ROO RACK

dr5chrome · **Posted:** Thu Jun 18, 2015 10:41 pm

Some opinions: Has anyone bought this particular roof rack?

http://www.jcwhitney.com/surco-products ... uctDetails

Is there another rack that you would suggest??

Best regards. dw

bugnout · **Posted:** Fri Jun 19, 2015 9:37 am

45 inches wide is pretty wide. My basket is 39 inches wide and sits right on the rails with no overhang. Three inch overhang is doable, but may look a bit oversized.

flash7210 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 19, 2015 10:27 am

That rack seems too expensive if you ask me. Even if it is made of aluminum.
Search for roof racks on Amazon and read the reviews. That's where I bought mine from.

BTW,
Because you are already complaining about poor fuel mileage you may want to think twice about using a roof rack. Especially if you plan to load it full of luggage for traveling.
I was only getting 22mpg highway with mine. Lots of wind resistance.

Draco · **Posted:** Fri Jun 19, 2015 8:16 pm

I have the Surco Safari rack, which appears to be the same rack. I've been happy with it. Go to http://www.surcoinc.com and look at the application guide.

I originally got it for when pulling a boat trailer; because a winch on the trailer drawbar interfered with the spare tire location. So when pulling the trailer, I put on the rack and put my spare tire on the rack. I've also used it to carry a second spare tire, though I sold my second spare. You can also mount a hi-lift jack on it.

Later, I bought a Safari Rack Floor Kit and mounted two extra floor slats. I used those to attach a BajaRack jerry can holder, so I can put two 5-gal jerry cans on the roof.

It's worked out well.

The rack does affect gas mileage pretty significantly. So I only use the rack when I really need it.

Draco · **Posted:** Fri Jun 19, 2015 8:23 pm

Here's a picture from 2010, headed to Death Valley.

dr5chrome · **Posted:** Fri Jun 19, 2015 11:18 pm

I can understand drag caused by the rack - What do you think your loss of millage was by the roof rack by itself?

dw

Draco wrote:

I have the Surco Safari rack, which appears to be the same rack. I've been happy with it. Go to http://www.surcoinc.com and look at the application guide.

I originally got it for when pulling a boat trailer; because a winch on the trailer drawbar interfered with the spare tire location. So when pulling the trailer, I put on the rack and put my spare tire on the rack. I've also used it to carry a second spare tire, though I sold my second spare. You can also mount a hi-lift jack on it.

Later, I bought a Safari Rack Floor Kit and mounted two extra floor slats. I used those to attach a BajaRack jerry can holder, so I can put two 5-gal jerry cans on the roof.

It's worked out well.

The rack does affect gas mileage pretty significantly. So I only use the rack when I really need it.

bugnout · **Posted:** Sat Jun 20, 2015 12:21 pm

Fuel mileage is inversely related to speed so its hard to say. The faster you go driving this box on wheels the worse your MPG will be.

I find commuting to work has no effect on MPG, 65 i loose 1-2 MPG but at 75 its more pronounced.

Draco · **Posted:** Sat Jun 20, 2015 12:29 pm

dr5chrome wrote:

I can understand drag caused by the rack - What do you think your loss of millage was by the roof rack by itself?

dw

Draco wrote:

I have the Surco Safari rack, which appears to be the same rack. I've been happy with it. Go to http://www.surcoinc.com and look at the application guide.

I originally got it for when pulling a boat trailer; because a winch on the trailer drawbar interfered with the spare tire location. So when pulling the trailer, I put on the rack and put my spare tire on the rack. I've also used it to carry a second spare tire, though I sold my second spare. You can also mount a hi-lift jack on it.

Later, I bought a Safari Rack Floor Kit and mounted two extra floor slats. I used those to attach a BajaRack jerry can holder, so I can put two 5-gal jerry cans on the roof.

It's worked out well.

The rack does affect gas mileage pretty significantly. So I only use the rack when I really need it.

I'm guessing several mpg. The time I'm remembering, I had two jerry cans of fuel on the roof, driving to a local National Forest, I just noticed that I had to fill up significantly earlier than normal. That was interstate driving at higher speeds.

Someday I plan to attach my jerry can holder to my Thule load bars. I'll use the extra aluminum floor slats that I have. That will be more aerodynamic for carrying fuel only.

ROO RACK

Who is online