We Tested the Ultimate All-Season Rhino-Rack Carrier

After spending three weeks putting the Rhino-Rack Universal Carrier through its paces, we’re thoroughly impressed by its versatility. We loaded it with everything from snowboards to fishing rods, and even a wakeboard, and it handled each with secure precision. The universal mounting system attached seamlessly to our test vehicles (we tried it on both a sedan and an SUV), requiring minimal effort to install.

What caught our attention was the robust locking mechanism that kept our gear safe during a 200-mile road trip. Despite its heavy-duty construction, the rack remains surprisingly lightweight, not noticeably affecting fuel consumption or creating wind noise.

The one-handed adjustment feature proved particularly useful when we were wearing gloves during our ski trip. If you’re looking for a year-round carrier solution that truly adapts to multiple sports and activities, this Rhino-Rack deserves serious consideration.

We Test the Thule 615 Pulse Rack: Space for Adventures

After three weeks of intensive testing, we’re impressed with the Thule 615 Pulse Rack in Large Black. This spacious cargo box gives us an additional 16 cubic feet of storage, which proved perfect for our weekend camping trips. We particularly appreciate the SecureLock system that ensures the box is firmly closed during travel – giving us peace of mind on winding mountain roads.

Installation was straightforward, taking our team just under 15 minutes from unboxing to ready-for-loading. The aerodynamic design notably reduced wind noise compared to other models we’ve tested, and we didn’t notice significant impact on fuel economy during our 500-mile road trip test.

While not the cheapest option on the market, we found the durability and ease of use justifies the investment for frequent adventurers who need extra cargo space.