Road trips are one of the ultimate ways to travel. Snacks, plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, and some good tunes are essential.
And roof racks can significantly enhance the road trip experience – the extra space they offer makes stashing bikes, kayaks, camping gear, whatever – so convenient.
But if your roof rack generates more noise than an AC/DC concert, you probably want to make some changes. There are several options worth exploring, which will all be covered in this article. Hearing protection is optional.
First, we’ll dive into why your roof rack is making all that noise in the first place. After that, we’ll talk about some steps you can take to silence your roof rack once and for all.
These solutions include:
- Remove your roof rack.
- Change your roof rack’s position.
- Buy an aerodynamic roof rack.
- Attach a fairing.
- DIY solutions.
- Use pads.
One of these techniques is almost sure to handle your noise issues. Let’s get to work.
The only noise you hear when road-tripping should come from your car stereo. Follow our instructions to take care of that noisy roof rack and reclaim your car’s peace.
Why Is My Roof Rack Noisy?
Let’s start with why your roof rack is making noise. The reason is airflow. How air travels over the roof racks or your vehicle determines what (if any) sounds your rack will make.
Many factors can influence the frequency and volume of the sound coming from your roof rack.
The type of roof rack you’ve purchased (some are noisier than others – more on this in a bit), the type of vehicle you’re driving, and how fast you’re going can all impact roof rack noise.
The sound can also change based on what you’ve got attached to your roof rack. Racks for bikes, paddleboards, and cargo boxes can create additional sounds.
A mix of factors makes that noise, depending on how the wind hits your particular vehicle and setup. Let’s talk about how we can get rid of roof rack noise.
1. Remove Your Roof Rack
Hear me out on this one! I know you didn’t come here with a noisy roof rack to learn that the noise will go away if you remove the roof rack. But some people don’t use their roof racks frequently.
If you’re a once-a-year skier or infrequent camper, taking the bars off after your outdoor adventure is an acceptable solution. It won’t cost anything, and it’s guaranteed to be effective.
2. Change Your Roof Rack’s Position
Your roof rack may be howling and screaming because of where you have it mounted on your vehicle.
Sliding it to a new spot on your cargo mount (probably backward, but you may have luck moving the rack forwards as well) may be just the thing to cease the racket coming from your roof.
Follow the instructions from your roof rack manufacturer to move the rack. Typically there is a piece of plastic to unclip, under which there is a screw that will require an Allen key or other wrench.
Loosen the rack and reposition it, then tighten it securely. This may be a zero-cost solution to the noise caused by wind in your roof rack.
3. Buy an Aerodynamic Roof Rack
The sleeker the roof rack you buy, the fewer chances it’ll make noise when you install it on your car. If your roof rack looks as boxy as an old Volvo, there’s a good chance it will throw off a ton of noise.
That clunkier design (the roof rack, not old Volvos – those are cool) will catch more air, and the more air brushing against your roof bars, the more likely it’ll scream and howl down the highway.
Instead, look for a roof rack that looks like an airplane wing. Something that NASA would look at and want to launch into the stratosphere. The more aerodynamic the roof rack, the less likely it is to make noise.
4. Install a Fairing
And what, exactly, is a fairing? Good question. We have such astute readers.
A fairing is a wind deflector that attaches to the front of your vehicle’s roof. It can be positioned in front of the front roof rack cross bar. Usually, fairings are attached with straps or clips.
Think of a fairing as a spoiler for the front of your car. Or a windshield for your roof, whichever image works for you. Fairings push air up and over your vehicle’s roof rack, virtually eliminating any whistling or other noise.
Not only do fairings eliminate noise, but they can also help increase your vehicle’s fuel economy by reducing drag.
Several aftermarket fairings are available on the web, but if you can find one to match the brand of roof rack installed on your car, that may be your best choice.
5. Do It-Yourself Tricks
Maybe a fairing or a new, more aerodynamic roof rack is not in your budget right now. And you need your roof rack on your car year-round, so removal isn’t an option.
You’ve tried sliding your roof rack backward and forwards, to no avail – the thing keeps howling on the highway.
But you’ve had it up to here with the whistling and noise from your roof rack.
Let’s MacGyver our way out of this. There are a few ultra-cheap but effective ways to deaden the sound from your roof rack.
The First Is To Homebrew a Fairing
A homemade fairing could be made of anything. It might be as ugly as a pool noodle or some cardboard secured to your front crossbar. Maybe you’ve got a hunk of plexiglass handy, and you can make that work.
Use your imagination, and you probably could use dozens of household items as a poor man’s fairing. Just don’t expect it to last forever, and whatever you come up with may be an eyesore.
Another Option Is To Attach Something to Your Roof Rack
Ropeworks are great, and bungee cords and paracords will do the trick. Wrap three or four feet of the material you choose around both your roof rack crossbars.
This will help deaden the noise by disrupting the wind as it moves through your roof rack.
6. Use Pads
Pads are available to purchase for most roof racks. They are often used when securing kayaks, paddleboards, and surfboards to a roof rack. They help protect the item strapped to the roof rack from getting scratched or damaged.
Check online to see if there are any pads available for your roof rack, either from the original manufacturer or through an aftermarket manufacturer.
Pads also reduce airflow through roof racks, which means they deaden many of the hissing and squealing that roof racks can be known for.
These pads couldn’t be simpler to install. Usually, they wrap around the crossbar and velcro or strap in place.
If you can’t find a padding manufacturer, you can make your own out of old blankets, pool noodles, and other household items.
Stop the Noise
“I haven’t heard anything like it since the orphanage burned down,” is a famous Mark Twain quote. Perhaps you feel the same way about your vehicle’s roof rack.
When they whine, the frequency of the pitch can be enough to make you want to tear your hair out.
You don’t have to live that way. There are several solutions to a noisy roof rack, from removal and adjustment to buying a sleeker version.
Fairings are another great option, but if a fairing’s not in your budget, there are some almost free alternatives you can give a try.
Pads are another way to deaden the noise a roof rack generates. Remember, the noise is created by air moving through the roof rack, so play around with solutions until your vehicle is as silent as you’d like it to be.
