Yakima Rack and Less MPG
#1
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Yakima Rack and Less MPG
I just got back from a road trip and I did a little experimenting while on the road. On my way up to Wisconsin from Kentucky I averaged 18 MPG. Before we left to come home I removed my Yakima rack (rails only, no basket) to see if it made a noticeable difference in the fuel economy. I gained little with 19.5 MPG on the trip back. I think the cool factor of the rack outweighs the 1.5 MPG gain without the rack. Has anyone else tried this and if so what kind of rack do you have?
#4
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Same for me. I have a Surco rack, 4 year ago I took it 200 miles to the beach and only averaged 17.1mpg. I recorded this in my maintenance log. The following year I got up to 19.2mpg. Not really an exact science as there are probably too many factors such as the difference in heat/humidity in the 2 years. Around town I do not notice much difference at around 15 but I drive an SUV with oversized tires so I already know the drawbacks.
#5
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I would average around 19MPG from my regular trips from NC to KY. In March I purchased the Yakima Loadwarrior, which is a handy basket that attaches to the factory crossbars. City MPG I never noticed a considerable change (it always sucked) but I immediately noticed my highway MPG. After the installation I was getting around 15MPG highway. I took off the wind faring and gained about 1.5MPG (16.5). Since I'm not a huge commuter, I've decided to keep the Loadwarrior on.
#6
i had my coleman roof basket on my old subaru forester and my MPGs dropped to about 25. not bad, right? without the basket i was getting 28+.
with the coleman with extension on my odyssey i went from 22+ to about 21 MPGs.
i don't dare put it on the 2000 4runner... after the BFGs we went from 19+ to about 17 MPGs.
after performing the ISR and deckplate mods on the 2000 we're at about 18 now - phew!!!
joel
with the coleman with extension on my odyssey i went from 22+ to about 21 MPGs.
i don't dare put it on the 2000 4runner... after the BFGs we went from 19+ to about 17 MPGs.
after performing the ISR and deckplate mods on the 2000 we're at about 18 now - phew!!!
joel
#7
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Location: Solano Co, CA Originally a North Idaho Hick
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Made a huge difference on my 2nd Gen Runner with the Yakima Load Warrior. With my Mt Bike up there I was running almost 5mpg less.
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#8
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Yup, we rarely use our rack unless we gotta haul something like this!
Our mileage was the SUCK when we took a Kayak and Ski's up to my folks place in Steamboat CO last weekend!
Our mileage was the SUCK when we took a Kayak and Ski's up to my folks place in Steamboat CO last weekend!
#11
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Yep! My 2000 4R gets about 1 MPG less with my Yakima rack. Even worse, I can subtract another 1 MPG for each bicycle I have on there. So my highway mileage literally varies from 16-20 MPH. But hey, if I cared about gas mileage I wouldn't be driving an SUV. (Actually I ride my bikes most places around town instead of carrying them on the racks).
#12
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I have the Coleman basket on the roof holding my spare tire, I see an increase of about 1.5-2mpg with it removed.
let's do some math:
2mpg @ $2.80/gallon on a 1000 mile road trip
with the rack (~17mpg): $164.71
without the rack (~19mpg): $147.37
you'll save a little over $17 on a 1000 mile trip by removing the rack
personally, standing at about 5'5", I find it a pain in the ass trying to line up the tracks of a 30lb roof basket on a truck lifted about 7" in the back...so I just leave the rack on.
I'll drive the Camry if i'm leaving the island lol
let's do some math:
2mpg @ $2.80/gallon on a 1000 mile road trip
with the rack (~17mpg): $164.71
without the rack (~19mpg): $147.37
you'll save a little over $17 on a 1000 mile trip by removing the rack
personally, standing at about 5'5", I find it a pain in the ass trying to line up the tracks of a 30lb roof basket on a truck lifted about 7" in the back...so I just leave the rack on.
I'll drive the Camry if i'm leaving the island lol
#15
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I never really used mine, except on camping trips. Now I am building a utility/camp trailer for that stuff, but I did put some quick fists up on the factory crossbars for a shovel and axe when I just want to go adventuring.
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