 Poster: A snowHead
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Can anyone recommend a roof rack for 3-4 pairs of skis?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I know it's dearer, but if I travel with my skis (and I can't fit them inside the car) I'd use a roof box.
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I use my rack mostly for driving to and from the slopes - I rarely do very long journeys with skis, as they live out in France. But on the odd long journey I don't find the skis get mucky on top of the car. I did have a roofbox but it was a pain - difficult to get up to get the skis out (quite a high roof car) and they just crashed around inside - they are all held separately and securely on the rack. Four pairs of skis and a snowboard would do themselves some damage loose inside a roofbox. The Extender rack extends - which makes getting the skis off very easy.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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pam w, my husband made ski holders to fit inside our roof box which stops them rattling around, then other stuff, jackets in bags etc can fill up the space. He had to make them because we could not find any to buy though there may well be these days.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Stowing a roof box when not in use is also a bit of a pain. All told, I'm very happy with my Thule rack (I sold the roofbox to a Snowhead, years ago!).
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I would recommend the Thule products all the time we have couple sets of bars one set of attachments for roof rails and these have fitted the last 5 cars we have owned so no need to buy new roofbars etc.
We have a couple of Thule ski box's but have them suspended from the roof of the garage when not needed. The larger one came with inserts to support ski'sand snowboards so you may be able to buy them from a dealer.
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Alternatively: use a conventional (cheap) ladder rack and put your skis in a Sportube.
This provides more flexibility as you can use the same tubes for flying or shipping your skis. But it does mean you have to find some secure way to lock 'em to your roof rack to stop 'em being nicked.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Quote: |
But it does mean you have to find some secure way to lock 'em to your roof rack to stop 'em being nicked.
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and who wants to fiddle around with that when you're tired after a day's skiing, it's snowing down your neck and you are desperate to get into a warm bar for a cold drink? I'd also be reluctant to pack wet, snowy, skis into a closed bag - maximum moisture and wet bag.
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+1 Thule Xtender.
Brilliant, especially if you have a high car or are not very tall, or both, like me. Had out ours 8 seasons, lives on the roof these years as frankly, I can't be bothered taking it off and putting it on each week.
Seriously, what damage does moisture (yes, I know, it can be salty) possibly do to your skis given what they are designed to do...
At least on the roof overnight they're airing, unlike in ski bags or boxes.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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On a related topic, anyone had experience of magnetic ski racks? Our skis will be staying in the mountains but we'll often have a hire car to get to the lifts between resorts. SOunds ideal to keep a couple of magnetic racks in the cave rather than mess about fitting roof bars to hire cars but don't know if they are good in practice?
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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jedster, the ones I've seen are limited to two pairs per rack.
If flying and hiring I now take one of these. One time we had 6 pairs of skis on and we've never had a problem.
Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Tue 29-04-14 15:55; edited 1 time in total
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I use the inflatable handiracks as well, they're great. Cheaper to buy than one trip's rental of the magnetic racks.
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You know it makes sense.
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Handiracks are great. I've had four 20kg kayaks on them with no problems.
As for the OP, just get any rook rack and learn how to tie things on with ratchet straps.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Another fan of the Handiracks. Had two LARGE coffin ski bags with 6 pairs of skis (3 pairs of All Mountain, 2 pairs piste skis and 1 Junior skis) strapped to the hire car roof this winter with no problems.
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Poster: A snowHead
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look good, thanks
guess you really need a bag strapped on?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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When transferring to/from the airport our skis are always in bags. However, we've also used the Handirack for a short distance with bare skis - you just have to watch that the bindings don't rub on the roof (I think we put some on their edges).
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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The magnetic ones are fine for short journeys, but I'd not be keen on using them for longer trips. Also, they aren't recommended for use at motorway speeds (at least the ones I had weren't). They had a strap that you jammed in the window to prevent you losing the skis completely if it came off, but I'd still prefer a proper roofrack for proper journeys
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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TBH most of the journeys would be a few miles on mountain roads between resorts or to the lifts. Was thiking it might be a bit of a faff tieing skis on to a handyrack unless they were in a bag
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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If you've four pairs or fewer then it's a doddle. There are 5 D-rings down the strap that runs between each pair of tubes and they supply tie-down straps with a one-way buckle. All you have to do is feed the strap over each pair of skis and then through the next D-ring then run it back over the top when your done.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| jedster wrote: |
| TBH most of the journeys would be a few miles on mountain roads between resorts or to the lifts. Was thiking it might be a bit of a faff tieing skis on to a handyrack unless they were in a bag |
Not a faff at all, if you know how to do it. You wouldn't want to drive any distance with them in a bag 'cos it would flap around making a horrible noise.
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| pam w wrote: |
http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php/all-products/thule_xtender_ski_carrier_no_tu739_6_pairs_skis_or_4_snowboards/Qx%40w%2C6M4PHS%2CZGenkQvENtTOB
absolutely brilliant, I've had one for 12 years and it's still going strong - though I had to buy a few spares when I lost a bag of bits during the summer sometime. They won't fit on all bars, though. The roof box company is brilliant - they will answer queries promptly and provide guidance. |
I have the Norauto own brand version of these, and they're excellent. Clip clip, zoooooom. No faff.
Always used to do all ours up there in their ski bags, due to stories about the salty road kickup being bad for them. Nobody else seems to do this.
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| Quote: |
There are 5 D-rings down the strap that runs between each pair of tubes and they supply tie-down straps with a one-way buckle. All you have to do is feed the strap over each pair of skis and then through the next D-ring then run it back over the top when your done.
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gotcha thanks. wondered if that would be secure enough of whether you need to wind the strap around each pair then through d-rings - good to know. sounds ideal
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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