interlocking heavy-duty aluminum sections that are deeply treaded top and bottom. They've been great. Truckers use them, too. Take up same or less space than today's product. May be of interest. Got my set at Canadian Tire in 🇨🇦.
Gee Bob, I’ve currently been looking for products like these! I didn’t know what to call them! I’m just starting out on my solo trailer living. I am concerned about mud and wanted to know if there’s a carpet type thing to put down & drive the EV onto it if parking on grass & guard against digging the wheels into the mud when pulling out of a grassy/muddy spot. The orange ones look good because they can be connected (like rubber carpet tiles) but I would need so many of them (24’) trailer & that would be uhhh quite pricey. The Camcorder ones would serve as the leveling problem solver for sure but is there a “recovery” mat that could roll up & out to store easily ?
Off topic but could be useful. I just saw a video about Polyjoule batteries. They are supposed to be lighter in weight and the charge last longer. Not yet on the market but would be great for us campers, I think anyway.
I'm curious what you use for a jack. The high lift jacks that are so popular among the Jeep crowd aren't practical on our larger rigs and most bottle jacks aren't that good off road.
A 12 ton bottle jack is what I ALWAYS KEEP IN MY 3500 DULLEY FOR it and thee rv's I haul. Now you gotta do your part and CARRY A FEW GOOD 2 ×4'S BECAUSE A JACK IS NOT ALWAYS ENOUGH BY ITSELF THAT IS FOR LIFTING PURPOSES as in changing flats
Do you have anybody that has any info on the East Coast, Michigan straight down to Florida and over to the east that's my hood. LOL just not into the desert. Florida's desert enough
Bob, you can use the the orange ones for washboards too! 🤣
Creative!
Quick top about leveling your rig. You can always dig a small hole to level your vehicle. Instead of raising one side, dig a small flat hole on the opposite side and drive into it. Has the same effect.
That’s a great idea! Damn.
Seems obvious now that you said it but that never occurred to me. Good job.
Can't dig in rock though
a must have for nomads and anyone that does a lot of driving in changing weather conditions ...🇨🇦❤️🇨🇦
Out of desperation take your floor mats out of your car. Put them under your tires. It will work in beach sand.
I bought these for my campervan. Fortunately I have not had to use them to get out of a stuck situation but I use them as my levellers when I need that. Works well for that purpose for me.
Thank you Bob for checking things like this out for us.
I first saw the GoTreads on a video clip covering one of the Overland Expos. I then read some good reviews. I bought them for two reasons. As Bob points out here, they serve two purposes (levelers AND recovery board). The other reason is that when driving an Outback, roof rack space is precious, and these are easily stowed, in or above the vehicle. Thanks for sharing Bob.
I think these are good starter runs, and add a couple of ‘’water hog’ mats (also used to wipe feet before entering van/bed(or simply floor mats) once you get the run going, thx Bob and team!
Are you saying to use water hog mats under the tires?
Great you added the demos.
These look cool. I got stuck in some real thick Missouri mud a month ago and the only reason I got out was because I used the yellow leveling blocks you buy at Walmart. They were a life saver!
Yes I would buy it. Thanks Bob
They look excellent for snow use. Having a sm car the size is also a big plus.
I have the GoTreads and use them all the time as levelers. ***They are Made in the USA**** and I think they have a lifetime warranty
My father was a professional truck driver. We lived in the Northeast where it snowed. He carried rugs in both his truck and the family car. I doubt they had these devices back then.
this is a really good in between product it seems for those who are trying to save space and not going to really remote places. Thank you for sharing this with us!
I bought the Go Treads last winter and about a month later used them in wet snow to get unstuck. They shot back about 6 feet but did the job of getting my ambulance moving. Glad I bought them.
Compact for a van set up.
This is a great suggestion for Prius living where space is at such a huge premium.
I’ve used my car mats in a pinch, this seems like a better idea!
Just incase : If youre are stuck or almost ,in sand,pour water infront of the "driving" tire along the way of travel Just dont get too deep into the sand where your belly of the vehicle is near contact with the sand.That will usually get you out,if you have enough water.
