Roof Basket/Rack Gas MPG Affected?

[tjhaf2007]

Ok, this might be a dumb question, but I was told that putting a roof rack on my 2003 SR5 4Runner would decrease my MPG a by a big amount. I was thinking about getting the Surco Safari Rack or one of the racks that the guys on here custom makes, but I'm not sure if it will affect my gas mileage. Is this true or is it just someone talking nonsense.

 

[teampwr2]

It WILL Make a difference.. How much depends on alot .

I typically Lose about 3-4 Just in drag alone and If its Fully Loaded up to maybe 6 at 55 and above .
I have a lift and bumpers etc.
Mine does not have a air deflector and that im sure would help a lil bit.

 

[Ti-Ben]

Defenitly saw a change when I put mine on. It is now off because I do a lot of highway mileage and can't live with the extra noise and reduced mpg.

It is very nice when installed though!

 

[Javelin]

Huge difference. Went from 16 to 14.6

 

[anotherncbeachbum]

All of them will. I've heard that the baskets that sit way back aren't as bad, but if you put a full rack up there it's going to hit you. On my car (older BMW 5 series), it hit me for 3mpg. I took the racks off and only put them on when needed.

 

[jmanderson]

At this point does it matter? I just added the Yakima Megaloader on my roof...I was getting crappy gas mileage before might as well add the things I need for camping, biking, snowboarding and general cargo space instead of having to buy a bigger vehicle (i.e. Sequoia) that gets crappy MPG.