Crossbar wind noise???

autoped · Jan 31, 2015

Let me back track before I start off explaining myself here...lol

I recently came across a deal for a canoe that I just couldn't pass up ($100 if anyone is curious), and I had to get me a set of cross bars in a pinch for the transport. So I went to Walmart (don't judge me) and got a set of Reese crossbars, and quickly installed them so that I can pick up this canoe. I noticed that there is a significant amount of wind noise coming from my roof at any speed above 45 mph now. Just wanted to know if this is a common thing among ALL roof rails on the Riots or is it just the specific manufacturer? I have plans to custom build a roof rack with a front spoiler soon, so if it goes away with the installation of a rack, I'm okay. I honestly LIKE the Reese crossbars, as they have extra bar room coming outside the mount, but not hovering outside the roof of my Riot. I plan on mounting a CB antenna on the rear bar on the passenger side after I build the rack.

I just wanted to see what others had come across in their ventures of accessorizing their roof!

Thanks for any feedback.

Bearclaw · Jan 31, 2015

If I read this correctly, the wind noise was prior to putting the canoe on? In which case I dont recall hearing a noticeable difference between the patriot I bought (no x bars) and another I test drove (had x bars).

RUparrothead · Jan 31, 2015

My cheap ebay cross rails have wind noise from 43 to 47 mph. I just adjust the speed accordingly.

Bearclaw, I think the difference is you test drove one with oem bars, not aftermarket.

Ken Brent · Jan 31, 2015

I have the Mopar cross bars and a Rola brand roof basket. I only mount the basket when I move my daughters stuff to and from college, but I leave the cross bars up all the time. There are arrows on the roof rails marking the locations for the cross bars. When the cross bars are located at these arrows I have no noise from the cross bars. If I move the front bar closer forward there is some wind noise. When I have the roof basket installed there is a lot of wind noise.

laxheromaddness · Jan 31, 2015

i made a cheap air deflector for my bars out of plastic. it is zip tied to the cross rails and the front is held down by paracord to the front mounts of the rails.

Bearclaw · Jan 31, 2015

RUparrothead said:
Bearclaw, I think the difference is you test drove one with oem bars, not aftermarket.

That'd be correct.

rcguymike · Jan 31, 2015

My mopar cross bars had a whistle at higher speeds. The rubber/plastic that filled the T-channels wasn't quite long enough. I wrapped black electrical tape around the bar to cover the gaps and no more whistling. It matches pretty well.

KC9QNN · Jan 31, 2015

I have a set I bought from Discount Ramps and noticed the same at Highway speeds 55 plus there is a lot of wind noise from the cross bars.

Ken Brent · Feb 1, 2015

You might want to be aware that Mopar has two different cross bars. One is a curved bar with locking knobs on the top, the other is a removable straight bar. I have the curved bar and have not noticed any noise when located at the arrows on the roof rails.

Ignatz · Feb 1, 2015

My cross bars came with the instructions not to put the crossbar in the furthest forward setting because it will cause wind noise. Honestly, I don't get the noise in any position, but I usually follow their advice.

autoped · Feb 1, 2015

Thanks for the info everyone!
Bearclaw, the wind noise is coming from just my crossbars. I didn't notice it much with the canoe.
RUparrothead, I have the same wind noise starting at about 43-45, but it just gets louder the faster I go.
Ken Brent, very interesting! I was wondering what those arrows were for! Looks like I'm going to do some adjusting tomorrow morning! And you say your roof basket creates a lot of wind noise? I may rethink my plans overhead then!

laxheromaddness, I was thinking sort of the same thing. I have ideas to construct a roof basket that extends almost the length of the roof, slope the front of the basket to match the same pitch and line as the windshield, and weld a thin sheet metal spoiler at the front. I was curious as to whether or not that would help...
rcguymike, I may try something like that. The mounts for the crossbars that I have a large voids in them that I was thinking was creating the noise, but I really have no way of telling.
KC9QNN, I don't know about you, but I'm glad I'm not the only one hearing this!

Thanks again, everyone for the input! I guess I also wanted to verify my sanity...

KC9QNN · Feb 2, 2015

Yeah it drove me nuts the first day I had them installed on the Jeep and took a drive I had sunroof closed and windows closed and kept trying to figure out what the noise was then I remembered cross bars were on the Jeep. Now they hang in garage until needed or they go in back of Jeep in case they are needed on shopping trips.

Murphy Slaw · Feb 10, 2015

autoped said:
I guess I also wanted to verify my sanity...

What a great website.....

epper:

Crossbar wind noise???

autoped

Bearclaw

RUparrothead

Ken Brent

laxheromaddness

Bearclaw

rcguymike

KC9QNN

Ken Brent

Ignatz

autoped

KC9QNN

Murphy Slaw

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