Ski trip. How to transport ski equipment safely?
Winter school holidays are the time when many drivers and their families go skiing in the mountains. But before that happens, many of them will be faced with the problem of how to get their ski equipment into the car. When driving into mountainous areas, it is also necessary to have special equipment for the car, for example, snow chains.
Due to their size, ski equipment is quite difficult to transport. Often the boards do not fit in the trunk even in the station wagon. But even if we manage to hide the skis (for example, carving), this is due to the loss of a certain part of the luggage compartment. It is true that many modern cars now have special solutions for transporting skis in the car. These are holes in the back of the rear seat through which the skis can be pulled out into the passenger compartment.
If you're leaving with your family, you still need to pack your luggage, and if you're traveling in winter, it can be a lot, not to mention items like ski boots or helmets. All this takes up a lot of space.
Therefore, it is better to use the so-called. external solutions such as ski holders attached to roof rails or support rods. These can be the same beams that bike racks can be attached to in the summer. The most common are the so-called cam chucks, which consist of two parts: a fixed base (it is attached to the base of the holder) and a movable cover. They allow you to carry from 4 to 6 pairs of skis or snowboards. Because of the potential for salt, sand, or snowy dirt on your gear, this solution is best suited for short runs, although the skis can be protected with special covers. Also, choose ski holders with a lock to prevent ski theft.
– Skis should be mounted facing backwards to reduce aerodynamic drag. There will also be less vibrations, which can lead to loosening of ski mounts, advises Radosław Jaskulski, instructor at Skoda Auto Szkoła.
As already mentioned, winter skiing with the whole family means that in addition to skis, you need to pack other ski equipment and a lot of personal luggage. Therefore, the best and safer way to transport equipment is to install a roof box. The roof box allows you to pack not only skis or a snowboard, but also poles, boots and ski clothes. In addition, it ensures that the luggage placed in it will be delivered dry and clean.
The box must be reinforced with metal slats. It is convenient if on gas cylinders its cover is raised, which makes it easier to open. A functional solution is also a central lock that locks the lid at several points, and a drawer that opens from two sides is ideal. Well, if the box is equipped with straps for securing luggage. In addition, the aerodynamic shape of the box means that the noise generated by the ski handle does not reach the cabin.
– The roof boxes are designed in such a way as to create as little aerodynamic drag as possible. However, it should be borne in mind that they are an additional burden for the car. When choosing such a luggage carrier, it is necessary to select it for a specific car model and remember not to overload it, - emphasizes Radoslav Jaskulsky.
Therefore, when choosing a roof rack, it is best to install it at an authorized point of sale of this brand. Then we get a guarantee that such an element is ideally suited to our car, both in terms of dimensions and safety.
For example, the Skoda brand offers roof racks for all currently produced models of this brand. The boxes have standardized dimensions and fit any Skoda model.
The same goes for the ski racks on the roof. You should not buy cheap accessories, the quality of which often leaves much to be desired. Worse still, the wrong components can damage your skis and even detach them while you're skiing.
When choosing accessories useful during a winter ski trip, you should also pay attention to special floor mats for the trunk. They work well when, for example, ski boots need to be transported in the trunk, not to mention unzipped from skis. The rug can be double-sided - on the one hand it is covered with a fabric intended for everyday use, and on the other it has a rubber surface that is resistant to water and dirt. This facilitates cleaning under running water.
However, for carrying skis, as well as for transporting them, you will need a special case made of reinforced material, which closes with a zipper and is equipped with handles.
When going to the mountains in winter, you must also take snow chains with you. The word "mandatory" here should be taken literally, because snow chains are mandatory on some mountain roads in winter. Also, when choosing chains, you should choose products designed for a particular car and recommended by its manufacturer.
– The chains must always be placed on the drive axle and, in a four-wheel drive vehicle, on the front axle. Before leaving, it is useful to practice this exercise several times in order to gain experience, advises the Skoda Auto Szkoła instructor.
For a winter trip, items such as a tow rope, a flashlight or a reflective vest are also useful, not to mention a snow blower and a glass scraper. The last element in the Skoda is included in the kit - it is located on the inside of the gas tank hatch.