Just dont get too deep into the sand where your belly of the vehicle is near contact with the sand.
Interesting, I will keep that in mind.
You can also get unstuck by letting air out of your tires. But if you don't have a way to air them back up afterwards, you need to drive real real slow until you get to a gas station. So in other words, I you need your own compressor.
@@nmr6988 exactly, off roader’s trick I do it all the time even before I start the trail depending on the terrain I’ll be driving on. Also recycled tire mats, they fold to almost nothing and after all they’re made from tires, great traction, one of my mats is 20 years old, has helped to get out of snow and sand, another thing is that people (I loaned it) have spawned over them and they’re almost indestructible. Get to your campground and use it as a regular mat in your tent’s vestibule.
Hey Bob, cool you are reviewing these. I have them, but have not yet had to use them for getting unstuck, only for leveling my truck. Had them for a couple years... they've actually been around for a couple decades I think, so not exactly a new product. After purchasing I was surprised to discover their headquarters / factory being located just a couple miles down the road from my cousin's home in rural Kansas! On an unrelated note, it was a fun surprise catching you crossing the street in Mammoth Lakes not too long ago.
I found these at the Flagstaff Overland Expo several years ago and really like them. I think you covered the pros and cons pretty well. I do also carry a couple blocks of wood for additional leveling height.
I love mine.
I'll take two of each! Thanks for the video, Bob!
Good information and interesting products, thanks Bob
It looks like they would be really handy for smaller vehicles like cars, Mini vans & small SUVs.
I’ve used the Go Treads a couple of times including under my 9300 pound Promaster. They also sell a very useful carry bag for them. They work fine but like anything you have to dig. A lot. I use a folding entrenching tool which works well. I prefer my winch which is expensive but easy to use.
Every car or vehicle owner of any type should own these, whether they are a nomad or have an RV or a trailer. If you own a car or truck you should have these.
A unique product. Thank you.
I added them to my Wish List, but they do need a storage bag. Nothing worse than packing them up full of muck and mud. If you use them as ramps someone will surly wonder into your camp asking for help regarding their stuck vehicle.
Great for winter travel Kit.
I have had Go Treads for some time now and really like them. I have used them in Mexico sand at least 3 times. They perform well and I am so glad I had them! I have a tandem axle trailer and the yellow levelers do not work for me at all.
Another benefit of GoTreads is a lifetime warranty, if they break or fail, they get the parts replaced or complete replacement, so no need to repurchased after years of use
Have you tried reducing tire pressures to get un-stuck? I’ve found it helps a lot on snow and ice. Do air up immediately as soon as you get out!
Excellent! I think this may be a great new product wow
Hello From Montana🤠
I have heard of people that were stuck out on the prairie, in gumbo clay. That have buried their spare tire and hooked their winch cable to the tire before covering it up with soil.
They would do this if there is nothing around to hook to.
I once got stuck on a snow berm in Alaska. I would have needed one of the traction devices you are demonstrating, so I could dig myself out. 😁
Levelers also work well for a jack to change an outside rear tire or any duly
Great review! Thank you. Very informative. They might be a good option for people who want a leveler on urban hills but won’t necessarily rely on it as a rescue device. 👍
while driving log truck east of cascades in Oregon above 4,000' elevation during winter and the spring thaw traction getting to the log landing empty going in then loaded going out was the reason we carried tire chains and small rolls of used carpet, the kind carpet stores throw away. you don't wait till your stuck to put the chains on. common sense tells you to prepare for the worst and avoid it. tire chains take up little room and can also be used as a tow device to pull someone. small rolls of carpet come in handy in all sorts of situations. definitely carry a quality shovel and a bottle jack and a 'handyman jack' 4x4 off-roaders will tell you endless stories. don't wait for winter ice and snow to buy the tire chains for full price. here in Elko, Nevada above 5,000' elevation we get our share of ice and snow. I visit the thrift stores weekly and buy snow tire chains during the warm weather months for $5 bucks a set (2 tires) rather then $50 to $75 during the winter months. for $24.95 Harbor Freight has a cable winch puller (come a long) that has a racket cable spool that extends long enough to anchor to something then your bumper to winch yourself out and avoid a costly tow bill...for $9.99 Walmart sells 70" x 80" blue moving blankets. they keep you warm when all else fails and make excellent traction devices
I would definitely purchase this product.
