Are you the kind of person who likes to travel with your ski gear? Or maybe you’re a ski instructor who needs to transport all of your equipment to the resort? Whatever the case maybe, you know how annoying it is when the roof of your car won’t open up due to the weather. Especially when you’re in the middle of nowhere and there’s no other means of transport available. That’s when the pain of having a roof that doesn’t open up is more than felt. It can be downright dangerous when the weather turns bad because you’re literally trapped inside. That’s why it’s important to know how to tie down the skis on top of a roof rack. Here are some tricks to help you do just that. They may not work for all vehicles, so you’ll need to find out what makes yours different. Hopefully, this article will help save you from some agony. Let’s get started.
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Tie Down The Ski On Top Of The Car
The most basic method is to tie the ski down on top of your car. This is usually the case when you’re driving on a smooth surface or a straight road. The problem with this method is that it’s generally not the safest way to transport your gear. If you have an accident, you could get injured by the falling gear. There are also times when this isn’t possible, like when you’re driving on an unpaved road or in bad weather conditions. In those cases, you have to find another way to secure the skis. Luckily, there are several alternatives.
Put The Ski On The Floor Or Between The Trunks
If you’ve driven on a smooth surface and you’ve decided that this was the safest way to travel with your skis, you might have to put them on the floor or between the trunks. This is because your roof can’t open up very wide due to safety concerns. The problem with this method is that it takes up a lot of room, which is why it’s not always an option. If you have a lot of gear, it’s best to put the skis on the floor. This also means you have to take off your shoes when you arrive at your destination. Otherwise, it’s likely you’ll hurt your feet on the cold floor. If you have a spare bag to put your gear in, it would be wise to use it because the cargo area of your car isn’t designed for storing bulky objects like skis and snowboards. It would also be wise to purchase a ski rack that’s specific to vehicles. These are made of durable metal that’s designed to withstand rough road conditions and high speeds. It’s also wise to look for an aftermarket device that’s designed for your make and model. This way, your skis will be well-secured and won’t move around too much even when you’re driving fast. This is especially important if you have a sharp curve ahead or if the road is wet due to rain or snowmelt. In those cases, you don’t want your skis to move around too much because you’re afraid they’ll slip and cause an accident. This would certainly be a tragic waste of both time and resources.
Tie Them Down With Cargo Straps
There’s also the option of using cargo straps to tie down your skis. You’ll need to have extra ones lying around for this purpose. These types of straps are meant to be used for securing cargo, like bikes and kayaks, to the roof of your car. If you have a lot of gear, it’s best to use two straps and make sure they’re tight enough to keep your skis in place. Make sure you test out the cargo straps before you use them because they’re often times tricky to fit correctly. Even after you’ve used them once or twice, it’s wise to check to see if they need to be replaced due to wear and tear. It’s also wise to look for a version of the strap that’s built to withstand high speeds and tough road conditions. This way, you can be sure that your gear will stay put where you put it even when you’re driving at high speeds or in rough conditions. This is especially important if you have a lot of gear and don’t want to end up losing any of it because it slid off while you were driving. You can also use bungee cords to secure your skis. It’s best to use these cords as a backstop and make sure they’re attached to something sturdy, like the wall of your car or a luggage rack. Make sure you have enough of them so that you can wrap them around your entire roof rack and under your chin before you depart on a long journey. Remember: the more you use, the more you’ll need. This is especially important if you decide to use the bungees because they’ll eventually stretch out and become unusable. It’s best to purchase a few extra spares just in case.
Tie Them Down With A Tow Hook
A tow hook is an excellent way to secure your skis when using a vehicle. Basically, this is a long, thin metal claw that’s secured to the roof of your car. You’ll need to purchase one that’s specific to your vehicle. If you do a lot of towing, this is the best way to go. It’s also the safest option if you have an accident and the other methods above don’t work for some reason. The problem with this option is that it takes up a lot of room, which is why it’s usually not an option for people who have a lot of gear. If you have a large RV, you might want to consider this option because it’ll make securing your gear easy and it’ll free up more room for other items. It’s also wise to purchase a quality tow hook because they’re often times expensive and can be unreliable. Even after you’ve used one once or twice, it’s still smart to check for any wear and tear because they can sometimes be tricky to use accurately. This is why it’s important to read the instructions carefully and know how to use the device correctly. It’s also wise to look for a version of the hook that’s built to withstand high speeds and tough road conditions. This way, you can be sure that your gear will stay put while you’re driving. This is important because you don’t want any accidents while towing. It’s also wise to purchase a few extra ones because you’ll eventually need them.
Tie Them Down With A Cable
Another option is to use a cable to tie down your skis. You’ll need to have at least two ends of the cable lying around. These can be any type of fiber optic or electrical cables. The best option is a braided line because they’re extremely durable and can be used for multiple purposes, like driving and fishing, for example. Make sure you use a locking connector or slip-latch to secure the cable ends so they don’t come loose while you’re driving. If done incorrectly, this can be dangerous. Remember: the more you use, the more you’ll need. This is especially important if you decide to use one of these cables because they’ll eventually become thin and unusable due to overuse.
Tie Them Down With Hooks And Eyelets
One more option is to use hooks and eyelets to tie down your skis. You’ll need to have long, slender metal hooks that have eyelets at the end. These can be found at most hardware stores. Make sure you have enough of them so that you can attach them to the roof rack before you depart on a long journey. Remember: the more you use, the more you’ll need. This is because the hooks will eventually become useless if you don’t replace them regularly. Make sure you test out the hooks before you use them because they’re often times tricky to fit correctly. Even after you’ve attached them to your roof rack once or twice, it’s still smart to check for any wear and tear because they can sometimes be tricky to use accurately. This is why it’s important to read the instructions carefully and know how to use the device correctly. It’s also wise to look for a version of the eyelets that’s built to withstand high speeds and tough road conditions. This way, you can be sure that your gear will stay put while you’re driving. This is important because you don’t want any accidents while driving. It’s also wise to purchase a few extra ones because you’ll eventually need them.