Poll: Roof Rack Wind Noise

I'm about to install the roof rack on the Ridge once I get time. I would like to know how much wind noise there is in real enviorments.

If you drive with the windows or moonroof open you'll hear some noise. We do little of that since we are using the AC or carrying our boats on the rack. It does take some from your mileage though. There are posts here with more info. Rack does give the RL a nice look.

I self installed my rack. What is all the beef about wind noise? I will hear a slight swoosh at 35 mph, that's it. Not even worth mentioning. And I don't have the crossbars in the back either.
A non issue that keeps coming up.

A non issue that keeps coming up.

A non issue that prevented me from getting the roof rack option after my demo drive. :D

I don't think it is a non issue. I self installed the rack after about 2-3 weeks of my ownership and could see a very noticeable change. Although if you've ever driven any SUV with a roof rack it is comparable to what you will get with the roof rack on the RL. It is still worthwhile option IMO. The installation manual does suggest toward the end to install rubber bands in the grooves in the side rails. I saw them on sale at HandA for $6.75, so I am plannng to order and install them.

I put mine on for looks, the wind noise and pain of cleaning around it have not been worth the looks to me. If I had it to do over I would not put it on unless I actually had a real use for it.

Yes, there is some noise, but it's definately not unbearable. The cabin is still a tranquil place with it installed. It's not any worse than any other vehicle with a roof rack.

If you add accessories to the rack, then you start to get some serious wind noise!

I notice the noise mainly when it's windy outside as well, or on the highway around 65 mph or above. I can see where it would drive some people crazy, but I just don't really mind that much. I haven't yet tried moving the cross bars around to see if it gets any better, I think I'll see if that helps.

I have the same noise problem. But I thought it was normal.

I don't think it is a non issue. I self installed the rack after about 2-3 weeks of my ownership and could see a very noticeable change. Although if you've ever driven any SUV with a roof rack it is comparable to what you will get with the roof rack on the RL. It is still worthwhile option IMO. The installation manual does suggest toward the end to install rubber bands in the grooves in the side rails. I saw them on sale at HandA for $6.75, so I am plannng to order and install them.


I thought those were a replacement for something that was already there.

Thanks for all the info. I have read the all the posts but I wanted to see a real world comparo.

My Roof rack has been on since my wife bought me the Ridge so I never noticed the noise, but when she brought home a redrock pearl 2007 as a demo it did'nt have a rack and I did notice a little less wind noise at highway speeds, but the difference was not worth mentioning and the look of the roof rack is definitly worth it.

I have my RL for a couple of months before I installed the rack and I noticed a big increase in cabin noise on the highway after I put it in. It's loud in my opinion but it's also useful. We went skiing a few weekends ago and the rack with a Thule accessory adapter easily held three pairs of skis. I've gotten used to the noise but it's definitely there.

I thought those were a replacement for something that was already there.
Yes, they are. They are the replacement rubber strips for the cross bars. But, if you read the installation manual, they recommend removing the strips from the cross bars and installing them into the sidebar grooves, in order to reduce wind noise. I didn't have the heart to do it, but now that I saw the replacements being sold, I will try and see if it really helps.

i like how the truck looks with and without the rack....but i opted not to have the rack since i wouldn''t want to hear wind noise or clean around them.. besides i really don't have a use for it.. i would like having some sort of marker lights lining the front part of the roof with a pair of shiny air horns though:cool:

I've decided that I like the look of my black RL MUCH better with the roof rack--it just looks meaner and more truck. I painted the OEM Honda rack black and I'm very happy with it. That being said, it is noisier then the truck without rack. I only hear it at speeds above 40 mph on a really smooth road. On rough stretches of highway or with the radio on it's barely noticeable. At cruising speeds of 70, other noises, i.e.. the truck itself and the tires on the road seem to drown it out.

For me it's worth it but there definitely is an increase in noise vs. an RL sans rack. I think I'm going to order a rubber rack strip or two and try to fill in the rails to see if that quiets it at all.

Cheers,
Matt

Yes, they are. They are the replacement rubber strips for the cross bars. But, if you read the installation manual, they recommend removing the strips from the cross bars and installing them into the sidebar grooves, in order to reduce wind noise. I didn't have the heart to do it, but now that I saw the replacements being sold, I will try and see if it really helps.

lol cool they thought of everything. I haven't taken the rack out of the box yet so I'll have to read up on that. Thanks

OK, for some it is an issue. I don't understand why their are such differences from one truck to another. For me, it is barely noticable. One second I'll hear something, then it's gone. If they are all installed properly and equally, then I guess it is a matter of one interpretation versus another.
For me, I am happy with it, even though I will use it only occasionally for my canoe.

OK, for some it is an issue. I don't understand why their are such differences from one truck to another. For me, it is barely noticable. One second I'll hear something, then it's gone. If they are all installed properly and equally, then I guess it is a matter of one interpretation versus another.
For me, I am happy with it, even though I will use it only occasionally for my canoe.
This the only truck, to my knowledge, available with the roof rack. All other vehicles with roof racks are either SUVs or minivans. The majority comes out of the factory with roof racks already installed. So, naturally, customers accept wind noise as normal, since they never driven their vehicles without roof racks. Many buyers of RL drive without the roof rack for a while, before adding this accessory. When they do, they immediately hear the difference. Hence the disappointment, IMO. There is a solution for Honda: to include the rack as standard equipment. Nobody will complain than.

Raplon,
I did not get the rack right away. I added it myself a couple of months after I bought the truck. Yes, I read a lot about the noise on the boards here, and I was a bit spooked to do it, but for me, it's nothing to complain about. As I said earlier, I didn't even try to move the crossbars around. The noise is that minimal.
Take care, Eric

Raplon,
I did not get the rack right away. I added it myself a couple of months after I bought the truck. Yes, I read a lot about the noise on the boards here, and I was a bit spooked to do it, but for me, it's nothing to complain about. As I said earlier, I didn't even try to move the crossbars around. The noise is that minimal.
Take care, Eric

I got the roof rack also. The wind noise isn't that noticeable. You'll really have to listen for it. However, for me, I notice the wind noise does increase if its windy whether its on the road or highway. It doesn't bother me much. I'm glad I got it. For those thinking of adding accessories on your rack, I added a pair of yakima snowboard/ski racks and that greatly increased the wind noise. Noise increased but was still quiet enough for me to have a normal conversation with passengers.

Since I started the poll and finally have my roof rack installed I thought I'd chime in. The rack looks great and I have yet to notice any noise from it. I'm pretty picky and it doesn't bother me a bit. Anyone thinking of it and like the look GO FOR IT!