What makes CalTracs different from other traction or ladder bars?

People mistakenly use the terms “traction bars” and “ladder bars” interchangeably. They actually address different leafspring hard acceleration issues.

Ladder-style bars prevent the spring wrap that can cause wheel hop and chatter, but a ladder bar that connects your rear axle to the frame rail does little to actually add or improve traction.

Traction bar systems aid traction on acceleration by creating a downward force to help plant the tires but do not address wheel hop or the chatter issue common with “slapper bars”.

Calvert Racing’s patented CalTracs combines the best of both systems. It connects from the rear axle to a triangular-shaped bracket  mounted to the front leaf spring eyelet. The lower hole in this triangle bracket attaches to the new bar, the center hole is aligned with the leaf spring eyelet and the top hole has a pin through it that will ride on top of the leaf spring pack. As you throttle, the axle will have a tendency to wrap, which will push the Calvert Force Transfer Link forward. The pivot at the front leaf eyelet then forces the pin riding on top of the springs downward into the spring pack itself. This downward force of the pin on the leaf springs causes down force on the entire axle assembly and pushes your tires down onto the pavement/dirt. The harder you’re on the throttle, the harder the downward force on your tires.

While many believe that CalTracs are strictly for drag racing applications, a properly adjusted CalTracs setup could improve traction for just about any application, including heavy towing, off-roading, even daily driving. If you spin your tires or get a hopping or chatter feeling from your rear end while towing heavy loads, you are likely feeling the effects of axle wrap and lack of traction.

CalTracs were designed to help eliminate both axle wrap and traction issues.