How to Mount a Snowboard Rack on a Car

Winter road trips are fun and fast getaways for a ski or snowboarding weekend. Car-mounted carriers or racks provide a convenient solution to transporting irregular-sized gear while optimizing space for luggage and passengers inside the vehicle. Crossbars on the roof of a sedan, wagon or SUV facilitate seasonal installation because specialty racks can be mounted on the roof to safely carry equipment. As with all equipment attached to the outside of a vehicle, care should be observed for weighting and speed during travel to prevent mount and equipment damage.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Car with crossbars mounted on roof Measuring tape Wrench
Car with crossbars mounted on roof
Measuring tape
Wrench

Step 1

Measure the distance between the two crossbars on the roof of your car to be at least 19.7 inches; adjust and tighten accordingly.

Step 2

Insert the key and turn clockwise to unlock the mounting clamp. Press the button below the key lock to release the upper arm and lift the upper arm up to open.

Step 3

Push the lever at each end of the mount to the up position to loosen the knob on the bottom plate. Slide the carrier on one crossbar so that the open arm faces the sides of the car and the hinge faces the center of the roof (and the crossbar is secured between the two bottom plates of the mounts).

Step 4

Repeat steps 2 and for each carrier, making sure that the front and rear carriers are parallel (slide the carriers in place).

Step 5

Insert a hex bolt into each of the lower plates (on each side of the carrier) and tighten. Push down the lever at each end of the mount; if needed, turn the knob to further tighten the mounting plate.

Step 6

Insert the snowboard and/or skis between the base and upper arms, making sure the bindings are centered between the front and rear carriers. Close the upper arm and turn the key counterclockwise to lock the carrier before removing the key for safekeeping.

Tips & Warnings

Adjust the distance between the front and rear carriers to accommodate the shortest piece of equipment (e.g., fitted for a snowboard so that both a snowboard and longer skis can be inserted).

Make sure your crossbars are 0.6 to 1.2 inches thick and 3.5 inches wide to accommodate the standard mounting plate. If your crossbars are less than 2 inches above the roof, the bindings or equipment may scratch the finish during transportation.

Make sure your crossbars are 0.6 to 1.2 inches thick and 3.5 inches wide to accommodate the standard mounting plate.

If your crossbars are less than 2 inches above the roof, the bindings or equipment may scratch the finish during transportation.

Resources

Trails.com: Yakima FatCat Ski Rack

Article Written By Regina Edwards

Regina Edwards has been a freelance writer since 1990. She has penned video scripts, instructional manuals, white papers and abstracts. She has also ghostwritten diabetes journals. Edwards is a scuba instructor and Usui and Karuna Reiki teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Saint Joseph's University.

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