Rhino Rack (Pioneer Platform with Backbone rails) and Wind Noise Solution(s) (1 Viewer)

[2021 LC200]

Well, in order to transport our recently purchased 18.5ft long Hobie Mirage Tandem Island Sailing Kayak and tow our travel trailer, I decided to buy a Rhino Roof Rack (84" x 49" Pioneer Platform on Rhino Back Bone Rails) with the plan to use two aluminum poles (to be placed at about 45 degr) and a small ATV type winch temporary mounted on the opposite side to pull it on the roof with little effort. Final setup to be completed, I am hopeful though considering options and some youtube vids on similar setups to pull heavier kayaks or bigger stuff on our roof.

Right... about $1450 later (purchase via etrailer, good outfit) and some effort (easy, just a bit of time) it is on there. Looks great. While I am not pursuing an overland build yet, it maybe the eventual start. For now stock with only minor changes:
- Rear Airsprings from Airbag Man. model CR5051HP's with lines to rear hatch for manual inflation. Great addition, love how it levels the vehicle as i tow by putting in 35 to 40 psi.
- Window shades side and rear windows, darker for second row and back
- Dynamat under the hood lining, in doors, rear fenders and about 50% of the floor (from rear to middle row). Made the rig even quieter including when the engine is working over 2000 rpm towing, nice!
- Redarc break controller. Build in on left of steering wheel in spare switch spot. Works great.

So, while the rack looks great there is more wind noise then I expected or considered. From 60mph up, whereas before up to 80 or 85 mph was very quiet. Itself surprising for such a big vehicle, something i really enjoyed though and allows for music and conversation or otherwise a comfortable experience. Used to give me a smile as part of the $87k "tank" like experience. To be clear, no whistling or high pitch noise, just as if you are driving 100mph or more.

Well, I guess so much for trying to find a solution for the sailing kayak... I love sailing though, so in balance I may just take the noise for what it is. Before I give up I am interested in solutions or mitigations to make it better. Seeking input from Rhino Rack owners who have found a solution. Otherwise suggestions very welcome as well.

What I have considered to date:

A) Wind Fairing
Rhino's wind fairing does not seem to have good reviews online (not helping with noise, even increase in mpg...), yet maybe the best improvement yet. Also pricey...
Maybe there are other wind fairings which create a better deflection of the wind including the frontal bar. Any ideas or experience, please share?

B) Further acoustic insulation
I also noticed with the moonroof cover opened the noise is much higher yet, making me think to try some kind of acoustic window film on the inside together with some self adhesive sound deadening material on the sunroof cover (part facing up, still need to check that would actually fit).

C) Dynamat or equivalent for the rest of the roof
Dread having to go through the effort of removing the roof liner, although i had the rear panel removed before so I guess I got some practice getting there. Just worried a bit to be able to get the liner back in as neat as from the factory with no noises or rattles...

D) Any other solutions short of removing the rack and go back factory

Appreciate you reading through all of this and more so ideas or suggestions to make this better.

Cheers and have a great weekend!

 

[DownTheRoad]

I have the full length Front Runner rack with the large wind fairing and there was not much of an increase in the wind noise from 70+mph. Now, without that large wind fairing, the wind noise was unbearable and I considered removing the rack from my 2010 LX. I didn't go with the Rhino system because of the lengthwise positioning of the rails with the cross bracing supports. From a fluids dynamics perspective (air is a fluid), I thought the cross-hatched bracing with tunnel like airflow along the roof top's entire length would create too much turbulent flow and thus noise. If you can get a large wind fairing that runs across the front width of the rack (side to side) and from top of roof to top of rack, then you might have success, but I think the tunneling effect will still be produce significant noise at 75+ mph.

 

[DownTheRoad]

 

[kcjaz]

Well, in order to transport our recently purchased 18.5ft long Hobie Mirage Tandem Island Sailing Kayak and tow our travel trailer, I decided to buy a Rhino Roof Rack (84" x 49" Pioneer Platform on Rhino Back Bone Rails) with the plan to use two aluminum poles (to be placed at about 45 degr) and a small ATV type winch temporary mounted on the opposite side to pull it on the roof with little effort. Final setup to be completed, I am hopeful though considering options and some youtube vids on similar setups to pull heavier kayaks or bigger stuff on your roof.

View attachment 3036934

Right... about $1450 later (purchase via etrailer, good outfit) and some effort (easy, just a bit of time) it is on there. Looks great. While I am not pursuing an overland build yet, it maybe the eventual start. For now stock with only minor changes:
- Rear Airsprings from Airbag Man. model CR5051HP's with lines to rear hatch for manual inflation. Great addition, love how it levels the vehicle as i tow by putting in 35 to 40 psi.
- Window shades side and rear windows, darker for second row and back
- Dynamat under the hood lining, in doors, rear fenders and about 50% of the floor (from rear to middle row). Made the rig even quieter including when the engine is working over 2000 rpm towing, nice!
- Redarc break controller. Build in on left of steering wheel in spare switch spot. Works great.

