Any recommendations on the best snowboard rack setup for our X's?

[Johnny_5]

Im in the market for a setup but theres so much to choose from. I know some are garbage and not worth buying and others are good but way to expensive and than you have the ones that are good and reasonably priced. Would like to get some insight from all who have a setup and what brand and where to buy? Thanks in advance.

[Dking078]

I bought the OEM Roof rack system with the ski/board combo insert and it served very well at high speeds for a 600+ mile trip.

No complains to speak of.

[David.X5]

I have the Rola crossbars. I've been happy with them. They don't stick out past the factory rails and don't seem to add wind noise. They also sit lower than the factory crossbars, which seem visually ungainly to me.

[Joshdub]

Originally Posted by David.X5

I have the Rola crossbars. I've been happy with them. They don't stick out past the factory rails and don't seem to add wind noise. They also sit lower than the factory crossbars, which seem visually ungainly to me.

I have a Yakima setup. It works just as you would expect. I have contemplated getting the whisper bar versions as it looks pretty slick.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by David.X5

I have the Rola crossbars. I've been happy with them. They don't stick out past the factory rails and don't seem to add wind noise. They also sit lower than the factory crossbars, which seem visually ungainly to me.

I have the same cross bars on my X. I use it in conjunction with Thule accessories such as a cargo box which we use for skis and snowboards and life preservers in the summer when we're towing the jet boat or jet ski.

I also have Thule bike roof racks for the kids bikes and a Saris ride on bike rack for the tow hitch.

[jc1surf]

i too am sporting yakima crossbars. I have the Thule Universal Pull Top 92726. found that the pull out feature works great since i do not have to climb onto the X to load the boards.

[upallnight]

If you buy the original BMW cross bar, I have a pair of BMW ski/snowboard holder that would slip onto the crossbars. They are left over from my days of owning a E34 Touring.

[noelskii]

Originally Posted by David.X5

I have the Rola crossbars. I've been happy with them. They don't stick out past the factory rails and don't seem to add wind noise. They also sit lower than the factory crossbars, which seem visually ungainly to me.

+1 No complaints on these!

[oldskewel]

Originally Posted by David.X5

I have the Rola crossbars. I've been happy with them. They don't stick out past the factory rails and don't seem to add wind noise. They also sit lower than the factory crossbars, which seem visually ungainly to me.

Yes on all this. The Rola's look like they fit the package. The BMW ones do not.
After many years of skiing/snowboarding, I've found my favorite solution to be a rocket box, which fits fine on these Rola bars. The rocketbox is easier to load (just throw everything in there) and you can leave it locked while parked and potential thieves do not know if it is empty or loaded.

[noelskii]

Or if you don't like climbing your roof, then install a tow hitch and get one of these: THULE 9033 Tram Hitch Carrier - Eastern Mountain Sports

Helped my friend install his tow hitch (not too difficult) and he got one of these. So easy to load and unload. Also easy to remove when not in use. This route is a bit more pricey though...