TheSamba.com :: View topic - Do roof top carriers make a lot of wind noise?

Sun Apr 18, 2010 9:23 am

I'd like to install a Thule roof system on my westy, I see plenty of w/roof racks (towers & bars w/storage box). I'd hate to find out later that it that it makes too much noise.
Who's heard what? Who knows what? Look forward to upcoming responses. Thank you.

Jeff

Sun Apr 18, 2010 9:33 am

No new noises for me Jeff. Or at least none that rose above the background noise :lol:

So much extra utility with a roof rack system...very worth doing.

Sun Apr 18, 2010 9:38 am

They're only noisy if you forget to remove them before parking in the garage!

Sun Apr 18, 2010 9:39 am

I didn't think a van could go fast enough to generate wind noise :lol: I have a Thule moab rack and don't notie any more noise than is already there.

Sun Apr 18, 2010 10:52 am

I have a Thule cargo box but I've never not had it, so I don't know how it would sound without it. The best thing you can do to eliminate wind noise is to replace all your window seals and glass wipers on the two front doors. You'll noyice a big difference there.

Sun Apr 18, 2010 11:03 am

standard vans dont go that fast, the Thule is quite aerodynamic and if you can hear it at highway speeds can I suggest you stop as your engine has
1 fallen out
2 cut out
3run out of fuel or otherwise died
ROFL!!! :wink: :lol:

Sun Apr 18, 2010 11:06 am

I really couldn't think it would be greater noise than what is already generated by the luggage rack. My personal experience with the luggage carriers come from the Yakima Rocket Box on the top of my Jeep Cherokee I used to have. It really didn't increase the noise, but it did noticeably slow the car down when you went into the wind. The old V6 powered Jeeps where somewhat underpowered (like the Vanagon) and geared low to begin with, but the added form drag was a huge impact on the speed.

I really have a problem in making the van any higher than it is already. If you are observant and stick to maintained roads, it shouldn't be a problem. I like to cruise the Forest service roads, some of which are maintained on a very casual basis. There are times, even with nothing on top, I have to detour with the Syncro from low branches. That coupled with the time I watched a group clean the bikes off the top of their 4x4 at Moab. It was the best free sitting for Jackass we ever saw.

Sun Apr 18, 2010 11:54 am

I have a Thule rack on mine and with the Subaru engine regularly cruise at 75 with blasts to 85 for passing. No new wind noises. The wind noise is so great at 75 that I can't imagine anything could add much to it. :lol: :roll:

BTW, The GoWesty cargo bag in the front cargo area DOES reduce wind noise as a byproduct of cleaning up the airflow from that turbulence generator of an area. :D

Sun Apr 18, 2010 5:26 pm

no noise on mine. but I have an air dam on mine.
My sister-in-law has a rack on an SUV without it and the noise it makes is enough to drive me crazy.

Sun Apr 18, 2010 6:15 pm

hero419 wrote: no noise on mine. but I have an air dam on mine.

Just curious, does it make any noise if you take off the air dam?

Sun Apr 18, 2010 6:29 pm

I have the big, newer Yakima box. I noticed zero increase in noise or drag when I got it. The van is so loud and slow without it, you not notice it.

Actually, I don't notice it when it's mounted on the canopy of my late model pickup either.
Overall great addition, especially if you have a family and need to keep the interior clear of gear. Get some poptop shocks too.

Sun Apr 18, 2010 6:53 pm

snoop wrote: No new noises for me Jeff. Or at least none that rose above the background noise :lol:
:lol: how could you even discern between roof rack noise and all the other sounds?

Sun Apr 18, 2010 7:06 pm

dobryan wrote: hero419 wrote: no noise on mine. but I have an air dam on mine.

Just curious, does it make any noise if you take off the air dam?

Never tried

Sun Apr 18, 2010 7:07 pm

K58 wrote: snoop wrote: No new noises for me Jeff. Or at least none that rose above the background noise :lol:
:lol: how could you even discern between roof rack noise and all the other sounds?

Makes me wonder if I wasted 100 bucks.

It does look cool though.

Mon Apr 19, 2010 6:17 am

Thanks for all the feedback! If you've converted your engine ypu can get enough speed for extra noise. We have one on the wife's Highlander and the sound drives me nuts and thats w/the air dam. Looks like it's going on. I don't cruise the less maintained forest roads and have already lifted van a few inches w/16" rims, big tires and lift springs. Thanks agin.