So, while the rack looks great there is more wind noise then I expected or considered. From 60mph up, whereas before up to 80 or 85 mph was very quiet. Itself surprising for such a big vehicle, something i really enjoyed though and allows for music and conversation or otherwise a comfortable experience. Used to give me a smile as part of the $87k "tank" like experience. To be clear, no whistling or high pitch noise, just as if you are driving 100mph or more.

Well, I guess so much for trying to find a solution for the sailing kayak... I love sailing though, so in balance I may just take the noise for what it is. Before I give up I am interested in solutions or mitigations to make it better. Seeking input from Rhino Rack owners who have found a solution. Otherwise suggestions very welcome as well.

What I have considered to date:

A) Wind Fairing
Rhino's wind fairing does not seem to have good reviews online (not helping with noise, even increase in mpg...), yet maybe the best improvement yet. Also pricey...
Maybe there are other wind fairings which create a better deflection of the wind including the frontal bar. Any ideas or experience, please share?


View attachment 3036950

B) Further acoustic insulation
I also noticed with the moonroof cover opened the noise is much higher yet, making me think to try some kind of acoustic window film on the inside together with some self adhesive sound deadening material on the sunroof cover (part facing up, still need to check that would actually fit).

C) Dynamat or equivalent for the rest of the roof
Dread having to go through the effort of removing the roof liner, although i had the rear panel removed before so I guess I got some practice getting there. Just worried a bit to be able to get the liner back in as neat as from the factory with no noises or rattles...

D) Any other solutions short of removing the rack and go back factory

Appreciate you reading through all of this and more so ideas or suggestions to make this better.

Cheers and have a great weekend!

You gotta pick of your rig with the hobie on top? I have wanted a Hobie mirage for a long time. They are awesome. I have been daydreaming about building an off-road camper trailer with a rack to accommodate a Hobie mirage. I never even thought about putting it on top of the Cruiser.

 

[2021 LC200]

You gotta pick of your rig with the hobie on top? I have wanted a Hobie mirage for a long time. They are awesome. I have been daydreaming about building an off-road camper trailer with a rack to accommodate a Hobie mirage. I never even thought about putting it on top of the Cruiser.

Got it on there the other day at the shop on the regular roof rack, be it with a rhino T loader in the hitch and two extra after market cross bars fitted in to the factory rails. Problem was, 4 guys where needed to lift it and push it on there... Offloading at home with 3 people barely worked without dropping the thing. Land Cruiser is just too tall and maybe going to the gym would help some... The on roof approach can work though, just need a low effort way to get on there. Driving by the way and the amount of noise was reasonable. No problem at 70mph.

The sideloading per the following links has made me go for the rhino roof rack and approach described above. Final setup (poles and winch) I still need to figure out. Will take some pictures once I figure it out. For now a way to reduce the wind noise is keeping me busy. Oh well...

This Rhino solution is not for sale in the US and would need to be purchased in Australia so it seems, not cheap either. I thought i may as well get the rack and have options top put an awning etc.

DIY Kayak Boat Canoe Loader No LIFTING!

A DIY kayak loader that uses a winch instead of your back to car top your boat! Easy one-person loading with simple PVC and winch solution for heavy boats or...

www.youtube.com

 

[2021 LC200]

Appreciate Down the Road's quick reply, basically a wind fairing worked for his front runner rack.

Any actual Rhino Rack owners out there who have gone through a similar experience and found a good solution?

 

[varun bhargava]

Appreciate Down the Road's quick reply, basically a wind fairing worked for his front runner rack.

Any actual Rhino Rack owners out there who have gone through a similar experience and found a good solution?

Following. Same issue here. Its like being in a plane.

 

[molanginaeda]

I use rhino rack pioneer rack + backbone. I installed the rhino rack wind fairing on mine. It does cut down wind noise. Not totally remediate the problem, but quiet down significantly between no wind fairing vs wind fairing.

I did try to remove the wind fairing and compare the wind noise with/without wind fairing. At the end. Having Wind fairing win as it cut down significant wind noise.

 

[2021 LC200]

I use rhino rack pioneer rack + backbone. I installed the rhino rack wind fairing on mine. It does cut down wind noise. Not totally remediate the problem, but quiet down significantly between no wind fairing vs wind fairing.

I did try to remove the wind fairing and compare the wind noise with/without wind fairing. At the end. Having Wind fairing win as it cut down significant wind noise.

Can you share some pics?

Interested to see the rhino rack solution and whether it sits on the moonroof glass or not. Thanks a lot!

 

[2021 LC200]

By the way, I have bought some aluminum strips (1/4" x 1" x 12") which I will need to bend, some black 1/4" thick ABS sheet and a set of stainless nut and bolts to make a wind fairing. Plan is to reach the top edge of the rack vs factory ending underneath. Hope that will further improve wind flow. Still need to make a cardboard template with correct roof curvature and spend time building it. Will keep you all posted once done.

 

[molanginaeda]

Can you share some pics?

Interested to see the rhino rack solution and whether it sits on the moonroof glass or not. Thanks a lot!

