In 2021, business partners Charles McNall and James Linton brought us the Chuck Bucket ski-carry system. This year, they added crossbars to the hitch as a way to carry bikes instead of skis, and rebranded as .

I received an early production sample of the Chuck Bucket last year, and it was an immediate hit with my family for our many trips up to the local ski hill. This summer, I tested the bike rack conversion kit, and it’s just as solid. Here are my takeaways on using the whole system from season to season, sport to sport.

Phase One: The Chuck Bucket

Specifications

Base Post

• Made for 2″ receiver (1-1/4″ adapter available)
• Includes anti-wobble hitch wedge
• 36-degree tilt back (90-degree optional)
• Weighs 22 pounds
• $150, sold separately

Bucket

• Carries up to 8 pairs of skis, 4 snowboards, golf clubs, 2x4s, etc.
• Rubber pad in the bottom of the bucket to protect tails/edges of skis
• Weight limit of 150 pounds

Review

You may have seen something like the Chuck Bucket on the back of commercial ski shuttle vans driving around resorts. Those vehicles need to be efficient with their use of space when transporting clients with luggage and ski bags between the airport and the ski area. A simple bucket on the back of the van means shuttle drivers don’t have to hoist skis up to a box or rack on the top of the van, nor do they need to awkwardly slide the skis under the van’s benches and sacrifice the comfort of the passengers.

McNall and Linton realized these elements of convenience could be just as useful for everyday skiers and boarders heading to the mountains, and they were right. The Chuck Bucket not only made it easier for me to load and unload skis compared to using a roof box or rack, but—when it was tipped back—also allowed my 4-year-old son to also retrieve and stow his own skis from the bucket.

The tipping mechanism is a handy device that lets youĚýaccess an SUV tailgate, hatchback, or the trunk of a car. For pickup trucks and vehicles with swing-out tailgates, the “Full-Tilt Upgrade Plates” kit allows the rack to tip all the way back to lay flat, removing any impediment to access.

The Chuck Bucket mayĚýbe particularly useful for owners of private vans, conversion vans, campers, and RVs. On these rigs, creating roof access to skis and boards can be tricky and expensive, even with ladders bolted on.

Watch: Converting the Chuck Bucket to the Chuck Rack

There are some downsides to the Chuck Bucket, but they can be easily managed. First, there’s no integrated lock system to prevent the theft of skis or boards left in the bucket. The solution is a third-party MasterLock Python Cable Lock, to lock the skis to the rack, although it still isn’t as secure as a locked roof box or clamp-down roof rack. The rack itself can be locked to the vehicle with a locking hitch pin (not included).

Another downside is that skis and snowboards are exposed to the elements and road grime in the Chuck Bucket (something you don’t have to worry about with a roof box). This is true for any clamp-style ski/board rack. But with mostĚýother roof-top racks, you cannot store your skis or boards in a ski bag. The Chuck Bucket, however, easily accommodates skis and boards in bags or even in a hard-sided case to protect them against the elements.

Final ding: The Chuck Bucket does not collapse flat for convenient off-season storage, so you’ll need to find some space in your garage to house it when it’s not in use. Because it’s weather-tolerant, however, you could also store it outside if space inside is limited.

Phase Two: The Chuck Rack

Specifications

• Rack components weigh 24 lbs
• Holds 4 bikes
• 80 lbs limit on the two center hooks
• 60 lbs limit on the two outer hooks
• 40 lbs limit on extension hooks
• 275 lbs max load capacity
• $449 (base post not included)

Review

Once the snow melted, McNall and Linton reached for their bikes and figured out how to convert the Chuck Bucket to a bike rack.

They removed the bucket and upper cage, slid an extension bar over the base post, and added horizontal bars with handlebar and wheel connection points. The conversion kit was released in January and they submitted the new modification for review.

It required a little bit of wrench work to build out the extension and add the upper and lower cross bars, but soon the 24-pound rack was ready to hold four bikes.

