Roof Rack: Wind Deflector Question

[Corrosive]

I picked up a used Coleman roof rack and it fits great, looks good, and is very useful for spur of the moment trips.

I was wondering what everyones thoughts were on the wind deflector portion. Its pretty large and does a great job keeping the wind off the things in the basket (when there are actually things there), but when there aren't things there, should I leave it attached? Its not loud on the highway but I bet my gas mileage is down due to the aerodynamics.

Is it worth it to take the wind deflector off?

Here is a pic for reference.

 

[Koz]

I picked up a used Coleman roof rack and it fits great, looks good, and is very useful for spur of the moment trips.

I was wondering what everyones thoughts were on the wind deflector portion. Its pretty large and does a great job keeping the wind off the things in the basket (when there are actually things there), but when there aren't things there, should I leave it attached? Its not loud on the highway but I bet my gas mileage is down due to the aerodynamics.

Is it worth it to take the wind deflector off?

Here is a pic for reference.

You can get some really nasty sounds coming from roof racks and even from just the rails. I have a Yakima rack set-up (expensive) and I could not stand the noise this thing made without the spoiler.

Koz

 

[Corrosive]

You can get some really nasty sounds coming from roof racks and even from just the rails. I have a Yakima rack set-up (expensive) and I could not stand the noise this thing made without the spoiler.

Koz

Yakima racks are nice, but like you stated... they are expensive.

I did not know that the spoiler helped with the sound. I guess it sounds like the old saying... "If its not broke... don't fix it" lol.

 

[javendan]

i have the coleman basket, too.

when i had my '05 forester i dropped from approx. 28mpgs to just under 25mpgs.

i've replaced the forester with a '09 odyssey and when i have the basket on i drop from mid/high 22mpgs to just over 20mpgs.

i would say test with and without the fairing over a few fill ups.

let us know results you experience if you do.

joel

I picked up a used Coleman roof rack and it fits great, looks good, and is very useful for spur of the moment trips.

I was wondering what everyones thoughts were on the wind deflector portion. Its pretty large and does a great job keeping the wind off the things in the basket (when there are actually things there), but when there aren't things there, should I leave it attached? Its not loud on the highway but I bet my gas mileage is down due to the aerodynamics.

Is it worth it to take the wind deflector off?

Here is a pic for reference.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

The only time the roof rack affects MPGs is when you are doing alot of hwy miles and in my experiences with my Load Warrior rack I've experienced only a negligible decrease in MPGs. The 4runner is already a brick going through the air so the rack shouldn't drastically affect MPGs as much as something that has a low profile already like Subaru and around town the rack has zero affect.

 

[javendan]

yeah. i'm 90% freeway.

joel

The only time the roof rack affects MPGs is when you are doing alot of hwy miles and in my experiences with my Load Warrior rack I've experienced only a negligible decrease in MPGs. The 4runner is already a brick going through the air so the rack shouldn't drastically affect MPGs as much as something that has a low profile already like Subaru and around town the rack has zero affect.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

drop the rack to become more flush?

Can't tell from the picture if this is an option for a 4th gen or not, but I don't run the Coleman spoiler as my rack sits more flush to the roof-meaning not on top of the cross bars.

The moonroof wind deflector seems to do an adequate job of directing the airfolow up and over the rack itself, but of course the aero dynamics of a 3rd gen versus 4th and the roof rail design may make this whole discussion meaningless. Just throwing it out there as another train of thought....