Roof Box Modification – No More Rusty Edges
Rooftop cargo boxes are a great way to haul skis and keep your gear out of your vehicle. I have a Yakima Rocketbox, and I use it all winter long. I’ve noticed that my ski edges often rust when I leave my skis in the box for multiple days. Basically, snowmelt from the skis settles at the base of the roof box, and the ski edges end up sitting in water, leading to rust. The more skis in your box, the more snow there is to melt and cause problems.
The Fix – Drill Baby Drill
The quick fix to eliminate the water buildup in your roof box is simple. Drill drain holes! The holes allow the snowmelt to drain. Problem solved. I’m not an engineer, but the modification does not appear to compromise the roof box’s structural integrity.
I drilled my box while it was mounted on the car’s roof. This works fine, but you obviously need to use caution so you do not put drain holes in your vehicle’s roof. If you do not trust yourself, you can create a stop on the drill bit with duct tape or simply remove the roof box before making the modification. Be sure to drill holes in the lowest areas of the box (see photo). I used a quarter-inch bit and made ten holes. Happy drilling.
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