Classic Ski Rack

We've speed tested our racks over 175 mph, in controlled conditions and with adequate safety measures. Nevertheless, going above the speed limit violates the SeaSucker warranty. You must obey all posted speed limits and traffic conditions; if there is no posted speed limit, we recommend not driving above 85 miles per hour. You must adapt your driving style and speed to road conditions, weather conditions, and the load on your SeaSucker rack.

Absolutely. Sometimes we say “wetter is better” around here, but don’t take that in a weird way. SeaSuckers will typically hold better when wet, so the rain is no problem. With regard to snow and cold, be aware that if you remove your rack after using it in the cold, you may have to warm it up again to near room temperature before the rubber is pliable enough to make a solid seal to the mounting surface. Once it’s mounted (or if you didn’t remove it),  you’re good to go. Also, for warmer weather we recommend that you wet the sealing edge of your rack before attaching. DO NOT DO THIS IN FREEZING OR NEAR-FREEZING TEMPERATURES. The vacuum cup will freeze to the surface of your car, which will prevent the vacuum pump and check valve from functioning properly. You’re still going to have to wipe your car clean in the cold, since the vacuum mounts won’t mount if there’s snow or ice on the car. Make sure to dry it before attaching your rack!

No, the vacuum pads, which are the only parts of the SeaSucker vacuum mounts that should touch your car, are made of the non-marking rubber compound.

We don’t recommend using our products on wrapped vehicles. Our testing shows that our vacuum cups will pull a bubble in the wrap when attached, which screws up the wrap and is not a safe attachment point for a SeaSucker. To make it work, some people have removed the wrap just where the vacuum mounts will sit on their vehicle.. However, you are absolutely able to use a SeaSucker rack on a ceramic coated car.

We recommend that you mount your rack where your roof has supportive structure underneath, like just behind the front windshield or just in front of the rear window. Unsupported areas, like in the very middle of a roof, can flex when driving over bumpy roads.

SeaSucker racks are generally recognized as the easiest and fastest to install. We’re contemplating calling Guinness for official certification. As for an actual time, that depends on your motivation and pumping speed. We’ve seen a Talon rack installed in as few as 8 seconds!

Every SeaSucker vacuum mount has an indicator band right on the plunger. When the vacuum mount starts losing vacuum, the plunger will begin to extend. When it extends far enough that you can see the orange band, it’s time to re-pump. Unlike traditional suction cups, with SeaSucker, you don’t have to take it off and lick it (unless you’re into that sort of thing, and we don’t judge) to revive it.

In addition to selling complete vacuum mounts that you could swap in for one that’s been damaged, we also sell replacement parts such as new vacuum pads and pumps.

“Strong like bull.” 4.5” vacuum mounts have a rated pull strength of 120lbs, pulling straight out from center. Pull strength on a shear load, i.e. pulling from the side, will be less. 6” vacuum mounts are 210lbs rated. Obviously, putting multiple vacuum mounts on a single product multiplies the maximum holding power.

The bug will be obliterated; please take a second to honor its sacrifice. If the debris isn’t big enough to put a dent in your car, you have nothing to worry about. If it is, then you have bigger problems.

There’s no set time limit on our vacuum mounts. It depends in part on the surface you attach to, the condition of the vacuum mount, the load you put on it, and other factors. As for surfaces to attach to, vacuum mounts in general were designed to carry big sheets of glass and other solid surface materials, so smoother, flatter surfaces are ideal. Clean surfaces and clean SeaSuckers go a long way to maximizing the hold time. In any event, if the vacuum mount begins to lose some vacuum, it will warn you so you can get it back to full power before it comes off. The vacuum pump’s plunger will extend from the pump cylinder when it starts to lose power, revealing an orange indicator band. Once you see orange, that’s your cue to repump your SeaSucker. For car racks, the simplest thing to do is to check the rack before you get in your vehicle, and check it each time you stop for gas, food, or the bathroom.

Vacuum mounts in general were designed to carry big sheets of glass and other solid surface materials, so smoother, flatter surfaces are ideal. Very shallow texture may be okay, but should be tested (to test, attach the rack to the car and make sure the orange indicator bands are not showing after two hours of just sitting in your driveway). If the sealing edge of the vacuum pad doesn’t make a complete connection with the mounting surface, air will leak in through any gaps and will release the vacuum.

Every SeaSucker vacuum mount comes with a protective cover. Put the cover back on the vacuum pad when you’re not using it. Make sure to press the edge of the vacuum pad all the way into the cover; if it’s not fully seated in the cover, the edge of the cup could deform and make it difficult to attach your SeaSucker the next time you use it. If that does happen, let your SeaSucker sit on a flat surface like a countertop for a few hours until the deformation works itself out. Even though we put a UV inhibitor in the rubber and plastic we use, it’s a good idea to store your SeaSucker inside or in the shade because eventually the sun kills everything.

Our basic warranty used to be just one year, but these things are so reliable we've extended it to a limited lifetime warranty. It covers the original purchaser against defects in materials and workmanship but not normal wear and tear. This is our warranty: SeaSucker offers a lifetime, non-transferable warranty to the original purchaser covering defects in materials and workmanship. Defective products can be returned to SeaSucker for replacement or repair (at SeaSucker’s option). Warranty claims must be accompanied by a sales receipt or other proof of purchase document. The cost of transportation to and from SeaSucker for the repair or replacement of any defective part or accessory is not covered by this warranty and is to be paid by the owner.

This warranty does not apply to damage or failure resulting from routine wear and tear expected in the normal use of this product, or to lack of maintenance, user error, alteration or modification of the product, accidents, misuse, abuse, or neglect.

This warranty is given in lieu of all other written or oral warranties, express or implied, including without limitation implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, and are limited to the duration and specifications of this warranty.

Purchaser’s exclusive remedy under this warranty is the repair or replacement of a defective product or, at SeaSucker’s option, the issuance of a refund or credit for the purchase price of the product. SeaSucker’s liability for any damages relating to any allegedly defective product, whether arising from the use or the inability to use the product and whether claimed under tort, contract or any other legal theory, shall be limited to the actual price paid for such product and shall in no event include loss of use, loss of time, incidental, consequential, special, or indirect damages of any kind, even if SeaSucker is aware of the possibility of such damages, to the full extent as such may be disclaimed by law.

It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that the use of this product is not prohibited by any applicable local or state law.

Clean off any surface dirt from the mounting surface before attaching your SeaSucker. While you’re at it, make sure the sealing edge of the vacuum pad is clean too. You don’t have to clean the mounting surface with alcohol wipes, as one overly-enthusiastic customer told us they do, but a quick wipe with a wet paper towel or napkin wouldn’t hurt. Let us make it easy for you: get one of our Cleaning Kits.

No, the HDPE and the raw materials we use to manufacture our vacuum mounts all have a high-performance UV inhibitor built in. Your SeaSucker products should look good for years.

The orange indicator band is a visual representation a of how much vacuum power your cup has. Once you start to see the orange indicator band, that means it’s time to pump your product back up!

SeaSucker products are proudly made in the USA. We go from raw materials to finished products all from our factory in Bradenton, Florida.