There’s a new name to look out for in New Zealand when searching for 4WD auto accessory equipment.........T-Max.
Currently unknown to most New Zealand off-road enthusiasts, that situation will change once they are exposed to the T-Max range of very competitively priced 4WD specialist equipment, mostly centred on recovery and towing gear.

The Australian-based T-Max brand is being brought to this market by leading automotive accessory company Griffiths Equipment, well known for its Wildcat, Aunger, SAAS and Type S car product lines. The T-Max range is the first serious venture by Griffiths into 4WD products and comes as a result of a worldwide search to meet a growing demand for this equipment in New Zealand.“Our research indicated that the variety of equipment and accessories for those who wish to properly equip their vehicles is limited, and pricing tends to be quite high. So we set out to find alternative sources of 4WD equipment that met the necessary quality and safety requirements, yet was more affordable, which led us to the T-Max range.”

T-Max has built a strong reputation in Australia & USA for its high-performance off-road recovery winches, straps and other 4WD equipment at excellent value for money. Value and performance will be key messages for T-Max products sold in New Zealand, with Griffiths providing local retailers with a core of popular items initially and building the range as the brand becomes more accepted.

Top of the T-Max range here will be two electric vehicle-mounted winches that are claimed to be among the best in class - the TMEW10000, which is rated at 10,000lbs, or just over 4.9-tonnes and the TMEW9000, rated to 9,000lbs, or 4.3-tonnes.

Both winches are built to heavy-duty specifications, featuring machined planetary gears instead of pressed gear sets, to ensure reliability under tough winching conditions. All T-Max winches are intentionally geared down to further reduce strain on the moving parts and also provide better control. Combined with big, powerful 6.6Hp wound motors and lower amperage draw, the winches are designed to resist overheating. Other heavy-duty components include a bearing-driven shaft for cooler operation.

For safety, all T-Max winches use a POSI-LOC brake system that locks the drum to the main gears, in place of less effective cone or friction brakes. A strong wire rope comes standard with the winches, but they are also designed to be able to take synthetic ropes.

A very useful accessory to the winches is a wireless remote control, which can be used up to 30 metres from the vehicles and does away with the cable link, thus enabling the operator to work from a handier location without getting tied up.

Among other products in the T-Max range that will be available in New Zealand are winch extension straps from 5-to-20 metres, tree trunk protectors, snatch blocks, rated D and Bow shackles, tow hooks, snatch straps, plus 5-piece and 8-piece recovery kits.

The T-Max 4WD product range will be available in New Zealand from leading automotive accessory outlets.