Best Hitch Mounted Ski Racks
Are you looking for safe, secure ways to transport your ski and snowboard gear? It may be worth looking for the best hitch mounted ski racks on the market.
But what exactly are hitch mounted ski racks? When transporting any kind of skiing or snowboarding gear, it’s always a good idea to make sure that you securely fasten them into or onto any vehicle you may be taking with you on your adventures.
After all, if you’re going to be traveling long distances, it makes sense to have a car or 4×4 available to haul everything along in. Hitch racks, on the whole, provide you with the best support and stability on the road. That’s not just my opinion – it’s what’s widely believed by skiers and snowboarders the world over!
There is always going to be a need for you to safely carry skiing and snowboarding hear from place to place. As such, do make sure you consider hitch mounts as a priority.
In this guide, I’ll take you through what you need to consider when looking for hitch mounted ski racks. I’ll also show you three picks for the best racks available online right now. These are racks which have been widely tested and which pass my seal of approval!
Keep reading and find out all you need to know about the best hitch mounted ski racks available to buy online as well as in stores.
What Features to Consider for the Best Hitch Mounted Ski Rack
Naturally, there are going to be various features and facilities which vary from rack to rack. When you’re first shopping around for a hitch mount, it’s maybe going to be easy to get bogged down in the details.
Therefore, I’ve helped you out a little by rounding up the most important factors and features to consider when shopping. These are features which will help you decide upon which racks are likely to provide you with the ultimate value from use to use.
Convertible Features
Do you need a hitch rack which will simply fix to a car? Maybe you’d prefer one which fixes to your bike. In any case, there are plenty of racks out there which will flexibly fix to either/or. Therefore, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for these options as you shop around.
Locking
Naturally, if you’re going to leave your skis or snowboard out in the open, you’re going to need to make sure that they are fully secured. The last thing you’re going to want is for someone to make away with your equipment! Look for hitch mounted racks that have some form of anti-theft feature on board. It’ll be more peace of mind for you in the long run.
Foldability and Adjustability
As well as convertibility features, you should also consider how easy it is to fold down and store a rack when not in use. What’s more, there are hitch mounted racks which will adjust up and down depending on the size of your skis and snowboards, too.
Car Hitch Functionality
Of course, you should always check the hitch of your car or vehicle before you invest in any kind of hitch mounted rack. Otherwise, you are going to run the risk of investing money in a system that’s just not going to fit. You’ll find that some racks are more adaptable than others. In fact, as you might imagine, the best hitch mounted ski racks are those which are likely to adapt across the board. However, do keep a close eye out for the best hitch fits for your vehicle.
Protection and Durability
Again, as you might imagine, you’re going to need plenty of durability and protection on the road, especially if you are taking your equipment via 4×4 up steep and rocky trails! Therefore, make a point of looking for racks which are built to last – look for strength, material which is going to withstand everything the elements have to throw at you, and as always, read up on what other buyers and users have to say.
How Many Skis or Snowboards the Rack Holds
No matter the rack you think is best for you, you’re going to need to make sure you size it up properly! Different hitch mounted racks hold different numbers of skis and snowboards. Therefore, it’s worth keeping your own needs in mind.
Check the detail on how many skis a rack can comfortably hold before you buy. Skis are slimmer than snowboards, which means that you can naturally expect to transport more skis than boards in a standard rack. However, you are going to need to ensure you have more than enough space available just in case. It’s never a wise idea to invest in a smaller rack just for the sake of saving money!
This might require a little bit of arithmetic, however, it’s worth doing. You’re going to need to make sure the rack you invest in has plenty of space!
Benefits of Using Hitch Mounted Ski & Snowboard Racks
There are plenty of solid reasons why investing in hitch mounted ski racks makes perfect sense. In my own opinion, I feel that they offer the best protection and transportation flexibility for anyone looking to move skis and snowboards across long distances.
Here are a few key reasons why you might want to consider buying the best hitch mounted ski racks before any other type of rack or holding solution.
These racks offer the absolute best in safety and security. These are easy to adjust and fix in place, and what’s more, there’s no risk of your equipment doing any damage to your vehicle. Yes, it might seem simple enough to just throw your gear into the back seat of your 4×4, however, this isn’t going to be very healthy for your car or your skiing equipment.
Hitch mounted racks are generally easier to access and manage that roof mounting alternatives. There is always the risk of you over-stretching or struggling with heavy gear when it is placed up high. Therefore, these racks will effectively make things safer for you from trip to trip.
Hitch racks really don’t take up much space. What’s more, they come in a variety of fits and types, meaning that if one fit or style isn’t going to work out for you, you can at least try an alternative.
