For New Zealanders who spend most of the working day on the road, a vehicle is more than transport. It can be a mobile office, dispatch point, navigation hub and workspace rolled into one.
Tradies may move between job sites across town or between regions. Couriers and delivery drivers rely on navigation throughout the day. Field service teams need quick access to job information, while technicians, sales representatives and fleet operators may depend on phones, tablets and GPS devices from the first job through to the end of the day.
A good RAM® vehicle mount keeps those devices secure, visible and positioned to support the workday without becoming another thing to manage.
RAM® Mounts offer several approaches depending on how permanent the installation needs to be, how often the device is removed, and what type of vehicle is being used. For phone-based workflows, RAM® Quick-Grip™ and RAM® X-Grip® are practical holder options. For vehicles where drilling is not desirable, RAM® Tough-Wedge™ provides a removable mounting platform, while drill-down bases suit dedicated work vehicles where a fixed setup is the priority.
Recommended RAM® Mount solutions for New Zealand work vehicles
- RAM® Quick-Grip™ - a spring-loaded holder designed for phones and other compatible handheld devices, with adjustable side keepers and options including complete drill-down mounting kits.
- RAM® X-Grip® - a versatile spring-loaded holder with the distinctive four-leg design, available for phones as well as larger devices and in multiple vehicle mounting configurations.
- RAM® Tough-Wedge™ - fits between a vehicle seat and centre console to create a removable mounting platform without requiring a permanent base to be drilled into the vehicle.
- RAM® Drill-Down Mounts - suited to dedicated work vehicles where a fixed mounting point and consistent device position are more important than easy removal of the entire mounting system.
Why work vehicles need the right mounting setup
When you are getting in and out of a vehicle throughout the day, small inefficiencies can quickly add up.
A loose phone may end up in a cup holder, passenger seat or centre console. Each time the vehicle moves, the device can shift again. A properly positioned mount gives the phone or tablet a consistent place in the cab, making it easier to keep your mobile workspace organised.
This can be useful for tradies, service technicians, couriers, transport operators and other workers using phones, tablets or navigation devices throughout the day.
The goal is not simply to put a phone on the dashboard. A good setup should suit the device, the driver, the vehicle and the way that equipment is used during the working day.
Explore the RAM® Vehicle Mounts range at Mounts New Zealand for vehicle mounting options.
RAM® Quick-Grip™ for frequent stops and quick phone access
For a tradie, courier or field technician visiting multiple locations each day, inserting and removing a phone from its holder may happen again and again.
RAM® Quick-Grip™ uses a spring-loaded design with adjustable side supports to secure compatible phones and other handheld devices. It is particularly useful where quick, straightforward access to the phone is important.
For a dedicated ute, van or service vehicle, the RAM® Quick-Grip™ XL Spring-Loaded Phone Mount with Drill-Down Base (RAM-B-138-PD4U) combines the holder with a B Size double socket arm and drill-down round base.
Always check the complete dimensions of your phone, including any protective case, before choosing a Quick-Grip™ holder.
RAM® X-Grip® for a flexible vehicle setup
The RAM® X-Grip® is another useful option for work vehicles, particularly where versatility is important.
Its spring-loaded four-leg design holds compatible devices while leaving much of the phone accessible. The X-Grip® range includes holders for phones and tablets and can be paired with different RAM® bases and socket arms.
An X-Grip® setup can be particularly useful for businesses using different phone models across their vehicles or expecting devices to change over time, provided each device remains within the holder's specified dimensions.
Explore more options in the RAM® Phone Mounts collection.
RAM® Tough-Wedge™ when you do not want to drill
Not every work vehicle needs a permanent mount.
A vehicle may be leased, shared between employees or used for both work and personal travel. In other situations, the mounting setup simply needs to be removed or repositioned easily.
RAM® Tough-Wedge™ provides another approach. The base is designed to fit in the gap between the passenger seat and centre console, creating a mounting point without drilling into the vehicle.
The Tough-Wedge™ can make sense for workers who move between vehicles or businesses that do not want to permanently modify the cab.
The trade-off is that a removable seat-wedge system and a permanently installed drill-down base solve different problems. If the same vehicle and device are used every working day, a fixed mounting setup may provide greater consistency.
Drill-down bases for dedicated work and fleet vehicles
For a work ute, service van, truck or fleet vehicle used regularly, a fixed drill-down installation can provide a consistent mounting point.
Rather than repositioning the whole system each day, the base remains attached to an appropriate surface. The socket arm can then be adjusted to position the device where it suits the cab and workflow.
The RAM-B-138U Drill-Down Mount, for example, includes a round base, medium B Size double socket arm and diamond base.
The RAM-B-138-PD4U Quick-Grip™ XL kit combines this style of mounting system with a spring-loaded phone holder.
A drill-down setup should only be installed on an appropriate surface, and the mounting location should be carefully confirmed before drilling.
Choose the mount around the New Zealand workday
There is no single vehicle mount that suits every worker or vehicle.
A field technician making frequent stops around Auckland may prioritise quick phone removal. A rural service technician travelling between properties may want a secure, consistent navigation position. A contractor moving between several vehicles may prefer a removable solution, while a fleet operator running dedicated vans or utes may favour permanent installations.
