A four-wheel-drive pickup may cope well with a plowed winter road, but deep, loose snow can stop even a capable truck. Canadian company AD Boivin Design offers a more dramatic solution: a removable track system that the vehicle can drive into without first taking off its tires.
Called Track N Go, the TG-14 system places a self-contained rubber track beneath each wheel. The company developed it for compatible 4×4 pickups and selected large SUVs used for emergency response, industrial work, search and rescue, remote-property access and other demanding winter operations.
The truck’s tires power the tracks
Unlike conversion kits that replace the wheels, Track N Go retains the vehicle’s normal tires. After the truck climbs two loading ramps, each tire settles between rollers inside a track assembly. Turning the tire drives the rollers, which move the surrounding rubber belt at a 1:1 ratio.
The front assemblies pivot as the driver turns the steering wheel. Ski-like deflector plates are intended to help the tracks climb over deep snow and obstacles instead of digging into them, while enclosed side plates help resist sideways movement on slopes.
AD Boivin says an experienced user can install all four tracks in an average of about 15 minutes, with removal taking a similar amount of time. That figure assumes the vehicle already has the correct wheel adapters and bumper stops; a first installation or an unfamiliar operator may take longer.
Built for compatible 4×4 vehicles
The system does not fit every truck. The vehicle needs four-wheel drive, an automatic transmission with low-range 4L and either an automatic locking or limited-slip rear differential. Track N Go accepts non-studded tires measuring 31–35 inches (79–89 cm) in diameter and no more than 13 inches (33 cm) wide.
AD Boivin recommends a V8 of at least 5.0 liters for full-size pickups and large SUVs, although certain midsize pickups and off-road SUVs can use a V6. A locking front differential and heavy-duty cooling system are optional recommendations for more demanding deep-snow operation.
A substantial piece of equipment
Each track assembly weighs approximately 375 lb (170 kg), putting the complete four-track system at 1,500 lb (680 kg). Once installed, it raises the truck’s ground clearance by about 8 inches (20 cm) and adds approximately 8 inches to its overall width.
The manufacturer lists a maximum recommended vehicle weight of 12,500 lb (5,670 kg). It recommends speeds of roughly 9–22 mph (15–35 km/h) in snow, depending on its depth and the vehicle’s power. The quoted 40-mph (64-km/h) maximum applies to roads or hard-packed snow rather than deep powder.
The ability to move between snow and hard surfaces is useful, but it comes with limits. AD Boivin advises restricting summer travel on hard surfaces to approximately 10 miles at 30 mph (15 km at 48 km/h). Road legality also depends on local regulations. Transporting and storing four 375-lb assemblies will require considerably more planning than the quick installation demonstration might suggest.
Pricing and availability
AD Boivin does not publish a current retail price for Track N Go. Prospective buyers must request a quotation using the truck’s year, make and model, the number of systems required and the delivery destination. The company says the quotation includes shipping and confirms the vehicle-specific hardware needed for installation.
Track N Go is clearly a specialized solution rather than an everyday winter accessory. For organizations that need to carry people and equipment through snow too deep for an ordinary pickup, however, keeping the truck’s familiar cab, payload area and controls could be its most useful advantage.
Source: Track N Go
