Abstract: An improved article carrying system for a vehicle having a pair of generally flat rails directly mounted to the vehicle surface, each rail being characterized by an upstanding wall with a sidewardly facing track formed therein and a ridge spaced from and parallel to the wall. A slider for mounting article support and securing members has a pedestal which rests on the flat surface of the rail and is captured in the track between the wall and the ridge. A grip bar having a plurality of spaced-apart locking tabs is swingably mounted to the slider whereby when the grip bar overlies the rail, the locking tabs on the grip bar lockingly engage the protrusions on the rail, and when the grip bar is swung cross-wise to the rail, the locking tabs clear the protrusions to allow the slider to be moved along the rail.

Abstract: A vehicle ski carrier system carries a plurality of skis oriented in a position inclined from the vertical. The ski carrier system includes hinged lower and upper arms, and ski carrier inserts attached to each arm. The ski carrier inserts have opposed, alternating flat holding members and curvilinear compression members. When the arms are opened, a pair of skis can be placed against a holding member on the lower arm, and when the arms are closed, an opposing holding member on the upper arm closes on the opposite side of the skis and the opposed holding members are then urged tightly together by the compression members. The ski carrier inserts are of a modular construction.