Sand ladders or Waffels

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C

climbingmike

New Member
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44
Hi

I need to get a traction aid for sand. I have used stand ladder before, but they are quite specific in their use. So I was thinking about a set of waffle boards, as they are more useful in the UK.

I have read in a few places that they work in sand, but I just don’t see how. With a sand ladder you are laying down a road over the sand with a large surface area so it doesn’t sink. What stop the waffle board from just sinking in the sand as you drive over it? Surely the sand just passes though the holes?

Any thoughts or experiences would be most welcome.

Many thanks
Mike
 
Last edited:
why do you need them for sand in the uk? or are you looking for a multi function traction aid to use at home and abroad?

Waffle boards are the only way here in the UK and I have found them particularly useful for bridging gaps whilst in Morocco and in the Alps. Waffle boards are also multi functional for overland use as they can be used for seating (ontop of jerry cans), great to stand on whilst having a shower (muddy feet) and im sure other things to. Heavier than sand ladders (14-16kg and 4-6kg respectively) but win for me as "true" sand conditions are fairly difficult to come by.

I have not used them in sand only conditions as a spade was more useful. I suppose it depends on your journey/destination. I have heard they work in sand as it provides a larger surface area than just the tyre given the load of the vehicle. They will sink, but wont be useless.

HTH

G
 
Surely the principle is the same as that of snow shoes, it just increases the surface area and spreads the load, thereby reducing the risk of sinking into the sand (or snow!!).
 
It is for a trip to Morocco in March and Cape Town in a few years. I was thinking of waffles because they will be more useful in the UK, but what I get has to function best for my trip.

It sounds like that waffles are almost as good in sand as sand ladders, but have a much large amount of other uses which makes them a more versatile choice.

Many thanks
Mike
 
I took one aluminium sand ladder and one waffle board - covers all eventualities! Waffle boards do work in sand as dtd5 says, but I found the tyre can spin on them if you're not careful.....We absolutely needed ours in Mauritania and Mali, but most of the sand in Morocco we found was 'firm' sand (around Erg Chebbi) so we didn't get stuck. Read Chris Scott's Sahara Overland for technique.
J
 
For our expedition we decided to take Waffles, mainly for their size (we cut them to fit) and weight advantages. We used them a few times in sand and they worked well, getting us out of trouble. However you are right in that they do sink a bit, however the vehicle still gets good traction from them. You then just have to yank them out of the sand. Luckily sand doesn't stick in all the holes like mud does when you use waffles.

The other benefit I have seen from people using the metal sand ladders is that you can fit them to the side of the vehicle and hinge them down to make another surface on the outside of the vehicle. Something that is normally limited when camping.
 
InSearchOfAfrica said:
The other benefit I have seen from people using the metal sand ladders is that you can fit them to the side of the vehicle and hinge them down to make another surface on the outside of the vehicle. Something that is normally limited when camping.
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