If you’ve made it here, you’re likely familiar with Maxtrax. The orange recovery boards are a signature feature on many a 4WD Australia-wide, even worldwide; and for good reason – they’re simple, hardy and an all-round brilliant recovery tool.
We all know they’re a saviour on tough tracks and sandy beaches, but there’s nothing worse than trying to find a spot to put a filthy set after they’ve just saved your hide. The second step after purchasing a pair or two (which, by the way, we sell here) is to find a mounting solution that is safe and secure, yet provides quick and easy access when you need them most.
We’ve spent the last few years developing various mounts and brackets. Each new design has been an evolution – with different features to suit unique customer and vehicle requirements. However, it wasn’t until we recently attempted to mount them all on a single rack that we realised just how many we’ve developed! Like any parent, we can’t pick between them... although there’s a few that we think are particularly special.
Let’s cut to the chase, shall we? Here’s the definitive guide to picking the right Maxtrax Mount for your setup.
Static mounts are the most straightforward mounts in our range. Whilst most of our customers mount these in a single location and tend to keep them there, they are easily moved around the rack by simply loosening the slot nut and screw.
FLUSH FLAT MOUNTS
Undoubtedly the stars of our range, our best-selling Flush Flat Mounts prove that sometimes simple is best. With a low profile flush-mount design, your Maxtrax sit snug, effectively hugging the rack.
Compatible with: Rhino-Rack Pioneer Platform, Yakima LockNLoad, Rola Titan Tray and Front Runner Trays
Construction & Finish: Powder Coated Stainless Steel
Best for:
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Find them here for Rhino-Rack, Front Runner or Yakima and Rola
TRADESMAN MOUNTS
Designed to complement the Rhino-Rack Platform Tradie trays, these are designed to ensure easy mounting of your recovery tracks without interfering with the side rails of the Tradie Platform.
Compatible with: Rhino-Rack Pioneer Platform Tradie roof trays
Construction & Finish: Natural Stainless Steel
Best for:
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ORIGINAL RAISED MOUNTS
Our original mounts, they remain our most flexible in terms of mounting options. Their slotted design allows for greater flexibility, and as such, they can be mounted facing inward or outwards.
Compatible with: Rhino-Rack Pioneer Platform
Construction & Finish: Natural Stainless Steel
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FOLDING MOUNTING OPTIONS
These are recent additions to our range and have fast become customer favourites. Our folding mounts allow easy access to your recovery tracks, just like regular static mounts, but with one key difference. When out of use they fold down flat, or very nearly flat.
STEALTH FOLDING MOUNTS
Our Stealth Folding mounts are pretty unique. When they’re not in use, the innovative design allows the pins to fold down flush with the rack, so it’s as though they aren’t there at all.
Compatible with: Rhino-Rack Pioneer Platform and Rola Titan Tray
Construction & Finish: Powder Coated Stainless Steel
Best for:
Things to consider:
30mm FOLDING MOUNTS
Our 30mm Folding Mount provides similar functionality to the Stealth Mount, let’s call them cousins. Sitting slightly higher above the rack, there is a minor compromise on clearance. But in return, you gain added flexibility, with the option to mount in either direction.
Compatible with: Rhino-Rack Pioneer Platform, Rola Titan and most Yakima LockNLoad Platforms
Construction & Finish: Powder Coated Stainless Steel
Best for:
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ANGLED MOUNTING OPTIONS
Some of the more niche options in our range, our angled mounts are perfect for those looking to maximise space on their rack, whilst also getting double duty out of their mounting solution.
SIDE ANGLED MOUNTS
Our Side Angled Mounts are perfect for easy access in recovery situations, with the ability to adjust both height and angle to suit your vehicle requirements.
Compatible with: Rhino-Rack Pioneer Platform or Rola Titan Tray
Construction & Finish: Powder Coated Aluminium
Best for:
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WIND DEFLECTOR MOUNTS
Get double duty out of roof-mounted Maxtrax; positioned at a 45º angle, these can act as a wind deflector for vehicles running bulky roof-mounted accessories, such as a rooftop tent.
