How should I transport my skis...roof rack or roof box?

[gores95]

We have a Ford Windstar and a Jeep Grand Cherokee and are looking for a ski rack or cargo box for the roof and it must be compatible to the factory racks. I think I am leaning towards the Thule 726 roof rack with their fat mouth clamps and locks. Seems to be around $185 for the complete setup and slides out from the roof to loan and unload. As for the boxes, looking at either the Thule Cascade 1100 ($233) and Thule Evolotion 1200 ($332). Major difference between the two is the Evolution MUCH easier to install and remove. All prices are Rackattack.com.

Is it worth the extra $ to get a box? How do these cargo boxes do with wind resitance/mileage in comparison to a ski roof rack? Do you leave these boxes and racks on overnight or take them off and store in the car/hotel etc.? In other words when locked are they secure on the roof? Would you leave the boxes on at the ski mountain?

Lots of questions...

Thanks,

Marc

[sledhaulingmedic]

Keep your valuable stix out of the reach of the Shiite storm! Stick them where every good stick should be...in a box! [/tequilla talking]

Seriously. Keep your boards out of the elements. Road salt kills bindings (and ski bases). Dead bindings kill tib/fibs, femurs, etc.. Personally, I don't have a "box", but only because I don't need one. I have a P/U with a cap.

As far as security, I don't think anyone will break into a box sight unseen when they could snatch a known quantity from a roof rack with a sawzall or pair of boltcutters with much less risk.

If you're really concerned, bring your skis inside and dry them off, maybe throw a coat of wax on them. They'll enjoy it. Skis are people too!

Boxes certainly seem the best, but you don't have to think your whole world will fall apart if you use a rack. Personally, I own a couple racks, but I have always had enough room in my vehicle to carry the skiis inside. However, I own and use (when moving skiis) binding covers; you definitely should use binding covers to protect them if you use a roof rack. They don't cost much and do a good job. Most racks have security systems to deter the thieves. As long as you only use the rack when in transit, remove your skiis upon arrival home or at the ski destination, and clean them if necessary, you won't see any noticeable deterioration or loss to theft.

[RuffusCorncobb]

If you can afford the extra cost go for the box. Unlike a ski rack a box is handy to have year round because you can put lots of differnt stuff in a box but you are pretty limited as to what will fit in a ski rack. Also a boxt protects your skis & boards better than a rack.

I dont have a box but I often wish I did.

[dmc]

Get a box!!!
Aside from using them for skis and boards - you can stash all the stinkey boots and clothes from a 5 day Tuckerman Ravine excusion in the box so you don't stink up the car...

[cyrk007]

have you thought of just getting a good boot and ski bag and putting them inside? why add the inconvenience and extra weight to the car. just my .02

[uphillklimber]

If you can afford the box, that is the way to go. You can use them all year round. Locks are available for box and racks. If you go camping, have friends fill the vehicle, etc.... it is nice to have the extra storage available.

Now to skiis and boards specifically, the box keeps them out of sight and out of the weather. Always a good thing.

Depending on the vehicle, you'll pay a mileage cost due to wind resistance. But think about it, those boxes look a bit more streamlined than the racks, but there are taller than the racks, too. If you have a huge, 8 mpg SUV you'll hardly notice the mileage cost, but if you have a 50 mpg 4 banger, you'll definately see some mileage loss.

How much will the loss in gas mileage cost you? Let's say the total trip is 200 miles, both ways combined. And you get 20 mpg, and you lose 20% in gas mileage (you'll never lose that much...). You go from needing 10 gallons of gas at $2.00 per gallon ($20.00) to needing.........calculator.... 12.5 gallons at $2.00 per gallon ($25.00). So it costs, on the outside $5.00 to transport your skiis.

Realistically it won't cost you $5.00 extra to transport your skiis. Check out the scenario. You watch the mileage on a trip. You last probably checked the mileage on a summer highway trip, and got great results. Now it's a snowy day. You warm the vehicle up and let it idle a while. Then you slog thru slush and snow. The car is loaded with gear, food, overnite bags and a friend or two. Hey, that ski box is costing me 2 miles per gallon!!!! I know, I'm going from one extreme to another, but take everything into account.

[gores95]

Thanks for all the replies! The box/rack would be for the Jeep Grand Cherokee. With kids in back seat no room for skis. Other vehicle, Ford WIndstar has fold down third seat so skis could go inside.

I am now leaning towards Thule Evolution 1200. Best price I saw was $329. Nice thing about the box...in addition to the skis I could also put poles, boots and other smallish things up there. Also I could use the box for non-ski transport though the 1200 is the smallest Evolution Thule makes.

One last security question. Driving to Vermont from NJ with everything in box. Getting to VT late. No problem leaving the skis in the box overnight, right? Box is secure? I would probably bring boots inside to keep 'em warm!

THANKS!

Originally Posted by RuffusCorncobb

you are pretty limited as to what will fit in a ski rack. Also a boxt protects your skis & boards better than a rack.

I dont have a box but I often wish I did.

The grass is always greener . . . with a rack, you can switch to other sporting equipment. Of course you can take the box off the roof, but you could take the money saved and buy different accessories. The only roof rack I use would be a Windsurfer modified Bic. I own two other racks, a Bic ski rack and a Barricrafter scissor's (fits snowboards) rack. Bic doesn't make racks anymore, but they made good inexpensive ones. Barrycrafter also makes inexpensive ones. I keep all my racks for the price of one Thule, and I don't have to change the attachments. I used to have Bic attachments for a Bicycle, but now I have a good fold-up bikes and a trunk rack. The trouble with on-the-roof bike racks would be clearance.

Getting to VT late. No problem leaving the skis in the box overnight, right? Box is secure? I would probably bring boots inside to keep 'em warm

Keep your poles inside as well. Those handles can feel like icecubes after being left out all night. To answer the question, nothing is ever secure. I'm sure someone has figured out how to detach these boxes. I carry a blanket in my vehicle and when I leave a lot of stuff in it, I cover it over. Somehow, they don't seem to want to discover what is under a brown blanket. I was victim of a smash-and-grab in California once. These people are very impulsive and will steal anything that looks attractive like a ski-box.

[dmc]

Originally Posted by cyrk007

have you thought of just getting a good boot and ski bag and putting them inside? why add the inconvenience and extra weight to the car. just my .02

Cause it's so much more convienient to put a wet ski bag in a car then just unlock a roof box and throw the wet stinkey stuff up there..