Which Snowboard Rack Should I Get?

[JMST4R]

Here's my 4R up at the mountain just this very afternoon. Kind of disappointed that I never even got to put it in 4WD. What a shame! The roof basket is a Yakima Megawarrior w/ extension. The boards sit flat in it, and I just use a couple tie downs (plus the adjustable cross-member) to hold everything in place. Works great! Exactly what I wanted. I know I could get one of those Powerhounds onto my crossbars, but I've always had the worst luck with the lock cores freezing up in the cold weather. Not an issue now.

 

[MSBX4RUNNER]

I decided on the Yahkima FatCat 6..... I am going to see if Santa brings me one, if not I'll order it. I like how it is a really low profile rack and it isn't bulky.

 

[darkie3495]

@darkie3495: What kind of bull bar is holding up your lights

I believe its a Defiant light bar

Correct...defiant light bar

 

[Capt'n Skully]

I picked up the Yakima FatCat 6 system a couple weeks ago and love it so far... I choose it due to the profile shape and size. I haven't found a speed where it whistles, but think I heard a light hum around 50mph. Will have to report back on noise while having boards/skis on it (waiting for a snow day).

I tested my board upside-down without the extension- works fine- binding straps had to be manipulated for the board to sit flat and they rest on the roof, but the folded bindings cleared (bulky Burton Missions). Confident I can get 4 boards on, but would want to protect the roof from the straps rubbing if driving long distance.

One thing that makes me slightly nervous is the universal mount that attaches to the 4R Sport's roofrack. It leaves the "claws" bolts exposed about .25"... Seems like the exposed bolts could be hacksawed to remove the rack and all, but still safer than previous racks I've had- Just wouldn't want to leave anything up top overnight.

Also- I was also looking at Rocky Mounts ( RockyMounts.com - ) as an option. They are newer to the rack scene and have focused on bikes, but are releasing ski/board systems this winter. Slightly cheaper than Thule and Yakima... Look to be decent and worth checking out for anyone looking...

 

[MSBX4RUNNER]

I picked up the Yakima FatCat 6 system a couple weeks ago and love it so far... I choose it due to the profile shape and size. I haven't found a speed where it whistles, but think I heard a light hum around 50mph. Will have to report back on noise while having boards/skis on it (waiting for a snow day).

I tested my board upside-down without the extension- works fine- binding straps had to be manipulated for the board to sit flat and they rest on the roof, but the folded bindings cleared (bulky Burton Missions). Confident I can get 4 boards on, but would want to protect the roof from the straps rubbing if driving long distance.

One thing that makes me slightly nervous is the universal mount that attaches to the 4R Sport's roofrack. It leaves the "claws" bolts exposed about .25"... Seems like the exposed bolts could be hacksawed to remove the rack and all, but still safer than previous racks I've had- Just wouldn't want to leave anything up top overnight.

Also- I was also looking at Rocky Mounts ( RockyMounts.com - ) as an option. They are newer to the rack scene and have focused on bikes, but are releasing ski/board systems this winter. Slightly cheaper than Thule and Yakima... Look to be decent and worth checking out for anyone looking...

I'm liking the FatCat more and more after seeing your pic.

 

[MikesToy]

How much did you pay for your Yakima Fat Cats?

 

[MSBX4RUNNER]

How much did you pay for your Yakima Fat Cats?

I havent bought mine yet but the local REI says $209 and all over the internet they are at $159 without shipping

 

[4-Ripcord]

The Yakima buttondown aero is $87 plus shipping, also hold 4 boards/6 skis, and it comes with the SKS locking cores too. Thats what I got.

2010 Yakima Buttondown Aero Snowboard / Ski Racks for up to 6 pair skis or 4 snowboards - 8003070


Also, nevermind on the extended loadwarrior adio3x, took another route.

 

[Whitey13]

I decided on the Yahkima FatCat 6..... I am going to see if Santa brings me one, if not I'll order it. I like how it is a really low profile rack and it isn't bulky.

Do yourself a favor and get a cargo box. If you're in TX or OK, then you are driving a long way to go snowboarding.

You can fit tons of gear/boards/skis
No wind noise
Your snowboard doesnt get sandblasted at 80 mph for 6 hours straight

Trust me

 

[MSBX4RUNNER]

Do yourself a favor and get a cargo box. If you're in TX or OK, then you are driving a long way to go snowboarding.

You can fit tons of gear/boards/skis
No wind noise
Your snowboard doesnt get sandblasted at 80 mph for 6 hours straight

Trust me

Hmmmm, I didn't think about that (sandblasting)..... Thanks

 

[LakeRunr]

Yakima Powderhound here, with Mighty Mounts (model 10V for the 4th-gen, non-sport version) to mount them to the factory crossbars.

 

[Carl_G]

Do yourself a favor and get a cargo box. If you're in TX or OK, then you are driving a long way to go snowboarding.

You can fit tons of gear/boards/skis
No wind noise
Your snowboard doesnt get sandblasted at 80 mph for 6 hours straight

Trust me

Hmmmm..... This sounds good.
Today I maxed out my roof rack.
3 sets of skis (no poles) and a snowboard.

With a cargo box do the skis and stuff slide around in there or are they restrained somehow?

 

[Whitey13]

Hmmmm..... This sounds good.
Today I maxed out my roof rack.
3 sets of skis (no poles) and a snowboard.

With a cargo box do the skis and stuff slide around in there or are they restrained somehow?

I don't have restraints in mine but I've never had an issue with stuff sliding around.
You could also keep your skis in a ski bag if your have any concern.

 

[4-Ripcord]

for all of those who had questions on if the Yakima rack would hold all 4 boards due to roof clearance. Here is a picture of my Yakima rack with not 4, but 5 snowboards. Granted, one didn't have bindings on, but they all still fit and locked down.


From a recent keystone trip:

 

[aika1]

Yakima FatCat 6. lower profile, little to no wind noise (from what i can remember), can hold 4 boards, high quality hinges.

Really easy to install. 8 allen wrench bolts. IIRC, you just need to buy locks for them.

Close up of the rack:

mounted on factory cross bars:

You don't have to buy locks for them anymore- as of last year they come with them. it should be 209 WITH locks. if you go to a local shop make sure you get the lock cores!!! they'll try to sell you the old ones without the locks since they're both the same price, they just included more year to year...

there's a pop up on one end, meaning you can mount these so they don't run parallel to the roof rack when looking from the front, but one side is elevated about 4 inches to allow for higher profile bindings.

I love mine- they're easy, look nice, don't make TOO much noise (they still knocked about 1.5-2 mpg off of my rig though!!! VERY easy to use after you set them up. i don't regret purchasing them at all.

as for sandblasting, there is some road grime on them, but it's not horrible. wipe em off, ski em, load em up, etc. just make sure before you re-wax your skis that you wipe the bottoms.

have fun on the snow!