Really helpful, thanks! I have both levelers and recovery boards, but they are so big for my small minivan. I tend to stay out of areas, where I might get stuck, but these do look interesting.
You mentioned 8ft lumber to get you out so I had to comment. One time in Cali (out in the country, old dirt roads) it rained so much the ground was mush. I couldnt back up, I couldnt go forward, and it literally took 16ft of lumber to get out twice. The normal driveway was inaccessible (there where 3 ways in and out of this property, there where 3 homes on 5 acres) and digging down once wasnt enough, it had to be done a second time. It was so muddy that I couldnt even be chained out. The other car got stuck too. Luckily My car is meant for 4x4 cause after the second time and a very scary acceleration uphill I could get out. The truck though was so so heavy that we just had to wait for it to dry to get out =(
I still feel bad about that.
That being said, I am HIGHLY interested in a good set of these, as in those conditions with slick tires, wood just doesnt cut it. It sinks under your weight and your tires spin on how slick it is.
In a emergency I've used a sleeping bag in sand also let some air out of my drive wheels.
I believe I will buy a couple of sets of these, tyvvm Bob for sharing
Very interesting. Can't wait to see the stress test video and let us know how well it works.😁
That orange think is only as strong as the pins that hold it together. I would keep the blue ones.
Very good video....a very useful product! 😉
Great information.
I think the hinges are going to be points of failure.
Did you know the military uses them?
I need these! I got stuck in Joshua Tree inches from the road...inches...and these wonderful people tried to get my rig out and couldn't get it out. I had to pay a tow truck 500 bucks to get me out...😔
Bob they work great.
The van next to me has em as levelers.
Test on Rears ! That’s the real weight test
I only have a mini van and small trailer. I use maxtraxs. I have had them 2 years. Used them twice. Paid for themselves already. If i had to call a wreaker it would have taken forever to get to me. AAA is good in a city but it can take hours to get out to state parks or blm land. MaxTrax was worth every penny. This ewuipment takes up a lot of space. This is why i care the small trailer. I need room to stay in my minivan. I also put my totes in the trailer. The trailer weighs about 350 lbs by itself. My stuff adds a 240 lbs. I still get good fuel economy. 28 miles per gallon. Without trailer i get 28.6 mpg. 18.7 city. I paid $198 2 yrs ago for the recovery boards.
I found a pair of the orange ones at Goodwill for about $18. I have only used them for leveling and they worked well.
Morning Bob, I used the leveling LEGO leveling system, they were ok for my '83 Dodge camper van a few times, they are ok for light weight vans but much more than that they would start to get stuck together, so now with my 19ft class C I'll try the wedge style that you carry because the extra height of the wedge over the folding boards in your video, they will store between the rear bumper & body.
Just slide them down like a wedge, can line them up along the bumper so as to save on storage space in the "C". Probably slide a cable from side to side through the carry handle, not a perfect way to keep the thief's from cutting the cable but will keep most of them honest,,,,, I hope.
I was looking for some levelers and being traction mats also a good deal worth every penny when you are stuck.
I just bought a cheap used pop up trailer to pull behind my van to use as a screenhouse, a place to cook and extra space, I'm planning on sleeping in my van, and I'll be able leave the pop-up set up at camp when I leave and explore, I'll have a little over 1000 bucks in it after I put new hubs and tires on it.
Thank you... Very informative - always Wondered what to do if people got stuck. Let air pressure out of tires is what I was told. So a cigarette lighter 12 volt tire inflator is something that's in the car. It's good to see these other devices in the marketplace for RVers vanlifers.
