How to Install Ski Racks on an SUV

Tossing your skis in the back of your SUV can be rough on both the skis and your vehicle's interior. Your expensive equipment could end up bent or broken, and those sharp edges can slice upholstery. Also, the accumulated snow and slush on the skis can leave you with a mess. A ski rack is a better alternative, storing your skis overhead and out of the way. Installing a ski rack on an SUV is a simple job you can do yourself.

Things You'll Need

  • Scissors
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Instructions

    • 1

      Check the crossbars on the roof of your SUV to determine if they're round or square. If your SUV does not have cross bars, you'll need to obtain them from your vehicle's dealer.

    • 2

      Examine the plastic mounting brackets for your ski rack. If your crossbar is round, you shouldn't have to make any modifications to the brackets. If your SUV crossbar is square, use scissors to remove the plastic clips inside the bracket.

    • 3

      Open one bracket and fasten around one crossbar and snap close. Turn so that the holes for the bolts are facing up. Repeat for the other four brackets, installing them at opposite ends of each crossbar.

    • 4

      Set one ski rack on top of the crossbar, the protrusions on the bottom of the rack fitting snugly between the two halves of the mounting brackets. You can slide the brackets up and down the crossbar until they're positioned the right distance apart for your rack. Repeat with the other rack.

    • 5

      Line up the racks one behind the other. Open each rack by pressing on the button on the side of the rack and lifting up the bar.

    • 6

      Fit a bolt through the holes in the mounting bracket and the ski rack. Fit the nut over the end of the bolt and turn until tight. Repeat for all four brackets.

    • 7

      Check that the ski racks are lined up properly. Lock the nuts in place with the key provided.

    • 8

      Close the ski rack by lowering the bar and pulling down until it clicks in place. Lock with the key.