My LC Build thread

 

[Adarcy]

Just found this thread, have you found a solution to the noise? I too put an 84x56 Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform + Backbone system on earlier this year, but on a 2021 4Runner. It's functionally great, but the wind noise is unbearable.

For my 4runner I think the 84" length is building up too much turbulent air directly above my sunroof. I see there are far fewer complaints from people with the 76" or 60" length racks.

 

[TheGrrrrr]

Appreciate Down the Road's quick reply, basically a wind fairing worked for his front runner rack.

Any actual Rhino Rack owners out there who have gone through a similar experience and found a good solution?

Yeah. A light bar made all the difference for me as it acts enough like a fairing that it really cut down the wind noise. Of course when I put the rail on it added new noise. Now I'm used to it and didn't even notice additional noise from the awning, maxtrax side-mount or waterport tank on the roof.

 

[2021 LC200]

Just found this thread, have you found a solution to the noise? I too put an 84x56 Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform + Backbone system on earlier this year, but on a 2021 4Runner. It's functionally great, but the wind noise is unbearable.

For my 4runner I think the 84" length is building up too much turbulent air directly above my sunroof. I see there are far fewer complaints from people with the 76" or 60" length racks.

So I have not build the wind fairing yet but have the materials (ABS sheet, aluminum strips, stainless bolts). Just need to find the courage to work in the Houston sauna at the moment and get it done...

As to your experience on the 4runner, the noise of the Rhino rack on the Land Cruiser is also quite profound at the sunroof area which I clearly notice when I open the sunroof cover. So beside the wind fairing I have bought some security transparent window foil (to dampen the noise) and some self adhesive noise reduction material to put on the moonroof glass and cover (topside) respectively.

Will keep you posted as to the improvement from each.

Only other thing I can think of is to build a second fairing about halfway to break any wind entering the rack and "hitting" the cross bars or go through the effort of dropping the roof liner and apply some more dynamat or equivalent.

All in all I do not mind the effort as I know I will be enjoying this vehicle for 20 years+, the great thing about Japanese build Toyota's and certainly the Land Cruiser.

 

[Tex68w]

I ran the Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform on the Backbone rails on our GX460, loved the rack but nothing really mitigated the added wind noise. Like yourself I added sound proofing in the usual places which helped some and better yet insulated the vehicle further for car camping but it didn't change the wind noise at speed. I have heard of others having success with a rack mounted light bar but I didn't go down that road because I am not a fan of roof mounted lights. I think the Rhino Rack/Backbone combo is the best looking roof rack out there for these vehicles. BTW, I am just south of you in Bay City, feel free to give me a shout should you ever need a hand installing mods/accessories. We kayak a lot as well but mostly rivers and flash flooding creeks lol.

 

[gurrenteed]

I have a 2015 tundra CM with the pioneer/backbone. Love the rack but can’t stand the noise. It’s unbearable at 75.

Pretty much everything the OP said is dead on.
I just invested a few hundred in sound deadening materials for the entire truck but haven’t tackled it yet. I bought enough off brand dynamat and some closed cell foam insulation to put a layer of each on every interior surface. The sunroof cover was going to be my first experiment. Removing the headliner worries me, but I’ll get brave and do it. After all, I was brave enough to drill holes in the roof of the truck for the backbone… I should at least assess the damage at some point.

I also have some 1/4 tinted plastic (I think it’s ABS?) that I’ve had laying around and I’m considering building a fairing for the front. Coming up with a good looking fairing design (hopefully not so homemade looking) that works well is a must. I was really hoping to copy someone else’s design but I might just have to wing it and try some things.

I’ll be following this thread. I’m happy to know I’m not the only one losing my mind over this.

 

[montegofd3s]

You may want to try and wrap the cross bars in 550 cord. This changes the way the air flows over the bars and collapses on the rear. It helps and an easy thing to experiment with. You can sort of see what I'm talking about in the pic of my 100 series below.

 

[2021 LC200]

Update:
Installed a self made wind fairing cut out of 1/4” black ABS and supported by 6 self made aluminum strips/clips attached to the front rail (under side) with rhino rack washer/bolts.

Seems due to the full width and full coverage bottom to top of the pioneer platform, wind noise and noise through the sunroof is about 80 to 90% down. Very happy with the result and looks. Even moved and riveted the rhino logo at the front to the fairing to enhance the looks…

Worth mentioning that my fairing bottom edge is 6 inches or so away from the sunroof whereas the rhino fairing fitted to a LC200 (see picture in this thread above) would pretty much sit on the glass. One of the drivers to go the self build route.

 

[2021 LC200]

Those black clips are bended from aluminum strips and painted, as well as the spacers.

Also bought a rubber strip to go on the edge of the fairing to protect the roof paint.

For the rest some stainless nuts/washer/bolts, a vice to bend the aluminum (after heating it with a torch for 30sec) and some patience to measure it all out. In the end I managed to make the strips and items all dimensional close to identical and the fit/alignment is good (or good enough I would say).

 

[bicycleagent003]

Nice work. I might try that with my Ironman rack. The wind noise is kind of killing me.