Getting your gear to the mountain can be a real chore without the proper equipment. Too many times have I seen people with ski's sticking out their sunroof or kayaks out their hatchback. If you're going to be hauling large sports equipment or driving in poor conditions, you need to be prepared for the worst. A roof rack helps you keep everything organized and they'll keep your pristine interior untouched from sludgy winter snow.
And the best thing about roof racks is their versatility; they can hold your skis and snowboards for the winter months, and your kayaks, bikes, surfboards and SUP's for the summer. They can even help you haul more cargo and strap things down. So if you're interested in getting a roof rack for your car, truck or SUV, here's what you gotta know.
There are two big manufacturers; Thule and Yakima Racks. Both are very large companies and very well respected among outdoor enthusiasts. But you're going to have to make a decision to purchase from one of them, and due to the differences in crossbar design, Yakima accessories don't fit Thule Racks, and vice-versa. In short, Yakima bars are round and Thule bars are square. So I would suggest you take an inventory of sports you're currently active in, and think about ones that might interest you in the future. For example, if you love to snowboard, you'll need a snowboard rack. If you think you might also like kayaking, then consider that when making your purchase. At some point, the rack will have to do double-duty and you're only going to make this investment once, so choose wisely. Thule and Yakima have very similar product lines; they each make ski racks, kayak racks, surfboard racks, etc., but they way their products work, lock and secure your gear can be vastly different.
There is also another option out there. Inno racks is a Japanese company that makes some great alternatives to Thule and Yakima. Their rack attachments can also mount to both round and square crossbars, so keep them in mind when purchasing your rack accessories.
Once you decided on a brand, you need to figure out what hardware you need. If you have a vehicle with factory roof rails, like most SUV's, station wagons and some hatchbacks, they you just need crossbar clamps and a set of crossbars. If your vehicle doesn't have factory roof rails, you'll need some rack towers and a set of crossbars. If you're not sure, the easiest thing to do is talk to someone who sells roof racks and they can help you out. I've always had good luck with AutoAnything; their prices are very competitive and you get free shipping, so I'd recommend checking them out as a good resource.
