To Roof Rack or Not To Roof Rack?!

goldenrod

Member
Completely random office debate going on now. Figured I'd enlist the pros!

What are your thoughts on thule roof racks? Do you like them to travel or would you rather cram everything inside the car ?!?
 
if i have a decent size car with nobody else in it then i prefer putting my skis inside since they don't get dirty from sand flying up into the roof racks, but they're entirely necessary for bikes and a bunch of pairs of skis or a crowded car
 
No skis in your car= More room for people= More gas money

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I like keeping my roof rack on simply because I'm too lazy to take it off. Haha. Also so I can spot my car from a mile away:
 
in no way should you ever get a roof rack if gas money is your motive. Those absolutely rape your gas milage. I think for most cars its like 10% reduction in mpg or more
 
yea Im thinking the same thing which is why I haven't gotten one, but his rationalization of having more room for friends to split the gas cost makes sense too
 
great if you need the space in the vehicle. Rocketbox....I DO WANT...normal roof rack not so good on the skis but dope for full car trips
 
personally I've had a roof rack on both my van and truck and I love the look of roof racks on four door sedans which is going to be my next purchase
 
Ever since my incident a while ago: https://www.newschoolers.com/ns/forums/readthread/thread_id/667310/

which involved my ski rack opening on the highway I have decided to go with box, or skis in the car. If I put my skis in the car I secure them down with a seatbelt.
 
Roof racks make cars look SICK! Not to mention how easy they make things when it comes to packing the car up. No folding down seats, no water in the car, no overfilling, no "Sorry dude theres only room for like 3 people in my 5-seat car".

For people with 5-seaters, a ski rack is essential. It basically lets you use your car normally, instead of having you find ways of cramming in 6-foot long pieces of equipment, and all of your other gear AND all of your friends.

All of you seat-folders have to jump on the wagon here. Once you go rack, you can't go back.
 
I normally just threw my stuff in the back of my 4runner unless I had people with me. Then it was onto the roof rack. When I was roadtripping it was roof rack for sure so I had space for shit in the back, as I was usually bringing more than one pair of skis.
 
Roof rack for sure. Putting skis insides sucks. And are you all really concerned about your skis getting dirty and salty? You do realize how dirty man made snow is right? And most of you are park skiers so a little dirt and rust is the least of your worries.
 
i have a rack but rarely use it. the majority of the time the seat folds down and it goes in the car (for the sand/salt protection).. the 10-20% of the time when i actually have a full car it'll go in the rack
 
I don't really like the idea of a rack just to protect my skis, the enclosed car top carriers are pretty nice when it comes to having more space in your vehicle, especially if you want to bring more buddies along. Although my family bought a cheap used one that takes lots of effort and time to lock in real cold weather. Just a little heads up.
 
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