Fairing for factory roof rack?

[exo_toy.]

Has anyone made a fairing to work with the factory roof rack? Going on a 1000km+ trip in July and we will have the new RTT with us. Hoping to cut down on wind resistance (and possible noise) since 80% of the trip will be at highway speeds.

All of my cargo always goes inside the vehicle, so it just looks really bulky and aerodynamically challenged with the tent mounted!

 

[unevolved]

Has anyone made a fairing to work with the factory roof rack? Going on a 1000km+ trip in July and we will have the new RTT with us. Hoping to cut down on wind resistance (and possible noise) since 80% of the trip will be at highway speeds.

All of my cargo always goes inside the vehicle, so it just looks really bulky and aerodynamically challenged with the tent mounted!

Given you'd still be facing the large increase in frontal area, I don't think reducing the drag on the tent would help too terribly much. I lose about 1.5-2 mpg with my roof tent on (very similar to yours), and I would estimate a fairing would maybe gain you 1 mpg back.

 

[nykoda]

Is your tent mounted directly to your factory rack? Does it feel sturdy considering the low weight rating of the rack?

Sorry this is a little off your topic :shrug:

 

[exo_toy.]

Given you'd still be facing the large increase in frontal area, I don't think reducing the drag on the tent would help too terribly much. I lose about 1.5-2 mpg with my roof tent on (very similar to yours), and I would estimate a fairing would maybe gain you 1 mpg back.

Ya that makes sense. 1-2mpg loss isn't too bad.
I do have another long distance trip in June as well, so I guess that will be a good test for it!

 

[exo_toy.]

Is your tent mounted directly to your factory rack? Does it feel sturdy considering the low weight rating of the rack?

Sorry this is a little off your topic :shrug:

Ya the tent is mounted directly to the factory rails. Not the cross bars! It is very sturdy.

 

[unevolved]

That attachment method looks identical to mine. CVT?

 

[exo_toy.]

That attachment method looks identical to mine. CVT?

Smittybilt Overlander. I found most of the RTTs are almost identical designs. (I do have the rubber end caps that go into the rail ends. )

I wish I could afford the CVT, but unfortunately the markup to get one in Canada is a bit absurd. Managed to get the smittybilt through one of my work suppliers for a decent price.

 

[unevolved]

Smittybilt Overlander. I found most of the RTTs are almost identical designs. (I do have the rubber end caps that go into the rail ends. )

I wish I could afford the CVT, but unfortunately the markup to get one in Canada is a bit absurd. Managed to get the smittybilt through one of my work suppliers for a decent price.

Ah yeah, that makes sense. I managed to find a used CVT, that's the only reason I've got a RTT at all right now.

 

[Cdn4Runner]

Has anyone made a fairing to work with the factory roof rack? Going on a 1000km+ trip in July and we will have the new RTT with us. Hoping to cut down on wind resistance (and possible noise) since 80% of the trip will be at highway speeds.

All of my cargo always goes inside the vehicle, so it just looks really bulky and aerodynamically challenged with the tent mounted!

Off topic question, but how are you liking the Smittybilt tent? Any issues? Thanks