Roofrack: how's the wind noise and fuel economy

[fyton2v]

? for you guys with roofracks.

I'm thinking about getting the Outback rack from Slee (or something like the AO) with a half rail. I badly need extra cargo room. However, this is wife's DD and I'm concerned this mod may cause unrelenting negative feedback about noise.

How bad is the wind noise compared to ski racks? Also, how does the extra wind resistance affect your fuel economy?

Gracias.

 

[rockclmbr]

I have the full AO rack and love it. There is a little bit of noise with the top rail when it is unloaded. Loaded it is very quiet. This is all with the sunroof lid closed.

 

[Jim_Chow]

At city speeds (35mph), I'd guess the fuel economy difference is unoticeable (< 1 mpg). At highway speeds (70-75mph), I'd guess 2-3 mpg. Those safari style racks or anything on the roof are terrible when it comes to fuel economy. There was one guy on the 80 series forum who lives in AK and has a bunch of jerry cans lining his rooftop since the distance between gas stops is 1000 mi. IIRC, his fuel economy w/ the jerry cans was down to 6 mpg. OTOH, one of those platforms that hold things like coolers and fits into the tow socket would probably have neglible effect, as the load is in the wind shadow of the vehicle. Your main hit is the extra weight hanging off the end of the vehicle.

 

[rockclmbr]

Ouch! Doesn't that negate the purpose of extra fuel?

I had a friend who drove across the US and calculated that he would save enough fuel by moving the bikes from the top of the Cruiser to the back. This justified a hitch bike holder.

I notice approx .5mpg loss with the roofrack. Not bad IMO.

 

[SINCITY100]

Wind noise is fairly minimal if a few minor steps are taken after installation... and yes, wind noise is more noticeable if the top rail is installed over the front sunroof area .

I noticed virtually no difference in fuel mileage (unless its loaded of course )

The trade off is WELL worth it...

Did I mention the trade off is well worth it ?

 

[e9999]

well, I have a full safari rack on the 80. When going at 70 on the freeway it'll make a racket with the sunroof open. With the sunroof closed I can't hear it much if at alll. I'm sure it'll be even better on the 100.
As far as mpg, doesn't seem to make a major difference (maybe 1 mpg or so) even when fully loaded with big cans, bags etc sticking up. (I typically would drive more like 55 or 60 with full loads)

so about these 2 aspects, if you need the storage room, no reason to hesitate IMHO.


(check the height on your garages though)

 

[fyton2v]

(check the height on your garages though)

Hmmmm. Good point. Currently, with no suspension mods running 285s my truck squeaks into the garage with skis on top of the OEM rack. It's probably an additional 3" above OEM.

Is it safe to assume a safari rack will be under the height of the OEM rack + 3" of ski rack?

Thanks for the info.

 

[1loudLX]

Wind noise is fairly minimal if a few minor steps are taken after installation...

do those steps include taking the stickers off?

 

[Jim_Chow]

You could keep the antenna down or just up an inch if listening to the radio. No reason to fully extend it unless you just like noise. Also, you can get the plastic windshield wiper attachment that reduces the turbulence/noise on the driver's side wiper. I'm sure these are negligible compared to the wind resistance off the hoop from the ARB bar. Keeping bikes off the roof would make a huge difference, not to mention you won't drive into the garage while forgetting the bikes are up there.

For the guy who had to drive 1000 miles between fuel stations, he either needs a diesel w/ 40 gal subtank (20mpg*65 gal=1300 mi...no problem) or he needs to tow a trailer w/ a huge gas tank on it. I'm guessing the latter would still be a lot more fuel efficient than strapping all those jerry cans on the roof! If I had to drive that kind of distance, I'd do what toyota did to their Paris-Dakar 100...replace the doors w/ carbon panels, strip out the 2nd row seats and install a huge stainless fuel tank with fill neck through the rear quarter window (replaced by a carbon panel like Toyota did).

 

[dclee]

I've finally decided to leave the AO rack on full-time since it's such a pain to take off and put on. Took off the top rail, and the added noise is negligible, as long as you keep the sunroof and the sunroof blind both fully closed. Mileage has decreased just slightly at highway speeds (need more experimentation), seems to be negligible in the city.

 

[SINCITY100]

do those steps include taking the stickers off?

Duh... of course !





.

 

[macneill]

I'm with Sin. Wind noise is virtually undetectable.

Get the rack. You'll love it.

Fuel economy? What fuel economy?

 

[fyton2v]

Rack choices...

The AO rack from Slee will cost me almost $1400 delivered. Looks like I could get a Hannibal rack for less than that locally (after taxes). Also, SOR is pretty close to my house. They sell a safari rack of unknown origin for around $1000. Even cheaper... Here's a pic:

Anyone have an opinion on which route to go?

Here's the Hannibal: (tent not included )

 

[SINCITY100]

Sorry, but I would make the same decision ( AO rack ) everytime, especially after heavily loading it and using it for a variety of chores..


For me, the versatility is WAY beyond comparison to the other current offerings. There are so many different ways to configure it... virtually endless ways you can use the AO rack now and later on down the road ( not to mention the many bolt-on accessories that are available such as hi-lift/spade brackets, fuel can holders etc... )


You would not regret spending the extra $$ on that rack, I promise !!

 

[dclee]

Sorry, but I would make the same decision ( AO rack ) everytime, especially after heavily loading it and using it for a variety of chores..


For me, the versatility is WAY beyond comparison to the other current offerings. There are so many different ways to configure it... virtually endless ways you can use the AO rack now and later on down the road ( not to mention the many bolt-on accessories that are available such as hi-lift/spade brackets, fuel can holders etc... )


You would not regret spending the extra $$ on that rack, I promise !!

x2, especially the versatility part.