Window mount ski/snowboard rack
 

Has anyone tried this product by any chance? I like the concept but it seems that frameless windows may not have the integrity to hold weight on them like a window that seals into a slot does.

http://www.winterracks.com/

And before anyone asks why I need a rack for my Miata, I live in Vancouver... where it doesn't exactly snow and when it does it dissipates by noon. This will be fore the short trips to and from Whistler, Baker and other local mountains, one of which has a gondola that takes you up the mountain and you don't even have to drive in snow! :bowrofl:.

And yes I have brand new winter tires

get a spare window before you try that shit.

I figured someone would say that. I just went to my car and chEcked it out. Seems like it's strong enough...

I bet its fine. Snowboards are light and i've seen the suction cup cameras stay on at very very high speeds.

I've always wondered how a standard thule rack would fit on a hardtop though.

Whenever it is I get my car back on the road, hardtop snowboard/longboard rack is on the list of things to do.

I've seen the window rack, but I didnt like the fact that I cant have the window down while using it. Not a major issue, but enough to make me not like it.

aero load from snowboard > camera aero load

Well this is the cheapest option on the market. I'm sure I could get a roof rack to work but they are like $400, and the rear rack/angle mount on the rear window is the same price. I was thinking of having a custom piece made that would slot into my hitch but for $120, it's not bad to try out.

I'll be the guinea pig then...

My board is extremely light and I have composite bindings. The only thing would be wind resistance.

cheapest and safest solution is to buy one of those bike racks that fits on to the trunk...and just bungy snowboards to that...i've seen other cars do this in tahoe....something like this

http://www.target.com/Bell-2-Bike-Do...n&frombrowse=0

Find a Miata trunk lid in the junkyard with the factory luggage rack and swap it on when you need it.

OR

If you are really cheap find a trunk lid at the you-pull-it junkyard and bolt a homemade rack to it.

I'm not cheap, I just don't want to spend $500 on something that would be spent better somewhere else.

My board is 161cms. It's not going to fit cross ways on the trunk without hanging over a signifigant amount on both sides.

Also, my bike rack won't work and I'm not going to buy another one.

I'm =just going to try this thing out and see how it goes.

I was checking out a photo thread on CR and there's a car with a window mounted rack. Here's what the owner said about it:

My board is 161cms. It's not going to fit cross ways on the trunk without hanging over a signifigant amount on both sides.

Also, my bike rack won't work and I'm not going to buy another one.


161 cm is slightly more than 5 feet....so your board hangs over each side by less than a foot....why is this a problem???

Position it right across the trunk and you'll have a rear wing. :-)

Just put it in the passenger seat and keep the top down. You better dress warm ;)
there are a lot of pictures on CR.net of guys stuffing bikes in there passenger seat they just take the front wheel off. If my idea is to crazy for you go with a bike rack then mounts on the truck as said before

Open the pass door all the way, and roll the window down.

Ease the board into the car diagonally - from the front to the driver side back corner.
When the board is in the car all the way, bring the tip down to the pass footwell, and as far front as possible.

Secure it in place with the seatbelt.


I used to fit my 203 gate skis in my Miata that way. My 189s are no problem, at all.

The only time I bought a ski rack was back in the day when I was driving my '73 TR6. That thing is just tiny compared to the Miata.

Just make sure to knock all the snow off the board on before you put them in the car on the way back.

And, keep your boots in the passenger footwell, with some of the ouput from the heater directed that way. Beats the hell out of putting on ice blocks once you get to the ski resort.
I used to laugh my ass of to those guys who would just throw their boots in the back of their pickups.

+100

I have moved my snowboard in my miata with easy. Even with the HardDog Double Diagonal bar. I had enough room that I could have a passenger if I removed the bindings.

Hey guys,

The snowboard rack is actually my company. I can totally understand if people are skeptical of it's safety but I can assure you I did a ton of testing and it is completely safe, and I have driven very fast with it on. I have also tested it on windows with frames as well as with cars that didn't have frames such as my old 97 Acura CL. I however do admit to never testing it on a convertible, but I think that it would work because it worked fine on a frameless window. If you guys have any further questions let me know.

I'd use a hitch mounted bike rack and place the skis/poles/boards vertically in a basket at the bottom of the hitch, and secured half way up where the top-tube of the bike would go.

Heys guys I've never actually tried it on a convertible, but I work for the company so I say buy it.

buy a miata specific removable trunk rack and just clamp the board down to it with tie straps. they are not expensive and they look pretty neat.

I can guarantee you dont want to try this. If that board comes off going down a highway or even on a two lane road you could kill somone traviling near you. Or, just ruin your board and be out a window.