Before the winter sets in, the snow starts piling up, and if you plan to go to one of the best places for a snowboarding trip, then selecting the right snowboard rack is a must. Many people tie their snowboards to the car roof, but it is not the right way. Because snowboards are thin and might slip out, you might end up losing them. You should either accommodate them inside the car or use snowboarding car racks. It is the best and safest way to transport your ski and snowboarding gear. It will give ample space in the car and also keep the equipment safe from breakage.
Ski rack is a type of device that is mounted on the roofs of all cars, including SUVs, small compacts, minivans, hatchbacks, and sedans. A snowboarding car rack set includes two load bars that need to be mounted on top of the crossbar of the cars. These racks can be fitted to roofs, trailer hitches, the trunk, or even windows of the car. Some racks can be easily mounted on the vehicle, while others require professional installation. So, if you are a newbie, having a car rack in your snowboarding equipment for beginners list is a must. These ski car racks will not only add more space for the passengers but also make your traveling comfortable.
With countless numbers of snowboarding racks available in the market, choosing the right one is not an easy task. Before you buy a snowboard rack for your car, you need to know the different types of snowboarding car racks available in the market and how to install them properly. It will help you to decide which car rack will suit you the best. To help you in making the right decision, we have done an in-depth study of the car racks for snowboarding. Without wasting much time, let's get started.
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Four Types of Snowboarding Car Racks
Magnetic board roof racks
It is considered as the best choice when it comes to purchasing snowboarding car racks. They are not only a good alternative to the traditional ski racks but are also versatile and cheap. They use a combination of suction cups and magnets together to create a firm hold on the roof of a vehicle. It can hold two pairs of skis and one snowboard. The magnetic board roof racks are priced between the ranges of $43.99-$99.99 in Amazon.
Roof bar board racks
It is the traditional choice. These racks are the most versatile snowboard racks as they are designed to fit in ski and snowboards of almost all sizes and also other gears like bicycles, kayaks, etc. You can lock these skies and snowboard in rubber-coated arms and secure them with a fastener on the top of the vehicle. Though factory-installed roof racks come with several options like side rails, crossbars and mounting points, if you don't have a pre-installed rack, then you have to buy a separate one.
It can be purchased in sizes - larger size can accommodate up to 6 pairs of skis or 4-snowboards, whereas the small size can accommodate up to 4 pairs of skis or 2-snowboards. The best thing about this rack is that they have universal mounting hardware so that they can be attached to different types of bars. These roof bar board racks are available on Amazon in a wide price range of $85.99-$349.95.
Hitch mounted board rack
It is considered as the strongest snowboarding car rack. It can be fitted to most cars that are equipped with a hitch mount. But before that, you need to install a hitch-mounted rack. Hitches can be differentiated based on the weight they support, so it is also necessary to know what hitch size is compatible with your vehicle. Most of the vehicles require Class II or Class III hitch. These are convenient for loading skis and snowboards in a vertical position. The best thing about them is that they are situated at eye level; you can also swing open or fold down when you need to access the trunk or hatch.
However, these snowboarding racks for cars tend to get very dirty as compared to roof-mounted racks. As a result, hitch-mounted racks are not preferred by most of the snowboarders. They are only preferred when there is no option to install the roof-mounted rack. These hitch-mounted board rack models are priced within $178.93-$249.00 on Amazon.
Board roof racks for 4x4
A 4x4 or 4WD vehicle refers to a four-wheeled vehicle where all four wheels receive power from the engine. It is a rear ski rack that is designed for such 4x4 vehicles and is similar to that of hitch mount. It is fit for all vehicles mounted with the spare wheel on the back. This method of carrying your snowboard is considered as safe. It is also one of the most convenient ways that can be easily assessed by the entire family. You will get them within a price range of $361.73-$399.
How to install a snowboarding car rack?
The installation procedures for each type of the snowboarding car racks are mentioned below for your referral:
Magnetic board roof racks installation
Firstly, clean the roof of the vehicle and the magnetic sheets.
Decide the position where you want to install
Next, gently place the rack on the roof. If you feel you need to change the position, lift it completely and then place it on the new position without sliding.
When you place the rack on the roof, make sure that all the magnetic pads are touching the roof.
Open the cover of the key and rotate the key clockwise to unlock. Now, push the button and lift it to open the clamp for loading. Don't forget to place your skiboard and snowboarding bindings properly. Otherwise, you might be unable to close the racks.
Roof bar board racks
Work on a flat surface with all the parts spread in front of you. Now read the instructions to install the crossbars.
Fit the mounting clamps
Now, install the crossbar on the roof of your car. Ensure that it is well-fitted and does not come out at any cost.
Refer to the instructions to check the load capacity before you load your skis and snowboards.
Before you start the car, ensure that you have locked the roof rack and do a safety check.
For the last two types of snowboarding car racks that are similar to hitch mounted board rack and board roof racks, you can check-out this demonstrative video link on YouTube.
Conclusion
Now that you have got a perfect picture of the different types of snowboarding car racks and the basic price range of models, it would be easier for you to make the perfect choice as per your requirement. But before making your choice, it is essential to decide the total number of snowboards, and you are planning to carry with you. Also, make sure that the rack fits your car. These two factors together will give you a fair idea of the type of car rack you should opt for in your car. So, look for the preferable snowboarding racks in Amazon and place your order today before the winter sets in. Make sure you carry all your protective gear like jackets, helmets, goggles, and gloves for snowboarding to make your trip a successful and enjoyable one
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