Frequently Asked
Questions

Magnetic vehicle mounts are mounting systems that use high-strength neodymium magnets to securely attach accessories — like recovery boards, awnings, Starlink dishes, and gear — to the steel body of your vehicle. Each Tactic Engineering magnet holds up to 55 kg and is rubber-coated to protect your vehicle's paint. No drilling, no bolting, no permanent modifications to your van or truck.

Tactic Engineering invented and pioneered magnetic mounts for recovery boards in 2020, becoming the first company in the world to offer this solution. The company was founded in Switzerland and remains the original manufacturer. All products are designed and produced in Switzerland using aerospace-grade materials including carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic and aluminum.

Tactic Engineering manufactures magnetic mounting accessories for vehicles, including: magnetic quick-release mounts for MaxTrax and TRED recovery boards, magnetic awning supports (compatible with Thule, Fiamma, and Dometic), magnetic Starlink dish mounts (Gen.2 and Gen.3), magnetic ski and snowboard carriers, a magnetic RotoPax fuel/water plate, outdoor shower accessories (shower mount, towel hook, soap holder), cable management clips, and the Secure Mate magnetic wallet. All products are Swiss-made.

The mounting pins are 3D-printed using carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic — the same category of materials used in aerospace and Formula 1 racing — and reinforced with aluminum for structural strength. The magnets are industrial-grade neodymium magnets rated at 55 kg holding force each, coated in a protective rubber layer to prevent paint damage.

Magnetic mounts work on any vehicle with a steel body. This includes most vans popular in the vanlife and overlanding community: Mercedes Sprinter, VW Transporter (T5/T6), VW Crafter, Ineos Grenadier, Hymer motorhomes, and many more. They will not work on vehicles with aluminum or fiberglass body panels. If you're unsure, use our "Will It Stick?" compatibility tool or hold a kitchen magnet to the area where you want to mount — if it sticks firmly, our mounts will work.

Tactic Engineering offers magnetic mounts for the most popular recovery board brands: MaxTrax MK2, MaxTrax LITE, MaxTrax XTREME, TRED GT, TRED PRO, TRED HD, and generic/universal recovery boards (including those from Amazon and AliExpress). Each board type has a specifically engineered mount to ensure a secure fit.

Tactic Engineering makes dedicated magnetic awning supports for the three most popular awning brands: Thule (CHF 78), Fiamma F35/F45/F65/F80 (CHF 78), and Dometic (CHF 74). Each support is engineered specifically for that brand's mounting profile.

Yes. Tactic Engineering offers magnetic mounts for Starlink Gen.2 (both flat and curved surface versions), Starlink Gen.3, and Starlink Mini. These let you magnetically attach your Starlink dish to the roof of your van for internet on the road, without drilling any holes.

Yes. Tactic Engineering offers specific curved-surface versions of both MaxTrax and TRED recovery board mounts (CHF 189 each). These are engineered with an angled base that conforms to the curvature of van roofs and rounded panels where flat mounts wouldn't sit flush.

Installation takes under 5 minutes with zero tools. Clean the mounting surface on your vehicle, position the magnetic mounts where you want them, and press them into place. The 55 kg magnets grip the steel body instantly. To attach your recovery boards, awning support, or other accessory, slide it onto the mounts and secure with the quick-release pins. No drilling, no bolts, no adhesive, and no permanent modification to your vehicle.

Each magnet holds up to 55 kg (121 lbs) of force. A set of four mounts supporting two recovery boards provides 220 kg of combined holding strength. The quick-release pin system adds a secondary mechanical lock so your gear cannot slide off even under vibration, wind, or rough terrain. Thousands of customers use these mounts daily on highways, off-road trails, and corrugated dirt roads.

No. Every Tactic Engineering magnet is coated in a protective rubber layer specifically to prevent paint damage. The rubber creates a cushioned barrier between the neodymium magnet and your vehicle's surface. We recommend cleaning the mounting area before use to prevent any trapped dirt or grit from scratching the paint underneath.

