Can GoTreads be your Ultimate Companion for Successful 4WD Recovery?

Any experienced 4WDer or RVer knows the world of pain being bogged is. But what if you didn’t need to call an expensive tow truck and could solve it yourself?

That’s where GoTreads comes in. US-made and invented, GoTreads have been helping people become ‘unbogged’ for more than three decades. So, what are they? They’re a unique, patented automotive/trucking tool designed to provide quick tyre traction for any vehicle. The patented arched grooves help the tool stay centred under the tyre while adding strength as it supports the weight of virtually any vehicle, including 4WDs, caravans and motorhomes. The deep, opposing grooves grip the slippery surface and the tyre to provide the necessary traction to get the vehicle moving again, safely, without damaging the tyre. 

Product creator, Arne Pinto, first thought of GoTreads when he was constantly caught in deep snow while living in Cary, Illinois. He was faced with a mound of snow at the end of his driveway every day when heading to work, thanks to a daily morning plough truck clearing the highway he lived on. Fed up with having to move the snow himself (and having an engineering background), he drew up the prints for GoTreads in the spring of 1975. After they were validated by his engineering buddies, he had the designs made by a friend who owned a machine and tooling shop, and when he tested them, they worked every time. In 1991, Arne finally started selling GoTreads and hasn’t looked back since. 

How to Use Them

Despite GoTreads not originating as an offroad tool, its use case has grown over the years, and they’re now used for not just snow, but mud and sand and any other surface where your tyres may get bogged. GoTreads can be used in three simple steps. Firstly, put the vehicle in park and ensure the handbrake is up. Secondly, unfold the GoTreads and centre the short section as close to the stuck tyre as possible. Thirdly, release the handbrake, as you begin moving forward, SLOWLY accelerate. Drive out to a safe place before stopping to retrieve your GoTreads. 

If you’re travelling in a convoy with friends and multiple friends own GoTreads, a handy tip is linking several together to create an even longer traction distance.

GoTreads are not just a recovery aid, their unique folding design also make them a levelling tool where a variety of heights can be achieved. You can also use them to create stability if resting on an uneven or malleable surface. For example, you could place your folded GoTreads under the jockey wheel of a caravan so it’s level with the rest of the wheels, and you can even stack two individual boards to create even more height.

Peace of Mind

Part of the beauty of GoTreads is that you can use them over and over again to get yourself out of sticky situations and to level your vehicle. GoTreads also come with a lifetime warranty, so in the unlikely event that your GoTreads break or are damaged, they’ll be fixed or replaced free of charge. GoTreads come in two sizes, Standard is 1.2m (3ft 11in) and XL is 1.5m (4ft 11in). Weighing only 2.6kg and made of multiple foldable components which fit into a neat square with a length of 12 inches, GoTreads are easy to store almost anywhere in your touring vehicle, caravan or RV. They’re easily handled because of their size and weight, making them accessible for people of all ages. 

GoTreads’ twofold usage make them a must-have tool for anyone going offroad. Being a tool designed to last for life, the amount you could save on tow trucks and the time saved waiting for them (if they even come out to the remote area you’re visiting) make them well worth the conservative price tag. 

GoTreads usually have to be imported from the US, but specialty retailer A247 sells them from Australia. You can pick up a pair of XL GoTreads from their website for $349. For more info, go to A247.

Next steps

At Hema Maps, we strive to provide the most comprehensive and accurate maps and guides for outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore Australia's natural wonders.

Did you find this information useful? If so, please share it with your fellow explorers. Whether it's by sms, social media, or email, your friends and fellow adventurers will appreciate the valuable tips and insights we've shared.

Let's work together to make the most of every adventure.