Quote:
Originally Posted by gumby79
The only way for a roof rack to beat a trailer, would be to remove all traces of the rack when not loaded for 0 penalty when not in use,same as removing the trailer when not in use. What is the CdA penalty for a rack and kayak mount system? Probably much higher than the trailer witch only effects the Cd and not the A.
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I’ve had two cars with factory roof racks. The first was a 1991 Chevy Cavalier Wagon. It had a factory rack that included flat crossbars. Removing the crossbar was good for about 1-2 miles per gallon (going by memory here). I saw no improvement from removing the bars that run parallel to the vehicle.
The second vehicle was a 2003 Jetta Wagon TDI. It came with factory rails but no crossbar. Mounting a Yakama rack with 8 foot round crossbars and two bike mounts (no bikes) dropped highway fuel economy by 11% (I have data on this one) and was REALLY loud. After a month I started taking the rack on and off as needed. That rack was incredible useful. I carried lumber, 4x8 sheets of plywood / drywall / insulation, etc on that thing. It was funny to pull up to the loading area at Home Depot. The loaders always look shocked at what could fit into that car.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gumby79
What kind of value$ do you place on your time ?
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The Yakama rack took less than 5 minutes to mount / dismount. I left it in one piece and it leaned against the wall in my garage when not in use. Set it on top, tighten 4 allen bolts, done. Removal is the reverse of assembly. Hitching up a trailer is likely slightly faster but not if you have to find a way to store the trailer vertically to save space.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ByDesign
The rack is much easier to maneuver in traffic, parking, etc., but it has a cost as some of you have already said. The other hiccup is loading and unloading. It's harder to access on top of a vehicle. Also, hauling anything of size -- appliances or furniture -- become exceptionally difficult with a roof rack.
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I never had a problem with my VW. The roof was chest high so loading wasn’t a problem. However, I never tried to put large or bulky stuff on top. Most furniture could fit inside the wagon. Refrigerator sized stuff? That is what free delivery is for.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ByDesign
On the other side, a roof rack stores in a much smaller place than a trailer. It really depends on your need, how much (and where) you'll use it.
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Very true, especially for people that live in a city. Finding a place to put a trailer is tough when the your entire lot size is 5000 to 6000 sq ft and there is no vehicle access to the backyard.
I recently purchased a 12 foot boat and it takes up ¼ of the driveway. That means my wife and I have to shuffle cars if we want to drive the Spark EV or leave her Prius on the street. I plan to add a plywood deck to the boat trailer and it will be nice to have the trailer for bulky or dirty stuff though. The boat is light so I can easily take it off the trailer and leave it on saw horses.