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Soft Top car roof rack?!?

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Boooshank
Posts: 1650 - Karma: 160
Hey,

So I have a 2004 Mustang, soft top. Not an option to change my car for the season. So will be rolling with chains up the hill.

Need some input on whats the best way to carry my ski's up there. Need a rack, but not really feeling drilling holes for a bootlid mounting type thing.

Yes, my ski's fit in my car but i'd rather have a friend sit comfortably than have to have my ski's and their board on their lap.

So, an option right now is this one.....

Click for larger image

And the link to the video of a guy showing it fitting on the window with a couple of sucka's!

http://www.winterracks.com/

Dont think this will work as I dont have an outer window frame for the top mount to support itself when the window is rolled up? Dunno? Car people??

Have never bought or used any type of rack before, let alone for a soft top for ski's!! Dont really wanna resolve to tie downs going in and out of my car holding my shit down.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Lee
Oct 3 2011 8:11AM
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Otter.
Posts: 1161 - Karma: 84
probably not gonna happen with a soft top..

put the back seats down.
Oct 3 2011 9:14AM
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stickerman
Posts: 2043 - Karma: 147
if you really want/need a rack, get a hitch rack mounted. this is ONLY if you NEED a rack though. these things destroy skis/boards/bindings like no tomorrow because all of your cars roadspray/shit/slush/salt all gets shot onto your skis. not good at all, but if you gotta do what you gotta do, then go for it.
Oct 3 2011 11:21AM
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
yup
Oct 3 2011 12:11PM
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.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,092
every time I go skiing I see 3 or 4 mustangs on the side of the road.

get a car that isn't for middle-aged blonde women and has front wheel drive. lol
Oct 3 2011 12:18PM
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rudager
Posts: 11332 - Karma: 4,597
I'm agreeing with this.

As much as there is a good possibility that you can just fit the skis in your car between seats, you might still have trouble driving in the conditions. If you are actually considering putting chains on your car to get up a ski hill, that car doesn't seem right for you.
Oct 3 2011 2:04PM
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Boooshank
Posts: 1650 - Karma: 160
There's me thinking that GearTalk would actually get me some proper responses. Nah!

Thanks for taking the time to read my words before posting.

"Not an option to change my car for the season"

"Yes, my ski's fit in my car but i'd rather have a friend sit comfortably than have to have my ski's and their board on their lap."

I'm not worried in the slightest about putting chains on my car, done it lots of times last season driving over to Reno.

@Stickerman, I ruled out a Hitch because of that reason. Thanks.

Guess I'll be better posting in a car forum for some info.


Oct 3 2011 2:24PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,398
it is always an option, who actually buys a mustang in the first place anyway?
Oct 3 2011 2:28PM
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Boooshank
Posts: 1650 - Karma: 160
Ya gotta be kidding me!?!

No, Its NOT an option to change.

And....Me. I bought one. Me. Yep, Me. Dont care what people think about it, or what they think the stereotypical driver for them is either.

Just wanted some info on finding a better way to carry my shit up the mountain.

Thanks for your pointless reply.


Oct 3 2011 2:35PM
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rudager
Posts: 11332 - Karma: 4,597
These are proper responses. I'm sorry, I just can't really see any other way of getting those skis in your car. You might have to do some tertris magic to make everyone comfortable
Oct 3 2011 2:45PM
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DUKES
Posts: 5149 - Karma: 686
get a trunk rack
Oct 3 2011 2:49PM
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Randy_Quench
Posts: 5447 - Karma: 4,342
lol soft top mustang.

just have your friends drive you skiing. only other rack that would fit are the racks that attach to your tow hitch or your trunk. but as said above they destroy your shit.
Oct 3 2011 3:32PM
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.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,092
truth.

If you wanted a fast car their are a ton of better options than a shitty ford.
Oct 3 2011 7:17PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,398
this, OP you dun goofed, sell that piece of shit and get something actually practical
Oct 3 2011 7:26PM
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Boooshank
Posts: 1650 - Karma: 160
Why did I even think that anyone on this site would actually give a shit! Gear talk too.

Thanks for all the advice on the reasons for changing my car. Great that all of you read so well.

Put my seats down?!? Really? How? What seats we talking about? Think about it!

Balto, 20000+ Posts?! I certainly hope you've contributed better in other threads than this one.

"Sell that piece of shit and get something practical!!" Way to go with an awesome comment.

People, can you read? If not, dont reply with stupid fucking comments!

Jeeeeeezzz!

Oct 3 2011 8:43PM
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razors-chaz
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 1,250
Get a trailer?
Oct 4 2011 4:24AM
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Boooshank
Posts: 1650 - Karma: 160
Hadn't really given a trailer a thought.

Havent got the fixing one. An expensive option me thinks.

