How To: Carry Skis & Snowboards on your Jeep Wrangler (the 2013 edition)

We’re in the midst of what is shaping up to be an epic Winter here in the Northeast (knock on wood). With record numbers of skiers and riders headed to the mountains in their Jeep Wranglers, the eternal question of how to get your skis to their destination safely and securely is raised once again. What’s that you ask? “Can’t I just throw my skis or snowboards down the middle of the inside of my Jeep”? Go for it. And enjoy the wet snow melting all over you and your interior while you and your buddies/family elbow your gear for room during the long ride home. Is there a better option(s)? Yes.

Thule has updated their Jeep Ski Rack solutions for us for 2013 (see above). Step 1: Attach the Thule Spare Me (963PRO) Bicycle Rack to your Jeep Wrangler’s Rear Mounted Spare Tire. Yes this doubles as a bicycle rack in the off season. Step 2: Hook the newly re-designed Thule 9033 Tram (carrying capacity of up to 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards) to the Spare Me. Step 3: Get up to the mountains and start having fun! Note: This solution works for any Jeep (or other vehicle) with a spare tire.

The other option for a Jeep Wrangler Ski Rack here at JeepWorld.com, which also happens to be the solution I use personally, is the Thule 300 Footer with Thule 58″ Load Bars combined with a Thule Flat Top Ski & Snowboard Carrier. Simply attach the footers to the rain gutters on your Jeep’s Hard Top and attach one of Thule’s Flat Top Ski Carriers to the load bars. Voila! Another easy and safe solution for getting your gear to your favorite ski area. This solution is for 2007-2013 Jeep Wrangler JKs with Hard Tops only.

Both options are available here at JeepWorld and can ship same day (if your order arrives by 2pm EST).

We know that your Jeep is your favorite vehicle, so tell us what your favorite mountain to ski and ride is in the comments below.

My 2007 Jeep Wrangler JK 4 Door & a 16′ Kayak

Jeep Wrangler Kayak Carrier; Locked & Loaded

I bought a kayak a couple of months ago (from an add on Craig’s List) and promptly stuffed it into storage at JeepWorld HQ. Semi-miserable, cold-ish Spring Weather followed here in Upstate, NY so there it stayed. Cue last week’s weather report predicting temperatures in the 70s with blue skies and plenty of sunshine. I dragged the kayak back out of hiding and promptly came to the realization that this thing (an Old Town Loon Tandem 16 footer) was HUGE. I also was nowhere near water and had to figure out a way to transport this red monster on my Jeep Wrangler 4 Door JK to a place where I could put it to good use. So, how DOES one carry a kayak on a Jeep Wrangler? 

The following solution will work on any 2007-Up Jeep Wrangler 4 Door with a hard top. Why a 4 door only? The 4 door model will provide the allowed set-back (space between the cross bars) to maximize load balance for better security during transport. I have witnessed people using the following set-up on a 2 door or on a 4 door with the front freedom panels removed, but this set-up is dicey at best. It may be OK for a short drive to water, but we definitely do not recommend it.

Step 1: You’re going to need a base rack. I suggest the Thule 300 Foot Pack with 58″ Load Bars to start. The 300 Footers attach directly to the rain gutters on your hard top. These are super easy to install and remove, just be sure you don’t catch the seal around your Wrangler’s windows in the clamp while tightening the knob. The footers then hold the Thule 58″ square load bars.

 Step 2: Next you’ll need to add a Jeep Wrangler Kayak Rack . Which carrier to use? This will depend on your kayak. Since mine is a big, wide kayak, I chose the Thule 883 Glide and Set because of it’s wide front cradles and felt-lined rear saddles that allow you to slide the kayak up into place on the rack. This kit includes two tie-down straps to secure the kayak to the carrier and two ratchet-down straps for the front and rear, a must for maximum security (see pics of my Jeep). For smaller kayaks, I would recommend Thule 830 Stacker (especially for whitewater kayaks) or the Thule Hull-a-Port Pro (835pro). Again, what you use should be dependent upon the kayak or kayaks you are carrying.

Step 3: Drive to some open water and have fun!

Note: The solution listed above has a maximum weight load of 165 lbs.

From personal experience, I can tell you that this system worked out great. I had an awesome day out on the lake and a heck of a lot of fun. I am confident enough in this kayak rack that I plan on using it to take my kayak on the five hour trip to Maine later this Summer.

How to: Carry a Canoe, Kayak, or Surfboard on your Jeep Wrangler

Spring has sprung here in Upstate, NY.  The snowmelt and March rains have brought our rivers to full flow and our ponds and lakes into prime recreation levels.  It’s time to bust out those kayaks and canoes!  We get many requests on how to carry them to water with your Jeep Wrangler.  You’ll need to start with one of two base systems:

1.  The first is for 1997-2010 Jeep Wranglers with either no top or with the soft top down, which makes it ideal for sunny days.  You’ll need to start with our Jeep Base Rack Kit (Part#45058) by Thule which includes footers (to attach to your Jeep’s roll bars) and Thule 58″ Load Bars (to attach a carrier to.)  You will also need either a Jeep Kayak Rack, a Jeep Canoe Carrier, or Jeep Surfboard Carrier (if you live near the beach) to carry your vessel.

2. The other option is for the Jeep Wrangler JK (2007-2013) with a hard top.  Start with the Hardtop Base System for Jeep Wranglers (Part# 300).  This will include the footers that attach directly to the hardtop and the Thule 58″ cross rails. UPDATE (5.15.12)- See this post for more on carrying a kayak on a Jeep Wrangler JK.

Next you’ll need to attach a carrier to the base rack set up.  To carry a kayak on your Jeep Wrangler, choose either the Jeep Wrangler Kayak Rack (Thule Stacker #830), which can hold up to four kayaks, or the Thule Glide and Set (Thule #883).  To carry a canoe, use the Jeep Wrangler Canoe Carrier (Thule #579XT), which holds one canoe per carrier.  For all you lucky dogs on the coast that need to carry surfboards, use the Jeep Wrangler Surfboard Rack (Thule #554XT) to bring up to two boards to the beach.

This is just another way we want to help you get out there and have fun!  Enjoy!