cooked Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Maybe this belongs on the general forum but here goes. Many vehicles have roof racks but I never see them being used and I cannot find an explanation. I can generally work out most Thai-thainess things but this one has me puzzled. Especially as you see all kinds of crazy loading 'techniques'. I am thinking about getting one myself because I need one and not for decoration. Sent from my GT-S7500 using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkkjames Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 (edited) a bit bored? ok I will play along. Sometimes, but not everyday will I strap something to the racks. Could be a bicycle, could be some wood, it could even be a moose, if we had mooses here. seatbelts? every car has them but rarely do people use them, especially in the rear.... Edited March 26, 2014 by bkkjames Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMHO Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 You've obviously never driven anywhere during Songkhran or New Year (not that you'd want to either, but if/when you do, you will then understand why some people fit these things) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VocalNeal Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 Don't forget the negative 10% fuel economy when driving... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkkjames Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 Don't forget the negative 10% fuel economy when driving... Neal, you can see my avatar to the left, you can confirm I lose 10% gas mileage cause I have roof racks? I can appreciate they must cause a little drag but 10% seems a bit high - perhaps over to mythbusters for a definitive answer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VocalNeal Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 Don't forget the negative 10% fuel economy when driving... Neal, you can see my avatar to the left, you can confirm I lose 10% gas mileage cause I have roof racks? I can appreciate they must cause a little drag but 10% seems a bit high - perhaps over to mythbusters for a definitive answer Well you picture is very small and lacking detail. So I would say what you have is not a roof rack I don't see any cross rails only longitudinal rails. If so what you have are the attachment points for a roof rack. If what I see is correct then what you have probably doesn't affect you fuel economy but you can't put anything on the rack as I said it doesn't have any cross rails. If however it does have cross rails making it a proper roof rack and you believe it doesn't affect your fuel economy please carry on, Mythbusters or no mythbusters. But hey if you only believe one source! Just search for <Fuel economy of a roof rack> or similar phrases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkkjames Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 Mate it has cross rails and i am sure it does cause a bit of drag but 10% just seemed high to me. When i lose sleep over it, i will consider removing them. I reckon that i waste more fuel sitting in traffic in one week than the roof rails do a year on highways. Sent from my LG-P970 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace of Pop Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 Thais use them for the Family and Village to hang on the way to Market. . It saves the Wipers they used before racks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VocalNeal Posted March 29, 2014 Share Posted March 29, 2014 Mate it has cross rails and i am sure it does cause a bit of drag but 10% just seemed high to me. When i lose sleep over it, i will consider removing them. I reckon that i waste more fuel sitting in traffic in one week than the roof rails do a year on highways. Sent from my LG-P970 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app Also you have to take into account yours is only a pickup so only has a 1/2 size roof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkkjames Posted March 29, 2014 Share Posted March 29, 2014 Mate it has cross rails and i am sure it does cause a bit of drag but 10% just seemed high to me. When i lose sleep over it, i will consider removing them. I reckon that i waste more fuel sitting in traffic in one week than the roof rails do a year on highways. Sent from my LG-P970 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app Also you have to take into account yours is only a pickup so only has a 1/2 size roof. exactly, so I only lose 5%. I am sure if we put our heads together we could get it down to a + 5%. I reckon to start, the meaner and bigger I can get my truck (including roof racks) - the more march / yaris types will get out of my way easier thus saving me additional fuel having to wait behind them while trying to turn - get through the mall parking lot and so, saving me valuable time fuel and engine wear. I could even strap some ambulance type lights on the top improving my commute times, again saving fuel. I would like to thank the OP for raising this topic and I encourage everyone out there to go get some roof racks