Bronco Nation

Winch vs Traction Mats?

Soupcook
Mar 17, 2021

Rank VI

Mar 17, 2021

I put a winch on my Jeep and then never used it (nice insurance). My biggest risk for getting stuck is sand and mud. Now that I am thinking about building my Bronco, I believe I'll go the cheaper route and get the traction mats.

Do you have good/bad experience with traction mats? Winches are heavy and partially block the camera on the Bronco (at least for now). Traction mats are bulky...do you like flat or foldable? Thanks!
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7/14: Outer Banks, Eruption Green, Lux Package, 2.7 Eco, Sasquatch Package, Roof Rack, Towing Package, HD Modular front bumper, AUX switches
Husker, ATC Enthusiast
Last edited by a moderator: Mar 17, 2021

Official unofficial BN Photographer

Mar 17, 2021

#1
also curious. I see a lot of guys with the traction boards as part of their overloading setup.. .but I haven't purchased them yet. I did get some kinetic rope from Freedom Ropes though ...
Reservation: 7/20/20 | MY '21 order: 2/1/21 | MY '22 order: 10/22/21 | Blend 8/5, built 8/8, 'built' status 8/27, in my driveway 10/12/22
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Jakob1972, Deano Bronc

Rank III

Mar 17, 2021

#2
... get ready for the floor matt stories.

My favorite was watching a BMW X-5 stuffing his carpet matts in Anza Borrego super bloom.
Jakob1972, TK1215

you can tune a guitar but can't tune a fish

Mar 17, 2021

#3
Thane
... get ready for the floor matt stories.


This one time...in Jeep camp...:p

Mats work, winches work.
It all depends on what you are doing,mats are great for soft ground but in a river they might not work.
You won't forget to pack a winch.Mats you don't need an anchor point.

These things are dirt cheap and you can roll them up, they work well on ice.We keep them around in case someone gets the fork lift stuck.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Argonaut-T...179?_trksid=p2349526.m4383.l4275.c20#viTabs_0

but
Winches are much more macho than mats. :LOL:
Joined May 29, 2020 Member 546
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Jakob1972, Calgecko

Rank VI

Mar 17, 2021

#4
Calgecko
also curious. I see a lot of guys with the traction boards as part of their overloading setup.. .but I haven't purchased them yet. I did get some kinetic rope from Freedom Ropes though ...
Calgeko, good to see you on here again! Hope the new ride is working well for you.
Jakob1972, TK1215

Rank VI

Mar 17, 2021

#5
I think a lot of it depends on where you are and what you are doing. If you want to keep going, I think a winch is worth it. If you're interested in getting home, I think the mats work well. They kind of serve different functions in my mind. The winch moves things, not just your rig, but downed trees for example. The mats are for self-extraction, very short distance, enough to get you unstuck enough to reverse course. If I were overlanding, truly overlanding and not just camping, I'd say the winch would be invaluable. For those that are really fourwheeling and camping, the traction mats will likely work more efficiently. They are getting expensive though. I'd search a little online to determine what will work best for you. I carry both folding and non-folding traction mats, as well as two sets of snow chains in the winter. I have never needed them.
2022 Jeep JLR, manual with even more extra guacamole
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Official unofficial BN Photographer

Mar 18, 2021

#6
Hobgoblin
Calgeko, good to see you on here again! Hope the new ride is working well for you.
Thanks man. I’m having a blast with the ZR2 Bison. It’s a super capable truck and rides great. Don’t be surprised if you see me posting a bronco at some point though

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Reservation: 7/20/20 | MY '21 order: 2/1/21 | MY '22 order: 10/22/21 | Blend 8/5, built 8/8, 'built' status 8/27, in my driveway 10/12/22
Auto Photographer in Sacramento CA:
www.instagram.com/photographybymarkbrooks
Jakob1972, Hobgoblin

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