Ski Rack

auggy · **Posted:** Thu Dec 08, 2005 7:41 pm

Hey again,

Does anyone have a roof mount ski/snowboard rack that you would recommend? It needs to fit on the 05' Renegade rails and hold as many snowboards as possible without looking stupid :lol:

. Pics are nice if you've got them

Thanks

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Thu Dec 08, 2005 8:17 pm

Do you have a rear hitch? They make some good ones that attach to the hitch.

auggy · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 12:45 am

Yeah I have a hitch .. just not a big fan of the look

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 10:38 am

Roof mounted is the way to go, here are the parts I have:

Thule Crossroad 450
50" loadbars
6pair ski rack.

The Thule ski rack can handle 4 snowboards (base-to-base) or 6 pair of skis (in or out of bags)

Here's what it'll normally look like, covered in snow (skis out of bag):

Here's what she looks like without snow (skis in bag):

Here's what the regular rack looks like, with bike rack and basket:

These images are also on my photos page and my cardomain page (links in sig)

dog_party · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 11:17 am

I don't have the ski rack yet, but I'm using the Yak solution for carrying kayaks because I liked the height of the Yaks and I got a better price on them than the Thules. I'll be getting the LiftTicket6 (6 pair skis or 4 snowboards) some time this winter. http://www.yakima.com

Yakima also states that the ski rack can be clamped to factory rails using MightyMounts. I don't know anything about the MightyMounts though, so I can't say anything about quality or if they're even an option for the KJ.

I'm not a die-hard Yakima fan, nor am I against Thule. I actually have the Thule SpareMe bike rack and a Thule 4-bike TrailBlazer hitchmount bike rack (not for Liberty). But you should shop both manufacturers to see what's best for you for the application. Pick the rail clamps you like, get a crossbar, then pick the holder you like. All the Thule stuff attaches to the Yak crossbar and vice-versa.

As a side note: I don't know ANYONE who has used equipment from them, but http://www.dero.com/ lists some pretty interesting looking alternatives too.

Good luck!

auggy · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 3:59 pm

What sort of price range would I be looking at for that solution (it seems like you both said the same idea)

Thanks

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 4:28 pm

dog_party wrote:

Yakima also states that the ski rack can be clamped to factory rails using MightyMounts. I don't know anything about the MightyMounts though, so I can't say anything about quality or if they're even an option for the KJ.

I think that means that they can be attached to factory crossrails - so in that case, since you'd have to buy the mopar crossrails anyway, it may be cheaper to get the yakima rails + adapters.

Quote:

I'm not a die-hard Yakima fan, nor am I against Thule. I actually have the Thule SpareMe bike rack and a Thule 4-bike TrailBlazer hitchmount bike rack (not for Liberty). But you should shop both manufacturers to see what's best for you for the application.

You should be able to go on both websites and price-out a system for the jeep just by picking jeep and roof-mounting. Compare the final prices to get an idea, and take the part numbers to rackattack or rei to get a better deal.

Quote:

Pick the rail clamps you like, get a crossbar, then pick the holder you like. All the Thule stuff attaches to the Yak crossbar and vice-versa.

A good point! I use a yakima basketcase cage on top of thile crossrails. I wanted square crossrails because it's easier to lay things flat across the roof that way, and I liked the thule offerings for ski + bike better, but that was my personal choice. Something to note is that if you pick the same manufacturer for all the items, you can get a single key to operate all the locks. I have a lock on each adapter, locking the rack to the roof, and a lock on each bike and ski rack, locking both the rack to the roof and the item to the rack. Convenient to have a single key for that, both yakima and thule offer that.

you can also look for used equipment, since the only part that is custom-fit to the liberty is the adapter (and for thule, the Crossroad 450/415 is a pretty standard adapter for a lot of cars). I see a LOT of thule/yakima stuff on craigslist.com for pennies on the dollar. Beware that older racks aren't as nice as newer ones. Little feature differences in how they attack, how they open and close, etc.

dog_party · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 4:49 pm

Yep, same idea, different manufacturers. I was wrong on the part name. It's the LowRider, not LowPro (that's the Chevy truck).