immediately Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VocalNeal Posted March 29, 2014 Share Posted March 29, 2014 Here ya go So I just put my yakima rack setup up on my camry, and noticed all of a sudden I have less then usual gas mileage. I used to get about 25-27mpg . I just filled up today after having the racks on for a week or so and I only got 23mpg? Can other people chime in if this is true. Im going to be putting a hitch rack on my xb but for now this is going to do I cant believe it effects the mileage this much. During the summer, when families are on vacation, it's a common sight to see SUVs with roof racks loaded with luggage. What does this do to fuel economy? We broke this test into two parts: with empty roof rails (many of which are left up all year long) and then loaded with a cooler and suitcase. Aerodynamic effects of roof rails: When compared with cruise control set at 65 mph, adding the cross rails of a roof rack (and driving with cruise control set at 65 mph) caused a 1 percent loss in fuel economy from 27.2 mpg (without cross rails) to 27 mpg. Aerodynamic effects of carrying luggage on the roof: When compared with cruise control set at 65 mph, adding a suitcase and cooler (and driving with cruise control set at 65 mph) caused a 21 percent loss in fuel economy from 27.2 mpg (without the luggage) to 21.6 mpg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkkjames Posted March 29, 2014 Share Posted March 29, 2014 Here ya go So I just put my yakima rack setup up on my camry, and noticed all of a sudden I have less then usual gas mileage. I used to get about 25-27mpg . I just filled up today after having the racks on for a week or so and I only got 23mpg? Can other people chime in if this is true. Im going to be putting a hitch rack on my xb but for now this is going to do I cant believe it effects the mileage this much. During the summer, when families are on vacation, it's a common sight to see SUVs with roof racks loaded with luggage. What does this do to fuel economy? We broke this test into two parts: with empty roof rails (many of which are left up all year long) and then loaded with a cooler and suitcase. Aerodynamic effects of roof rails: When compared with cruise control set at 65 mph, adding the cross rails of a roof rack (and driving with cruise control set at 65 mph) caused a 1 percent loss in fuel economy from 27.2 mpg (without cross rails) to 27 mpg. Aerodynamic effects of carrying luggage on the roof: When compared with cruise control set at 65 mph, adding a suitcase and cooler (and driving with cruise control set at 65 mph) caused a 21 percent loss in fuel economy from 27.2 mpg (without the luggage) to 21.6 mpg. basically what you are saying is don't go on vacation with the family. clear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMHO Posted March 29, 2014 Share Posted March 29, 2014 (edited) Here ya go So I just put my yakima rack setup up on my camry, and noticed all of a sudden I have less then usual gas mileage. I used to get about 25-27mpg . I just filled up today after having the racks on for a week or so and I only got 23mpg? Can other people chime in if this is true. Im going to be putting a hitch rack on my xb but for now this is going to do I cant believe it effects the mileage this much. During the summer, when families are on vacation, it's a common sight to see SUVs with roof racks loaded with luggage. What does this do to fuel economy? We broke this test into two parts: with empty roof rails (many of which are left up all year long) and then loaded with a cooler and suitcase. Aerodynamic effects of roof rails: When compared with cruise control set at 65 mph, adding the cross rails of a roof rack (and driving with cruise control set at 65 mph) caused a 1 percent loss in fuel economy from 27.2 mpg (without cross rails) to 27 mpg. Aerodynamic effects of carrying luggage on the roof: When compared with cruise control set at 65 mph, adding a suitcase and cooler (and driving with cruise control set at 65 mph) caused a 21 percent loss in fuel economy from 27.2 mpg (without the luggage) to 21.6 mpg. basically what you are saying is don't go on vacation with the family. clear. A few degrees difference in temperature will change FE by 1% too - so if you have empty roof racks fitted, just drive when it's cooler Edited March 29, 2014 by IMHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace of Pop Posted March 29, 2014 Share Posted March 29, 2014 They remind me of the Beverly Hillbillies, when Jed first rode in to Town with Ladders n Buckets dangling of his Truck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkkjames Posted March 29, 2014 Share Posted March 29, 2014 if i drive 5km slower than normal, it probably has an effect on the drag ratio of the roof racks (maybe someone can do the math)? If I avoid windy bridges and drive only behind big trucks hauling stuff I can probably save a bit on fuel as well. As for luggage on top, that's why I have the back of the truck. If it's more than that, she stays home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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