To roof rack, or not to roof rack. That is the question.

[rxshu]

Well I have had the roof rack on my truck since I bought it. And it was never my favorite thing, and it was killing my gas mileage. So I decided to take it off the other day. And again, I cant do anything without you guys' opinions. So tell me what you think.

<a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i36.tinypic.com/307t8ns.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>

Leave it off or put it back?

 

[p nut]

I think what it comes down to is if you use it. Do you? If so, then you have to leave it on. If not, then I'd definitely take it off. I've heard people lose like 2-3MPG. That is just letting your $$ blow away in the wind.

My vote--if you don't *need* it, take it off. Same goes for your brush guard.

 

[burton6509]

do you use it alot?..i have the same thing..i always take it off when im not using it tho..imo no point to have it on if ur not using it for anything

 

[RonMAIDEN]

How much was the rack affecting mileage? If you do a lot of hwy driving it will shave off a bit but around town it should have very little affect.

Over my last 5 tanks I've been getting 16.3-17.1mpg with my rack on,tailight guards and a fair amount of A/C plus I have the bigger tires and I'm a bit of a leadfoot. That's mostly suburb driving with maybe a 1/3rd of the miles being hwy.

I've now removed the guards and the rack and will be seeing how much of an affect those items were having.

 

[rxshu]

I rarely use it. I would have never bought it to begin with. I kept it on because my best friend has the same truck, except its an 02. But they look a lot alike.

I have been getting about 14.9 consistently. But that is with 32's, tru flow, flowmaster, and deckplate mod. I haven't gone through a tank with the roof rack off yet though.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I've been running my deckplate closed so I'll also be running a couple of tanks with it open and see if I get a true increase.

 

[greyghost4x4]

Keep it off and PM me a price you want for it lol.

Evan

 

[trd_4runnin]

I'd leave it off until you need it. I have the coleman rack and it hangs in my garage 90% of the time. I really only bought one when I did because the price was so attractive. I like the idea that I have it if I need it, and I put it on for the Jamborees and what not, but most of the time it hangs in the garage.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I'd keep it;mine came with my truck and I've only used it a handful of times and I probably could get a decent penny for it but if I sold it then I'd really need it for something plus it can help make it attractive to another buyer.

 

[TopRunner]

If I had a roof rack I would want some sort of quick disconect and I'd only have it on when needed. Unless you just want to look cool and carry a spare tire up there or something.

 

[rxshu]

Im still deciding what I want to do with it, but I'm keeping it off. As for the "quick disconnect" statement: It only takes about a minute and a half to put it on or take it off. And the spare tire suggestion: I would imagine that would hurt gas mileage because of aerodynamics. Plus my spare tire looks like this.
<a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.tinypic.com/98tym9.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>

 

[benormous]

haha, yeah, no one want to look at that worn down tire

 

[TopRunner]

Dude, you need to be more careful. There is a reflection of a Demon in your crome bumper. You could have been killed!

Im still deciding what I want to do with it, but I'm keeping it off. As for the "quick disconnect" statement: It only takes about a minute and a half to put it on or take it off. And the spare tire suggestion: I would imagine that would hurt gas mileage because of aerodynamics. Plus my spare tire looks like this.
<a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.tinypic.com/98tym9.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>

 

[RonMAIDEN]

If I had a roof rack I would want some sort of quick disconect and I'd only have it on when needed. Unless you just want to look cool and carry a spare tire up there or something.

My Yakima is just held on by 4 bolt/nut setups and can be removed in less than 5 minutes.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

I would say leave it off.

 

[legokcen]

I agree. If it is not getting use. Don't worry about it, especially if it is hurting gas mileage. I do really like the look of them though and was thinking of getting one, but, I don't think I'd use it much.

 

[Tomsriv]

I pulled the cross bars off mine to improve the aerodynamics. I left the front-rear bars on each side because their are screw holes in the roof where water could enter. And they are ugly screw holes. I left the rear air deflector on because that reduces drag. I haven't noticed any mileage difference, but I haven't done a scientifc test either. I get 20-24 mpg.

 

[BigElk]

Dude, you need to be more careful. There is a reflection of a Demon in your crome bumper. You could have been killed!

Call Ghost Hunters! You caught the spirit of the Jeep Killer in a photo!

Do you really think having a brush guard effects your mpg that much? I live in the Deer Kamakazi Capital of the US so I have to get one but I didnt consider the gas mileage.

 

[rxshu]

The longer I keep it off the more I like it better without it. I have gotten about 2 more MPG. So thats a plus. And as for the brushguard. Im sure it hurts a little, but it is not that heavy, and it probably doesnt affect aerodynamics that much. And living in South Alabama, I see plenty of deer a night. So I am keeping mine on! Haha.

 

[jasonran]

LOL at the Demon remark.



WTF is that, anyway?