Fuel Economy Of Roof Rack Vs Luggage Box

Hitch racks by the time you get the whole family loaded up in your vehicle there s no room for all the luggage and gear.

Fuel economy of roof rack vs luggage box.

I have personally tried both options on two different vehicles and i can say positively a cargo box gives you more mpg s. For comparison the additional fuel consumption caused by roof racks is about six times larger than anticipated fuel savings from fuel cell vehicles and 40 percent of anticipated fuel savings. On my maxima i was able to get 25mpg with no rack at all when i added a yakima fat cat 6 loaded with skis i got approx 20mpg. Hitch racks or roof racks which one should you choose.

The empty roof rack had a nearly 2 percent impact on fuel economy which translates to a little more than three quarters of a gallon of gas. He compared the gas mileage of his car at 54 7 mph 88 kph with 1 no roof racks 2 an empty roof rack and 3 a mountain bike on the roof rack. Adding any rooftop carrier cargo box or ski rack doesn t come free. That s why you ve decided to invest in a cargo carrier.

But that s where you ve found a dilemma. Is a fancy low profile ski rack the answer or could a cargo box get me better fuel economy. Mileage went from 41 mpg at 65 mph to 40 mpg.