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Rack wind noise reduction
By:mike allen --->
Date: 10/26/2000, 4:38 pm
In Response To: Thule wind noise (Ronnie Earhart)

: I intalled a set of Thule Tracker feet on a factory luggage rack on a Ford
: Expediton. I now get a lot of wind noise. I tried moving them around and
: was able to reduce the wind noise somewhat but not eliminate it. Any
: advice please?

At terribly terribly infrequent times , I happen to go fast w/ yaks on the top. At higher speeds you will find wind noise, but the humming or resonant sound can be eliminated by:

make sure all the end caps are there and on, if not cover the end w/ duct tape.

make sure no loose bits of rack rubber (old thule racks - mine) so glue down. especially on top.

if still hum, break up the fluctuating flow by wrapping the rack tubes w/ your rope going around and around say every 1in or 2. I believe most of the noise is from continual reattachment and separation of the air flow around the rack tubes, especially as some have flat tops(mine) or continuous slots. That has solved it for me to as much as I figure is acceptable.

And use a front line to keep the yak inline w/ the airflow in case anything breaks. And if yak is loaded, use a rear line too, so you reduce chances of a huge spear if you hit someone or brake real hard. I've had every thing else go in a big cross wind at 60mph - but the front line still kept the yak sorta on top until I stopped.( The paddle was run over by a semi). Make sure the yak also horizontally in line w/ the air flow, if not turn over(or adjust racks somehow) so the resultant force at higher speeds keeps the yak down and the potential line tension the least. One of my kayaks flies right side up, so I turn it over - helps in the cornering too!!hehehe

-mick

Messages In This Thread

Thule wind noise
Ronnie Earhart -- 10/26/2000, 3:05 pm
Re: Thule wind noise
Frank -- 10/27/2000, 7:51 am
Me too.
Dale Frolander -- 10/27/2000, 9:07 pm
Re: Thule wind noise
Mike Scarborough -- 10/26/2000, 9:06 pm
Re: Thule wind noise
PJ Gudac -- 10/28/2000, 11:30 pm
Rack wind noise reduction
mike allen ---> -- 10/26/2000, 4:38 pm
Re: Rack wind noise reduction
Fritz -- 10/26/2000, 5:24 pm
Slow Down :) *NM*
Derek -- 10/26/2000, 4:00 pm