Car ski carrier

Installing a ski rack on the roof and trunk of a car in winter makes it much easier to transport them. In this case, the sports equipment will be securely fixed and will not take away part of the useful area of ​​the cabin or other compartments. When deciding how to mount skis for transportation to a car, consider magnetic options for special attachments suitable for mining equipment, as well as other models that can cope with this task.

Specialized bindings for transporting skis to a car are chosen by people who prefer to travel and travel on their own, combining recreation with sports activities. The use of assistive devices can help solve such problems.

• Free up space in the passenger compartment and trunk. Transportation of skis is carried out on the roof of the car or on the spare wheel holder.
• Protect expensive equipment from loss, breakage. Rigid fixation is one of the most important advantages of special mounts.
• No noise or vibration while driving. If there is no attachment, sounds from the outside will distract the driver from monitoring the traffic situation.
• Carry up to 6 sets of skis at the same time. It will be difficult to do this without special devices.

The main share of ski bindings has a combined design with inserts made of rubber, plastic, but with a metal base. Autoboxes or cases with a closed type of arrangement of skis during transportation are usually polymer. Only the elements for installation on the car in them remain metal. The plastic for the case should be flexible, thick enough and strong enough.

Metal models are based on painted, galvanized or chrome-plated steel. The disadvantages of this option include low corrosion resistance. Finished products can lose their strength and visual appeal over time. In the case of stainless steel structures, aluminum mounts are the best. Their additional advantage is their low weight, which does not overload the roof or trunk of the car.

The main classification of bindings used for transporting skis distinguishes 2 main categories of such structures: with fixation on the roof or on the trunk of a car. Each of the holder options has its own advantages and disadvantages, but the first option is clearly the leader in terms of convenience and capacity.

A car mount for alpine skis can also be as follows.

• Closed. Such a ski device can be found under the name of an autobox or wardrobe trunk. Outwardly, it resembles an inverted polymer boat with metal crossbars. Thanks to its good aerodynamic properties, the ski holder does not interfere with the development of high speeds while driving. The length of such autoboxes starts from 1.7 m, the lid is locked with a lock, and may have several unlocking options.
• Open. Such fasteners are installed on the rails using clips resembling clothespins. The design can be multi-section, with a separate lock for each block. Mounts are made of steel or aluminum, there are budget plastic models.

Open holders are further subdivided into categories according to the way they are attached. The most modern option is considered to be a magnetic holding device, which is successfully fixed on the car body without additional efforts. Installation takes less than 2 minutes. After that, you can immediately load the skis.

There are also snap fasteners. They are considered vandal-proof, strong enough, durable, allow you to quickly fix the skis inside, preventing them from shifting. Such mounts are equipped with locks. There are also models with suction cups - vacuum ones, suitable for periodic use, but capable of flying off the body at the most inopportune moment.

Among the most popular options for car ski bindings on sale are models of different classes - from premium to budget. The best of them deserve special attention.

• Thule Snow Pack. Luxury universal mount. The model is made of lightweight aluminum alloy, has adjustable ski height, width. The mount has soft rubber inserts, non-slip, vertical spring mechanisms.

• Mont Blanc McKinley 538. This is a classic roof rack mount that fits onto your roof rack. The model can accommodate 4 pairs of skis at once, the design includes reliable locks that prevent it from unfastening when shaking.

• GeV Vento 5. The magnetic mount and lightweight aluminum frame of this latch does not overload the car trunk. Up to 5 pairs of skis can be placed on this model at once. The stylish design complements the secure mount design.

• Thule Xtender TH-739. High-end mount from a world famous brand. Up to 6 pairs of skis can be accommodated here. A pull-out element is provided to facilitate loading.

• Thule Motion XT. Plastic autobox, available in sizes XL, XXL, Alpine. Up to 5-7 pairs of skis fit inside. It is the best choice for long journeys.

• Menabo Igloo. Magnetic mount without lock for 2 pairs of skis. No tools required for installation, lifting capacity is limited to 12 kg. Lightweight aluminum body does not weigh down the structure. The fastening of the Italian brand is perfectly attached to cars with a smooth roof and roof rails, regardless of its geometry.

• Amos Ski Lock 5. The model is from the middle price category. Roof-mounted, equipped with a lock to prevent theft of skis. The capacity of the mount is up to 5 pairs of ski equipment.

• Atlant 8550. Compact and inexpensive roof mount, requires roof rails. Can hold up to 4 pairs of skis, also suitable for snowboards.

When choosing a ski mount for a car, you need to pay attention to some points that distinguish high-quality products from unreliable analogues. Among the important criteria are the following.

• The presence of locks. They affect the safety of equipment during transportation, shaking. The absence of locks or the use of fasteners that open easily at the slightest pressure indicate that the manufacturer has saved on quality.
• Construction type. When traveling over short distances, open models are the best solution. On long journeys, it is better to take an autobox that can protect equipment from wind, sun, snow, road dust.
• Installation method. Not all cars have roof rails or a ready-made trunk. If fixing the roof mounts is not possible, the rear-mounted options will come to the rescue. They are often adapted to carry different types of sports equipment. For example, in summer they can be used for bicycles, and in winter for skis and snowboards.
• Fastening material. The safest option is stainless steel. Also noteworthy are aluminum models - lighter, but completely safe for ski construction. Additional inserts and external trim may include elements of rubber, plastic.
• Brand. Among the manufacturers specializing in spacious bindings for 3-6 pairs of skis, Thule, Mont Blanc deserve special attention. You can transport 1-2 sets of equipment using clips of the middle price category. These are presented in the assortment of Amos, Hakr.

When using car ski bindings, it is worth considering their features. It is better to transport skiing or running equipment over long distances in a special closed box. In it, skis are fastened with belts individually, there are no difficulties associated with fixing them. But you need to immediately select the size of the box with a margin - this is not very convenient if items of different sizes are transported.

Among the open structures, the easiest way to fix the skis will be in universal models. They come with a folding top. When it is lowered, the clamp securely fixes the equipment inside.