The Thule 5401 Snowcat ski and snowboard carrier is a snow sport carrier specifically designed for vehicles with factory installed side rails. The carrier has a maximum capacity of six pairs of skis or four snowboards, secured by four loading platforms that are accessible from both sides of the vehicle. Additional features include: compatibility with vehicles of varying rail widths, soft rubber arms that grip without scratching, the ability to secure skis and the carrier to roof racks and compatibility with water-skis, wakeboards and fishing rods.

The ski and snowboard carrier specifically for use with factory installed side rails.
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The Ski Carrier Specifically for Factory Installed Side Rails

The Thule 5401 Snowcat ski and snowboard carrier is specifically designed for vehicles with factory installed side rails, saving users money by eliminating the need for a roof rack in order transport skis and snowboards to the slopes. The Snowcat can accommodate up six pairs of skis or four snowboards - or even combinations of both via its four separate loading platforms. Two platforms are accessible from each side of the vehicle that the carrier is mounted on. Skis and snowboards are securely held by ultra-soft rubber arms that grip without scratching their surfaces, and the one-push button release mechanism of the Snowcat ensures that the carrier opens effortlessly, even when wearing gloves. Each of the carrier's outer corner sections has tower edges that are designed to quickly clamp to standard-shaped flat side rails using a few pieces of mounting hardware, padding and a bolts (all included). Once the mounting hardware in loosely attached to the tower sections, the two front-aligned assemblies are connected by a single telescoping support bar, as are the rear-aligned components. This bar snaps into place at increments as the tower sections rest on the side rails allowing for easy adjustability, regardless of the vehicle's rail configuration. When the desired width adjustment is achieved, Thule One-Key lock cylinders (included) are inserted into the four tower sections, and the two combined front and rear assemblies are bolted to the side rails. The installed locks at each corner secure the carrier's arms in place, locking skis and snowboards to the carrier. In closing the arms of the carrier the bolts attaching it to the vehicle's side rails are covered as well. The result is that the One-Key locks also secure the rack to the vehicle as well.

One-Key locks secure skis and boards, and cover the Snowcat's bolted connection to side rails.
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Telescoping steel bars allow the Snowcat to expand to the width of most vehicle side rails.
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Key Features

• Ski carrier specifically designed for vehicles with factory installed side rails
• Four loading platforms that accommodate up to 6 pair of skis or 4 snowboards
• The carrier holds skis and boards securely with rubber arms that grip without scratching the surfaces
• Push button mechanism is easy to open and close while wearing gloves
• Four One-Key locks included to lock the skis to the carrier and the carrier to the vehicle
• Also an excellent rack for water-skis, wakeboards and fishing rods

Technical Specifications

• Load capacity (skis) - Up to six pairs
• Load capacity (snowboards) - Up to four boards
• Number of loading platforms - Four
• Locks skis to carrier - Yes
• Locks carrier to roof rack - No (bolted)
• Fits Aero load bars - No
• Fits square load bars - No

What's in the Box

• Thule 5401 Snowcat ski and snowboard carrier (four carrier assembly pieces)
• Two telescoping steel bars
• Mounting hardware, padding and wrench tool
• Four One-Key lock cylinders and two matching keys
• Instruction guide and warranty information

Limited Lifetime Warranty

Thule will warranty all Thule brand car rack systems and its accessories manufactured by Thule during the time that an original retail purchaser owns the product. This warranty terminates if a purchaser transfers the product to any other person. No warranty is given for defects caused by normal wear and tear, cosmetic rust, scratches, accidents, unlawful vehicle operation, or modification of, or any types of repair of a load carrier system other than those authorized by Thule.

About Thule

Thule was founded in 1942 by the Thulin family, when Eric Thulin, a true lover of the outdoors, put the Thule name on a pike trap he designed and began to sell in Scandinavia. It wasn't long before he added other practical items to the company's portfolio. By the 1960s, the company began to concentrate on car-related products, including its first roof rack. The Thulin family sold Thule to the publicly listed company Eldon in 1979, and it has continued to grow both organically and through acquisitions ever since. The Thule Group is a world leader in providing transport solutions for an active life.