PRODUCT GUIDE

MaxTrax Magnetic Mounts:
Quick Release vs. Curved Surface

Two systems, two different jobs. Same Swiss engineering, same magnets, same no-drill philosophy. Here is how to choose the right one.

We invented magnetic mounts for recovery boards. We were the first to sell them, years before anyone else tried, and we are still the ones that OWL Vans, Burkhart Engineering, Dutch Van Parts, and retailers across five continents choose to carry. We say this not to boast, but because it matters: when you are stuck axle-deep in sand at 45 degrees Celsius, you want the original, not the copy.

We currently make two magnetic mounting systems for MaxTrax boards. They share the same magnets, the same Swiss-made carbon fibre reinforced pins, and the same no-drill, no-glue philosophy. But they are designed for different vehicles and different kinds of driving. This guide will help you pick the right one.

The Quick Release

CHF 168 for 4 supports (holds 2 boards)

The Quick Release is designed for one thing: getting your boards off the vehicle as fast as physically possible. You push a button, pull the pin, and the board is in your hands. No unscrewing. No fumbling. Seconds, not minutes.

This matters more than you think. If you are driving the Iron Road in Mauritania, the Skeleton Coast in Namibia, or any serious sand route, you are not getting stuck once. You are getting stuck five, ten, fifteen times in a day. Every time, you need your boards. And every time, you want them back on the vehicle quickly so you can keep moving before the sand swallows you again.

The Quick Release is designed for flat or nearly flat body panels: the lower side panels of vans (Sprinter, Transit, Ducato, VW Crafter), flat sections of SUV bodies, or any steel surface where the magnet can sit flush. If the surface is flat, the magnet makes full contact, and you get the full 55 kg of holding force per magnet. Note that vans like the Sprinter and Crafter are flat on the lower half of the side panels, but curved on the upper half near the roofline. If you want to mount on the lower flat section, the Quick Release is perfect. If you want to mount higher up where the panel curves, you need the Curved Surface version.

Best for

Overlanders who use their boards frequently. Desert and sand driving. Expedition vehicles. Anyone who wants instant access without tools. Lower side panels of vans (Sprinter, Transit, Ducato, VW Crafter). Flat sections of 4x4 bodies.

The Curved Surface Mount

CHF 189 for 4 supports (holds 2 boards)

The Curved Surface mount solves a specific problem: not every vehicle has flat panels. If you want to mount your MaxTrax on the hood of a truck, on the upper body panels near the roofline, or on the side of a vehicle with pronounced curves, a flat magnet will only make partial contact, which means less holding force and a less secure mount.

The Curved Surface version has an adjustable base that compensates for the curvature of the panel. The magnet sits on a joint that allows it to tilt and conform to the shape of the surface beneath it. This means you get full magnetic contact even on panels that are not flat.

The trade-off is access speed. The Curved Surface mount uses a screw-and-unscrew pin system rather than a push-button release. You need to turn the pin to remove and reattach your boards. It takes a bit longer than the Quick Release, but for most owners who carry boards as emergency equipment rather than daily-use recovery gear, this is not an issue. You mount them when you leave home and take them off when you come back.

Best for

Vehicles with curved body panels. Hood or bonnet mounting. Upper side panels of vans like the Sprinter and Crafter (which curve near the roofline). SUVs, trucks, and pickups with non-flat surfaces. Owners who carry boards as emergency gear rather than daily-use equipment.

Side by Side

How to Decide in 30 Seconds

Ask yourself two questions:

1. Is the surface where you want to mount your boards flat or curved?

If the panel is flat (like the lower side panels of a Sprinter, Transit, Ducato, or VW Crafter), get the Quick Release. If the panel is curved (like a hood, the upper side panels of a Sprinter or Crafter near the roofline, or the side of an SUV with pronounced body lines), get the Curved Surface.

2. How often will you need your boards?

If you are doing serious off-road driving where you expect to get stuck multiple times per day, the Quick Release saves real time and frustration. Push, pull, go. If your boards are emergency equipment that you hope to never use, the Curved Surface mount is perfectly fine, and it gives you the flexibility to mount on more vehicle shapes.

Still not sure? If your surface is flat and you have any doubt, go with the Quick Release. It is our newest design, it costs less, and instant access to your boards is something you will appreciate the first time you really need them. If your surface is curved, you have no choice: the Curved Surface mount is what you need.

What About Other Recovery Board Brands?

Both the Quick Release and Curved Surface mounts are designed specifically for MaxTrax boards (MK2, LITE, and XTREME). The pin geometry matches the MaxTrax mounting holes precisely.

If you carry ARB TRED boards, we make a dedicated mount for TRED/ARB boards. For generic or other brands of recovery boards (Amazon, AliExpress, etc.), we also have a universal quick-release version.

Will It Work on Your Vehicle?

Our magnetic mounts bond to any steel body panel. They do not work on aluminium bodies. Land Rovers and the new Ford Bronco are aluminium, so the magnets will not attach to those vehicles.

The fastest way to check: hold a kitchen magnet against the body panel where you want to mount. If it sticks firmly, our mounts will work. If it slides off, the panel is aluminium or non-ferrous, and you will need a different solution.

For a full compatibility list, use our compatibility tool.