OakvilleRDX

Bought the Acura ski rack system -- and finding it a real pain in the ass to use. When on the roof, noticeably reduces gas mileage, and also get a whistle sound as air flows through the racks. All understandable, but would like to take them off mid-week, but finding that it is not an easy task to put them on/take them off. Anyone have thoughts on this?

c_hunter

Can you just remove the ski clamps from the crossbars? Or what are you trying to remove?

Can you tell who makes the ski clamps? Probably Yakima or Thule. Both of those brands should be fairly easy to remove from the crossbars in my experience, but I have not looked at the Acura ski attachments for the RDX to see if they are different than normal.

One thing I like about using round Yakima crossbars is that the ski attachments can be rotated to align with the airstream when not in use. Helps reduce noise/drag a little.

sasair

Open the ski rack, undo the two knobs, and lift the ski rack off. You'll be left with two screws sticking up from the rack. They slide out of the rack but you may have to pull the rubber inserts to slide them out.

c_hunter

I just took a look at the ski rack install instructions in the new sticky thread, and see what you're talking about. This is not a real good setup for people who have multiple rack accessories (or just want to take the ski mounts off on a regular basis). These don't look like Yakima or Thule attachments -- which can also mount to the factory crossbars but are a lot easier to remove and won't leave the t-bolts sticking up. You might want to consider one of those other brands if you do want more convenience.

So in this case, it might be cleaner to just remove the crossbars (with the ski attachments intact). That would involve removing 4 torx bolts, but would certainly look better!

OakvilleRDX

The four bolts holding the ski racks themselves to the cross bar cannot come out without removing the crossbar itself -- and that is the crux of the problem. I wouldnt mind leaving the crossbars in, just dont like the idea of having these 4 loose bolts sliding across the bars when I have taken the ski rack off.

Not an easy, or intuitive, system at all.

chyllintsx

quick question, does the ski rack hold both skis and boards?

OakvilleRDX

Looks like it would be wide enough to hold one board as it holds 2 pairs of skis together snuggly.

chyllintsx

really? couldnt u hold the skis back to back and would possibly hold 3 pairs? and same with boards?