The Screaming Banshees- AKA OEM Roof Racks

[Prospector]

Holy hell these things are loud.

Seriously. I just got the racks last week, test fit them - these are a pain to put on, much more finicky than other cars' setups I've had - then went for an hour-long drive in heavy winds on a freeway to test them out.

Now maybe it was the wind, or maybe these are designed to set up a harmonic at 55 mph, but holy crap these are loud. Think Spinal Tap turned up to 11 loud. These are so loud that in the dictionary under loud there is a picture of these racks being loud. These are louder than a Chili night fart.

Looks like its time for a fairing. Being a cheapskate (I have no issue admitting I'm cheap) its time to get creative and build something awesome. Let the tinkering begin.

 

[Natesriv]

yeah... I can see them being loud! Have a sunroof?

 

[Prospector]

Nope - no sunroof.

One tip for anyone else who gets these racks - when you put the rubber feet on, use needle-nose pliers and pull the tabs up - there is a fat part on the rubber that snugs them in place. Its in the "Ikea inspired" instructions, but I missed it, and the feet kept falling off at first.

Where are other folks storing the dedicated locking keys/allen wrench that comes with the racks? I put them in the spare tire well for now so I won't lose them. I'd prefer someplace more intuitive and out of the way. Maybe I'll build a box to go in the trunk detent (Eurospec first aid kit spot) and keep them in there.

 

[SonicFlow]

Holy hell these things are loud.

Seriously. I just got the racks last week, test fit them - these are a pain to put on, much more finicky than other cars' setups I've had - then went for an hour-long drive in heavy winds on a freeway to test them out.

Now maybe it was the wind, or maybe these are designed to set up a harmonic at 55 mph, but holy crap these are loud. Think Spinal Tap turned up to 11 loud. These are so loud that in the dictionary under loud there is a picture of these racks being loud. These are louder than a Chili night fart.

Looks like its time for a fairing. Being a cheapskate (I have no issue admitting I'm cheap) its time to get creative and build something awesome. Let the tinkering begin.

"Loud" is pretty subjective. Excellent job painting a picture! Entertaining as well!

 

[Snookie]

How do you avoid smashing the antenna? Its only reason i havent gotten the roof rack yet, but if its making loud noises while driving, yeah, ill get a hitch installed and tow my other boat lol

 

[carsNskis]

How do you avoid smashing the antenna? Its only reason i havent gotten the roof rack yet, but if its making loud noises while driving, yeah, ill get a hitch installed and tow my other boat lol

The bars are about 4"above the roof, anything that is on the bars should have no problem clearing the antenna, or unscrew the antenna and listen to music via Bluetooth or USB

....if it has tits or tires it can be upgraded

 

[Snookie]

What about that noise? If the radio on, can you still hear the wind?

 

[carsNskis]

What about that noise? If the radio on, can you still hear the wind?

Yes. If you don't want to hear wind noise get aero bars from another manufacturer

....if it has tits or tires it can be upgraded

 

[Snookie]

Yes. If you don't want to hear wind noise get aero bars from another manufacturer

....if it has tits or tires it can be upgraded

I wonder if mine is a sedan if its gonna have the same noise issues? U have a hatchback right?

 

[carsNskis]

I wonder if mine is a sedan if its gonna have the same noise issues? U have a hatchback right?

It's the design of the bar, not the vehicle. They are noisy. Some people could live with it... I've owned Thule and Whispbars so I wasn't happy with the noise level by comparison

....if it has tits or tires it can be upgraded

 

[Prospector]

Put a canoe on it. Noticeably less noise. Seems like an awkward way around the problem though.

Now that I've had the bars on/off a couple times, I've gotten used to the install and it actually goes pretty quick. Still not as slick as some racks I've had from Thule on other cars, but good enough.

 

[Prospector]

Yet another roof rack post...

Took the car from Toronto to Algonquin this past weekend. Had it equipped with Momma, myself, 2 munchkins, 4 days of camping gear (4 backpacks, a food barrel, paddles, and canoe) and it did great.

The only issue was that we borrowed a friend's canoe which is 36" wide. Apparently the rear crossbar is 35-1/2" wide.

The canoe barely fit, and when the ratchet strap was untied, I needed someone to hold the boat in place so it wouldn't slide off the racks. Long story short, if you are loading a canoe, you will need to rig up some bar extensions for the rear cross bar. I suggest removing the rubber tape and sliding in some flat headed screws in the slot, then setting a pipe or something similar over the bars. I like to add a pair of hose clamps for added security.

 

[timjgallagher11]

Didn't know where to post, seemed appropriate for here. Bought a Monroe kayak setup that attaches great to the Chevrolet roof rack. It uses foam pads to rest the kayaks on which is nice, no marring and it came with all the tie downs too. Took it for a quick spin and it is quiet, and everything stayed put! Now to get the kayaks in the water this weekend!!

 

[carsNskis]

That's awesome. Sonics haul, and haul!