If you’re like us, you’ve probably gotten a bit spoiled by the recent winter weather. Warm sunny days and balmy nights are something we’re not used to, but we definitely miss while the snow stays on for longer! The one downside is that when the snow finally goes, our ski gear has to go as well, and it’s not easy to transport your ski equipment in the summer. Well, that’s if you have any at all!
Thankfully, there’s a solution to this problem. The Thule Ski Rack is a device that allows you to securely store your skis and ski equipment outside your home, therefore keeping them safe and ready for winter sports when the time comes. All you need to do to get started is screw the Thule Ski Rack into the wall, position the rails so they run across the room, and fill the tub with ice and snow. After that, simply connect the lock of the rack to the hook on your ski gear and you’re good to go!
If you decide that skiing is for you and you don’t have a garage or an attic to store your gear in, you can always find a spot for the Thule Ski Rack near the entrance of your home so that whenever you walk in or out, your skis and ski equipment will be there waiting for you.
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The Benefits Of Using The Thule Ski Rack
There are a number of benefits to using this type of device, some of which we’ve discussed already, but it has so much more! Here are just some of the things you may experience by using the Thule Ski Rack:
- Saving room in your garage or attic
- Preventing wheel lockup while parking
- Keeping your ski gear safe and organized
- Easily transporting and storing your gear in the summer
Getting Started
Since the Thule Ski Rack is such a popular and useful device, we decided to give you an overview of how to install one. There are a few things you need to remember before you start, so follow our step-by-step guide carefully and you’ll be saving room in no time!
First, make sure that the spot you choose for the installation is a legal parking spot and that there are no restrictions on where you can place the rack. If you live in an area that gets quite a bit of snowfall, an attic or a garage may be the perfect place for it. Just be sure that in the area where the rack will be, there’s already a spot for it!
Second, find an area near the door that will be easily accessible for putting the rack in and taking it out whenever you need it. This will make it much easier to transport and store your gear whenever the season changes. You can’t really anticipate how many times you’ll need to move it in the summer or how much space you’ll need in the winter, so consider the location of your garage or attic for optimum results!
Third, make sure that the area is big enough to accommodate at least two full-sized vehicles, if not more. If you have a two-car garage, you’re good to go! Just make sure that you have enough room for a third car, too.
Fourth, ensure that the spot you choose is high enough to prevent any accidental falls from one floor to another. You don’t want to be climbing over the rack just to get to the car or walk into the house!
Fifth, once you’ve located a suitable spot, climb up on the roof or take a look through the attic window to ensure that there are no stairs leading from the ground to the parking spot. If there is, you’ll have to find another location!
Sixth, measure the distance from the parking spot to the nearest stairway or ladder, ensuring that it’s easy to reach in case you need it. There’s nothing more frustrating than having to search for a tool or a part that’s not easily accessible!
Finally, remember that an indoor spot works best for snow and ice, while an outdoor spot is better for heat and dust. This doesn’t mean that you can’t use an indoor spot in the winter, but it does mean that it’ll be at its best for some things and at its worst for others, especially if you live in a cold climate!
Screw The Rack Into The Wall
Screwing the rack into the wall is the first step in the installation process. Once you’ve determined the location of your garage or attic, mark the spot with a rope to prevent any mishaps during the installation process. You don’t want to be climbing around during this time, as it’s quite possible that you’ll lose your footing and hurt yourself!
Find an area near the wall where you can easily access the drill. If there isn’t one nearby, grab a sander and smooth out any sharp edges or protruding surfaces so that when you screw the rack in, there will be no accidents due to excessive force.
Start by drilling several holes along the length of the wall at even intervals, ensuring that the rack will be completely aligned and attached to the wall when you’re done. If the wall is made of wood, use a hammer to tap the holes for extra strength. Once the holes are in place, attach the rack to the wall with metal screws and washers. It’s important to use a locking washer to prevent the screws from backing out once they’re tightened!
Position The Rails
After you’ve installed the rack in your garage or attic, position the rails so that they run across the room. This will make it much easier to access your gear whenever you need it, and it’ll prevent any accidental falls from one room to another. You’ll simply have to walk along the rails to get to your car or to the kitchen for a snack!
If your garage is big enough, you can also position the rails along the ceiling so that they run down the center of the room. This will make it much easier to clean the garage when it’s all packed up for the winter!
Filling The Tubs With Ice And Snow
The second step in the installation process is quite straightforward: just fill the tubs with ice and snow. The ideal temperature for storing your skis and gear is 32 degrees F, so you can let the tubs get as cold as possible without any accidents due to low temperatures. If you live in a warmer climate, you may want to bring the tubs inside so that they stay at a safe temperature.
Once the tubs are filled to the brim with snow and ice, cover them with a plastic sheet to prevent any additional melting. This is quite important if you want to keep your gear in good condition! You can also put some bags of ice in the freezer to create an even deeper layer of snow on your gear when needed. This makes it easier to transport and store your skis and ski equipment when the season changes!
Connecting The Lock
The final step in the installation process is to connect the lock of the rack to the hook on your ski gear. Once you’ve filled the tubs with ice and snow, take the time to connect the lock to the gear so that it’s safe and ready when you return home after a long day at work or school. Of course, if you live in a cold climate, you may need to leave the gear connected to the car in order to ensure that it doesn’t get damaged by the heat during the day. This is quite frustrating when you need to go out for the day and can’t bring your gear along as easily as you’d like!
To avoid any accidents, it’s very important to make sure that the lock is connected to the gear before you leave. If you forget or if someone else comes along and connects it while you’re gone, you’ll have to start all over again!
Installing the Thule Ski Rack is simple and straightforward, but it’s important to take your time and do it right. Make sure that you’ve chosen a suitable spot for the installation and that there are no obstacles in the way. Once you’ve done all that, it’s just a matter of filling the tubs with ice and snow and connecting the lock to the gear so that it’s safe and ready when you return home after a long day at work or school.