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Ski Racks Vs. Cargo Boxes

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rballs_
Posts: 709 - Karma: 2,992
Hey NS,
I've just bought my first car and I need some advice on whether to just get a ski rack, or to save up and get a cargo box for the top of my car. I've heard that ski racks might chip your skis due to rocks and stuff flying up and hitting them. Anyways, what do you guys think?
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Oct 15 2014 1:18AM
44 8
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AlexMartini
Posts: 2990 - Karma: 1,942
box, fits way more shit in it and keeps your skis clean
Oct 15 2014 1:22AM
14 0
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cydwhit
Posts: 5075 - Karma: 43,042
I'm all about that cargo box, not a lot of downsides, I personally have racks and borrow my parents box when I can. Racks are fine but the box holds more skis and the biggest thing for me about a box is that at the end of a warm day of spring skiing I can put my stanky boots and socks in the box. This is a game changer, girls (and ski buddys) don't love a car that smells of feet, for this reason alone boxes are worth the extra money.
Oct 15 2014 1:25AM
2 0
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liftedresearcher
Posts: 1140 - Karma: 1,775
you can put beer in your box during the winter and it stays cold
Oct 15 2014 1:49AM
11 0
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eheath
Posts: 61674 - Karma: 123,751
+1 for roof box
Oct 15 2014 2:19AM
5 1
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JAHn
Posts: 495 - Karma: 2,642
Gotta love the box, but if you've got some long pow sticks, make sure they fit. Been there...
Oct 15 2014 4:27AM
0 0
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skodeo7
Posts: 14949 - Karma: 9,234
Box for sure. With a rack your skis will end up getting hammered with road salt which will destroy your edges and your skis will constantly be really dirty. Not to mention the amount of moisture they'll end up being exposed to.
Oct 15 2014 9:21AM
0 0
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
Rack all the way. Way cheaper, fits 4 pairs of fat skis (ideal group size), boots and poles fit inside the car. Most importantly, much easier to load.
Oct 15 2014 10:21AM
2 1
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5280
Posts: 70 - Karma: 315
A box can keep rocks and dirt from getting wedged in your bindings that can fuck them up over time. Cargo box for sure
Oct 15 2014 10:30AM
0 0
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TheSkiMonster
Posts: 155 - Karma: 346
Box. More stuff, stuff stays clean, great for stinky boots on the way home and way better mileage than a rack.
Oct 15 2014 11:25AM
0 0
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jpastor
Posts: 431 - Karma: 848
liftedresearcheryou can put beer in your box during the winter and it stays cold


FUCKING GENIUS
Oct 15 2014 12:41PM
0 0
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CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,639
I'm in the same boat as OP, but have a separate but related question.

Does anyone have suggestions on how to store your box during the summer when it's off you're car? Obviously a pulley system on the ceiling of your garage is ideal, but I'm not quite sure how to go about designing and installing one. Has anyone set one up in their garage before?
Oct 15 2014 12:46PM
0 0
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cydwhit
Posts: 5075 - Karma: 43,042
TheSeaCaptainI'm in the same boat as OP, but have a separate but related question.

Does anyone have suggestions on how to store your box during the summer when it's off you're car? Obviously a pulley system on the ceiling of your garage is ideal, but I'm not quite sure how to go about designing and installing one. Has anyone set one up in their garage before?


You want to run like two 2x4's perpendicular to the box, like the racks on your car would run. Tie a rope to each end of the 2x4's and then put pulleys (or even little eye hook screws) on the roof of your garage the same distance apart as the ropes on the end of the 2x4's. Thread the ropes and throw a cleat on the wall to tie it off and you are set. Sorry if that doesn't make much sense, I am having a hard time describing it without drawing it.
Oct 15 2014 12:51PM
0 0
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saskskier
Posts: 4774 - Karma: 10,005
Box or ski rack for a slightly lifted 4runner? It's already bad on gas, so either is going to make it worse. I'm thinking either the Yakima Fatcat 6 ski rack or Inno Lowdown box (pretty low profile).

