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February, 2025

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Do you uses a roof rack, or fold your back seat down?

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SnorkBoard
Posts: 311 - Karma: 821
I'm considering buying a cheap roof ski rack off craigslist so I can keep my extra seating and keep water from the snow from fucking up my interior. But people say there skis get covered in shit and it kills your mileage, which I barely get over 18mpg as is..

Thoughts? Or want to sell a roof rack really cheap?
Feb 26 2013 2:28AM
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Aidan-G
Posts: 9415 - Karma: 10,861
I always just folded my seat down but that's because I didn't have a roof rack
Feb 26 2013 2:30AM
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hokkanee
Posts: 1800 - Karma: 435
I have a box on my car. It definitely hurts my mileage, but I drive an outback and regularly drive 5 people around so it's the only reasonable option for me. It is convenient though
Feb 26 2013 2:30AM
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Jblz
Posts: 556 - Karma: 206
well either your car gets covered in shit or your skis get covered in shit.

either way your shits gonna get covered in shit.
Feb 26 2013 2:31AM
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E__
Posts: 5751 - Karma: 4,636
This, until we bought a roof top carrier which we throw on the car of whoever's driving if we have a lot of gear.
Feb 26 2013 3:41AM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,311
Two tie down straps is all you need.

Click for larger image
Feb 26 2013 4:15AM
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.Elli.
Posts: 164 - Karma: 611
This.
Feb 26 2013 4:19AM
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eheath
Posts: 61836 - Karma: 125,514
Used to have a box and it broke, so I'm folding my middle seat. Its not bad since I'm usually the only one in my car going places but when I used to live with people and regularly had 3-4 people in my car to ski a box was real nice.
Feb 26 2013 4:21AM
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JakeAssBeatClap
Posts: 6673 - Karma: 2,537
I had a big trunk in my jeep. I never felt the need to buy a ski rack however one would be quite convenient.
Feb 26 2013 4:24AM
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DANETRON
Posts: 6671 - Karma: 137
Better make sure they are the 2 inch kind that or use chain binders!
Feb 26 2013 7:51AM
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snwbrdmilf
Posts: 22441 - Karma: 2,807
If you're going to get a roof rack, get something enclosed. Your skis are getting covered in filth driving down the highway, especially if its snowed (or rained). See all that salt on your car? Yeah, its on your skis too.

Feb 26 2013 7:57AM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
roof rack for me
Feb 26 2013 9:19AM
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Petey.
Posts: 5736 - Karma: 4,890
fold down that back middle seat fo life.
Feb 26 2013 9:20AM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,145
Seats fold down - my apartment complex's garage has 6'2'' clearance and I drive an SUV. No chance a roof box fits under there.
Feb 26 2013 9:22AM
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errrka
Posts: 2261 - Karma: 6,058
ahh I would love to have a roof rack but unfortunately my car doesn't have any bars so I would have to dish out massive quantities to buy the whole adapter system, so I use the whole seat down method...
Feb 26 2013 9:22AM
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andybob
Posts: 474 - Karma: 35
1. Fold seats down.
2. Cover interior with a blanket.
3. ????
4. Profit.

That's what I do.

I thought about getting a ski rack then decided I didn't want road grime all over my skis.
Feb 26 2013 9:23AM
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Blurst
Posts: 13577 - Karma: 10,169
Ive got a box and its super fucking key. When you are almost always driving 5 people to the ski hill in a civic the box is a necessity.
Feb 26 2013 9:26AM
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Petey.
Posts: 5736 - Karma: 4,890
yay honda high-five! '96 Accord here
Feb 26 2013 9:28AM
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Brenone
Posts: 4944 - Karma: 296
I have racks but I only use them going to and from the mountain. I throw my skis in the car for the long drive from Queens to VT because they get sandblasted and as mentioned above, covered in shit and who wants to get their shit covered in shit.
Feb 26 2013 9:41AM
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3604 - Karma: 3,973
Well I have a truck like a real American...

But I also live across from the resort, so if I ski at the resort, which is like 3 times a year, I just walk with my skis.
Feb 26 2013 9:43AM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,311
If you are worried about faint traces of road gunk collecting on the skis that you will slam with all your weight against a solid metal rail all day then just cover them with a tarp, looks gehtto but if done properly will work just fine.
Feb 26 2013 9:45AM
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Benedetto.
Posts: 2526 - Karma: 64
Seat down in a Saab. Perfect for 3 of us
Feb 26 2013 10:04AM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,273
mostly i use racks since i'm only driving like 30 mins on back roads to and from skiing, and if you put your skis in tails forward the gunk only really builds up on the tails. although this year i never put my racks on so i've just been folding down the seat
Feb 26 2013 10:10AM
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1337
Posts: 31073 - Karma: 29,599
currently: seat down
would like to: use the box we have, but dont have the fittings for my car
Feb 26 2013 10:12AM
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SnorkBoard
Posts: 311 - Karma: 821
haha. true.

