Roof Racks

[Passport1]

Rack crossbars are a very common accessory especially on SUVs. I have them on two of mine. They are infrequently used for a top carrier or ladder. The issue is they all create wind noise. One of my racks is the airfoil style and it makes a modest amount of noise at highway speeds. The other is a round type and it makes much more noise. This is especially noiceable with the sunroof open. They are removable but that's inconvenient. I'm considering wind deflectors.

How much noise do they mitigate?

 

[D60]

There's a million variables but it really helped on an old Audi I owned long ago. Can't be more specific than that.

 

[Carmudgeon]

I'm cheap, and have resisted paying the exorbitant sums for a piece of plexiglass and some miscellaneous hardware.

What I do is spiral wrap a rope, or cord, around the front bar to reduce noise (vortex shedding).

Might not do any favors to reduce drag, but does mitigate some noise, and dirt cheap.

 

[gman2304]

I took my cross bars off and it only helped minimally to reduce wind noise.

 

[daves87rs]

Noise is not too bad here….

 

[GR_CoB]

The same exact roof basket made unbearable amount of whistling noise on a 2009 Honda Pilot, but makes only about 20-30% of that noise on a 2008 Infiniti EX35, and no whistling. So in my case the vehicle aerodynamics played a huge role.

 

[Speedbird001]

My only experience was with a VW Gulf. The factory rack was not cheap ($400+ IIRC). But after a few goes it only took a few minutes to R&R. It was pretty slick and fit well with minimal noise. I guess that was the benefit of a factory designed vs one size fits most.

TBH I left off 95% for the sake of MPGs

 

[Egg_Head]

Spend more money for a band aid fix that is not really going to make much difference? I'd take the cross bars off, as you said you don't use them that often.

 

[andrew_j]

A lot to none, vehicle specific . Good luck

 

[meep]

You may try shifting the front crossbar forward or backward a little, and also make sure if it has a directional front (some do) that it is followed. In my limited experience the windbreak does make a difference.