The rental car companies at the airport are notorious for not having ski racks or they say they might have them but when you show up they are all out or they hand you a broken one that you have to figure out how to install yourself. That is where we come in and while Winter Wagon is a full service rental company offering cars and SUVs and vans we also rent the gear you need to make your own vehicle work for you even if you didnt rent the car from us.
You Don’t Have to Rent Our Cars to Rent Our Gear
I want to make this point super clear becuase it is the number one question we get asked when people call us up in a panic. You do not need to rent a vehicle from Winter Wagon to rent a ski rack or a cargo box or a bike rack from us. We are totally happy to help you outfit whatever car you ended up getting whether it is a rental from a big agency or a Turo or even if you are driving your own car up from Texas and you just need more space for the week.
We act as an outfitter for the vehicle you have so if you land at DIA and pick up a Suburban but it doesnt have a roof box we can meet you and put a Thule box on top so you can actually fit your luggage inside the truck. It is a service we started because we saw how many people were struggling with this exact problem and there really isnt anyone else near the airport focused just on renting the accessories.
The Problem with Rental Car Fleets
The reason this is such a big issue is that most rental car fleets in Denver order their cars as “fleet spec” which basically means the cheapest base model possible. They often dont have the side rails on the roof or crossbars and they definitly dont keep expensive Thule or Yakima boxes on them because they would get damaged in the car wash or stolen. So they rent you a “ski vehicle” that actually has no place to put skis which makes zero sense but that is just how the industry works unfortunatly.
Even if you get lucky and they offer you a ski rack it is usually the clamp style that holds maybe four pairs of skis if you are lucky and they are exposed to all the road salt and grime. If you have ever driven from Denver to Vail in a snowstorm you know that your skis will be covered in a layer of grey sludge by the time you get there if they are not in a box which ruins bindings and makes your edges rusty.
What We Can Rent You
We have a pretty big inventory of gear because we use it for our own fleet of SUVs and vans and cars and we keep extra on hand for people who just need the accessories. We try to stock high quality stuff like Thule and Yakima because they are durable and easier to use than the cheap off brand stuff you might find at Walmart.
Roof Top Cargo Boxes
These are the game changers for any road trip. A roof box is basically a hard shell suitcase that goes on top of your car. You can throw skis and snowboards in there up to a certain length or you can put your duffel bags and boots and bulky jackets in there to free up space inside the car. The best part is that it locks so your stuff is safe when you stop for lunch at Idaho Springs and it keeps everything dry and clean.
We have different sizes available depending on what vehicle you have and what you need to carry. Some are long and skinny so you can put a bike rack next to them and some are wide and stout for maximum luggage capacity.
Ski and Snowboard Racks
If you dont want a full box or if you are trying to save a little money we also have the standard clamp style ski racks. These are the ones that clamp onto the crossbars and sandwich your skis between two pieces of rubber. They are totally fine for short trips or if the weather is nice but like I said before your gear will get dirty. We make sure the rubber is in good condition so your skis dont slide around.
Hitch Mounted Carriers
This is a great option if your rental car has a tow hitch but maybe doesnt have a roof rack. A hitch carrier is like a metal basket that plugs into the back of the car. It is awesome for hauling coolers or extra plastic bins or firewood if you are going camping. It is also way easier to load than a roof box because you dont have to climb up on the door sill to reach it you just drop your heavy stuff in the basket and strap it down.
Bike Racks
Colorado is not just about skiing and we know a lot of you come out here in the summer to mountain bike or road bike. Renting a bike rack is way easier than trying to disassemble your bike and stuff it in the trunk. We have hitch mounted bike racks which are the best because they are stable and easy to load. We also have some roof mounted options if that works better for your setup.
Compatibility and How It Works
This is the technical part where people get confused so I will try to explain it simply without using too much jargon. In order to put a roof rack or a box on a car the car needs to have something to attach to.
There are basically three types of car roofs you will see on rentals
- Naked Roof This is just smooth metal with nothing on it. These are the hardest to fit and sometimes we cant do it depending on the car model because it requires clips that grab the door frame.
- Flush Rails or Raised Rails This is what most SUVs have. They are the rails that run from the front of the car to the back on the left and right side. If the car has these we can almost always attach crossbars to them and then put the box or rack on the crossbars.
- Factory Crossbars Sometimes you get lucky and the car already has the bars that go across from left to right. If it has these we can usually clamp our box or ski rack directly to them which saves time and money.
When you book with us we will ask you what kind of car you are renting. I know you usually dont know the exact car until you pick it up but if you know the class like “Intermediate SUV” or “Minivan” that helps us prepare. Once you pick up the car you can text us a picture of the roof and we can grab the right mounting hardware before we meet you.
Meeting Up and Installation
We try to make this as easy as possible because we know you just want to start your vacation. Since we are based near Denver Airport we can usually meet you at a designated spot just outside the airport grounds or at your hotel if you are staying nearby the first night.
We do the installation for you which is a huge perk. Putting on a roof box can be tricky if you havent done it before and you dont want it flying off on the highway because you didnt tighten the claws enough. Our team has done this hundreds of times so we can get a rack on in about 15 or 20 minutes while you go grab a coffee or just stretch your legs.
We will also show you how to open and close the box properly and give you the keys. It sounds simple but there is a trick to some of the Thule boxes where you cant pull the key out unless it is fully locked which is actually a safety feature so you dont drive off with it unlatched.
