VEVOR 10 Ton Traction Boards (TS503-FJ): features, specs and how they work

The VEVOR 10 Ton Traction Boards, model TS503-FJ, are a pair of recovery boards that help a vehicle regain grip when its wheels are stuck or spinning. You wedge them under the tires on soft or slippery ground, such as mud, sand or snow, and the toothed surface gives the tires something to bite into. VEVOR lists them for cars, pickups, SUVs and RVs.

How traction boards work

When a tire spins in sand or mud, it digs itself deeper. A traction board gives it a firm, grippy surface to drive onto. You clear some of the material in front of the tire, push the sloped end of the board down into the gap, and drive slowly forward onto it. The vehicle then climbs out along the board. Because the ground under the board is still soft, the board spreads the load across a larger area, which helps stop the vehicle from sinking.

Material and weather resistance

The boards are made of PP (polypropylene) plastic. VEVOR describes it as high-strength, flexible and elastic, saying it keeps its shape after prolonged use and resists both low and high temperatures. In general, plastic boards are lighter than metal ones, don't rust, and are kinder to tires and to the vehicle's underside. The pair weighs 11.2 lb, which makes them easy to carry.

What the 10-ton figure means

VEVOR rates the boards at up to 10 tons (22,046 lb). That is a capacity figure for the board's strength, and it puts them in the range for heavy vehicles such as large SUVs, RVs and trucks. A board's real performance also depends on the ground, the angle and the speed, and the vehicle's weight is spread across its tires, so use the instructions that come with the boards.

The surface and the shovel ends

The surface has a cross-tooth and U-shaped groove pattern, which is designed to hold the tire and keep it from slipping sideways or shifting. The sloped ends help tires climb on, and VEVOR says they can double as shovels to clear sand or snow from around the wheels. On the underside there is a farm jack socket, which VEVOR says adds stability during recovery operations. A farm-style jack can use this to lift a vehicle that is deeply stuck, but follow the jack's and the vehicle's manuals for safe lifting.

Straps, bag and storage

Two pull straps make the boards easier to pick up and to retrieve after use, as they can be half-buried in mud or snow. Both the boards and the straps fit into a carrying bag, so they can be stored in a boot or on a rack without making a mess in the vehicle.

Size and fit

Each board is about 40.9 inches long, 11.1 inches wide and 2.7 inches high. Check that your tires are narrower than the board's width and that they will fit in your storage space.

Who it suits

They suit off-road drivers, campers, and people who live where snow or sand is a regular problem, and anyone who wants a recovery aid in the vehicle in case of trouble.

What to check before you buy

• Vehicle weight and tire width: compare them with the boards' capacity and width.
• Terrain: think about the surfaces you meet most often.
• Storage: check the length of 40.9 inches against your cargo space.
• Recovery gear: a shovel, gloves and a jack suited to your vehicle are separate items.
• Technique: read the instructions before you need them, not after you are stuck.

The short version

• A pair of PP traction boards for mud, sand, snow and loose ground.
• Rated by VEVOR at 10 tons (22,046 lb).
• Cross-tooth grip, sloped shovel ends and farm jack sockets.
• Two pull straps and a carrying bag included.
• About 40.9 inches long; 11.2 lb for the pair.

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