| Traction Mats. [message #66773] |
Sun, 06 December 2009 22:02  |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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I just saw something that would make the perfect traction mats.
At the check out counter at Menards was a 6 foot stack of rubber mats. These things are full of holes about 3/4 in diameter and hundreds of little numbs for traction. They are 36" x 36" and molded into nine 1 foot squares. They are also designed to snap together so you can add extra lengths.
What I would do is buy one and slit it twice so I had three pieces 12" X 36". Now you have two traction mats with one piece left over. If desired the left over piece could be cut in half and attached to the 3 footers to make the 4.5 footers.
These things are fairly soft and flexible and could easily be stored in the propane cabinet on top of the tank.
Cost is $19.95.
I would buy one but I already have some expanded steel traction mats. So I do not need another set.
BTW, I went to Wally World looking for the plastic mats referenced here in a previous posting. They did not have them and did not know what I was asking for.
Ken B.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Traction Mats. [message #66782 is a reply to message #66773] |
Mon, 07 December 2009 13:11  |
Larry C
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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BTW, I went to Wally World looking for the plastic mats referenced here in a previous posting. They did not have them and did not know what I was asking for.
________________________________________________________
Yes, I found that they seem to carry items on the fly very often and if you ask about them, they know little if anything or if they even ever had them there.
WallyWorld has what seems to be a very good computerized inventory system, they used it when I was looking for the RCA converter that they no longer carried, but seems the only person that knows how to use it is the store manager.
LarC ( Admiring what the computer age has become but not happy how it is being over looked. )
Gatsbys' CRUISER  08-18-04
74 GLACIER X, 260/455-APC-4 Bagg'r
Remflex Manifold gaskets
CampGrounds needed, Add yours to "PLACES" />
http://www.gmceast.com/travel
_
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| Re: [GMCnet] Traction Mats. [message #67180 is a reply to message #66782] |
Fri, 11 December 2009 10:51 |
GMC_LES
Messages: 569
Registered: October 2009
Location: Montreal
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Up here in the great white north, I've found that plastic or rubber traction
aids were not all that helpful unless they had very aggressive surfaces. The
reason is just simply that tires slip very easily when wet or dirty, which
is typically the reason for lost traction in the first place. The plastic
and rubber traction aids do little to reduce this "lubrication"
What I found to be a super traction aid, and not all that costly or bulky,
is expanded metal mesh. There are two basic types of expanded mesh, regular
& flattened. For traction aids, you want the regular mesh. This mesh has an
angle to the edges that provides an excellent traction surface for the tire.
On icy surfaces, the mesh works better in one direction than the other due
to the angles, but for most other situations, it works in any direction.
2 pieces of suitable size for the GMC should fit nicely in the propane tank
compartment. You want a fairly heavy gauge to resist deformation on soft
surfaces, and if you like extra long traction aids, just join multiple
pieces together with small chain repair links so the pieces are hinged and
can fold at the joints.
Here are a few links showing expanded mesh. The "REGULAR" or "STANDARD" mesh
is what you want.
Regular http://www.wiremesh-yld.cn/Standard-Expanded-metal-img.html
Flattened http://www.wiremesh-yld.cn/Flattened-Expanded-metal-img.html
NOTE: If you have a metal shop cut you some mesh panels, have them cut the
pieces so that the edges do not have any "spikes" or burrs. This requires
adjusting the dimensions to accommodate the mesh grid spacing. The metal
shop will know what to do.
Les Burt
Montreal
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Les Burt
Montreal
1975 Eleganza 26ft
A work in Progress
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| Re: [GMCnet] Traction Mats. [message #67200 is a reply to message #67180] |
Fri, 11 December 2009 14:27 |
bryant374
Messages: 563
Registered: May 2004
Location: Pleasant Valley, NY 12569
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Re: [GMCnet] Traction Mats. Fri, 11 December 2009 11:51
Les Burt
Up here in the great white north, I've found that plastic or rubber traction
aids were not all that helpful unless they had very aggressive surfaces. The
reason is just simply that tires slip very easily when wet or dirty, which
is typically the reason for lost traction in the first place. The plastic
and rubber traction aids do little to reduce this "lubrication"
What I found to be a super traction aid, and not all that costly or bulky,
is expanded metal mesh. There are two basic types of expanded mesh, regular
& flattened. For traction aids, you want the regular mesh. This mesh has an
angle to the edges that provides an excellent traction surface for the tire.