Why Renting is Better Than Buying or Shipping
Some people think about just buying a rack when they get here or shipping their own but that has a lot of downsides.
- Cost A decent Thule box costs like $600 to $900 brand new. If you buy one here you have to figure out what to do with it when you fly home you cant exactly check it as luggage easily.
- Storage If you live in an apartment in a city you might not have room to store a giant coffin sized box for the 50 weeks a year you arent using it.
- Shipping Shipping a roof box is incredibly expensive because of the size.
- The “Soft” Racks Some people try to bring those soft bag carriers that strap through the windows. Honestley those things are terrible they flap in the wind and make a ton of noise and they scratch the paint on the rental car which can lead to a huge damage fee from the rental company.
Renting from us is a fraction of the cost of buying and you get high quality hard shell gear that is secure and quiet.
Safety First
This is something I really want to emphasize becuase driving with a load on the roof changes how the vehicle handles. When you put a box and 50 pounds of skis on top of a car you are raising the center of gravity. You have to take corners a little slower and be aware of the wind.
Also you have to remember the height clearance. This is the number one way people damage rental cars and racks. You drive into a parking garage or a hotel entrance and you forget you have an extra two feet of height on top of the car and crunch. It happens so fast and it ruins your whole trip. We always remind people to watch out for low overhangs and drive thrus. If you are going to McDonald’s just park and walk inside do not try to go through the drive thru with a roof box.
Specific Scenarios Where We Can Help
We have seen it all so dont be afraid to ask if you have a wierd request.
The “We brought too much stuff” Scenario We get calls from families who landed picked up their minivan and realized their four large suitcases literally do not fit in the trunk. We can run a hitch carrier or a roof box out to you so you can actually leave the airport it saves the day and stops the fighting before it starts.
The Camping Trip If you are heading to Rocky Mountain National Park for some camping you probably have tents and coolers and sleeping bags. That stuff takes up a ton of room. A hitch basket is perfect for the cooler and the firewood so you dont get bark and dirt all over the inside of the rental car.
The Fishing Trip Fly fishing rods are long and fragile. We have specific rod carriers or long boxes that can keep your expensive rods safe while you bounce down a dirt road to the river. Breaking a rod tip because someone sat on it is the worst feeling ever.
How to Book Your Rack
The best way to do this is to get in touch with us as soon as you know your travel dates. During peak times like Christmas and Spring Break and Fourth of July we do run out of inventory. We have a lot of racks but not an infinite amount.
You can go to our website or give us a call. We will need to know
- Dates and times of your trip
- What kind of gear you are carrying (skis, bikes, camping stuff)
- What kind of vehicle you think you are getting
- Your contact info so we can text you for the meetup
If you end up getting a different car than you thought do not panic just text us immediately when you are at the counter or walking to the lot. We carry different fit kits so we can usually adapt to whatever vehicle you end up with as long as it has some kind of rails or a hitch.
A Note on Pricing and Deposits
We try to keep our pricing super reasonable because we know you are already spending a fortune on the rental car and the lift tickets. We usually charge a daily rate that is way cheaper than upgrading your vehicle class.
We do take a security deposit just like the car rental places do because this equipment is expensive. If you bring it back in one piece with the keys you get the deposit back immediately. If you lose the keys which happens or drive it into a garage which also happens then we have to use the deposit to fix it. Just treat the gear like it is your own and you will be totally fine.
Why We Do This
You might wonder why a rental company bothers with renting out ski racks to people driving other peoples cars. Honestly it fits our mission to be the most helpful rental company in Denver. We want people to experience Colorado and the outdoors without the stress of logistics. We know that transportation is the hardest part of a ski trip and if we can make your trip smoother by providing a cargo box so your kids aren’t screaming because they are squished in the back seat then we have done our job.
We are locals and we love this state. We want you to have a good time and come back. Part of having a good time is being safe and comfortable on the road and driving I-70 is intense enough without having your rear view mirror blocked by a pile of luggage.
Things to Check Before You Drive Away
Once we get the rack installed on your car there are a couple things you should double check just for your own peace of mind.
- Wiggle it Grab the crossbar or the box and give it a good shake. The whole car should move. If the rack moves but the car doesn’t then it is too loose.
- Check the lock Make sure the key turns freely and the box is actually latched.
- Measure the height If you are tall stand next to the car and estimate the new height. If you are short ask us to measure it. Write it down on a post it note and stick it on the dashboard so you dont forget.
- Check the hatch Open the rear trunk of the car slowly. Sometimes if the box is too long or positioned too far back the trunk lid will hit the box when it opens. We try to adjust for this but on some small cars it is unavoidable. If it hits just remember to be careful when opening the trunk so you dont chip the paint.
Look we know that renting a car at the airport is a hassle and finding out it is too small is a nightmare. But you dont have to suffer through it or go spend a thousand dollars buying gear you will only use for a week. Let us outfit your rental vehicle with the right racks and boxes so you can focus on the fun stuff like skiing the back bowls at Vail or biking in Fruita.
We are here to help you figure it out. Even if you have a weird car or a weird load of gear give us a shout and we will see if we can make it work. We are pretty good at getting creative with cargo solutions for all types of cars and suvs.
So next time you book that “compact SUV” and realize it is basically a hatchback on stilts just remember that Winter Wagon has got you covered with the extra space you need. Safe travels and enjoy the mountains!