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box if you can find one, so much more convenient (just toss ur shit in it) and a lot less worrying about damage. Only downside is reduced mileage but not really super noticeable tbh. I'd say maybe racks if your close to the mountain and are good about bring your shit in to dry.
i've seen homemade boxes before too, not to sure how they compare.
lol i walked halfway to the mountain one time. But id say the rack is way easier to deal with because you just put your skis up there and dont even have to lock it while driving. The box is annoying how you have to unlock it everytime and sometimes the key doesnt work and its cold and just a bad time. And with the rack you would only get like rain and snow on your skis which is what they are made to ride on so its not really that bad.
I bought a thule box of CL a few months ago.
I never would have fit all my shit in my car otherwise. Racks are great as well but I like the storage space.
justsenditThinking a box is better because it protects your gear and you can use it in the summer for camping and other shit but curious to see what ppl use.
Literally nothing like a box. It's worth every penny.
I always put more than just skis when I'm going on a trip, boots, helmets, bags can all be stuffed in there!
100% get a box. Really the only downside is in strong crosswinds they can be really loud, but I think racks are pretty loud almost all the time. Also racks are more expensive.
Another issue is when they crack, however if you can find someone giving away a cracked one it's a pretty easy fix with some fiberglass tape and liquid nails. Fiberglass tape is that stuff that is just woven strands with about 2mm gaps and you lay that over the crack, if it is really bad you might want to stich it together with zip ties like a bumper on a drift car. Then you spread a fuckton of heavy duty PL adhesive (I think that's what it's called) or whatever the strongest adhesive for polycarbonate (I think) at the hardware store. Let it dry, then do the opposite side, then do another layer on the outside.
My box was missing the lock core but the latches still work so I just bent up one of those toolbox latches and lock it with an outdoor specific lock. You have to fingerfuck the lock core hole to get it to latch and It's janky as fuck but the only time it froze on me was when it was like -10F after some sleet. All in all I spent like $30 for adhesive and hardware, the box was left on the side of the road
Box is key. So much more versatile. I put pretty much all of my ski gear up there, you never have to worry about not having enough room. And it can hold other things if you're taking a road trip or something. The rack can only hold skis and they were always so dirty by the time I got home.
My Yakima box exploded on the highway and I've seen ski racks fall off other cars before so I'm very paranoid about both now. I just pile everything in the outback like the messy bum I am.
grilled_cheeseOnly downside to my box is that we get like 8mpg less with it on. Still gets better milage than my bare roof forester tho
A rack isn't going to be any better. Well, a rack with nothing in it you can fold back 90 degrees and it's like not having it. But a rack full of skis is like dragging a sail behind you on the freeway.
CaseyA rack isn't going to be any better. Well, a rack with nothing in it you can fold back 90 degrees and it's like not having it. But a rack full of skis is like dragging a sail behind you on the freeway.
Yeah, I actually got better mileage with my box than I was with the rack. It's at least somewhat aerodynamically shapes.
Box will change your life. Not only handy for ski's, but fits a ton of other stuff like luggage. Makes road trips better as lots of stuff can go in the box and the inside of the car is not as cluttered.
I just got a Thule this year, a Force XL. I am enjoying it so far. I took it across the country, and not even 80mph Minnesota crosswinds could phase it. Seems like its well made.
Box if you can afford it. The racks expose your skis to mag chloride and/or road salt that will fuck up your skis if you don't wipe them down after a ride to the ski hill. You can end up with a lot of corrosive grime on your skis with racks.
Mr.BishopDifference between if you can do it and if you want to do it I guess.
Oh well yeah you can do it I just dont like how it looks, if its a wagon its a different story though, but then its a ski shag wagon no problem with that though.
DeepskierOh well yeah you can do it I just dont like how it looks, if its a wagon its a different story though, but then its a ski shag wagon no problem with that though.
Yeah I mean I usually like to rock wagons, so when I had a sedan for a few years I just put my box on it because the box was way too handy to care about how it looked on the car.
Mr.BishopYeah I mean I usually like to rock wagons, so when I had a sedan for a few years I just put my box on it because the box was way too handy to care about how it looked on the car.
I got my box for free since I work at a rack shop but all said and done; I probably would've bought one anyways. They're multi use, have a lock so nobody's stealing your shit, and are solid in every other aspect. The ski racks are a good option (Especially Rockymounts and the Yakima Fatcat) but the box will help you lug more shit everywhere all season. My volvo has enough room in the back to fit a queen bed so with a box I can just put a mattress in the back and the rest of my camping stuff up top with no problemo. If you're ever in Oregon looking for a box, ill hit you up with a lil discount if you wanted to buy one. Just in case you're looking online, I have a Yakima Skybox 16.