Thoughts on either?
Oct 15 2014 1:14PM
0 0
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ANDR01D
Posts: 1181 - Karma: 3,319
Box is the way to go. I own a rack now and I only use it if I'm packing the car full of people. Skis get pretty nasty. I wish I wan't a poor grad student so I could afford the box.
Oct 15 2014 1:43PM
0 0
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Iliveinutah
Posts: 1250 - Karma: 5,147
cydwhitYou want to run like two 2x4's perpendicular to the box, like the racks on your car would run. Tie a rope to each end of the 2x4's and then put pulleys (or even little eye hook screws) on the roof of your garage the same distance apart as the ropes on the end of the 2x4's. Thread the ropes and throw a cleat on the wall to tie it off and you are set. Sorry if that doesn't make much sense, I am having a hard time describing it without drawing it.


i have mine hung upside down from the roof, four pullys and four ropes come down and hook to the grab arms on the box that hold it to the racks.then all four ropes are tied into one and i have a tie off on the wall. sounds confusing but really simple.
Oct 15 2014 2:23PM
0 0
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Troy.
Posts: 5070 - Karma: 12,549
Box because climbing gear.
Oct 15 2014 4:34PM
0 0
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gperry1
Posts: 377 - Karma: 818
Even though I own a ski rack I am getting a new car soon and will get a cargo box for my skis because you can, 1) Keep a ton of stuff in it and 2) If you have a ski rack and take it on the road in the winter the salt from the road get on your skis and then if you don't wash them off the sidewalls of the ski will rust. That happened to me once and I had to go to the local shop to get them tuned again to get the rust off. Get a cargo box.
Oct 15 2014 5:15PM
0 0
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KingTaco
Posts: 2510 - Karma: 2,829
ive had both on my car and im gonna tell you ski carriers all the way.

both suck absolute wind as far as gas mileage goes, but the box is worse. Your subaru will struggle to get like 20mpg if youre doing 70mph. but for me, the worst thing about the box is it drives like you have a refrigerator on top of the car. If its windy like it often is in the winter your car will be blowing all over the highway.
i dont really understand all the fuss about skis getting "dirty." theyre fucking skis just wipe them off if you care so much, but ive never even noticed that as a downside to the carriers
Oct 15 2014 6:08PM
1 1
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eheath
Posts: 61674 - Karma: 123,751
KingTacoive had both on my car and im gonna tell you ski carriers all the way.

both suck absolute wind as far as gas mileage goes, but the box is worse. Your subaru will struggle to get like 20mpg if youre doing 70mph. but for me, the worst thing about the box is it drives like you have a refrigerator on top of the car. If its windy like it often is in the winter your car will be blowing all over the highway.
i dont really understand all the fuss about skis getting "dirty." theyre fucking skis just wipe them off if you care so much, but ive never even noticed that as a downside to the carriers


My 2005 subaru legacy sedan was a champ with a roof box, I never noticed much difference driving and I still got 25-28 mpg (depending on speed, 65-85). It all depends on your car really, but a you're being a bit dramatic about a roof box.
Oct 15 2014 6:10PM
2 1
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CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,639
cydwhitYou want to run like two 2x4's perpendicular to the box, like the racks on your car would run. Tie a rope to each end of the 2x4's and then put pulleys (or even little eye hook screws) on the roof of your garage the same distance apart as the ropes on the end of the 2x4's. Thread the ropes and throw a cleat on the wall to tie it off and you are set. Sorry if that doesn't make much sense, I am having a hard time describing it without drawing it.


That sorta makes sense. I'm having a hard time visualizing the pullies vs. the ropes you have tied to the 2x4s.

Also, OP. I'm getting a box because in the summer, it's great for your firewood if you're going camping.
Oct 15 2014 6:17PM
0 0
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dmski
Posts: 328 - Karma: 360
One trip to Montana and back with skis in the rack on a grimy road that destroyed my ski bindings was all it took for me to stay a firm believer in the roof box. Plus cold beer, place for wet shit and just keeping things free of dirt is all bonus's in my book.
Oct 15 2014 6:43PM
0 0
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division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,905
The thing that has been completely missed in this entire thread is what type of vehicle is the rack or box going on? That can definitely affect the decision.

I have been using a Fatcat 6 rack for the past 6 seasons and it's the only rack I would personally recommend. My vehicle with the rack has 1/2 inch clearance to my garage door. I have to load my skis a certain way or tips/tails will definitely hit my garage door. There's no way I could mount a box and still fit in my garage.

However, if I did not drive an SUV to the mountains, I would likely opt for a box for the convenience factor. Keeps your gear out of your vehicle and out of sight from prying eyes, and can hold more shit than a rack.
Oct 15 2014 6:59PM
0 0
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CartCal
Posts: 220 - Karma: 724
box for sure, you can use it for more than just skis
Oct 15 2014 7:59PM
0 0
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rballs_
Posts: 709 - Karma: 2,992
division.bellThe thing that has been completely missed in this entire thread is what type of vehicle is the rack or box going on? That can definitely affect the decision.

I have been using a Fatcat 6 rack for the past 6 seasons and it's the only rack I would personally recommend. My vehicle with the rack has 1/2 inch clearance to my garage door. I have to load my skis a certain way or tips/tails will definitely hit my garage door. There's no way I could mount a box and still fit in my garage.