Looking like its a Tie down solution.
Oct 4 2011 5:04AM
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razors-chaz
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 1,250
Sounds like your only other option given your situation. If you think about it, yeah it could be fairly expensive solution but its going to improve your whole journey to and from the hill. You wont be jammed up in the car with gear. You wont get your car all wet and dirty on the way back. Your passengers are more comfortable. It opens up the option of a longer journey to go skiing as your more comfy. It opens up the option to get a sled if you want to. Im not sure on the effects on mileage but it could be better than getting a roof rack. Also getting a tow bar adds a whole new market of potential buyers if you end up selling the car. So its an investment in an improvement in quality of life. (god that sounds like a sales pitch, i dont work for a trailer company)
Oct 4 2011 5:48AM
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Randy_Quench
Posts: 5447 - Karma: 4,342
peruse your local craigslist.

I got a trailer for my old jeep for 50$ and all it needed was some paint.
then after i sold said jeep a few years later I bought a new one and got a different trailer for 100.

trailer is actually a cheaper solution than a roof rack (if they made one for a soft top)
Oct 4 2011 12:50PM
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spere
Posts: 6105 - Karma: 248
just call the rack company mentioned in your original post, they have customer service people for this exact reason.

or you could call any roof rack place and tell them what car you have and what options are available.

did you honestly think you wouldn't get some of these responses for asking about a rack system for a convertible mustang?
Oct 4 2011 1:02PM
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Boooshank
Posts: 1650 - Karma: 160
Chaz, I appreciate your response. The trailer idea is looking unfeasible right now. I like my friends but i'd only be buying one for them. They want a ride, they'd have to deal with some luggage. Good job on selling the idea tho.

Have checked other forums and such for other ideas. Found the hitch needed for a trailer at about $90, then i'd need a trailer. Craiglist for a trailor for sure, but still would be a pricey option.

I've already emailed the customer service at www.winterracks.com about my problem with maybe the winter rack not working without an outer door frame. Waiting on a response.


Spere "did you honestly think you wouldn't get some of these responses for asking about a rack system for a convertible mustang?"

I expected some comments, yeah yeah, "your car is shit, change it, get a better one etc"

Kinda why i said some of the stuff in the OP.

The seats down comment is stupid as i dont have seats to fold down. I know blonde middle aged women drive my car, couldn't care.

I guess I'm a little bothered that Donators with multiple posts have made the most stupid comments. Way to represent!


Oct 4 2011 3:32PM
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rudager
Posts: 11332 - Karma: 4,597
I'm sorry you had to face the definite truth, but you have a sports car, with a soft top. I'd really like to help, but every which way has just been deemed impractical.
Oct 4 2011 3:36PM
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razors-chaz
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 1,250
if your the only one giving lifts ask your mates to chip in, yeah it doesnt sound like a kind of friend thing like "hey want to pay for my trailer for me2 but if its going to improve their journey putting money to it is worth it for them .
good luck on getting a roof rack though.
Oct 4 2011 3:39PM
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Boooshank
Posts: 1650 - Karma: 160
Just got an email back from www.winterracks.com

They say the SnoGo will work anyway and if i had a problem they'd be happy to change! I doubt they'd change my window if it breaks it. Gonna try the tie down option in and out of the cabin to see if that looks stable enough. If not, guessing I'll have to give the SnoGo a whirl.

Thanks again
Oct 4 2011 3:42PM
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jibnut
Posts: 3038 - Karma: 304
Put the top down...?
Oct 4 2011 6:02PM
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Boooshank
Posts: 1650 - Karma: 160
Ha. An idea.





Just not a good one.
Oct 4 2011 6:33PM
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.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
Why is everybody hating on Mustangs? The new 5.0 and the Boss are fucking badass, and really quick. They beat the piss out of the new STI/whatever other car NS is drooling over right now, they're just not very practical winter cars. Not everybody wants a beater ski mobile that costs 2 grand. I'd love to have a new Mustang to rip around in during the summer.

I can't really help on the ski rack issue though, sorry.
Oct 4 2011 6:43PM
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YooperSteeze
Posts: 1248 - Karma: 45
Perhaps a hitch rack + garbage bags and bungees?
Oct 4 2011 11:19PM
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ShredAZ
Posts: 1054 - Karma: 641
I have a soft top wrangler.

All I do is throw some rolled up tolls on the roof, throw the skis/boards down and loop some tie down strap around the top and through the inside of car where the doors open..

Crank down enough to hold 'em firm but not too tight. Never had a problem and you don't have to worry about buying a roof rack - just 10 bucks on tie downs.

Easy.
Oct 5 2011 3:04AM
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Boooshank
Posts: 1650 - Karma: 160
So glad someone else does this. Picked up a set of tie downs today to try it. I'll be trying it in the morning.

