Petzl Pro Traxion Review

Likes
This hauling device is very strong and dependable. We have never heard of anyone wearing down the cam teeth on this Petzl pulley. The fact that you can attach and detach the hauling rope without removing it from the anchor is handy. The operation of the pulley is great. One great thing about this device is you can haul with just one ascender (you don't need an extra one to catch the rope). I just attach one Petzl Ascender and you are good to go.

Dislikes
There are no major gripes with this climbing pulley but we have some minor ones. Because of the big diameter clip in point, you need to make sure you have a special pear or oval-shaped locking carabiner like the Petzl Attache or Petzl OK. Also, you need to use an extra biner clipped to the bottom to make sure the rope does not jump out. This is not a big drawback, but it is an extra safety step you need to remember, a step that you don't have to remember with other devices such as the Micro Traxion or the Waul Hauler.

One safety issue with this device is you need to really be careful about properly attaching the device to the climbing rope, engaging the clamp, and clipping a biner through the bottom holes for safety. There was a fatal accident in Zion where the device was not properly engaged and led to events that caused a rope to break.

Best Application
This is best suited for any wall that will take more than one night and your load is more than 100 pounds. While this can handle loads up to 560 pounds, above 200 pounds you should use a pulley that is 3 inches or bigger. If your load is less than 100 pounds, go with the Petzl Mini Traxion.

Value
The Petzl Pro Traxion is really expensive compared to the Waul Hauler. If you are going to do a ton of walls, it is worth it. The good news is that the device is so durable that you could possibly resell it for a decent amount of money. However, keep in mind that many people feel you should not resell used climbing gear.