Learned a lot about these things. Wouldn't have thought that the Go Treads would be a decent product. Please do let us know how they hold up over time, and if they performed as well for recovery as your blue boards. Thanks for showing us how these things work. Good health and happiness to you always, Hugs and kissies for Cody!
It seems ok
Those are cool would work well for my Rav4
Nice video you are a great and handy guy.. thsnks for sharing.. i did some conversion too.. but you are the best.
thanks for posting. Have you had trouble with plastic units braking when sitting on very uneven camping ground ( rocky)? also we have found some plastic units 'fly' out ( dangerous) when moving off them ( on a site with plastic ground material- like shade cloth) We think we have found a better option, than 'plastic'
I have a set of folding recovery boards got snow nut never found them to be particularly helpful for snow with my 2011 kia soul
If those superior leveling blocks interconnected so that one could form the downhill after you go up the first one, I reckon they could be used as recovery boards. They have a nice wedge in there. Only problem I see currently is that you'd fall off the high end.
🙏 #Grateful Love ❤️ you guys thank you
Do you ever need 3 levelers? Those folding recovery boards would work as a 3rd leveler. The same could be said for your blue traction boards. You could put the folding one under your big levelers to raise them up an inch more.
I have one that's like that except it's made of rubber like a tire..
I would be concerned about the hinges holding up. Those Being able to mold closer to the terrain either will be beneficial or not. Hard to say.
Great review looks like a decent product for some
Not for me I already have traction boards and levelers
I'm not sure the plastic will work on my 26,000 lb rv for for my pickup, which is much more likely to get stuck, I think they would be awesome. As for the yellow levelers I think they're about the same price as making them out of 2x12s when you factor in the wood, screws, maybe a little cheaper and probably lighter too.
GoTreads says these are rated for 50,000 lbs per axle.
I have Camco's stacking leveling squares for leveling, also good for supporting rv steps, table legs, etc., because of versatility.
Alternative product - What I have for getting unstuck is "Tow Truck in a Box", interlocking heavy-duty aluminum sections that are deeply treaded top and bottom. They've been great. Truckers use them, too. Take up same or less space than today's product. May be of interest. Got my set at Canadian Tire in 🇨🇦.
Gee Bob, I’ve currently been looking for products like these! I didn’t know what to call them! I’m just starting out on my solo trailer living.
I am concerned about mud and wanted to know if there’s a carpet type thing to put down & drive the EV onto it if parking on grass & guard against digging the wheels into the mud when pulling out of a grassy/muddy spot.
The orange ones look good because they can be connected (like rubber carpet tiles) but I would need so many of them (24’) trailer & that would be uhhh quite pricey. The Camcorder ones would serve as the leveling problem solver for sure but is there a “recovery” mat that could roll up & out to store easily ?
Have you ever seen trac grabbers? Any opinions if you have.
I have the blue things in lime green. I would buy this new product if I didn't have it or levelers, which I also have.
Off topic but could be useful. I just saw a video about Polyjoule batteries. They are supposed to be lighter in weight and the charge last longer. Not yet on the market but would be great for us campers, I think anyway.
Cant we just use floor matts? Ive done that before
I'm curious what you use for a jack. The high lift jacks that are so popular among the Jeep crowd aren't practical on our larger rigs and most bottle jacks aren't that good off road.
A 12 ton bottle jack is what I ALWAYS KEEP IN MY 3500 DULLEY FOR it and thee rv's I haul. Now you gotta do your part and CARRY A FEW GOOD 2 ×4'S BECAUSE A JACK IS NOT ALWAYS ENOUGH BY ITSELF THAT IS FOR LIFTING PURPOSES as in changing flats
What about snow chains, any preference? Range in cost is amazing!
I have a class c and the rear is dual tires. Do you need two of the drive on levelers for the rear?
I would support each tire so they wouldn't be destroyed by excess weight on just one...
👍👍👍👍
2X12 pressure treated scrap boards don't cost folding money ---
Do you have anybody that has any info on the East Coast, Michigan straight down to Florida and over to the east that's my hood. LOL just not into the desert. Florida's desert enough
👋🤓👍