The handlebar hooks are conveniently set at an angle and rubberized to protect the handlebars. Neoprene protective sleeves can be added for more protection (available from Chuck Rack). As bikes are heavier than skis, I found it a little more involved to get the bikes up on the rack than to get the skis in the bucket. And since the bikes hang on their handlebars, it required some practice to get comfortable with lifting the bike by the frame and the forks that twist. A stretchy rubber strap loops over the handlebar and hooks back on the rack to keep the bike from bouncing off. This is standard for this style of bike rack across a number of brands, and while it’s not the prettiest solution, it gets the job done.ĚýThe rear wheel crossbar simply uses a Voile strap to secure the wheels.

At 38 inches between the upper handlebar rack and rear wheel rest, the rack easily accommodated my 26.5-inch wheel bike as well as my son’s kid’s bike with 20-inch wheels. The two center hooks can take up to 80 pounds each, the outer two hooks can take up to 60 pounds each, and the rack extensions, which increase the capacity from four to six bikes, can take up to 40 pounds each. But all the hooks cannot be maxed out (360 pounds) as the total capacity of the rack is 275 pounds.

Like the bucket, the bike rack does not have an integrated lock system, but the same MasterLock Python Cable Lock will work in this configuration as well. For storage, once the bike rack components are taken off of the Base Post, I just had to remove a cotter pin from the upper handlebar crossbar to pivot it inline with the main stem sleeve then put the lower rear wheel crossbar next to it. The whole thing takes up less room than a pair of fat powder skis.

Transition: Chuck Bucket to Chuck Rack

Switching out the bucket that holds ski, snowboard, golf equipment, etc. for the bike rack bars is incredibly simple. Because the base post remains in the vehicle hitch, the individual components are easy to detach and light enough to lift with ease. Thanks to a clever series of cotter pins, it took me less than two minutes to remove the bucket and the upper retainer cage, then slide on the upper handlebar crossbar and the rear wheel crossbar.

The Chuck Rack vs. Other Convertible Gear Racks

What else is out there like this? Not much. Sure, there are plenty of modular rack systems like the ($589 base price) which has ski ($349) and bike ($499) attachments, but no bucket for skis or snowboards. The closest thing to the Chuck Rack is the $1,800 , but that does not include a bike-carry option.

Pros and Cons of the Chuck Rack Ski/Bike-Carry System

Pros

• Lightweight
• Easy ski or board load & unload (even for kids)
• Easy transition from bucket to bars: base post stays hitched to the vehicle
• Bike rack bars fold down to stay out of the way

Cons

• Skis/boards are exposed to elements
• No integrated lock
• Bucket does not collapse for convenient storage

From the first iteration of this product, which was simply a five-gallon bucket strapped to a hitch-mounted bike rack, to the current version, McNall and Linton have landed on a winner. For my family, the pros of the Chuck Rack ski/bike carry-system outweigh the cons.

The design is simple but effective, and the system is useful year-round. While I’m not looking to replace my Chuck Rack anytime soon, I am excited to see what else the masterminds behind this system come up with. McNall and Linton are actively working on configuring new attachments to accommodate more kinds of gear, and they are keenly aware of making everything compatible in reverse, so current users will always be able to take advantage of the upgrades in design and components.

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Since 2008, the number of people hiking and backpacking in the United States . It’s easy to see why: The sport appeals to everyone from casual outdoorspeople and aspiring adventurers to endurance athletes and longtime dirtbags. You can crush big distances in a short period of time, prioritize the campsite hang, or find a happy medium somewhere in between.

No matter your objective, some prep will help to guarantee you get the most from your trip. And it’s much easier than most people think. We asked , a professional adventure athlete known for setting new thru-hiking routes and author of , for his advice on all you need to do before getting to the trailhead.

