Yakima PowderHound Carrier

Price Paid:  $95.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 1997 Chevy Blazer

Summary:
Here's the problem: we left the mountain and had put our gear into the rack. We had two pairs of skis that we put in first, followed by two boards, each face-to-face. My girlfriend secured the front latch and I secured the back. I then double-checked both front and back latches (as directed in the operating manual) and they were properly secured. We then left the resort and headed down US Highway 50. An hour and a half into our trip, I heard a clanking noise and looked in the rearview mirror to see to my horror both of our snowboards soaring off the roof and into the car that was following immediately behind me. The subsequent cars had to swerve onto the median and off the side of the road in order to avoid potential disaster, as we were traveling at the posted speed limit, which was 70 M.P.H.

Fortunately, nobody was injured in this incident, but we sustained subsantial damage to our snowboards and bindings. My girlfriends board and bindings were completely destroyed beyond repair and mine had minor damage to the bindings and a two-inch gouge out of the edge and some pretty good base damage. DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT. If you must purchase this product or already have this product, then I recommend that you tie down your boards/skis with rope or some other method that will secure your gear. The Yakima PowerHound did not perform properly when used as directed, and I would NOT RECOMMEND purchasing this product. I have used this product over two dozen times and it failed only once causing this incident to happen.

Strengths:
Easy to load and unload (unfortunately, all too easy to unload when you do not want it to).

Weaknesses:
The MAJOR WEAKNESS with this product was the fact that the front buckle came unlatched on US Highway 50 when we were returning from a snowboard trip, causing over $1,000 in damage for two burton snowboards and bindings.

Similar Products Used:
none.

Price Paid:  $60.00

Summary:
I recommend the ski rack to those who are going to ski resorts in a sedan or any car, really. If you are carring more than 2 snowboards or skis, then you should get the 6 pair rack b/c of the doubling capacity.

Strengths:
Easy to use, looks nice on top of the car's roof. Very durable, even in snow or rain.

Weaknesses:
I don't think I can fit two of these on top of my car without getting bindings in the way. I don't want to get a 6 pair ski rack either because it's too expensive. so this is a headache.

Similar Products Used:
n/a

Summary:
The price was higher than you'd pay for similar products, if you bought them from low-end department stores, but the quality justifies it. You can tell these will hold up a lot longer. Furthemore, the ease with which these go on and come off is impressive. I can easily remove this rack system and install the bike mount come summer; without the use of tools! Meanwhile, the design ensures that my racks won't be easily stolen, like some other "easy mount" systems I have looked at. Over all, this rack is the best I've seen for the money. You may need something different if you need to haul more than 4 boards at a time, but for most people this rack is great!

Strengths:
Quick and easy load and unload. Sturdy mount. Easy to get on and off of the vehicle, so you don't have to leave them on all year. Holds two Snowboards accross and still sneaks a pair of stacked skis on the end.

Weaknesses:
When fully loaded, it can be a little tough to tell if the locks caught. In snowy climates, the locks sometimes freeze up (even when my Jeep's locks are fine).

Similar Products Used:
None.