Get it all at one store and try to get them to sell the whole package for under $300 and throw in a ski bag and cable lock or something. Don't let them charge you for installation, it's a snap...no tools needed. I put mine on in the parking lot right after buying it. Took 15 minutes or so.

Oh, just caught Se7enLC's post before I submitted. I priced the Mopar rack against the Thule and Yak solutions and there was no comparison. The price is slightly higher and the load rating is WAY lower. Good suggestions on pricing a whole package online!

Good luck!

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 5:17 pm

dog_party wrote:

Don't let them charge you for installation, it's a snap...no tools needed. I put mine on in the parking lot right after buying it. Took 15 minutes or so.

Especially since you'll want to take the attachments on and off every season (you don't want to be the guy with ski racks on in the summer unless you're using them to hold deep-sea fishing rods

And just for completeness, I priced out a set on rackattack.com:

Thule:
450 Crossroad - $126
LB50 Loadbar - $46.80
725 - Thule Flat Top 6pr Ski Carrier - $108
0596 - 6-pack Lock Cores - $49.50
Total Cost: $330.30

Yakima:
0118 - Yakima LowRider - $117
0408 - Yakima 48 inch Cross Bars - $45
3037 - Yakima Big PowderHound - $69.30
7206 - Yakima 6-pack SKS cores - $48.60
Total Cost: $279.90

rackattack has all Thule + Yakima at 10% off right now, free shipping of any order over $100 (they ship the day you order it, too. I got mine the very next day)

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 6:52 pm

ive got a thule with a box for for my skis. They are nice because you can fit either boards or skis, along with poles and a few pairs of boots. They are more secure (cause nobody knows what you have inside) and they keep your gear out of the weather. They are a bit spendy (my box is the adventurer, a midsized cost $320 plus the cost of bars and feet). Both Thule and Yakima are a good rack and they are very versatile. I have the box, ski/board carrier, kayak carrier, and 2 bike carriers. between my Thule and my the yakima's ive seen, i can't tell a difference in quality.

auggy · **Posted:** Sat Dec 10, 2005 12:41 am

Alright I'll look into it. Thanks for the help everybody

Cabbie · **Posted:** Wed Dec 14, 2005 11:17 am

Se7enLC wrote:

And just for completeness, I priced out a set on rackattack.com:

*cut*

rackattack has all Thule + Yakima at 10% off right now, free shipping of any order over $100 (they ship the day you order it, too. I got mine the very next day)

Thanks for the breakdown. Just ordered up all the appropriate Yak parts before Xmas. Don't even pick up the ride from the dealership until tomorrow and I've already started buying things. Guess that vow of not modding the new car has gone out the window before it starts!

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Wed Dec 14, 2005 11:29 am

I'm curious if anybody has tried this option:

Thule 5401 SnowCat

On the thule site, it says that it will attach directly to the *siderails*, eliminating the need for crossrails. If the attachments will open up wide enough for the 2" renegade siderails, this will be the least expensive way to get skis/boards on the roof ($157, all included, even the lock + key).

I suggest going to a store that has them and opening the box to see if it looks like it will fit before ordering one, though. Or even call thule up and ask them to measure it?

dog_party · **Posted:** Wed Dec 14, 2005 12:03 pm

Wow! That snow cat looks pretty slick! If all I was going to carry was skis/snowboards, I'd save a bundle and go that option.

But I'm really glad I got my feet and rails, even though they were more expensive. I carry kayaks, bikes, cargo containers, sheets of wallboard, Christmas trees, light racks, cargo baskets, skis, etc., etc. on my rails. Those things are priceless!

The feet & rails were my first mod too Cabbie. Got 'em the day after I got the truck. Got my Thule SpareMe bike rack on day three. The amount of stuff I can cram into, strap onto, and hang off of this truck never ceases to amaze me. And the little beast keeps on pulling. Amazing!

Dman · **Posted:** Wed Dec 14, 2005 10:28 pm

I have the same exact setup as Se7enLC and love it. I also agree with dog_party...if you can swing the cost, getting the crossbars is well worth it. You can toss a ton of stuff up there. I can fit a 4' X 8' piece of plywood up there...a little scary :shock:

As has already been mentioned, I have a slight preference for Thule because of the square bars, but I think the difference is negligible.