Get Fit

Not sure if you’re fit enough to haul your life on your back through the wilderness? Odds are if you’re interested in backpacking, then you’re already hiking, so you should be able to handle an easy-to-moderate backpacking trip. For a summer weekend, expect to carry a pack weighing about one-third of your body weight. To train, grab a bag (ideally the one you’ll be backpacking with) and take it on a day hike. Gradually begin to fill it with heavier objects for longer distances until you reach your expected weight and a length that is close to what you’ll be covering. If you’re starting from scratch, add some extra cardio to your week—short jogs or power walks will get you accustomed to being on your feet for longer. Peppering in some upper-body strength workouts will prep your shoulders to bear all that weight.

Ease Into It

One way to get a feel for backpacking without having to fully commit—and without having to carry everything—is to do a yurt or hut trip. During summer, these locations can be relatively easy to access. Oftentimes, you won’t even need to carry a stove or pots since those are typically provided on-site. To hone your camping skills, like setting up a tent and cooking on a backpacking stove, just go car camping with your backpacking gear. You can stash a few backup items, like a thicker sleeping pad or a two-burner stove in your car and use them only if you find your backpacking gear just isn’t working the way you want it to. Then, learn from the process: Reassess and refine your kit until you feel ready to hit the trail and get a little farther from your backup kit in the car.

Gear Up

Getting all of the gear needed for a backpacking trip can be a daunting process. It can be expensive, and it’s tricky to determine what’s going to be right for your style of backpacking without ever having done it. If you’re up for buying new gear, this nine-piece beginner’s kit is a great place to start.

Another option is used gear. If you live in a community where people are getting out regularly, there is probably some sort of used gear shop or exchange. At the bare minimum, the gear you need is all contained within the now-famous list of the Ten Essentials, originally created by the the Seattle Mountaineers in the 1930s and recently updated by the Mountaineers in their book .

1. Navigation (map and compass, GPS)
2. Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, etc.)
3. Insulation (clothing, including rain layers)
4. Illumination (headlamp or flashlight)
5. First-aid supplies
6. Fire (stove, fuel, waterproof matches or lighter, candles)
7. Repair kit and tools (knife, duct tape, needle and thread, etc.)
8. Nutrition (food and related gear, like a bowl, spork, etc.)
9. Hydration (water, water bottle, filter, pump)
10. Shelter (tent, tarp, bug net)

Plan, Plan, Plan

We’re used to constant access to information and communication—which means we often don’t have to plan ahead. But in the wilderness, it’s more likely than not that you’ll end up in a place where it’s impossible to load a map. Used to be you had to go to a store and buy a paper map (or two, since rarely did a hike just stick to one map) and plot your route. It’s easier now that you can just download your maps, but you still have to do so before going beyond the reach of a cell tower. Spend some time before you leave mapping out your journey and planning ahead to prepare for those times when you’re totally off the grid.

Aside from navigation, meal planning is key. It helps ensure that you’re not carrying too much or too little food or fuel, and it prevents dangerous situations where you’re without sustenance for too long. Similarly, you’ll want to note the available water sources along your route and do a quick internet search to see if there’s been any chatter about recent conditions being particularly low or dry. Backpacking trips require lots of water for cooking, cleaning, and drinking, so you’ll want comprehensive knowledge of where you can refill.

Stay in Touch

After finishing all the route planning and building an itinerary, leave that information with someone you trust. Then, check in when you get back. This person should know that if they don’t hear from you by a certain time, they need to take action to see if you got into any sort of trouble. Be sure they know what trailhead(s) you’re starting and finishing at, your intended route and campsites, and the make, model, and license plate of your vehicle. This is the information local officials will want to know if they need to look for you. For those who have friends and family expressing deeper concerns, consider taking a satellite messenger unit with you, like one from or . These units are not bound by cell towers and can send a message of “OK” or “I need help” out to someone. Coverage does vary, so research that before you buy or rent.

Want to learn more about backpacking for beginners? Check out our online course on , where şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř+ members get full access to our library of more than 50 courses on adventure, sports, health, and nutrition.

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