09-08-2008, 07:37 PM
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#1
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Roof Rack vs. MPG
I know that roof racks decrease your MPG. I also know that it would affect highway MPG much more than around town miles because of higher and more consistant speeds. My question is whether anyone has actually kept track of how much an empty roof rack would affect MPG on a daily basis? I have a roof rack on the 4runner and I'm moving away to school to the San Francisco Bay Area in a few weeks and I'm trying to figure out whether I should take it off and store it or whether it makes any significant difference to just leave it on there. Any thoughts, comments, or actually experience with something like this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
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1996 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4WD 3.4L
Rola safari rack
BFG Rugged Trail A/T Tires
LED Taillights
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09-08-2008, 07:45 PM
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#2
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On one of the 'other' forum places this was discussed a good bit in the context of 4th gens. Most agreed minimal effect around when empty and 1-2 on the highway. If your not going on the highway that much leave it on, it just looks cool 
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Chris
07 Salsa SR5, 4wd Cyclone pre-cleaner , Aux Transmission Cooler, Hidden Hitch 70779 (600/6000lbs, WDH=730/7300lbs), AirLift 1000, FJCruiser front springs (& now rear too!), Axle Vent Mod, Swaybar Bushing Upgrade, V6 Tick Reduction, VSC off mod, Maplight Mod, 255/75/17 Goodyear Wrangler SAs, Tailpipe Mod
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09-08-2008, 09:21 PM
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#3
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Are you guys talking about a safari rack or just the basic rack? I can't imagine the stock rack making much difference. I can feel a difference with my kayak racks on.
When I had a Vibe (hated that thing) the kayak racks would take about 5mpg off. 
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09-08-2008, 09:26 PM
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#4
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Quote:
Originally posted by rdrunner
Are you guys talking about a safari rack or just the basic rack? I can't imagine the stock rack making much difference. I can feel a difference with my kayak racks on.
When I had a Vibe (hated that thing) the kayak racks would take about 5mpg off.
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I figured he was talking about the safari rack in his sig... Not totally sure though.
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Chris
07 Salsa SR5, 4wd Cyclone pre-cleaner , Aux Transmission Cooler, Hidden Hitch 70779 (600/6000lbs, WDH=730/7300lbs), AirLift 1000, FJCruiser front springs (& now rear too!), Axle Vent Mod, Swaybar Bushing Upgrade, V6 Tick Reduction, VSC off mod, Maplight Mod, 255/75/17 Goodyear Wrangler SAs, Tailpipe Mod
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09-09-2008, 08:55 AM
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#5
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I've got a Yakima Load Warrior and with my mostly urban driving with a bit of highway I got about a half mile better MPG w/o it and I also did a test of it on nearly all highway last year and the rack was knocking off between 1-2mpg at a constant 75mph.
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09-09-2008, 02:22 PM
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#6
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Ya I was talking about the safari rack. I don't think the stock racks would make any noticeable affect on MPG. Thank you guys for the info.
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1996 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4WD 3.4L
Rola safari rack
BFG Rugged Trail A/T Tires
LED Taillights
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09-09-2008, 06:18 PM
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#7
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If anyone's removed them, can you please post/link to directions for removal? Thanks.
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09-11-2008, 07:22 PM
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#8
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It's the crossbars that really decrease mpg. I suggest removing the crossbars.
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09-11-2008, 11:05 PM
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#9
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when i have my yakima on with no bikes my hwy mpg drops to 17 from 20 during normal driving conditions
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Clayton
2004 SR5 4X4
Yakima roof rack
265/70/17 Nitto Terra Grapplers
20% Tint Front windows
GO DAWGS!
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09-12-2008, 12:20 PM
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#10
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I removed the crossbars on my 4Runner a few years ago.
Makes it a lot easier to remove the snow in winter and wash/wax the roof the rest of the year.
IIRC, to remove the crossbars I gently popped off the rear plastic covers on the rack, loosened the crossbar anchors and slid the crossbar off the rear.
Cannot stress enough to be GENTLE when popping off the plastic covers at the end of the roof rack. When I removed mine, they seemed VERY, VERY thin and fragile.
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Charlie
'04 SR5, 4X4, V8, Titanium, Roof Rack, DD Cargo System, 17" Alloys, Rear Spoiler, Preferred Accessory Pkg
SOLD 12/2012 
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