Whispbar and Yakima carrier...aero? - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

wungun · 06-18-2013, 03:54 PM

Just got my carrier back from Project X...
Waiting on Yakima decals still.
Whatcha think?

The Whisbar has to be one of the most aerodynamic racks out there.
And the Yakima Skybox isn't too bad by the looks of it.
Smooth lines, tapered towards the back...

wungun · 06-18-2013, 03:55 PM

Of course, if I could fit all the gear in my trunk, I'd be much better off.

PaleMelanesian · 06-18-2013, 04:22 PM

Yeah, cargo space isn't one of the Fiesta's greatest strengths. What about a hitch carrier in the back? No aerodynamic loss there.

wungun · 06-18-2013, 04:24 PM

Well, I care about looks as well. And I gotta be an individual

PaleMelanesian · 06-18-2013, 04:52 PM

Is that carrier color-matched to the car? That does look good.

wungun · 06-18-2013, 05:03 PM

It's is! "Lime Squeeze Metallic"
Project X is a hotrod shop up here.
It's was painted to match my other car, but since its now sold....
I dunno if the paint quality has anything to do with how slippery it is...?

Frank Lee · 06-18-2013, 06:03 PM

It's backwards...

campisi · 06-18-2013, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wungun

It's is! "Lime Squeeze Metallic"
Project X is a hotrod shop up here.
It's was painted to match my other car, but since its now sold....
I dunno if the paint quality has anything to do with how slippery it is...?

Doubt it ... boundary layer airflow and all. Anyone know for sure? Wondering whether a dirty car is not as 'aerodynamic' as a clean car.

PaleMelanesian · 06-18-2013, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

It's backwards...

Someone was going to say it. Of course it would be Frank.

redpoint5 · 06-19-2013, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

Someone was going to say it. Of course it would be Frank.

I was going to say that all of the roof mounted carriers I've seen don't taper at the back. I'm not a fan of their look at all.

I've only once had to strap gear to the top of my car, and that was because I had 5 guys and all their camping and rock climbing gear for the weekend in it. I just used a plastic tote and secured it with a ratcheting tie-down strap... Then again, I almost never ran out of space in the Subaru Legacy hatchback.

I've also gone on a 5 day SoCal trip with 4 people in a Jetta. Still plenty of room for all the people and stuff. Not sure what people are hauling in those roof mounted carriers... Must be a month long vacation with the family.

Nice touch on color matching though. It does look better that way.