Compatible with: Rhino-Rack Pioneer Platform
Construction & Finish: Natural Stainless Steel
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OPTIONS TO SUIT ARB BASE RACK
Due to its unique and innovative dovetail mounting system, our mounts to suit the ARB BASE Rack had to take a slightly different approach.
FLUSH FLAT MOUNTS
Perfect for those who like to keep it simple. With a low profile flush-mount design, your Maxtrax sit snug, effectively hugging the rack.
Construction & Finish: Powder Coated Stainless Steel
Best for:
Things to consider:
STEALTH FOLDING MOUNTS
For ARB BASE Rack we've created two options that secure to the rack's unique dovetail mounting system: both North-South (running front to rear) and East-West (running across the vehicle). So you can pick the perfect Stealth Mount to suit your setup.
Construction & Finish: Powder Coated Stainless Steel
Best for:
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SIDE ANGLED MOUNTS
Available in fixed or folding. We designed our folding brackets so you can remove your Maxtrax and simply fold down the mounting pins when they’re not in use, allowing you to run your mounts full time with greater side clearance.
Construction & Finish: Powder Coated Stainless Steel
Best for:
Things to consider:
Find the Fixed or Folding versions
OPTIONS FOR THOSE WITHOUT A PLATFORM-STYLE RACK
Now, there are many options for platform-style racks, but what about those with cross bars, or no rack at all? Don’t worry – we’ve got you.
CROSS-BAR BOARDS
They may look big, but made from aluminium, these boards are lightweight whilst still being incredibly tough.
Construction & Finish: Powder Coated Aluminium
Best for:
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REAR WHEEL MOUNT
Made from solid steel, this one isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and the use of mounting pins means it’s 100% lockable too.
Construction & Finish: Electro-zinc plated steel
Best for:
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OUT-BACK MOUNT
Our Out-Back Maxtrax and Maxtrax Mini Mount are super flexible. Adjust them up or down, in or out. Run it left, right or even above your spare tyre – with the Out-Back Mount, it's all up to you.
Construction & Finish: Powder Coated Aluminium
Best for:
Things to consider:
Find the Maxtrax or Maxtrax Mini here
These mounts are made for Maxtrax, but many other brands have similar spacing and slotted holes, such as TRED and Exitrax.
For the TRED owners out there, good news! TRED Pins now include stepped washers, that allow them to locate within the mounting holes designed for the larger Maxtrax pins. This means that TRED Threaded and Quick Release Pins are compatible with our mounts, and allow you to mount your TRED GT, HD and Pro Boards!
Unfortunately, the TRED Originals range of 800 and 1100 boards are incompatible due to their hole spacing.
It’s worth noting that Maxtrax brand pins are not an optimum height for other brands, but they can still work.
One thing is for sure: whether you’re team Maxtrax or team TRED, like things powder coated or au naturel, running a roof rack or cross-bars or no bars at all... we’ve got a mount that will work for you.
You can shop our entire range of mounts here.
Want to see these mounts in action? Watch our video guide.
Mount for MaxTrax
By: Luke on 27 October 2021Hello, I have the ARB roof rack (metal tubing round) do you have an appropriate mount for this, preferably to me mounted on the side angle of the roof rack. Please let me know, Kind regards
KAON 4x4 Touring Accessories Response
Hi there Luke, afraid we don't have a side angled mount suitable for ARB BASE Racks that feature rails. Your best bet will be either the Flush or Stealth Folding mounts.
Great article.
By: Adam C on 13 October 2021Keep em coming, this would help out anyone looking to buy. I got the flush mounts, they can be taken off super quick as well, and they look awesome with the tracks sitting super low.
KAON 4x4 Touring Accessories Response
Thanks Adam, we're glad to hear it! The flush mounts are definitely one of our favourites.
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