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Ski racks

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SCOO-WOOP
Posts: 1264 - Karma: 244
I  half-assed-ly  searched the forums and haven't come up with anything. Sooo...

I'm going to be doing quite a bit of traveling with a bunch of people all over the US this winter, and I've been looking for a ski rack for my car, an 09 subaru impretzel.  I already have the crossbars for it, I'm just looking for a good, reliable ski rack to get for it. I need to be able to hold around 6 pairs of skis on the roof.

Anyone have any recommendations or have a rack that they use that they like?
Dec 4 2013 7:51PM
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liftedresearcher
Posts: 1140 - Karma: 1,774
im a big fan of the thule ski boxes instead of a rack.

ive got a thule pulse from a couple years back on my vw rabbit that fits 5 people's skis plus boots and other shit pretty comfortably. opens up tons of room in the car. plus you can keep a case of beer in there during the ride and it will be cold when you arrive.

Dec 4 2013 7:54PM
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division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,905
Yakima Fatcat 6. I've had mine for 4 or 5 years now and it's been on a WRX sedan and an Xterra. Definitely the best rack I've used.

Click for larger image

www.yakima.com/shop/snow/ski-and-snowboard-racks/fatcat-6-us
Dec 4 2013 7:57PM
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snakerton
Posts: 2434 - Karma: 1,977
^ yep fatcat is the best.
Dec 4 2013 7:58PM
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Iraq_Lobster
Posts: 1866 - Karma: 4,904
i would definitely go with a thule roof box, lots more room, and you can put other stuff in there to free up space in the car
Dec 4 2013 8:02PM
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division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,905
I'd get a gear box if I could actually fit inside my garage with one on my Xterra. With my Fatcat 6 as is, I have to put the skis in the rack bases facing up, or I will not make it out of my garage. I have less than a 1/2" of clearance between my skis and my garage door right now.

A box would be nice to store extra gear/shit/booze for certain.
Dec 4 2013 8:07PM
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RonJeremiah
Posts: 146 - Karma: 436
I wouldn't wanna be driving across the country with my skis out in the open. Especially on the east coast with fucking road salt and grime. Get a box and you won't have to worry about it... Though they are more expensive it'd definitely be worth it.
Dec 4 2013 8:07PM
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kryan233
Posts: 149 - Karma: 266
Definitly go with the fat cat 6. super reliable and its aerodynamic!
Dec 4 2013 9:45PM
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Bock
Posts: 748 - Karma: 1,652
ive only had the fatcat but its always been super reliable plus its really simple. definitely a solid choice
Dec 4 2013 10:00PM
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SCOO-WOOP
Posts: 1264 - Karma: 244
Did you have to get oem crossbars for your vw to mount the box or did you use thule crossbars? Also thanks for the info guys
Dec 5 2013 2:01AM
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last_tango
Posts: 2635 - Karma: 2,665
I have a 06 impreza with a thule frontier box (it think its a frontier) and use the cross bars from a 05 outback. The way the box mounts on is like a clamp. You take thumb screws against a plate and it will clamp against any bar.
Dec 5 2013 2:10AM
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SCOO-WOOP
Posts: 1264 - Karma: 244
Dope. Thanks!
Dec 5 2013 2:17AM
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dispatchQ_main
Posts: 2619 - Karma: 629
Definitely get a box. Look for one that's really quick to put on and off unless you don't mind driving around with it all winter. Mines a huge pain and takes about 30min to put on.
Dec 5 2013 2:20AM
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eheath
Posts: 61107 - Karma: 118,282
Definitely go roof box, comes in handy when your car runs out of space. I cant count the number of times my roof box has carried more than just skis on road trips, its very clutch.
Dec 5 2013 2:20AM
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Freeheel4real
Posts: 909 - Karma: 95
Also have impreza, also recommend ski box over other styles of rack. They are also more versatile, and can fit bags, boots, etc. if you need extra space.
Dec 5 2013 2:22AM
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D34DM0053
Posts: 150 - Karma: 604
Either a fatcat 6 or a thule pulltop.
Dec 5 2013 3:49AM
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HuckNorris44
Posts: 1025 - Karma: 2,392
Go with a low profile Yakima box. Unless all yours skis are pretty skinny, fitting 6 pairs will be difficult in anything but a box
Dec 5 2013 5:17AM
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SCOO-WOOP
Posts: 1264 - Karma: 244
I'm a mogul skier so fat skis aren't really a problem. But I think I'm gonna go with a Thule Pulse. Thanks for the help though.
Dec 5 2013 10:47AM
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Labattski
Posts: 201 - Karma: 74
Whispbar wb300. It's the same as the fat cat 6 but it's a nice aluminum finish instead of black and red. Looks alittle better if your car doesn't have any black or red to match the fat cat
Dec 5 2013 10:53AM
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Ray.
Posts: 426 - Karma: 443
you can use the box all year round for basically anything
Dec 5 2013 11:07AM
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Blake.P
Posts: 9894 - Karma: 3,585
i personally use ski racks, but i just do day trips that have at most a 3 hour drive. if i were doing longer trips or road trips, definitely get a box. it will protect your gear so much better from all the shit that it will be exposed to. plus you can get other gear (poles, etc) up there too so you have more room inside the car
Dec 5 2013 11:28AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Yes, most roof boxes will accommodate 1-2 dead hookers without even cutting them up. Very convenient.
Dec 5 2013 11:30AM
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eheath
Posts: 61107 - Karma: 118,282
Especially the older versions that are less aerodynamic... haha
Dec 5 2013 12:49PM
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P_Doze
Posts: 57 - Karma: 583
boxes also prevent all the salt and road treatments from messing with your edges and bindings.
Dec 5 2013 1:47PM
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powkat
Posts: 33 - Karma: 22
^ this
Dec 5 2013 2:24PM
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RimJobber
Posts: 3313 - Karma: 10,058
I saw a sick set up that someone had with a safari rack on top with ski racks mounted on that. They could carry a ton of skis and gear.
Dec 5 2013 3:04PM
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SCOO-WOOP
Posts: 1264 - Karma: 244
Word. Thanks for the advice. Thats actually the only requirement I had.


I ended up going with the Force XL box from Thule.

I'm picking it up today, but it looks absolutely ridiculous on my car, its awesome.
Dec 6 2013 12:20PM
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D34DM0053
Posts: 150 - Karma: 604
I was looking to get a ski rack for my truck to mount on my tonneau cover. But I'n getting a new truck soon.... so yeah

Dec 6 2013 10:38PM
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cheaaaaaa
Posts: 830 - Karma: 630
Pretty sure the latest Freeskier listed the top ten
Dec 6 2013 11:08PM
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