Roof Rack wind noise...

[fkphoto]

I was thinking of installing a full length roof rack on my disco II. Can anyone with experience with the roof racks tell me if there is a problem with wind noise at fwy speeds?

 

[MojaveLR3]

More stuff out in the wind equals more wind noise. No way around it.

There are ways to mitigate the effects. You just have to decided how much money and effort it is worth to you.

I have a Front Runner on my LR3. The long one. There is a noticable amount of wind noise coming through the sunroof. Similar amount to no rack and opening your door window about an inch. I also have some buffeting of a couple of the cross bars at 40mph but that will disappear when I get the flooring installed.

cheers

 

[michaels]

it's not bad if you have street friendly tires, but with the rack, slim bumper, and big MT tires, i'm basically yelling at my rear passenger's at highways speeds. the front passenger seat is easy to ahev conversaiton with.

 

[roscoFJ73]

I was thinking of installing a full length roof rack on my disco II. Can anyone with experience with the roof racks tell me if there is a problem with wind noise at fwy speeds?

Some roof racks are noisy,others are not. Some roof racks come with air foils at the front.
My brother has one on his Prado roof rack and it is silent at all speeds.

You need to hunt around as the noisy ones look almost identical to the no noise type

 

[Antichrist]

Can anyone with experience with the roof racks tell me if there is a problem with wind noise at fwy speeds?

Yes to wind noise. Whether it's a problem or not is a personal matter. For me, no, it's not. Others complain that it is a problem.

 

[traveltoad]

There will be plenty of wind noise. And decreased mpg. If you actually need a rack then you need a rack so who cares.

 

[UnfrozenCaveman]

Between the noise and the mileag penalty, my o.e. rack for the D1 has been in the garage for the past five or six years.

When I need to bring stuff home that won't fit inside, I slap a pair of the Thuele (?) bars across the top.

 

[timmy!!!!!!!]

Hella 4000s across the top of the rack help keep the windnoise down a little bit along with roof rack flooring.

 

[Nonimouse]

I didn't have an issue with the noise (200Tdi from a disco in a defender is damn close to the bulkhead) but the mpg loss was unacceptable; 3-4mpg gained back when I ditched the Brownchurch {and another 3-4 gained back when I changed to the RT03's - so 34-36mpg (English Gallons) on highway at 60-65mph}

 

[fkphoto]

Hella 4000s across the top of the rack help keep the windnoise down a little bit along with roof rack flooring.

i would think the Hella's cause more noise...?

 

[fkphoto]

There will be plenty of wind noise. And decreased mpg. If you actually need a rack then you need a rack so who cares.

The MPG drop is that drastic?

 

[FourByLand]

Yeah, they are noisy and will cause drag which will decrease your gas mileage.

 

[mud ruts]

Who cares they look cool.

 

[michaels]

who cares. my mpg dropped by maybe one or two.

 

[Michael Slade]

I have an ARB rack on my Range Rover LWB. I took it, had it cut down so that the leading edge is behind the rear edge of the sunroof opening. I don't notice any wind noise at all.