Installing a ski rack onto your car is much easier than you think! You will need basic tools and around 30 minutes of your time. Follow these steps and your skiing holidays will be memories you will cherish forever.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Find The Best Location For The Rack
Even though you will only need a small area to park your car in, it is still a good idea to measure the space you have. Start by imagining how you will layout the car and how the gear will be stored when the ski season arrives. Measure the height and width of your car and the length of the driveway. Try to find a spot that will not block the doors when driving off and parking. You should also check for any obstacles like trees or branches that could cause an accident if you come off worse than you went on.
Step 2: Remove The Rear View Mirrors
The last thing you want when skiing is to be looking at the road behind you. If you have no mirrors on the back of your car, you will not be able to see what is going on behind you. It is also a good idea to measure the distance from your bumper to the rear view mirror. The closer the measurement is to 0, the better. Once you have removed the rear view mirrors, you can fit the ski rack into place.
Step 3: Cut The Seats And The Floor Mat
It is time to cut the seats and remove the floor mat. You will not be able to fit both the seat and the floor mat back into the car after this step so plan accordingly. There are many different types of mats and seats you can remove so be sure to check the documentation for the appropriate tools.
Step 4: Remove The Rear Seat
If you have a four-door car, you will have to remove the rear seat to make room for the ski rack. Just be careful not to scratch or dent the car’s surface as you remove it. Once you have removed the rear seat, you can slide the ski rack installation underneath.
Step 5: Lift The Side Panels
If you have a convertible, you will need to lift the side panels to make room for the ski rack. This is because the rack will block a large portion of the area underneath the car when it is in place. If you are not sure how to do this, consult your manual or ask a professional mechanic. Once you have lifted the side panels, you can slide the ski rack underneath and secure it with the straps provided. Make sure that all four tires are off the ground once you have placed the rack into place to avoid any accidents.
Step 6: Tighten The Straps And Test The Fit
Now that you have installed the rack and are happy with the way it fits, it is time to secure it with the straps. Make sure to tighten these straps all the way and test the fit by driving off and parking. If you find that one or more of the straps are not snug enough, it is time to return and re-attach them. Once you have secured the straps, it is safe to say that your car is ready for the winter sports season!
Even though this might seem like a lengthy process, it is actually one of the simplest and most straightforward tasks you will ever attempt. Follow these instructions and you will have a functional and safe snow gear installation in no time!
If you are reading this and thinking about installing a ski rack on your car, it is probably because you either need someplace to store your skis and other snow sports equipment or you are just sick of constantly folding down your seats during the week while driving to work. Whatever your reason might be, install a ski rack and you will feel like a new person!