Horrendous mileage with roof rack and fairing.

So initially I thought my drop in MPG was due to the larger tires but after about a dozen tanks on new tires with and without the roof rack and fairing I have deducted my drop of about 30-40mpg is due the Yakima roof rack and fairing. Has anyone else noticed this? I went from 290-300 MPT to about $260MPT.

 

Should have went with the factory rack, the arms fold back when not in use and you can't even tell it's there. When my arms are extended though I haven't noticed a drop in mileage, except for when my kayak is up there.

 

X2. I also had the Yakima rack with the fairing but I never checked my MPG with it so I cant help you there. But I went with the factory roof rack cause of the folding arms.

 

30-40mpg drop!?!

j/k

they do tend to affect your gas mileage a good bit. I'm sure the horrible gas mileage my girlfriend's old xterra got was probably due to the roof rack.

My buddy took the yakima rack off of his Benz ML430 and said he gained a few MPG's

 

This may sound dumb but if you're going to have a roof rack, driving slower will create less wind resistance.

 

Too flimsy, its only rated at like 75-100lb.

Problem is the freeway around me cruise at 75-80mph during the time I drive to and from work. And I'd rather pay a bit more for gas then take the slow lane.

 

Most people would kill to have that problem. I know people who have scanguage report about 3mpg difference between 65 and 75mph.

 

I have a Thule roof rack and fairing on my '01 Camry and have noticed a drop in my MPG as well. I would say at least 10-15 MPG.

 

They are willing to kill but not willing to wake up at 5am to beat the traffic. If I leave a few hours later I'd be lucky to average 50 mph.

 

Wow that quite a drop there, chief. What have you got attached to that rack, a parachute?

 

hahahahahah!