The tarp idea isn't bad, I could even cut one up and make sort of a little sleeve they could go into..
Feb 26 2013 10:12AM
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Spiri7o
Posts: 2163 - Karma: 1,100
It's all about folding the seats! Although if I was willing to spend the money on a roof rack, would be so much better. I drive a Jetta also & I always see Jettas with them
Feb 26 2013 10:15AM
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freestyler540
Posts: 13156 - Karma: 19,498
I have a roof rack; I used it to store stuff I dont need to get access often. I prefer throwing my skis and stuff in the trunk.
Feb 26 2013 10:18AM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,311
I wish I still had pics of when I went to France with some friends, he took his dad's brand new Range Rover and the ski rack only fitted 6 skis, we were with 5 guys and had twelve skis and two snowboards between us.

We just put down a long and narrow tarp and let the excess hang over the front, stacked the skis neatly based on several decades of tetris experience clamped everything down with one tie down strip in the middle. folded the excess tarp over and then used two more tie down strap to secure everything and ductaped the seams shut.

It worked beautifully.
Feb 26 2013 10:23AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
It hurts me inside when I have to put my skis in a roof rack.  They're just OUT THERE, collecting road salt and grimeing up my spring packs and compromising my grease, etc.  Ever seen a pair of skis put away after a long trip in a storm without cleaning them?  Rust city on the edges.  Not ideal.  I like them inside the car or a box, where they're at least kept from the elements of highway travel. 
Feb 26 2013 10:37AM
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CheddarJack
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 7,380
Exactly this
Feb 26 2013 10:41AM
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ILLinoisance
Posts: 3527 - Karma: 5,398
I used to do that when I just bought my car. Now I put em in without protection.
Feb 26 2013 10:43AM
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TheClap.
Posts: 21679 - Karma: 4,225
seat down ftw ftw
Feb 26 2013 10:45AM
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,943
Guess i don't really care that the skis I'm about to bash around on rails get road grime on them.

Roof rack all day
Feb 26 2013 10:52AM
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Blurst
Posts: 13577 - Karma: 10,169
Also my back seat doesnt go down anymore and the box makes the car look way more badass.
Feb 26 2013 10:54AM
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Steezy_Peazy
Posts: 411 - Karma: 1,146
this. if you don't have an old blanket or towels, buy some cheap towels.
Feb 26 2013 11:02AM
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Spic-N-SpaN
Posts: 2002 - Karma: 1,465
Fold the seat down. I really want one of these Click for larger image

w/ a ski rack on it cause they look kind of cool
Feb 26 2013 12:41PM
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Blake.P
Posts: 9894 - Karma: 3,585
If its just me and a friend, I'll put the back seat down and leave them on there. If I have more than that, they go on the racks because I don't have enough room in the car
Feb 26 2013 1:19PM
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RimJobber
Posts: 3313 - Karma: 10,058
I'll either throw them in the bed of my truck like a man, or if I don't want then rolling around I'll put them behind the seats resting on top of my subs. I only have a regular cab :(
Feb 26 2013 1:25PM
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DANETRON
Posts: 6671 - Karma: 137
Your mom doesnt go down anymore. We just fold the back seat down and she sits on my face. Her box is badass.

Why i said this to you i have no fucking idea im bored and it sounded funny in my head. Sorry
Feb 26 2013 2:56PM
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Stickity
Posts: 7750 - Karma: 769
i have a van. her name is bertha and i love her.
Feb 26 2013 3:08PM
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Stainr
Posts: 1186 - Karma: -1,150
Roof rack, my back seat doesnt go down....... stupid car.
Feb 26 2013 3:14PM
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yourthemannowdog
Posts: 4541 - Karma: 314
I wish I had a roof rack. If there is anyone in the durango area who is selling a box or rack PM me.
Feb 26 2013 3:17PM
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DockEllis
Posts: 1131 - Karma: 1,745
That's my rack set up, works well.
Feb 26 2013 3:17PM
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jblaski
Posts: 5566 - Karma: 1,079
Fold down the seat of my Xterra. But, I wouldn't mind a rack for bikes/skis.
Click for larger image
Feb 26 2013 3:26PM
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,943
Have you scoped cgaigslist at all?
Feb 26 2013 3:34PM
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JWeinstock
Posts: 3439 - Karma: 1,352
there nice to have for a lot of people but if you just are going by yourself, they are kinda useless as sometimes roof racks are a pain to use
Feb 26 2013 3:39PM
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acuallyisntdolan
Posts: 12 - Karma: 10
it depends on what car i take and how many people are coming. however im planning on buying a truck with a canopy in the near future
Feb 26 2013 3:58PM
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yourthemannowdog
Posts: 4541 - Karma: 314
Yep. Unfortunately nothing has been showing up
Feb 26 2013 6:19PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 52264 - Karma: 169,970
back seat or sometimes I just throw my boards sideways in the back seat and leave it up depends on how many people and what else I've got
Feb 26 2013 6:20PM
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last_tango
Posts: 2635 - Karma: 2,665
Roof box. Too many people in my car all the time to have the seat fold down.
Feb 26 2013 6:25PM
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Chubbs.
Posts: 1018 - Karma: 2,647
Snagging some Yakima racks for my VW Golf. Can only take 3 people with the seat down
Feb 26 2013 7:08PM
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