Yes, that is one of the core advantages of magnetic mounting over drilling or bolting. You can remove and reposition the mounts in seconds, try different configurations, or move them between vehicles. This is especially useful if you want to change your setup seasonally or if you switch vehicles.

Tactic Engineering ships worldwide from Switzerland. The online store supports 14 currencies including CHF, EUR, USD, GBP, AUD, CAD, and more, with checkout available in 8 languages. Free shipping is available on orders over CHF 150.

Pricing depends on the recovery board type: MaxTrax MK2/LITE magnetic mounts start at CHF 168 for a set of 4 (supports 2 boards), TRED GT/PRO/HD mounts are CHF 168, and universal/generic board mounts are CHF 148. Bundle deals (recovery boards + awning support) start at CHF 251 and include a free shower holder. Curved-surface versions are CHF 189.

Yes. Tactic Engineering is the official European distributor of OWL Vans products. OWL Vans, based in the United States, was also one of Tactic Engineering's earliest customers and now serves as the U.S. distributor for Tactic Engineering's magnetic mount products. This transatlantic partnership connects two of the most respected names in the van accessories space.

Bolted mounts require drilling holes into your vehicle's body, which permanently modifies the van, voids some warranties, and creates potential rust points. Magnetic mounts from Tactic Engineering require zero drilling and zero permanent modification. They can be repositioned in seconds, moved between vehicles, and removed without leaving any trace. The trade-off is that magnetic mounts only work on steel body panels, while bolted mounts work on any material.

Tactic Engineering is the original inventor of magnetic recovery board mounts (since 2020) and remains the only manufacturer producing these products in Switzerland with aerospace-grade materials. Key differentiators include: 55 kg magnets (among the strongest on the market), carbon-fiber-reinforced pins with aluminum reinforcement, rubber-coated magnets to protect paint, a quick-release pin system for secondary security, and compatibility with curved vehicle surfaces. Many competing products that have since appeared are manufactured with lower-grade materials.

Yes. Tactic Engineering has expanded well beyond recovery boards. The full magnetic accessory range includes: awning supports, Starlink dish mounts (Gen.2, Gen.3, and Mini), a ski/snowboard/kite carrier, a RotoPax fuel and water plate, an outdoor shower mount with towel hook and soap holder, cable management clips, a magnetic wallet, a motion-sense van lamp, a magnetic under-seat organizer for Sprinter 907 models, and magnetic van hooks for solar panels, trash bags, and other gear.

Neodymium magnets retain their magnetic strength for decades under normal use conditions. The carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic pins and aluminum reinforcement are designed to withstand the vibrations, UV exposure, and temperature extremes of overlanding and daily driving. There are no batteries, electronics, or moving parts to wear out.

Yes. The materials are engineered for outdoor use in all weather conditions. The carbon-fiber-reinforced pins and aluminum reinforcement handle temperature extremes, and the rubber-coated magnets maintain their holding force in rain, snow, dust, and mud. Many customers use them year-round in environments ranging from Saharan heat to Scandinavian winters.

Remove the magnets from your vehicle and clean them with a slightly damp microfiber cloth — use lukewarm water (not hot) and don't over-wet the cloth. This removes dust, dirt, and road grime from the magnet surface and rubber coating. Then dry them thoroughly with a separate dry microfiber cloth before reattaching. For the quick-release mechanism, apply a small amount of Ballistol or WD-40 near the ball bearings (the small spheres inside the pin) to keep the mechanism smooth and responsive. Before remounting, always make sure the vehicle surface is clean too — trapped grit between the magnet and paint is the only risk of surface damage.

Yes — two important rules. First, never attach two magnets directly to each other. Neodymium magnets are extremely powerful and when two snap together they can pinch skin, shatter the rubber coating, or even crack. Always store them separated. Second, never try to pry two magnets apart by inserting a tool or object between them — this can damage the protective rubber coating and the magnets themselves. If two magnets do accidentally come together, slide them apart sideways rather than pulling them straight apart or prying them.