How to improve the aerodynamics of a roof rack

Unfortunately I cannot leave it at home. I need both the rack and the trailer as I am going for six months with family of 5.

Try the pipe, its the cheapest way to start with then.

if not happy go to a perspex place nad get a chunk and try that.

There isnt much else, or an Air dam ala 1967 Fords on a roofrack bar, or like old farts with Falcodores with a mobile road block (caravan) on the back.
Good luck on the trip anyway!

Typical Truckster response......bag the crap out of something/someone and give an absolute stupid response........(stepping down off my soapbox now) Alan, not sure if you use one, but I have seen solar cells being used as wind deflectors that are set up on an angle in front of the roofrack. They say that all good camping gear should have 2 uses.

Hey Graham know what you can do with your soap box? use the soap so it doesnt hurt as much.


I gave him a genuine response that others have done in the past... Hope you dont get too many splinters.

That sounds like pretty good set-up Brian. I wonder if making it a bit higher so as to deflect air over the load as well would make it even more effective? The alternative would be to place all your load in one or two of those fibre glass boxes from Thule. They look like they'd cut through the air like a hot knife through butter. With regard to fuel consumption, you would't expect much penalty at low speeds around town. You'd expect wind resistance to increase exponentially with speed (maybe 4 times as much at 120 kph as at 60 kph).

Bob,i forgot to mention i feel it is just as important to bring the deflector as close to the roof as possible as it is to have it reasonably high,just my thoughts.

Bruce thank you for the kind offer. I am in Sydney now and will not get to Perth until Aug/Sep. Thanks again.