Ski Rack Owners: To Bag or Not?

[thetrailboss]

wlopowski and I have differing opinions regarding how to put the skis in our ski rack on our Subaru Outback. I spend lots of time, beer, and effort in keeping the skis in tune. I say that we put them in the rack covered by the ski bag(s).

wlopowski thinks I am nuts and that the skis don't need to be protected from road salt and crud. I think she forgot about the 20 minutes of my life I won't get back cleaning off the skis on Monday from road salt, dirt, and crud.

So what say you? Do you keep your skis/boards in the bag while transporting them in the rack?

And this is the rack we have:

 

[wlopowski]

Do what you want. One way, you'll be driving to the mountain alone....

 

[wlopowski]

I may just do that....especially because my husband the mod edited my post after the fact. What a loser.

 

[thetrailboss]

I may just do that....especially because my husband the mod edited my post after the fact. What a loser.

I think that the only solution to this marital discord is a Highway Star-esque ski-off! :beer:

 

[roark]

It's not just keeping things clean. Your bindings (at least the important parts) are metal, which corrodes with road salt. Use a bag. Or replace your bindings every few years.

 

[thetrailboss]

It's not just keeping things clean. Your bindings (at least the important parts) are metal, which corrodes with road salt. Use a bag. Or replace your bindings every few years.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[snowmonster]

If you're really concerned about road salt and gunk in your bindings and want to use the roof rack, then get some binding covers. If you use the roof rack, be prepared to get your skis dirty if the roads are being salted/treated. It takes less than five minutes to wipe them down though. If you have the room in the car, just keep the skis in the cabin.

 

[wa-loaf]

Get a roof box ...

 

[deadheadskier]

deadheadskier weighing in with some marital counseling

We got an easy daily commute solution. You drive an Outback. Put the skis in the car.

We got a destination travel full car worth of gear solution.

trailboss, if it matters that much to you, bag em' up and put them in the rack. Your job.

Just like it's my wife's job to dust.

 

[jarrodski]

maybe it's just where i'm at in my marraige, but isn't her saying no to ski bags encouraging you to drink in the garage? i fail to see the problem here.

 

[Cannonball]

Neither. I used racks for one season.....then gave them away. In the cab or a box.

 

[thetrailboss]

maybe it's just where i'm at in my marraige, but isn't her saying no to ski bags encouraging you to drink in the garage? i fail to see the problem here.

No. That comes with the tuning before they go into the rack.

 

[thetrailboss]

So we have:

2 votes for bag;
4 votes for box/cabin;
1 vote for beer. :beer:

 

[vonski]

I agree if your the one putting them in the rack and taking them out then do what u want!. But I think the cost of bags to replace might be more than the damage to the bindings. But again if she does not like let her ride naked in the rack and see how she likes it. Maybe then she will have more sympathy for the skis. But I also agree that the more time available for garage time is essential. So, I say no bag and beer and rags. :beer::argue:

 

[thetrailboss]

And this was meant to be more tongue and cheek than anything else.

 

[billski]

So we have:

2 votes for bag;
4 votes for box/cabin;
1 vote for beer. :beer:

Bag. Paper or plastic?

I put them flat on the racks for about 10 years. Then I got to thinking about it.
It's not just the liquid stuff, but a few morsels of grit or sand inside the binding where you can't get to. I can never clean my bindings good enough. I bagged for a good 15 years. My only bag lasted that long and I still have it. Been through enough airports too.

I quit racking when I finally got a car with a fold-down seat and length enough for my longest skis. I went through three sets of racks in 25 years - they simply rusted away or seized, no matter the brand or how much they cost. Skis first, riders second! Extra riders are welcome on the roof racks!

p.s., I saw a thule coffin blow apart on the highway yesterday. Fortunately for the driver, it appeared to be empty. He slowed, but never stopped.

 

[Glenn]

I put the skis in the Jeep; fold down the seats. Ever see what road salt does to steel and cast iron under your vehicle? Now imagine what it does to your edges and the innards of your bindings. No thanks.

 

[Hawkshot99]

I just buy new skiis every year to avaid any damage from road salt.

I have a truck so i just throw them in the bed under the torneu cover. Also have a box for my roof when there are a bunch of us.

Before the box and truck I used the regular racks with no bags. My skis never got to dirty that it took me more than a minute to clean.

 

[maineskier69]

Best bet is enclose them whether it be a box or in the vehicle. I have an old crappy ski bag that i have had for years that I use for my skis if they are going to be racked. Calcium chloride that they use on the roads these days is more corrosive than salt. Add some sand and grit to the bindings and it could mean problems down the road.
Back in the late 80s I would use those "binding gators" for protection, but I was also rocking neon flair on my outerwear and wearing Vuarnet Cat Eye sunglasses.

 

[billski]

I have an old crappy ski bag that i have had for years that I use for my skis if they are going to be racked. Calcium chloride that they use on the roads these days is more corrosive than salt.

After a few trips, my bag was absolutely filthy. Between the dirt and the salt stains on the bag. and the locks that rust seized. I wanted to keep my skis more than a couple of years. Which is why I always undercarriage wash my car once a week in the winter.