Jeff

Mon Apr 19, 2010 1:23 pm

If by noise you mean gas mileage decrease, then yes. But not much considering this huge contraption I have. There is so much turbulence caused by the front end of the van at speed, I think you can pile a ton of stuff without hugely effecting the "aerodynamics" of the thing. I think I lose 1 mpg at best. I have never noticed any noise, but there is so much front end noise, who could tell? I am doing some sound dampening imminently so I will know for sure soon. The wind deflector I have is likely useless by the way...most of them are because of the placement of the racks. If they compliment the front of the car then all is well, otherwise its just another wall.

I should add that I made mine a quick remove, just in case the aerodynamics got the best of me. This pops off in about 20 seconds, although it takes two people to remove it. Just lift the locks and lift the entire unit up and away.

This entire unit weighs 115 lbs. Pfffft

Mon Apr 19, 2010 5:14 pm

Hey Johnie thanks for the pics, nice set up, and the van is sweet also. I have been doing some sound dampening and deadening. I recently did a conversion and have been dealing w/a lot of loud droning noise from engine/transmission between 3K & 4200 rpm. I have a 2WD automatic that almost was replaced w/manual. No $$. The conversion is being taken care of by manufacturer (will not mention names, I have no issues w/them or their product), but I have become very touchy about creating more noise, so a howling rack system would really irritating and disapointing. It makes a lot of noise on the wifes car w/the little deflector, otherwise the bars howl at higher speeds. I'm trying to quiet things down. W/avanagon much less a westy, areodynamics is equal to that of a house. Could you send me any info on that roof top tower and bar set up. Looks very clean and as you mention, easy to remove/put on. Thanks again.

Jeff

Mon Apr 19, 2010 7:57 pm

dont have a rack on my westy but I noticed that with the wipers working

when the Pass side was vertical the noise went down a LOT!!

cant figure why that one causes more turbulence it comes from the Pas side and it's loud and that's my bad ear side.

Tue Apr 20, 2010 8:38 am

No Prob Zetec.

I went out on a limb a bit with my rack setup. I have absolute faith in the side-loader mounts used by many (Yakima). The mounting is simple and the placement ensures a very solid and sure rack, and you can also adjust the height of the bars which is pretty awesome. My requirements were a little different. I wanted something that was really clean looking, still strong enough for 250 lbs for instance, but most of all, easily removable, and able to support any combo of skis, Kayaks, bikes, tons of family luggage, and large and obtuse things.

The bars are the full Yakima bar (78" I think?). The Box is a Thule Atlantis. I like the attachment on this one because you could remove it in a flash. I am sure other boxes have something similar now. There are much bigger boxes as well, this one just seemed a good size. The cargo box is a Yakima Load Warrior with an extension. The mounts are called launch pads I think. They are numbered, and these are the #6 option. The come with a little cap you can place on the mount when the bars are not attached. I also bought a cargo net, a 6-ski holder, a pile of locks, as well as one to keep the cargo rack from walking off. I think I have 8 locks, maybe 10. The fairing comes with the cargo basket. I also bought a big Yakima canvass bag that mounts in the basket if some protection is needed.

Here is one of the mounts from the inside:

A little silicone and the thing is bullet proof, but I was nervous doing the installation so I measured like 5 times. Turned out great. Those straps are for a cargo net:

Pretty cool mount, that goes up with the top so you get some much needed storage up there. This is the same net you can see hanging off the rear a/c shelf. Like $11 at Gowesty, or $18 at your flaps.

I should mention that I waited patiently for all this stuff, and built it up a little at a time. I found a ton on eBay, but all my efforts only saved me 27% over full retail. Here is a break down of the costs:

I hope I have not scared you with my analness...I am occasionally a detail person. OK, I think I covered it all?

Haha! Funny, I just looked closely at that picture and realized I still haven't finished my rear speaker install! Gotta get those ordered today. You can see the new wiring in place.

Tue Apr 20, 2010 10:21 am

> The bars are the full Yakima bar (78" I think?). The Box is a Thule Atlantis. I like the attachment on this one because you could remove it in a flash.

can you post a photo please?

thanks for sharing your cargo net setup

I have the GoWesty net that hangs over the stove.. Its a great way to pile stuff up for later stowage.. currently though, I prefer not to have a net full of stuff in plain sight.. Im using my cabinets and especially the closet, more now, since I removed the table too..