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Ski rack for car

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SavageBiff
Posts: 3483 - Karma: 14,752
Anyone have or hear of these flying off or opening up while driving ? Was considering getting one, rn I just jam everything in vehicle which is fine for solo trips but can only bring one passenger
Jun 4 2020 11:45AM
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danbrown
Posts: 11939 - Karma: 21,833
if it flies off it's due to user error. install it correctly and lock the rack shut and it wont happen. it'll cost you an arm and a leg if you don't have any kind of roof rails already on the vehicle though.
Jun 4 2020 11:56AM
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oldmanski
Posts: 3404 - Karma: 24,895
Havent ever seen one release or fly off. Super cold days they can be difficult but Ive always just locked them when they are latched and have been fine. I see lots of them on Craigslist for sale. If you want a set, I have a Thule you can have, just need to pay for the ride to get them to you but Im sure you could find a local set for the same price as shipping.
Jun 4 2020 12:03PM
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CatdickBojangles
Posts: 6282 - Karma: 63,877
I always get sketched out about losing skis going down the road so I always lock one of them. But I'm super happy with mine. Carry a bottle of lock deicer on super cold days thats about it.

I wish they'd make one with a fob like system that remote locks and unlocks.
Jun 4 2020 12:05PM
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SavageBiff
Posts: 3483 - Karma: 14,752
Thx guys
danbrownif it flies off it's due to user error. install it correctly and lock the rack shut and it wont happen. it'll cost you an arm and a leg if you don't have any kind of roof rails already on the vehicle though.

Shit no roof rails currently, and the cars a week or two out on a clutch swap so I’m in no mood for big money spending nor do I got it anymore lol , guess I’ll look into total cost, kinda necessary piece of equip
Jun 4 2020 12:12PM
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danbrown
Posts: 11939 - Karma: 21,833
You can use these for a frame of reference:

https://www.thule.com/en-us/fit-my-car

https://infolookup.yakima.com/

Obviously that's all new/full retail pricing, but it's a good tool to let you know exactly what you need, and potentially find on the used market.
Jun 4 2020 1:36PM
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Biffbarf
Posts: 7008 - Karma: 74,151
I was behind a car on i70 a couple seasons ago that had a roofrack explode 4 pairs of skis all over the highway. Nowadays I triple check my shit and lock them for good measure and I have complete confidence.

That all being said, I have a roof box and it is wayyyyy better than a ski rack. Skis dont get salt and grime on them, it's more aero, and you can shove a bunch of other shit in it as well.
Jun 4 2020 2:43PM
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Biffbarf
Posts: 7008 - Karma: 74,151
SavageBiffThx guys

Shit no roof rails currently, and the cars a week or two out on a clutch swap so I’m in no mood for big money spending nor do I got it anymore lol , guess I’ll look into total cost, kinda necessary piece of equip


If you want to save some guap, you can find tower and crossbar systems used for much cheaper than new, then you'll only have to pay retail for the feet that attach to your doorframe. Also, thule in the past has offered badass prodeals if you're in nearly any industry or have friends that are.
Jun 4 2020 3:15PM
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Liam_j10
Posts: 512 - Karma: 2,456
My buddy was whipping home on the highway and his skis went flying - they got a little banged up. That's the only instance I've ever heard of tho
Jun 4 2020 5:46PM
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clorox
Posts: 1728 - Karma: 4,863
BiffbarfI was behind a car on i70 a couple seasons ago that had a roofrack explode 4 pairs of skis all over the highway. Nowadays I triple check my shit and lock them for good measure and I have complete confidence.

That all being said, I have a roof box and it is wayyyyy better than a ski rack. Skis dont get salt and grime on them, it's more aero, and you can shove a bunch of other shit in it as well.




