I tested a couple of different ways to mount my Yakima cross bars on the hundy, to reduce noise. At first, I had the factory bars behind the Yakima bars, and the wind howl was extreme above 40 mph, like a wind tunnel. I moved the Yakima bars behind the factory bars (see pic), and the wind noise was almost eliminated, noise levels returned to near stock levels, even at 75 mph. I will also test removing the factory bars altogether at some point and report back again, but I suspect that will be noisier than the current configuration - I think the factory bars split the air flow in front of the Yakimas.
Also, I thought that I would get a big fuel economy hit due to the cross bars and surf board, so I checked this on my trip to San Diego last week. I topped my 285 BFGs to 38 psi, and drove the speed limit all the way to SD, typically around 65 mph (gage; around 68 actual). To my surprise, I was able to pull off 16.6 mpg, including a tire size correction of 5%.
One last note, I used the Yakima Ripcords (new product, pictured) and they work really well. Steel reinforced, I would guess that one could take my boards if they had bolt cutters, but otherwise very secure. This is a very versatile product, not cheap, but I think you do get what you pay for on this one.
Also, I thought that I would get a big fuel economy hit due to the cross bars and surf board, so I checked this on my trip to San Diego last week. I topped my 285 BFGs to 38 psi, and drove the speed limit all the way to SD, typically around 65 mph (gage; around 68 actual). To my surprise, I was able to pull off 16.6 mpg, including a tire size correction of 5%.
One last note, I used the Yakima Ripcords (new product, pictured) and they work really well. Steel reinforced, I would guess that one could take my boards if they had bolt cutters, but otherwise very secure. This is a very versatile product, not cheap, but I think you do get what you pay for on this one.