Even when you mount a rack to the rear of your vehicle, you will still be able to easily access your trunk, meaning that there’s no intrusive parts which are likely to get in the way.
You can carry multiple skis at once in one rack. In some models, you’ll be able to carry up to six pairs, making them ideal solutions for long trips.
Hitch racks tend to be great options for those skiers and snowboarders who prefer not to have to overstretch. They are generally designed for bicycle use but are popularly used as secure side and rear storage options for those looking to take their equipment on long journeys to and from the slopes.
Of course, hitch mounted racks aren’t always going to appeal to everyone, but in the sheer interest of security and adaptability, there are few choices on the market which offer greater support.
But what are some examples of the best hitch mounted ski racks on the market right now? As promised, I’ve lined up three for you to take a closer look at below – make sure to read up on what other buyers have to say, too – and make sure to budget carefully.
Product 1: Fabbri Gringo 6950258 Ski and Snowboard Rack
This is a fantastic, universal ski and snowboard rack which will easily fix to the back of your 4×4. It has capacity available for up to six pairs of skis at a time, or equivalent to four snowboards, making it ideal for group or family trips. It’s extremely easy to fix in place and use, and you’ll also have access to a security lock to make sure that your items are extra safe while on the road. You’re also able to convert this to carry a bike if you need to.
Key Specs: Holds 6 skis / 4 snowboards, stainless steel cabling, universal fitting
✅ Pros:
- Competitively priced for the space and ease of use
- Universal fitting means you can fix it to any 4×4
- Very easy to set up and to use on the go
- Locking system gives you additional security
➖ Cons:
- Build quality may not be as good as premium models
I think this is a great entry-level hitch rack for skis, snowboards, and bikes. The fact that it fits universally, and that it is pretty much ‘plug in and play’ is fantastic news – and that’s likely to appeal to most people. It’s really simple to secure and to help keep your equipment safe, too. One of the best, and at a competitive price.
Product 2: Yakima HitchSki Ski & Board Conversion Mount for Bike Hitch Rack
https://www.amazon.com/Yakima-HitchSki-Dual-Function-Snowboard-Carrier/dp/B000EG3ZUC/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Ski+and+Snowboard+hitch&qid=1603490958&sr=8-1
Similarly priced to the above, and with similar room for six skis or four snowboards, this system benefits from adjustable arms, which you can easily move in and out to fit to different sizes and types.
There’s also a nice amount of rubber backing and padding, which means that you can be sure your gear is having a soft and safe ride up the slopes and mountain trails. It also benefits from an install system which won’t need any extra tools or pieces, meaning that you won’t have to fiddle around with it on route.
Key Specs: Four-arm adjustment system, fits 6 skis / 4 snowboards, anti-theft system
✅ Pros:
- One of the best hitch mounted ski racks for built-in security
- Very adjustable and easy to fit to your specific gear
- No need for tools or pieces to fix in place and remove
- Doubles as a bike mount
- One of the simpler systems on the market right now
➖ Cons:
- Some users claim you’ll need a bike rack already in place for the system to work
Product 3: Thule Project Tram Hitch Ski Carrier
Though a little more expensive than the two models listed above, this carrier still offers a fantastic amount of value. Thule is a leading brand in various skiing and snowboard accouterments, meaning you are already in safe hands.
You can use this carrier to hold up to six pairs of skis or four snowboards. What’s more, you benefit from single key locking systems which will allow you to safely secure your kit to your vehicle and to gain instant peace of mind. What’s especially interesting about this model is the fact that it’s built to be extra-simple to manage and use with gloves.
Key Specs: 6 skis / 4 snowboard fit, 29” loading width, individual locking system
✅ Pros:
- Very easy to use on the whole, meaning that even when you are using gloves you will still have full access
- Very quick to set up and use
- Rubber-fitted for added protection and comfort
- Very secure and safe to use thanks to locking system
➖ Cons:
- Needs a Thule bike rack to fit to your vehicle
I’m a big fan of Thule’s products on the whole, and while you will need some form of Thule rack for your bike to really make the most of this, it’s going to be all the more worthwhile.
This is a premium support system for skis and snowboards, and its simple locking interface is amongst the easiest to use and manage on the market right now. Were it not for the price, I would be keen to suggest it’s a great beginner’s option. In fact, if you have the funds available, it is well worth looking into all the same!
Final Thoughts on Hitch Mounted Racks
The best hitch mounted ski racks are those which will give you complete peace of mind when carrying your equipment from slope to slope. Rather than overstretch yourself lugging heavy bits and pieces down from the top of your 4×4, why not choose an option that will safely fit to the rear or side instead?
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