Ski carrier for truck bed camper (FWC Ranger 2)?

patrickkidd · Sep 1, 2018

Hello!

I just bought a 1993 Ranger 2 and plan to sue it for winter camping. There is obviously very little storage in a camper this size.

What solutions have others come up with to carry a few sets of skis, boots, and gear? Trailer hitch carrier? Ski box with gas lifter struts? Some rack system inside the camper?

For what its worth, I will be installing at least 100W of solar on the roof.

For example, I still have my yakima bars and ski box from my leer shell and am trying to figure out if I should sell them.

Thanks!
-Patrick

Living The Dream · Sep 4, 2018

I have talked to so many people about this problem. None of us have the solution still. The makeshift method is to throw the skis in the camper, then when you park, throw the skis in the cab. It is not ideal.

The boxes on the roof are heavy and tough to get to in the poped position. Rear hitches can work better, but get in the way of the door. I have been contemplating a side carry on the outside of the camper with a rifle rack type of thing, but have yet to implement it. I am all ears for whoever gets to the solution figured out. PS, you are going to love the FWC as ski base camp

check my youtube channel for

patrickkidd · Sep 5, 2018

Living The Dream said:
I have talked to so many people about this problem. None of us have the solution still. The makeshift method is to throw the skis in the camper, then when you park, throw the skis in the cab. It is not ideal.

The boxes on the roof are heavy and tough to get to in the poped position. Rear hitches can work better, but get in the way of the door. I have been contemplating a side carry on the outside of the camper with a rifle rack type of thing, but have yet to implement it. I am all ears for whoever gets to the solution figured out. PS, you are going to love the FWC as ski base camp check my youtube channel for

Thanks for the reply, Tim. I have just recently been watching your videos and found many of them helpful. Seems like your conduit-based support replacement is a really good call. Also seems like that plus some gas lifters would be ideal for mounting a Yakima bars and ski box. I already have the Yakima stuff from a previous vehicle and am considering just going that route. Solar on the roof too.

I’ve owned three VW vans as ski mobiles before, my first one was a 1984 that I lived in Jackson Hole in the winter. A large Platinum Cat heater and Warm Window insulation were pretty good but I supplemented the heater with a 1000W 120V space heater. That’s what I get for growing up in Alaska... I am planning some trips to Tahoe and JHole this winter and will use a Olympian catalytic heater with a Mr Buddy heater as emergency supplement. We’ll see how it goes.

I am also thinking of trying a trailer hitch rack and just deal with it being in the way of the door. Who knows...

Living The Dream · Sep 5, 2018

Rock and roll.

its not my conduit heater, I stand on the shoulder of giants. others from this site have done it before me!

looking forward to seeing your ski carry solution.

nmhurley · Sep 17, 2018

I put a ski rack the opposite direction at the back of the camper. It has worked great for holding skis. I keep it on there all year and use it to carry shovels and axes in the summer.

patrickkidd · Oct 5, 2018

Here is a photo of a side-rack from today’s FWC post about their open house:

jimjxsn · Oct 5, 2018

What about this Rhino Rack bracket bolted under the side overhang?

"The Pioneer Ski Carrier Bracket mounts a Rhino-Rack Ski Carrier (Small) at a 75 degree angle"

Or maybe a swing away...

swingaway-frame-ford-transit-ski-snowboard-holder-L.jpg

patrickkidd · Oct 10, 2018

Man, that small Rhino Rack and bracket sure looks like a great option. $200 on etrailer.

Still trying to decide between various roof/hitch/side options for the total cargo load. I’m going to do a dry run at the local hill first before heading out to the Rockies proper this winter.

JaSAn · Oct 11, 2018

KISS - I transport my skis in the camper and just throw them under the truck when parked and not used. If you are worried about theft, there are plenty of cable lock solutions for skis. Boots and other gear replace summer stuff in the camper.

jim

smlobx · Oct 18, 2018

I noticed that you don't have a roof ladder on the back of your truck and have your tailgate sticking out past your camper....BUT if those weren't the case you could mount some Quick Fist connectors to the vertical rails of the ladder and strap your skis onto those. Heck you may even be able to bolt these directly to the back of your camper....

This is an example of what I'm referring to:

https://www.amazon.com/Quick-Fist-Clamp-mounting-equipment/dp/B007HOKW50/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1539892495&sr=8-6&keywords=Quick+fist&dpID=41dzGzKFsaL&preST=_SX342_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

As you may know people use these to secure jack's, axes etc. to they're rigs so their pretty secure.

patrickkidd · Oct 18, 2018

smlobx said:
I noticed that you don't have a roof ladder on the back of your truck and have your tailgate sticking out past your camper....BUT if those weren't the case you could mount some Quick Fist connectors to the vertical rails of the ladder and strap your skis onto those. Heck you may even be able to bolt these directly to the back of your camper....

This is an example of what I'm referring to:

https://www.amazon.com/Quick-Fist-Clamp-mounting-equipment/dp/B007HOKW50/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1539892495&sr=8-6&keywords=Quick+fist&dpID=41dzGzKFsaL&preST=_SX342_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

As you may know people use these to secure jack's, axes etc. to they're rigs so their pretty secure.

That's a great idea. Thanks for the link as those could be used for many other things as well.

Lunch · Oct 29, 2018

Hey Tim,

I am just entering this slide-in, pop-up camper arena. I watched some of your vids for inspiration. I think what I liked best was ... well... those Pivots mounted on the Moments (I have 3 of that combo).

Ski carrier for truck bed camper (FWC Ranger 2)?

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