Roof racks

[Parksy]

Hi all

Just wondering who out there runs with a roof rack 100% of the time? I find at highway speeds that it's a little noisy and was wondering what people have done to make it quieter, if that's actually possible?
Do roof racks cause the roof rails to rust? Or is this more a lack of maintenance/cleaning thing? Does anyone find it's harder to clean the roof with a roof rack installed or are there ways around this?

Thanks for reading all!

Andy

[HuskyInAuz]

We have a Rhino Pioneer rack that is part of the Patrol 24x7. To us we hear nothing whilst running down the road from above mostly road noise (and I put Dynamat like covering everywhere. Mate say's it's the tyres... 4153641535

[BigRAWesty]

Depends on a lot of things mate.
Height of rack, how far forward it sits.

Most people say a rack adds 1L/100k to figures.

I'm about to have mine full time to when I get it done. It has a nice deflector On it.. They do help also.

[Parksy]

Thanks guys. With regards to how forward it sits, is further back better? Btw huskyinaus, I've probably driven past you without realising.

[krbrooking]

I have mine on all the time and get no noise at all but have been in cars/ vans that do make a fair bit of noise in some. I think it depends on the strength of the steel used and if it has a mesh on it also depends on if there are any holes in it that can create a wind tunnel effect through the tubing. Regarding the rust I think that if it is metal to metal contact it could cause rust and yes it is a lot harder to wash the roof with it on depending on how high it is off the roof. I have mine placed so it sort of follows the wind travelling over the car (just behind the same angle as the windscreen).

[BigRAWesty]

Thanks guys. With regards to how forward it sits, is further back better? Btw huskyinaus, I've probably driven past you without realising.

Not always. Try a few spots over a little while.
Atm I have the in-laws Arb rack on with no deflector and it sits back a bit, but probably 2-300mm in from the back also..

So Its just a matter of finding that sweet spot..

[meh]

I have a full length alloy 24x7. It makes a bit of a whistle on the highway but i dont notice it with music on.
Id say it used a tiny bit more fuel then without. The only problems I have is not being able to get under hotels and carparks

[meh]

Oh and as for rust. Mine came with rubbers that go over the feet so theres no issues with rust

[HuskyInAuz]

Thanks guys. With regards to how forward it sits, is further back better? Btw huskyinaus, I've probably driven past you without realising.

My 'trol or my house :) ? I don't get out much... lol

[gaddy]

I take mine off when not needed , as dust settles around the rubber on the mounts and gets wet it will hold that moisture , and no matter how good you are with a chamois , that moisture is going to stay there , rust is going to happen eventually I have a tjm full rack .10 min to put on and same to remove

[MudRunnerTD]

I have a full length alloy 24x7. It makes a bit of a whistle on the highway but i dont notice it with music on.
Id say it used a tiny bit more fuel then without. The only problems I have is not being able to get under hotels and carparks

X2. Permanently fitted full length alloy rack. Rear awning and side awning fitted and a mesh floor. No wind deflector.

I hear zero noise. The only down side for me is access to under ground and under cover parking is a Biatch!!!!

[93patrol]

I have 4 rhino racks and a basket made by XLR8 don't hear any noise but that might be because the steroid is up too loud

[Clunk]

Also have rhino hd bars (but only 3)permanently fitted, with awning on the clunker . Only fit the alloy cage when required, which is hardly ever. There Probably is wind noise but don't notice it due to all the other noises lol......... Was gonna fit the to the other GQ but might get some rhino hd aero bars for that. As for fuel consumption, when you have a TB42 you don't tend to worry about that too much :D

[megatexture]

Mines on all the time full length steel(wish I got alloy) and I have a diy wind deflector on it but have it mounted a bit further back so the light bars don't light up the windscreen when in use and it makes no noise at all

[epac252]

I have a roof rack 100% and there is no additional noise that I notice.

[threedogs]

I mounted my roof rack on three Rhino aero bars no noise and no difference to fuel figures,
If you don't have mesh on the floor the cross bars will vibrate,
you could also fabricate a wind deflector on the front to cut through the air a bit better.
My other 4x4 with a permanent roof rack travelled 30-40ks less per tank full.

[Parksy]

My 'trol or my house :) ? I don't get out much... lol

Probably the troll. I've seen patrols with the same rack as yours around town. I'm just up the road from you.

Thanks all for posting, thinking of making my roof rack a permanent fixture once it's all painted.