New Zealand work vehicles also operate across very different environments, from city streets and motorways to rural roads, gravel access routes and worksites. The mounting setup should suit the conditions in which the vehicle is actually used.
Available dashboard space, centre-console layout, passenger use, controls, airbags, visibility and suitable mounting surfaces should all be considered before selecting the final location.
The mount should never obstruct vehicle controls or the driver's view. Device use while driving should always comply with current New Zealand road rules and safe-driving requirements.
Think about arm length and positioning
More reach is not automatically better.
A longer socket arm provides additional positioning flexibility, but it can also take up more space in the cab and introduce extra movement.
For many work vehicles, the shortest arm that provides the required viewing position is a sensible starting point.
Think about where the device needs to sit in relation to the steering wheel, dashboard, centre console, passenger area and other equipment.
Once the setup has been adjusted correctly, a frequently used work device should not require major repositioning every time someone enters the vehicle.
Do not forget the phone case and charging cable
A common mistake is choosing a holder based only on the phone model.
If the phone stays inside a rugged or heavy-duty case while on site, the dimensions of the phone and case together are what matter when checking holder compatibility.
Charging also needs to be considered before choosing the final mounting location.
A phone used for navigation, job scheduling, dispatch, calls and work apps throughout a long day may need regular power. Make sure the holder and mounting position leave suitable access to the charging port and allow the cable to be routed without interfering with controls.
Planning cable routing at the same time as the mount can help create a cleaner and more practical mobile workspace.
Common work vehicle mounting mistakes
Do not choose a holder before checking the phone and protective case dimensions. Avoid using an arm that is longer than the installation requires, and do not choose a removable mounting method when the vehicle really needs a permanent setup.
For drill-down installations, confirm the final device position before drilling. Avoid locations that block vehicle controls, vents or driver visibility, and make sure there is enough space for charging cables.
It is also worth thinking beyond the phone currently being used. If company devices change regularly, a compatible universal holder such as Quick-Grip™ or X-Grip® may provide more flexibility for future upgrades.
Buying checklist for RAM® work vehicle mounts
Before ordering, check the device model, complete dimensions with the protective case fitted, charging-port position, how often the device will be removed, whether the vehicle is dedicated or shared, available mounting surfaces, required arm length, preferred viewing position and whether the base should be permanent or removable.
Also confirm compatibility between the holder, socket arm and mounting base. For fleet installations, consider whether the same setup can be standardised across multiple vehicles.
If you are unsure about compatibility, check the individual product specifications before ordering.
Why buy work vehicle mounts from Mounts New Zealand?
Mounts New Zealand carries dedicated ranges for RAM® Vehicle Mounts, RAM® Phone Mounts, RAM® X-Grip®, tablet mounts and individual RAM® components.
This makes it possible to choose a complete kit or build a mounting solution around the holder, socket arm and base that suits the vehicle and work environment.
For businesses fitting out multiple work vehicles, compatible RAM® components also provide a modular approach that can be adapted as devices or vehicle requirements change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best RAM® phone mount for a work vehicle?
It depends on how the vehicle and phone are used. RAM® Quick-Grip™ may suit workers who frequently insert and remove their phone, while RAM® X-Grip® provides a versatile universal-holder design. The correct setup also depends on the mounting base, arm length, device dimensions and whether the installation should be permanent or removable.
Is RAM® Quick-Grip™ or X-Grip® better for work?
Neither is automatically better for every work vehicle. Quick-Grip™ uses a spring-loaded holder with adjustable side supports, while X-Grip® uses RAM®'s four-leg spring-loaded design. Check the complete dimensions of your device and case and consider how frequently you need to remove the phone.
Can I install a RAM® phone or tablet mount without drilling?
Yes. RAM® Tough-Wedge™ is one option for a removable mounting platform. It fits between the vehicle seat and centre console rather than requiring a base to be permanently drilled into the dashboard or another surface.
Are drill-down mounts suitable for fleet vehicles?
They can be a useful option for dedicated work and fleet vehicles where a consistent, permanent mounting position is required. The installation surface, device position and mounting components should all be checked before drilling.
Will RAM® X-Grip® or Quick-Grip™ fit a phone with a protective case?
It may, provided the complete phone-and-case dimensions fall within the specifications of the chosen holder. Check the dimensions with the protective case installed rather than selecting a holder based solely on the phone model.
What should I consider when mounting a phone in a work ute or van?
Consider device size, case thickness, charging access, how often the device is removed, viewing position, available mounting surfaces, arm length and whether the installation should be fixed or removable. The mount should not interfere with normal vehicle controls or driver visibility.
For New Zealand work vehicles, consider RAM® Quick-Grip™ when frequent phone access is important, RAM® X-Grip® when you need a versatile universal holder, RAM® Tough-Wedge™ for a removable no-drill setup, or a drill-down base for dedicated work and fleet vehicles.
Explore Mounts New Zealand's RAM® Vehicle Mounts, RAM® Phone Mounts and RAM® X-Grip® range, or contact the team for help choosing the right holder, arm and base for your vehicle.