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Magnetic Ski/Snowboard/Kite Carrier for Cars & Vans
Trusted by the industry
Magnetic Ski / Snowboard / Kite Carrier for Cars & Vans
Magnetic ski, snowboard and kite carrier for any steel-roof vehicle. No drill. No roof bars. Installs in under a minute.
Road tested. Not lab rated.
We ran this carrier on a Mercedes-Benz CLS through the 2024–2025 winter. Over 20,000 km, including a Switzerland to Poland run on unrestricted sections of the German autobahn at up to 260 km/h. Loaded. Nothing moved.
That is one car, one winter, one loading. It is not a certification and we do not present it as one. We publish it because it is what we actually did.
Unrestricted autobahn sections are the only roads in Europe where that speed is legal. Speed limits and cargo securing remain the driver's responsibility.
On hold force
56 kg is direct pull per magnet, measured on clean flat steel with no air gap. That is the figure every manufacturer quotes, so it is how you compare us. It is not how a mount fails. A mount fails sideways — the load slides, then levers off an edge. That is why we publish the lateral figure too.
We do not publish a system total. A total is arithmetic, not a test.
What you get
Four aluminium mounting plates. Each plate carries three magnets on an adjustable joint that adapts to slightly curved surfaces. The plates include cut-outs for summer use — thread straps through them to carry paddleboards.
Summer straps: mechanical-closure straps wrapped in soft protective material to prevent any metal contact with the vehicle.
Three configurations
Without Thule SnowPack
Plates only — bring your own SnowPack. 4 × aluminium mounting plates, 12 × 56 kg neodymium magnets, adjustable joints for curved surfaces.
With Thule SnowPack M
50 cm loading width — 1 pair of skis or 1 snowboard. 4 × aluminium mounting plates, 12 × 56 kg neodymium magnets, Thule SnowPack M in black included.
With Thule SnowPack L
75 cm loading width — multiple skis, snowboards or kiteboards. 4 × aluminium mounting plates, 12 × 56 kg neodymium magnets, Thule SnowPack L in black included.
Strap cut-outs
The plates carry cut-outs for strap-based carrying — paddleboards and similar.
Will it work on your vehicle?
Works on
Does not work on
Select your make and model with our compatibility tool.
How it compares
Tactic Engineering
Original design, December 2021. Designed and manufactured in Switzerland. 56 kg direct, 16 kg lateral, per magnet. Road tested at 260 km/h over 20,000+ km with zero failures. 2 years warranty, worldwide.
Drilled bracket
Decades-old generic design, often made in Asia. No magnet pull figure. Generic testing. Typically 1 year warranty.
Magnetic look-alike
A recent copy of our design, often made in Asia. Magnet pull often unspecified. Testing and warranty both variable.
The figures are ours
We publish direct and lateral pull per magnet, and the road test behind them. No outsourcing. No shortcuts.
Why we built this
Roof bars
Expensive and vehicle-specific. Change your car, buy a new set. You cannot lend your rack to anyone, because roof bars are not universal.
Vacuum-mounted systems
The only option for panoramic glass roofs such as Tesla. They need perfectly clean surfaces, constant pumping and continuous monitoring to ensure the vacuum holds.
The magnetic system
Cheaper than roof bars. Universal. Moves between vehicles. Even if one magnet lifts for a moment, it reattaches the instant it touches steel again.
Under a minute
No tools, no holes, nothing permanent. Removal is as fast.
Security
The mount is engineered so the Thule SnowPack locks onto it. The mount cannot be removed without first opening the SnowPack, which is secured with a key lock. To remove everything: unlock and remove the SnowPack, then pull each magnetic plate diagonally, where magnetic resistance is lower.
For maximum theft resistance, add Loctite to the joint screws once you have set the angle. That makes disassembly significantly harder.
On the road
Magnetic ski, snowboard and kite carrier installed on a van roof.
Specifications
Frequently asked questions
Will a magnetic ski rack work on my van?
Yes, if your vehicle has a steel roof. Most European vans — Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit, Fiat Ducato, VW Crafter, Peugeot Boxer, Citroën Jumper, Iveco Daily, Opel/Vauxhall Movano, MAN TGE, VW T7 — have steel roofs and are compatible. Aluminium roofs will not work. Check yours with our compatibility tool.
Do I need to drill anything?
No. The mounting plates attach with 12 industrial magnets. Installation takes seconds. Removal is as fast. No tools, no holes, nothing permanent.
Is it safe at highway speeds?
We tested it on a Mercedes-Benz CLS across more than 20,000 km through the 2024–2025 winter, including a Switzerland to Poland run on unrestricted German autobahn at up to 260 km/h, with no failures. Each magnet holds 56 kg direct and 16 kg lateral. That is our own road test on one vehicle, not a certification. Local cargo-securing regulations remain the driver's responsibility.
Will the magnets damage the paint?
The magnet contact face is protected to avoid scratching standard automotive paint. Place the plates carefully and avoid sliding them across the surface.
Is it compatible with my existing Thule SnowPack?
Yes. The mount fits Thule SnowPack M (50 cm loading width) and Thule SnowPack L (75 cm loading width), in black. If you already own one, choose the “Without Thule SnowPack” option and receive only the four magnetic plates.
What if I need a replacement part?
Every part is replaceable individually at fair prices — from a screw to a small plastic component — instead of repurchasing the whole kit.
The original. Invented here.
Tactic Engineering invented the magnetic vehicle mount. Designed and prototyped in Switzerland, stress-tested on the road, first units shipped in December 2021. Every magnetic mount on the market today came after ours.
The first customer was Sam from Black Adventure Van. The biggest names in the van and off-road industry sell our product, not the copies. Because this is what we do, and we do it from Switzerland.
Sold worldwide through
Shipping, duties and warranty
Download the installation manual (EN/DE/FR/IT)
Comparing your options first? Our field guide ranks all six ways to carry skis on a van: Ski Rack for a Van Without Roof Bars: 6 Ways Ranked
Legal disclaimer: Sold from Switzerland, where cargo carriers of this type do not require special authorization. Responsibility lies with the driver. Tactic Engineering cannot be held accountable for any incidents resulting from the use of our products. It is the user's responsibility to ensure compliance with local regulations and laws regarding cargo securing.
Thule® and SnowPack® are trademarks of Thule Group AB. Mercedes-Benz® is a trademark of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. Tesla® is a trademark of Tesla, Inc. Land Rover® and Range Rover® are trademarks of Jaguar Land Rover Limited. Loctite® is a trademark of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA. All other vehicle makes and models named above are trademarks of their respective owners. Tactic Engineering is an independent manufacturer and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any of them.
swiss
Magnetic Ski/Snowboard/Kite Carrier for Cars & Vans
Without Thule SnowPack