Everyone I've mentioned this too thinks its a ridiculous idea.
Oct 5 2011 5:08AM
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ShredAZ
Posts: 1054 - Karma: 641
Worked fine for me!
to make sure it distributes pressure evenly over all the boards, it's good to put a piece of pvc pipe down between the strap and boards or a piece of wood for that matter.

This rack got me from AZ, to UT, to Vegas, to Cali, and back to AZ again with zero problems!
Oct 5 2011 6:14AM
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Pee_and_Ski
Posts: 1869 - Karma: 57
make one, you could rig somthing up no problem
Oct 5 2011 11:38AM
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Boooshank
Posts: 1650 - Karma: 160
So.

After emails back and forth with the guy who makes the SnoGo, i realised it wont be any good for me. The SnoGo produce two racks. One for Skis and one Boards. Neither holds both. No future plans to combine either as well imo.

The last email received from the dude:

"I just havent figured out a way to do both on one rack, thats basically what it comes down too."

This was the only factor on me not going with the SnoGo, as the point was for me to carry my friends board as well as my stuff and still have room for a friend in the cabin.

Screw my friends, they wanna come to the mountain. They'll have to bring a screwdriver and take off one of their bindings and shove the board behind their seat.

My solution to the rack. Thanks to RockShoxTora for the shove to do it.


Click for larger image

RockShoxTora, you metion PVC pipes. I dont think my windows would close properly if i used something like that?
My seals on the back strap are definitely going to need strengthening with something more than cardboard.right now. Thinking pliable rubber to bend round the edge, But again using something with a decent mm width will not allow my window to close properly?? I aslo ski strapped my brakes up so they wouldn't put pressure on the roof liner.

For all the Mustang, Shit Car, Why, Un-practical comments. I love my car, it goes up the mountain with no problems. When the weather is nice get a topless car. It handles nicely, has enough power so I dont lose my license, happily goes sideways at will and hasn't skipped a beat since i got it. Sooooo... Screw you. Hate all you want. It works.

Click for larger image
Oct 5 2011 5:56PM
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ShredAZ
Posts: 1054 - Karma: 641
Atta boy!

Well I was suggesting pipe when dealing with multiple skis only because the pressure will usually get pushed on the outside boards or skis, but the inside skis flop a little.
The pipe or board will help to even out the pressure.
You could even use another rolled towel if you wanted.

Looks good though!
Oct 5 2011 6:38PM
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Boooshank
Posts: 1650 - Karma: 160
Ooo, I get ya. Didn't think about that problem of spreading the pressure if i carry a board as well.

Another problem solved. Thanks.
Oct 5 2011 6:57PM
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Boooshank
Posts: 1650 - Karma: 160
Ok, more questions have arisen that i thought I should throw out there, mostly to RockSHox but to anyone else that wants to input.

Will having my ski's like that on my car effect my ski's at all? Gotta think that a constant 70mph headwind into my bases for 3 hours+ isn't gonna aid the wax? (could be a retarded comment?) or with road clutter kicking up. Granted I know nothing of how the wax works on my bases hence the question.
Most if not all ski racks, carry the ski's clicked together. Cant help think that space saving isn't the only reason for this. If i buy a bag, i guess i could click them together and tie them down like that. Just might cause a bigger strain on my seals of my windows and extra weight.

Any decent opinions appreciated.

Oct 18 2011 1:08AM
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Blake.P
Posts: 9894 - Karma: 3,585
It will be no different than a regular ski rack. Also one suggestion for what you have is put a piece of firm foam under the skis so that you can create more even pressure across the entire roof, or make some way to attach all the skis on top so that one doesn't slide off the side
Oct 18 2011 1:40AM
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ShredAZ
Posts: 1054 - Karma: 641
This.
Never had a problem with wax or anything.
Although, even with a regular ski rack, the bindings where some of the grease is exposed collects dust. That's about it.
If you don't have the tie down straps tight enough, the skis might chatter too. I've noticed that.
Other than that, absolutely no problems! And like I said, lasted me on that 2000-3000 mile trip :)

Our 5 dollar rack.
Click for larger image
Oct 18 2011 2:33AM
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Boooshank
Posts: 1650 - Karma: 160
Blake, yep. I'll be getting some of the mentioned foam for sure. An Orchard hardware just popped up right next to my house so it's too easy to get some.

Hoping the same foam i get to put under the ski's will work on the round off of the tie downs into the cockpit. Already 'effed up one of em trying without. Has to be a foam that will protect the tearing of my seals and be able to compress enough that i can close my windows?!

RockShox, sick! Looks like a beast!

Thanks for putting my mind to rest about road clutter 'effin with my bases.

Also, had an idea to use ski ties and cable ties to keep my ski's together. I'll just use two ski ties on each ski and cable tie the left and right ski's together going through the ski ties. Then i'll just have 2 straps connected by a tie i can use all the time to keep my ski's together and also give a little cushion if my whips decide to clash.

Again. Thanks for the input.

Oct 18 2011 3:13PM
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