too many skis / rack issue / honda element

[iriponsnow]

the issue:
The quivers for my fiancee & i have grown rather large. Both in number & in size... I just purchased some iM 103s that are on the way ( along w/ other fats) & she is doing more speed events this season (SG & DH = more travel for me to play & multiple skis up to 205cm for her). In the past everything fit in the element well (sorta) once a back seat was removed. Now I'm thinking I need a cargo box or to build a rack system inside the car. I could also build a cargo box for on top & go the funky wood route. Any thoughts? I figure i should think this thru as looking at a Thule set up could cost upwards of $800

thankx

[72Twenty]

Just don't put your cargo box too close to your engine intake.

[Plakespear]

reduce your quiver by giving me a few pairs of skis.

[Tri-Ungulate]

Do you already have a rack for the Element? If not, you can get a Yakima setup that fits in the factory slots and looks pretty slick, better than OEM. The best thing is that the whole setup is only a little over a hundred bucks.

You'll need the Yakima Landing Pad #9, 58" bars and Control Towers. I didn't have to order anything else, and it only took 15-20 minutes to install them with only a screwdriver (to remove to OEM plastic inserts) and a hex wrench (to bolt in the towers). I got mine from http://www.ageebike.com/yakima.htm, which had the best price, free shipping, no sales tax, and very good service. Total price is $128 (without locks, which I transferred over from my old rack), including shipping, pretty cheap and ½ price of the Honda factory rack. Of course, all the old Yakima stuff fits just fine on the rack, and it's carried pretty big loads (with a Thule Box) without any problems.

You can either build a skibox that sits on the rack, or you can buy a ski rack or box on ebay or when they go on sale.

[mtbakerskier]

I just finshed intalling dual boxes on my blazer, its defintly the best option for carying a ton of skis in the winter. It also lets you remove one box, and still cary skis and two bikes in the summer.

Its not cheap, but its defintly worth it.

[Tri-Ungulate]

Thule boxes 20% off at REI this weekend.

[iriponsnow]

thanks,
Since it just the 2 of us driving around, I think i'll build something to go inside to hold the skis. We normally pull the seat behind the driver out & the passenger sits in the back right side w/ their feet up on the front. Sweet for switching off & on.

[Darkside]

I just finshed intalling dual boxes on my blazer, its defintly the best option for carying a ton of skis in the winter. It also lets you remove one box, and still cary skis and two bikes in the summer.

Its not cheap, but its defintly worth it.

Dual box setup would be the shit. If I can find another free/cheap one, I'm all over that.

[mntlion]

skis in car + accident = javilins to the back of your head.

buy a box. might find a used one for 1/2 price ish.

[iriponsnow]

skis in car + accident = javilins to the back of your head.

Now is that isn't a warm-fuzzy to start the week with

[Spats]

Can't you just put them on the floor under the seats? I thought the Element kept the seats off the floor specifically so you could put skis or a surfboard under them. Plus, no javelins to the back of the neck. What am I missing here?

[iriponsnow]

With the rear driver seat out/ or up you can place skis on the floor.

There is enough room for a 190 SG to fit under the front seat w/ the skinny tails. A 179 Public Enemy (fatter) will just fit between the back driver seat & the rear of the back door.

most weekend trips I'll have 2 pair skis & racerchic will have up to 3-4. I thought building some sort of internal rack/slots would keep the skiis from bouncing & I could run the fatter 190+ & longer speed skis up the middle near the E break.

[Bender]

I kinda figured you drove something gay and trendy like an Element. Fits your personality well.

I also don't understand why someone would need a dual box carrier on their car or truck. Its the poofters that wanna look all rad that put on their dual boxes and carry their entire quiver for a day on the hill. You never need more than 2 sets of skis for a day of skiing, never.

[Spats]

This would be a lot cheaper than a roof system and probably not drop your gas mileage as much.

https://www.racksforall.com/index.as...PROD&ProdID=36

racerchic might not want to leave her race skis outside, but you can put your own stuff on them and let her take the inside slots.

Plus you can get the bike attachment for the summer.

[BakerBoy]

I kinda figured you drove something gay and trendy like an Element. Fits your personality well.

I also don't understand why someone would need a dual box carrier on their car or truck. Its the poofters that wanna look all rad that put on their dual boxes and carry their entire quiver for a day on the hill. You never need more than 2 sets of skis for a day of skiing, never.

When you're on roadtrips with a photog, they tend to pack enough shit for 4 or 5 people. Get two or 3 more people in a rig, and you run out of room quick. 2 pairs of skis for 4 people, that's 8 pairs, plus poles -- there's one box. Boots, helmets, backcountry packs, camping shit -- there's your other box right there. Plus all the camera crap inside. I'm getting dual boxes because my dog crate takes up a ton of room in the back.