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...