On icy surfaces, the mesh works better in one direction than the other due
to the angles, but for most other situations, it works in any direction.
2 pieces of suitable size for the GMC should fit nicely in the propane tank
compartment. You want a fairly heavy gauge to resist deformation on soft
surfaces, and if you like extra long traction aids, just join multiple
pieces together with small chain repair links so the pieces are hinged and
can fold at the joints.
Here are a few links showing expanded mesh. The "REGULAR" or "STANDARD" mesh
is what you want.
Regular http://www.wiremesh-yld.cn/Standard-Expanded-metal-img.html
Flattened http://www.wiremesh-yld.cn/Flattened-Expanded-metal-img.html
NOTE: If you have a metal shop cut you some mesh panels, have them cut the
pieces so that the edges do not have any "spikes" or burrs. This requires
adjusting the dimensions to accommodate the mesh grid spacing. The metal
shop will know what to do.
Les Burt
Montreal
>>
I have had expanded metal type traction mats for many years and have used them very successfully to free stuck friends as well as myself. I have 2 sets that I bought at yard sales for a dollar or two. If fabricating, don't use the flat type of expanded metal, you want the edges for the grip. The following link shows one set, one folded & one laid out as used.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=31950
Other "helpful hints", things I have found helpful to get unstuck.
1- Go in as straight a line as possible. If possible, move gently forward and reverse (1' or 2') to minimize the depression you may have been sitting in. Do not spin the wheels, otherwise forget this move.
2- Pump up the rear as high as possible. Loads the fromt more (at least that is what I tell myself).
3- Last resort, drop the air pressure in the front tires for better traction (do this before you coat the front tires with slipery mud).
Bill Bryant
PO 1976~PB (owned 34 years)
1914 Ford (owned 70 years)
1965 Corvette (owned 39 years)
GMC Motorhome History
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| Re: [GMCnet] Traction Mats. [message #67227 is a reply to message #67180] |
Fri, 11 December 2009 20:45 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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| Les Burt wrote on Fri, 11 December 2009 10:51 |
Up here in the great white north, I've found that plastic or rubber traction
aids were not all that helpful unless they had very aggressive surfaces. The
reason is just simply that tires slip very easily when wet or dirty, which
is typically the reason for lost traction in the first place. The plastic
and rubber traction aids do little to reduce this "lubrication"
What I found to be a super traction aid, and not all that costly or bulky,
is expanded metal mesh. There are two basic types of expanded mesh, regular
& flattened. For traction aids, you want the regular mesh. This mesh has an
angle to the edges that provides an excellent traction surface for the tire.
On icy surfaces, the mesh works better in one direction than the other due
to the angles, but for most other situations, it works in any direction.
2 pieces of suitable size for the GMC should fit nicely in the propane tank
compartment. You want a fairly heavy gauge to resist deformation on soft
surfaces, and if you like extra long traction aids, just join multiple
pieces together with small chain repair links so the pieces are hinged and
can fold at the joints.
Here are a few links showing expanded mesh. The "REGULAR" or "STANDARD" mesh
is what you want.
Regular http://www.wiremesh-yld.cn/Standard-Expanded-metal-img.html
Flattened http://www.wiremesh-yld.cn/Flattened-Expanded-metal-img.html
NOTE: If you have a metal shop cut you some mesh panels, have them cut the
pieces so that the edges do not have any "spikes" or burrs. This requires
adjusting the dimensions to accommodate the mesh grid spacing. The metal
shop will know what to do.
Les Burt
Montreal
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I looked at all of the pictures of the various types on the site referenced above. Mine appear to be made out of the Carbon Steel type.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Traction Mats. [message #67309 is a reply to message #66773] |
Sun, 13 December 2009 02:22 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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I was back at Menards today.
Here it the item I was suggesting from another vendor.
I'm just posting it so you can have s picture.
Today the original 6 foot stack is down to about 2.5 feet.
Menards price is $20.00
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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