I can fit like 5 pairs of skis and a couple duffel bags in this thing. So glad I got this over a clamp rack. Still need to raise the rear a bit so I can make it more aerodynamic. It's also real nice being able to toss my stinky boots into the roof box after a weekend of skiing.
Jun 4 2020 7:54PM
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E_Z_STEEZ
Posts: 163 - Karma: 194
I second the box they are usually like 500+ for a new one I love my Thule. They also protect your skis a lot more, no exposure to salt or the elements. Before I had the box it was always a bummer if my skis were Iced over from snow melting and freezing. Pro tip if your feet stink and have a small car putting the boots in the cargo box keeps the smell out of the cabin!
Jun 5 2020 12:03AM
3 0
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 4984 - Karma: 17,925
SavageBiffAnyone have or hear of these flying off or opening up while driving ? Was considering getting one, rn I just jam everything in vehicle which is fine for solo trips but can only bring one passenger


With the yakima one it's difficult to close and not lock it.

Cargo boxes are great though, I mostly use it for ski trips but it's come in handy a few times for other travel, holiday gifts, bag of dog food, camping.

What kind of vehicle do you have?
Jun 5 2020 12:45AM
1 0
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bennwithtwons
Posts: 1553 - Karma: 14,424
box is ideal if you can swing it. my thule won't let the key out unless you close/lock it. If you keep the key attached to your car keys, you won't ever worry about it not being locked since you won't be able to get in the car and drive off without it being latched/locked.
Jun 5 2020 12:59PM
3 0
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anders_a
Posts: 1680 - Karma: 5,603
skiracks and ski boxes are insanely popular here, people use the boxes allyear for luggage since cars are usually smaller here than in US and often need to haul stuff.



Depending on the type, you might not wanna go over say 90mph, but we did a brief 150 run with ski rack. lots of weird sounds going on then.



Usually its the weight that have them fail in crashes, like loading up the rack with super heavy items, normally we are not allowed more than 160lbs on the roof, dependingon car/mount.
Jun 5 2020 1:23PM
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SavageBiff
Posts: 3483 - Karma: 14,752
mystery3With the yakima one it's difficult to close and not lock it.

Cargo boxes are great though, I mostly use it for ski trips but it's come in handy a few times for other travel, holiday gifts, bag of dog food, camping.

What kind of vehicle do you have?

Got an Audi with no roof rails and a Jeep Compass with rails , think I’m gonna put a box on the compass , keep my stuff out of the elements.
Jun 5 2020 3:00PM
3 0
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BradFiAusNzCoCa
Posts: 7287 - Karma: 64,441
I accidentally left both fully open (as in top bar fully up pointing to the sky) while driving on highway 267 from Northstar to Truckee in Tahoe. Felt pretty embarrassed when I realized in a cafe parking lot in Truckee. Skis were still there.
CatdickBojanglesI always get sketched out about losing skis going down the road so I always lock one of them. But I'm super happy with mine. Carry a bottle of lock deicer on super cold days thats about it.

I wish they'd make one with a fob like system that remote locks and unlocks.
Jun 6 2020 5:05AM
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SavageBiff
Posts: 3483 - Karma: 14,752
Rather be embarrassed, than look up and my skis be 3.5 hours behind me 🥵
BradAusNzCoCaI accidentally left both fully open (as in top bar fully up pointing to the sky) while driving on highway 267 from Northstar to Truckee in Tahoe. Felt pretty embarrassed when I realized in a cafe parking lot in Truckee. Skis were still there.
Jun 6 2020 9:09AM
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Casey
Posts: 7899 - Karma: 25,064
I had a Yakima rack for a lot of years, when you see how it is mounted to the door frame you will be like oh, that is never coming off. You are way more likely to forget to lock the rack itself and have your skis fly off that way. Just always double check! I think a box is a huge upgrade from a rack though personally. $$$$
Jun 7 2020 5:07PM
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little1337
Posts: 8304 - Karma: 49,143
Thule ones are nice my friend has some that work perfectly, never had an issue with anything falling out
Jun 7 2020 6:17PM
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