Dave O · **Joined:** Fri Jul 29, 2005 6:53 pm **Posts:** 4

Dman, what kind of kj do you have ? I just contacted Thule about the snow cat fitting on the renegade rails and they told me that if wouldn't fit. Im kind of skeptical about thier answer from previous issues i know friends have had. I too need a carrier for a 2005 Renegade and i cant see why their normal racks fit the rails and the snow cat wont... clamps look the same..... I also looked into the rack that mounts to my spare tire bike rack (http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/fg_spar ... n_number=1) <--- bike.... ( http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/product ... 23&sku=987) <----- snowboard rack.... they dont have a pic with boards and it mounted on the tire... and they said it only carried two boards if used on there instead of the hitch.Normally carries 4 ... Can anyone see limitation as why it would only carry two? I inquired and received the " it doesnt fit".

Dman · **Posted:** Fri Dec 16, 2005 2:02 am

I have a 2005 Renegade with the larger roof rails. It looks like the snow cat has different feet than the #405. The #405 has a rubber coated metal strap that loops around the larger rails. I think the snow cat attachments are too small to fit all the way around. Also, can anybody see how they are going to fit 4 snowboards on there like they claim. If they mean upside down, they are crazy????

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Fri Dec 16, 2005 10:09 am

Dman wrote:

I have a 2005 Renegade with the larger roof rails. It looks like the snow cat has different feet than the #405. The #405 has a rubber coated metal strap that loops around the larger rails. I think the snow cat attachments are too small to fit all the way around. Also, can anybody see how they are going to fit 4 snowboards on there like they claim. If they mean upside down, they are crazy????

That's exactly how they are supposed to fit 4 - they say to put them base-to-base like skis. Unless you have bindings that somehow won't fold, I don't think you'll have any problem with it, since the rack will be sufficiently high off the roof. I have a 6-ski rack from thule, and I can fit a pair of skis in the bag into the rack, so a pair of snowboards shouldn't be any thicker.

I think you're right about the attachment - the 450 crossroad attachment is a rubber coated metal strap, wheras the snowcat seems to have a square clip of some kind, like the older crossroads (I think the older crossroads wouldn't fit the new renegades, either)

dog_party · **Posted:** Fri Dec 16, 2005 10:35 am

Quote:

.. and they said it only carried two boards if used on there instead of the hitch.Normally carries 4 ... Can anyone see limitation as why it would only carry two?

It looks like, on the Hitch Ski Carrier (deceptive name), each board occupies two bike mount-points. The SpareMe only has four mount-points (two bikes) so it can only hold two boards. Only a four bike rack would hold four boards. Without modification (or taking off your spare) we can't have the hitch-mount carriers like the Trailblazer (nice rack!!) since the spare is in the way. Two-bike carriers are our only rear-mount option (I wouldn't want more than two bikes hanging off the spare and swinging door anyway).

SpareMe - $150
Hitch Ski Carrier - $150
Total: $300

Or, you can get feet, locks, rails, and a 4-board roof carrier from either Thule or Yakima for $300 or so. Depends on your needs and desires. You'll have a quality rack regarless of which you choose. I have both Thule (SpareMe, Trailblazer, & Speedway) and Yakima (LowRider feet, Crossbar, & Kayak Stacker) products and I'll testify to the quality of both manufacturers. Find a local store that carries both and decide what works best for you (see if they'll let you test fit their floor models to see which looks best to you).

It's interesting to hear other people's perspective on the racks. I actually got the Yakima rails because they are round in a mediocre attempt to reduce drag and wind noise. Also, the round rails allow me to rotate my Kayak Stacker bars down so they're not sticking up in the air all the time. Like I said...find what's best for your use(s) and dive in!

Good luck!

KakiKJ · **Joined:** Mon Dec 12, 2005 1:59 pm **Posts:** 4

If you use the Thule Fit Guide on the website, and choose option two, the snow cat is listed as an option for the 2005 Liberty (what i got). I don't know why they would list it as an option if it won't fit... :?:

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