Looking for a roof box that fits rockered skis plus

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Originally Posted by NmbrdDays

I have a Thule Atlantis 1800 for my jeep Gc. I get some trunk interference, apparently you need to mount the box with thule's cross rails and attachment pieces to bit get any interference with the trunk, stock cross rails sit too close to the roof. I just deal with it now cause I'm too cheap to buy more parts. I live the box, I can cram like 4 pairs of skis and two maybe three boards and boots. They fit my buddy's 192mantras?( not 100% on the length but I know they are def over 190. Haven't had any problems

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It's not that the stock crossbars sit too close to the roof, but that the side rails stop at the rear of the sunroof so you aren't able to mount it far enough forward to let the hatch clear. Another 6 fucking inches and it would be golden. Grr!

Anyhow I have a Thule Cascade XT 1100 (the skinny one - I'm planning on getting the wider one at some point) and it easily fits 5 pair of 190+ skis. I can probably cram 7-8 pair in there if I didn't care about stuff getting chipped/scratched/etc. I do three pair on the bottom (staggering tip directions so the bindings kind of fit inside of the pair next to it) and two pair on top pretty much every weekend in the winter.

2nd the Skybox 16. I can fit 191 Caylors in there if I lay them flat with bases down; I can then fit 4-5 other pairs on top. Put in some rubber bottomed rugs in the bottom of the box, and protect stacked skis with towels, etc.

Reviving this old thread, instead of starting a new one.

Please tell me how I can improve my plan below to achieve this objective: Acquire a box that will fit a MINIMUM of 6 pairs of HUGE-ASS skis...the more ski capacity, the better...and high price is OK as long as my net loss after future resale isn't too bad:

Step1) This weekend, I buy a full price $799 Yakima Showcase 20, but eventually receive an effective 25% off (future dividend + immediate dividend matching + REI rewards credit card). That's an effective cost of $670 (after sales tax and everything).
Step2) With that price locked in, keep it in unopened box for possible return, and conduct a 2-month search to find a better deal (1-2 more REI Garage Sale dates, used on CL, or maybe even a better REI sale within 2 months, etc.)
Step3) Use box on a 7.5-month road-trip.
Step4) Sell my used box next summer to recover most of this cost back. Hoping for a net loss that will be less than maybe $200-250 between buying and re-selling??? Hmm..this box's crazy high price might be attributed mostly to its cosmetic glossy finish, which might get scratched to hell, which could drive down my resale price later to snobby cosmetic-loving customers???

Another Candidate:
Same REI plan, but the cost is $140 less for a Yakima SkyBox 21 . HOWEVER,
1.) This box requires an easy mod of a 3-inch slice in the plastic in order to fit onto my Outback 2006, which voids the warranty and maybe even the REI Return Policy.
2.) Even though 21>20, I'm thinking this shape might actually fit slightly FEWER huge-ass skis than the Showcase 20 shape, not sure though.
3.) Good that this box is not all about glossy cosmetics, so I think scratches won't kill the resale value later.

Another Candidate:
I'm rejecting Packasport, because they weigh like 120 lbs while empty, which seems too heavy for my 2006 Outback with factory crossbars.

Any thoughts on how to improve my plan here?

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Yeah. Get a truck.

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Originally Posted by Norseman

Yeah. Get a truck.

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Damn, I know of a truck and camper that would almost be ideal for a cross the west ski road trip! You can fit 190+ in the backseat area no problem. An enterprising guy could even remove the backseat and install a rack system and fit dozens of pairs of skis. :fm:

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Originally Posted by Norseman

Yeah. Get a truck.

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The magic number for me is >=22 pairs of huge-ass skis at a time...with room to sleep in the car...which I think means >=6 pairs in the box on a 2006 Outback. :)

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Originally Posted by Norseman

Yeah. Get a truck.

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also they are really fucking manly

I’m experimenting with downsizing my vehicle so I have to buy my first roof box. I’m going to look for a used one, I just need to make sure I’m narrowing my search appropriately. A bunch of my skis are 195cm or so… am I good with the models that claim 200cm skis fit (Thule Motion XL as example) or do I want to upsize for ease of packing? Any reason to pass on a low model?

No reason to pass on low. My longest are 194 these days and no issues in a Thule motion alpine.

Motion Alpine looks good. It’s spec’d for 215cm skis, right?

Attachment 496654

These are my 194 sender squad by my motion alpine. Not anything precise, but you can see you’ll be fine with your 19x skis. Fattest skis are 145 tip. No problems there either.

Sportrack Horizon Alpine can sometimes be found cheap.

Good box (made by Thule I think) but cheap mounting system. Just u bolts rather than a fancy clamp setup.

But that doesn’t matter if you are gonna leave it on all season or if you’re like me and you throw out the mounting hardware and set it up for T-track mounting.

Is T-Track preferred over clamp? I have Thule Wingbar crossbars so either should work.

The clamps don't matter unless you are taking the box on an off a lot.

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Originally Posted by TexasGortex

Is T-Track preferred over clamp? I have Thule Wingbar crossbars so either should work.

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If you want the sleekest looking install, t track is great.

The fancy clamp systems they have these days (tool free adjustment and install) are great if you go on and off often or swap between vehicles.

U bolts (even slotted quick release u bolts) are the most annoying.