However, if I did not drive an SUV to the mountains, I would likely opt for a box for the convenience factor. Keeps your gear out of your vehicle and out of sight from prying eyes, and can hold more shit than a rack.


2000 Subaru Outback
Oct 15 2014 8:30PM
0 0
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flacotaco
Posts: 68 - Karma: 374
Ricardo.2000 Subaru Outback
go box all the way
Oct 15 2014 8:51PM
0 0
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rballs_
Posts: 709 - Karma: 2,992
Okay, anyone know where to get good deals on boxes?
Oct 15 2014 8:53PM
0 0
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Troy.
Posts: 5070 - Karma: 12,549
Ricardo.Okay, anyone know where to get good deals on boxes?


backcountry was running some deals on them the other day.
Oct 15 2014 8:54PM
0 0
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caucasian_chad
Posts: 4078 - Karma: 3,625
I have a rack, but I'd say box. If you live in a place where they use road salt you will have rusty edges constantly in you use racks. The only downside to a box is that it might cost you a little more in gas mileage than a rack.
Oct 15 2014 9:15PM
0 0
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rballs_
Posts: 709 - Karma: 2,992
Troy.backcountry was running some deals on them the other day.

I've tried buying from Backcountry before. 98% of their products don't ship to Canada unfortunately.
Oct 15 2014 9:46PM
0 0
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forrest.baker.52
Posts: 54 - Karma: 70
I'd love to do a box but my wrx hatch has a real short roof and with the rear diffuser on, the hatch nails the box. I know this because I have a buddy with the exact same car and a box and it destroyed his. Its a bummer but oh well.
Oct 15 2014 10:06PM
0 0
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brett_fisher
Posts: 2419 - Karma: 10,503
ether one a ski rack looks cooler my opinion
Oct 16 2014 12:51AM
0 2
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
brett_fisherether one a ski rack looks cooler my opinion


Ether explains a lot about your posts.
Oct 16 2014 12:57AM
0 0
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DubV134
Posts: 1541 - Karma: 690
Got a cargo box over the summer - anyone wanna buy my 6 ski roof rack?

I definitely don't see a big difference in mileage. If anything the the cargo box I got creates downforce and increased mpg on my envoy by .5 Thule Alpine Pulse
Oct 16 2014 8:47AM
0 0
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bp.lando
Posts: 9297 - Karma: 1,495
Depends on how much you wanna spend.

Ski rack is gonna be a lot cheaper, but your skis are gonna be exposed to road salt and all sorts of grimey stuff from winter weather. You can get a pair of skis racks for as cheap as $100

Cargo Box keeps everything all dry, little more secure cuz people can't see what's in it. They start at $350 and go up from there.

With both you are gonna have some wind resistance but you shouldn't notice too much of a gas mileage difference. I drive around the Yakima subaru with a box on it all the time and still consistently get 400 miles to a tank.

The Yakima Skybox 12 is a nice affordable option at $419. High end box that will fit all your gear and its super easy to open/ close and get on and off your car.
Oct 16 2014 12:10PM
0 0
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Drail
Posts: 14013 - Karma: 10,010
Ricardo.Okay, anyone know where to get good deals on boxes?


Look for used ones. Way cheaper.
Oct 16 2014 10:43PM
0 0
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YUNG_milksteAk
Posts: 1437 - Karma: 4,328
1.Drive fast with skis in a rack= dirty, surface rust, ADDED ROCKER???
Oct 16 2014 10:53PM
0 0
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bp.lando
Posts: 9297 - Karma: 1,495
Ricardo.Okay, anyone know where to get good deals on boxes?


3 times a year they are on sale for 20% off at REI
Oct 17 2014 10:11AM
0 0
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skodeo7
Posts: 14949 - Karma: 9,234
[BP]3 times a year they are on sale for 20% off at REI


Patientialy waiting for one of these sales. Backcountry.com does them too, same with EMS (although I think EMS is only once a year and in the spring).
Oct 17 2014 6:51PM
0 0
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GayWolf420
Posts: 37630 - Karma: 122,880
TheSeaCaptainI'm in the same boat as OP, but have a separate but related question.

Does anyone have suggestions on how to store your box during the summer when it's off you're car? Obviously a pulley system on the ceiling of your garage is ideal, but I'm not quite sure how to go about designing and installing one. Has anyone set one up in their garage before?


my parents just set up saw-horses in the garage or our ski wax/storage room we have in our house. works pretty well, and we just throw a blanket over it so it doesnt get scratched or gets too dusty. we have a massive thule one, too if it helps.
Oct 17 2014 7:02PM
0 0
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