Vibration with Ski/Snowboard Rack

[T4RBoarder]

I've got my snowboard rack on the top of my truck but as soon as I put it on I got a big vibration that I can feel through the whole car and if I put my hand up against the roof I feel it shaking like crazy.

I never had this problem with my 3rd gen. What could cause this?

 

[T4RBoarder]

bump

i've moved them around too but doesn't make a difference

 

[matroe11]

can you take a couple of pics of the install? Does it happen while you are driving, or when you start the car?

 

[T4RBoarder]

I'll snap a few pics tomorrow but the vibration starts about 40 and gets worse as speed icreases

 

[boostedprozac]

are the crossbar tightened on the sides?

 

[snhrph]

I use a roof rack to haul 2 pairs of skis and a snowboard when we go skiing and riding. Have not had a problem with it.

What kind of rack do you use and how does it attach to the roof-rack on your T4R?

Does it cause vibrations when empty or with the boards in it?

Pictures would definitely help.

 

[HB 4X4]

My guess is that you either have a really poor rack, or something is not tightened correctly. Either where the racks attach to the cross members, or maybe where the crossbeams attach to the side rails.

 

[T4RBoarder]

The vibration definitely exists even without a board in it. The rack is just a basic yakima ski/snowboard rack and I attach it to the std rack with yakima mighty mounts.
Everything is tight too, I've got everything set up the same way I had it on my last two T4Rs and my Tahoe.

 

[HB 4X4]

Unless something has worked loose, the only thing I can think of is maybe try putting them further apart. They should be anyways.

 

[pmrowczynski]

Try the process of elimination game and remove each snow rack to see if it's a specific one or combination of the two causing the problem.

 

[matroe11]

Unless something has worked loose, the only thing I can think of is maybe try putting them further apart. They should be anyways.

I have to agree. Can your bindings fit between them or did you put them closer for pic purposes?

I'm guessing the vibration doesn't happen with the board rack removed. Can you describe the vibration more? Is it like a shuddering on the roof? If so, the cross bars could be torquing and flexing.

 

[r32]

I agree in trying to put them further apart. I have mine far apart, so that the ski binding and/or snowboard boot will rest between the brackets, with room to spare. (as far apart as possible)

 

[T4RBoarder]

I put them closer together for the pics but I will try spacing them out further than I had them. It does feel like a shuddering or buffeting and I can feel it through everything.

Try the process of elimination game and remove each snow rack to see if it's a specific one or combination of the two causing the problem.

If spacing doesn't work this will be next.

 

[HB 4X4]

If it's the racks themselves, I recommend getting the Yakima FatCat6. They are more aerodynamic. Look at the "Big Bear III" link in my signature to see what it looks like.

 

[jsgreen]

I think there are dots marked on the tracks for the optimal low vibration position of the cross bars (I could be wrong, though). You might first try positioning your racks on those, see if that makes a difference.