What kind of MPG are you now getting?

I am getting my SD rack in a week and a friend and I are planning a trip to Ft Worth TX at the end of April and I am trying to decide if I should leave the rack on or take it off.

 

Before roof rack:
City/Hwy average-17
Just Hwy-18

After roof rack
City/hwy average-16
Just Hwy-About 17 (just under)

I do a pretty big mix of city/hwy driving so the average is prob closer. 1 MPG isn't too bad IMO. Its not worth me taking it off every time im not using it at least. Also, im not sure if having a half rack alters the MPG any more or less than a full one. I'm guessing its about the same.

Cant wait to see your truck with the SD rack on it!

 

So I am looking at loosing an average of 1mpg?
Everyone else have the same results?

And I will post pics from my phone onto Facebook when I get my rack Cam.

I will do a "real time" update.

 

I have got 12.8mpg average over the last 3 tanks. I am mostly local and off-road, not much over 45mph.

 

The rack itself isn't going to make a huge difference in fuel mileage. I would say a loss of 1 mpg sounds about right and since you drive like a little old lady you may not even see that Spike. When you're really going to notice the difference in fuel mileage is when you decide that since you have all that extra room up top you don't need to fill the inside, or you decide you can't leave home without the kitchen sink.

I would leave it on for your trip. But you should be heading toward Alaska, not Texas. There's a Rover convoy leaving Colorado heading for Alaska sometime in June. I'm sure I could get you an invite to join the convoy if you want.

 

Little old lady? Me? Why, yes, yes I do.

My Alaska trip will be at a later date.
I will take my truck there, just not this year.

 

my buddy matt and i are planning on a summer 2011 alaska trip

 

When I went to pick up my rack it was about 120 miles away. When I left it was just a little below the full mark. I went straight to the guys place and hooked it up. Then I got lost in the city for about half an hour. After finding the interstate I decided to stop off at a few campsites to see if any of them would be worth going to. By the time I made it home I had about 260 miles on the trip and I was about out of gas. Usually when I fill up I can go around 260-280 before the light comes on. So it didn't seem to chuging the gas. I only knew that I had the rack on when I got above 60 miles and hour. Then she started to howl. I think that once I get the brackets painted and I put it back on it will be staying there for a while. I know that this isn't a very scientific method so I will need to run a few more tanks through it to decide.

 

Thats good to know about the wind noise, I was not to worried about it but a little.
I dont drive faster than 65, and right now my truck is whisper quite on the expressway.
BUT I can live with alittle noise to have it look bad a$$ and be super useful.

Right now I average high 14's low 15's as a daily driver, I can live with a 1mpg drop easily.