Skiing by car. How to transport equipment?
According to tests carried out by the German automobile club ADAC, the most convenient and safest way to transport ski equipment in a car is to use a roof rack. Experts point out that an alternative could also be a dedicated ski/snowboard holder on the roof, or just a large enough space inside the vehicle. However, with the latter method, it is necessary to remember about good installation.
As part of the test, ADAC tested how ski and snowboard equipment, transported in various ways, behaves during a collision.
In one of the new tests, the German association tested the behavior of several specific models of roof boxes. In the situation of a vehicle colliding with an obstacle at a speed of 30 km/h, in almost every case the contents of the box (including skis, sticks, etc.) remained intact. The test results at a speed of 50 km / h were similar - in most of the tested boxes there were no serious negative consequences.
“Skiing and snowboarding equipment is conveniently transported on the roof of a car, preferably in a roof rack that can also accommodate boots and poles. However, not everyone has the right accessories for rooftop transportation, and if someone has a lot of free space in the car, then he can naturally use it. There is nothing wrong with this, but then everything must be carefully packaged and secured, ”says the release issued by ADAC.
See also: vacation. How to get to your destination safely?
Tests have shown that improperly secured ski equipment in the cabin can pose a serious threat to the health or even life of passengers in the event of an accident. When hit at a speed of 50 km / h, equipment transported loose or poorly secured gained more strength - for example, a ski helmet behaved like an object weighing 75 kg, a possible collision with which would be very dangerous for a person.
What to remember?
When deciding on the choice of transportation method, for example, skis or snowboards, it is worth remembering a few points that are important in terms of the safety of passengers and the equipment itself.
On the advice of Jacek Radosz, an expert at the Polish company Taurus, which specializes in particular in the production and distribution of roof boxes and ski racks, skiers carrying their equipment inside the car should definitely remember to secure it securely and securely. “Safety can be ensured, for example, with special fastening rings. Of course, good editing is the foundation in any case, and you should keep that in mind,” says Jacek Radosz.
Expert f points out that there shouldn't be any big problems if we decide to use roof-mounted accessories - a special ski/snowboard holder or a roof rack. In both cases, just follow the instructions. As Jacek Rados points out, handle users should also remember to keep the skis facing backwards to reduce air resistance and thus fuel consumption.
“There are many different types of ski racks and roof racks on the market. For the user, the fastening and opening systems used in this product must necessarily be important. It should also be remembered that the holders allow you to transport from 3 to 6 pairs of skis at the same time. There are almost no restrictions in a roof box because you can position the equipment in the right way. Here, however, skiers should take into account the dimensions of the box - after all, if you use longer, non-standard skis, then not every roof box will fit. When equipping the boxes, for example, anti-slip mats will come in handy, which increase the safety of the equipment being transported,” the Taurus expert sums up.
