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... Vincentia.Jan.2014 003.JPGVincentia.Jan.2014 002.JPG

[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