Ski racks

Ski rack online purchase advice

Table of contents

1. Ski rack applications and advantages
2. Ski rack for the towbar
3. Magnetic ski rack: fastened on the roof without base carrier
4. Ski rack for the base carrier
5. Ski rack with suction cup
6. Ski rack manufacturers: Thule and F.LLI Menabo
7. Checklist: You should ask yourself these questions before buying a ski rack!
8. Accessories for ski holders
9. Storage when not in use

Ski rack applications and advantages

Ski racks are the ideal choice if you want to go on a winter holiday with ski poles and downhill or cross-country skis - of course snowboards can also be transported on a ski rack. The word "snowboard rack" has not become generally accepted in colloquial terms, however.
The advantages of the ski rack are related to its transport function on the vehicle roof:

• skis or snowboards do not have to be laid across the whole car
• the rear seat does not have to be folded down
• passengers have more legroom

Ski rack for the towbar

Ski rack can be transported on the towbar. Here you have the advantage that you can load the towbar ski rack comfortably at hip height. Another positive aspect is the large transport volume: some ski racks can be extended so that up to 6 pairs of skis or 3 snowboards can be carried.

The disadvantage of this model is the price. Ski racks for the towbar start at about 100 Euro. Although the transport weight of the towbar is limited by its maximum vertical load, this weight is usually not reached as long as you don't go on a winter holiday with a small Polo. Although most towbar ski racks are foldable, access to the car boot is somewhat more difficult than with a roof ski rack.

Magnetic ski rack: fastened on the roof without base carrier

Magnetic ski racks do not need roof rails or a base carrier. This type is therefore particularly suitable for holiday-makers who rarely travel, who would like to save money or whose vehicle roof is not compatible with a roof rack. The magnetic ski rack does not require extensive assembly work and is simply fastened on the roof without tools.

Not only can a magnetic ski rack be easily attached to the car roof, but it is also relatively affordable. The magnetic ski rack costs start from about 50 EUR. However, the magnetic ski holder has one disadvantage: its limited transport volume. Magnetic ski racks usually only have space for up to 2 pairs of skis –predestined for a couple without children, but unsuitable for larger groups. A very frequently asked customer question, which our support team is always asked about magnetic ski racks, is: "Can such a carrier withstand the load and wind resistance when driving on the motorway?" The answer is a resounding yes if you follow the instructions in the installation manual.

When it comes to fitting the magnetic ski rack, you should consider a few small things, in order to arrive safely with the ski equipment or the snowboards at your holiday resort:

• the vehicle roof must not be too curved or uneven with magnetic ski racks
• contact surfaces for the magnets only hold on steel sheet roofs
• magnetic ski racks do not work on vehicles with panoramic glass roofs, or on aluminium or plastic roofs
• the roof should be thoroughly cleaned before the ski rack is attached
• dust, moisture, dirt, ice and grease reduce the holding force
• the distance between the magnetic plates should be maintained (usually 70 cm)

To make sure that the ski holder magnet fits on your car roof, you can call our customer service. Alternatively, you can get information from the manufacturer. On request, the latter will provide you with a list of models for the relevant carrier types.

Roof ski rack for the base carrier

Roof ski racks are attached to the base carrier (roof rack) . The roof rack offers a decisive advantage in terms of roof transportation. Many of our customers buy a roof box for their summer holiday and a ski rack for their winter holiday. Both transport devices are dependent on a base carrier, provided that it is a ski rack for the base carrier. The roof rack is therefore a one-off investment and pays for itself the more often it is used. For this reason, the roof rack ski attachment is recommended particularly for families and persons who often go on holiday with a lot of luggage and/or are often on the move with a roof box, ski box or roof bicycle carrier.

Roof ski racks are slightly cheaper than magnetic ski racks. The biggest difference between ski rack base carrier and magnetic ski rack is the fastening method. Roof ski racks are attached to the base carrier with the help of screw or clamp connections.

Ski rack with suction cup

A rather unknown way of transporting your winter equipment on the roof of the vehicle is the ski rack with suction cup. No roof rack is needed here, but it can be attached directly on the roof without much effort. There is a general distrust of suction cup holders - but if you decide to use a ski holder with suction cups, it is all the more important to clean the roof thoroughly to ensure good suction power. In addition, the car roof should be completely flat so that no air can enter the vacuum.

Ski rack manufacturers: Thule and F.LLI Menabo

Thule ski racks are in particular demand by our customers. The Swedish-based manufacturer of transport systems stands for high-quality transport systems. The bestsellers are mainly the SkiClick and the SnowPack Extender. The Italian brand F.LLI Menabo impresses above all with its magnetic ski racks. The Viking and the Himalaya are perennial favourites. For snowboarders too, F.LLI Menabo offers special magnetic snowboard carriers like the Aconcagua.

Checklist: You should ask yourself these questions before buying a ski rack!

Now that you have informed yourself about the advantages and disadvantages of the individual ski rack types, it is now important to weigh up which ski rack best meets your needs. Before buying a ski rack, you should therefore ask yourself the following questions:

• how much money do I want to spend?
• how many skis or snowboards do I want to transport?
• do I go on holiday often or not that much?
• do I already have a roof rack on my car roof?
• there is a lockable ski rack with key and lock, do I need that?

Accessories for ski holders

For the perfect winter holiday you can equip your ski rack with some extras.
The following accessories are very popular with our customers:

• Ski rack attachment
• Transport bag
• Ski holder adapter (square profile, T-slot, ...)

The ski rack attachment is intended to prevent damage to the paintwork from ski bindings. This frame extends the ski rack height so that even very high bindings do not come into contact with the vehicle roof. The transport bag also prevents damage to the paintwork. It also protects the binding of cross-country or downhill skis from external influences such as rain, snow and wind. It can also be used as a carrier bag. With an adjustable shoulder strap, it is ideal for transporting skis conveniently from the car to the ski trail or hotel.

Storage when not in use

Whether you buy a magnetic ski rack or a roof ski rack with roof rack attachment system, when not in use, both versions take up very little storage space. The magnetic version requires a little less space, because the roof rack does not need to be stowed away with it. In terms of storage space, no version has a decisive advantage, so the available storage space in the garage should not play a major role in the purchase decision.