Overtrail Roof Rack - Noise Reductions?

[YellowLab]

Did the same thing as Yellowlab on our Premium Plus platform rack. Wrapped paracord on the front and it substantially reduced wind noise when cruising 60-75+ mph. Doesn't eliminate the noise but it makes the car so much more bearable driving on the highway. This is a tried and true inexpensive method to reduce wind noise on roof racks or cross bars. To reduce the wind noise further, you can also try to wrap the other cross bars further back. It does look "unsightly" though. I did not remove the rubber gasket at the front but the cord kind of wraps the gasket to the rack.

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Glad it worked for you - does make such a difference!

 

[SethGX]

For what it is worth, I made another change in an attempt to further reduce wind noise from the OT roof rack. I moved the roof rack back exactly six inches. Doing so required carefully drilling holes to locate the roof rack supports, and then kinda redrilling the holes for one that needed to be slightly higher on the rail. It was not a simple task, but the result looked pretty cool in that it lines it up to look more aerodynamic. It also put the rack at the back edge of the sunroof so it no longer obstructs the view. As a safety benefit, if i was ever to accidentally drive into a pond, I could open the sunroof and climb out without the roof rack blocking my escape.

Unfortunately it did nothing for wind noise reduction.

 

[HB822]

Finally had enough of the roof rack wind noise. Pulled off the rack this morning in about 30 minutes. Noise is gone. I'd thought about adding a Prinsu roof rack, but I think I will just hold onto this one and in the "rare" event that I go tent camping and need the rack, I will just throw it back on there. I'd rather spend the money on a leveling kit and bigger tires.

how hard is it to take on and off? I like the idea of just putting it on when you need it.

 

[SethGX]

how hard is it to take on and off? I like the idea of just putting it on when you need it.

The first time it will take you about 10 minutes to figure out out, after that you can take it off in under 5 minutes. You will need a flat blade screwdriver and a T30 Torx driver and it's definitely nice to have a helper when you lift the roof rack off.

 

[YellowLab]

I've solved the wind noise!! Very easy and it only takes seconds to make the adaption. Best part is it really enhances the overall quietness of the ride - but you will need to turn up the Mark Levinson to hear the high notes.

 

[docmunny]

I did wrap the front 'blade' of the OT Roof rack with black 4mm paracord from Amazon. Noticed a significant noise reduction when getting above 50mph - about 40-50% quieter. I'll need to clean up the alignment - but so far pleased with the result

However the increased drag and weight will now cost me a .0003mpg efficiency loss which in this car is huge...

I have a major issue tying a string around it as a fix on an $80k vehicle. Not happy right now since I just got mine installed.

 

[gvan1998]

I have a major issue tying a string around it as a fix on an $80k vehicle. Not happy right now since I just got mine installed.

You can always remove the rack

 

[Danh63]

I finally ended up taking mine off. Much better and the neighbor said it looks better without.

 

[spcurrie]

I just want to clarify... Is the wind noise everyone is talking about from the optional RACK or the side rails and cross bars? I am considering swapping out the flush side rails on my Luxury+ for the Overtrail side rails, and I will have crossbars on it for when I use my Thule Box... But I don't want to deal with that noise if it's the side rails and cross bars. Thanks!

 

[DJ’s Sled]

The RACK.
I have an OT. I drove home 6 hrs with the OE Roof Rack. It was really loud, so I removed it in a week or 2. It still sits in my garage…unused, unsold. . It is likely headed to our local recla-metal recycling.
My OT side rails, I hear nothing from them. If I was to install my Thule cross bars I’m sure I would hear them - but I’m perfectly happy with that since it’s for a purpose. The cross bars made noise on my 4Runner and my ‘22 Sequoia. But I use them to mount my ski rack, and 2 pairs of skis live up there each winter (except this year).
Last year I ended up carrying my skis inside the Sequoia, so I removed the cross bars. Silence.
If we’re taking a multi-day trip in winter, then I’m using the cross bars and Thule box.
Same in summer towing the camp trailer around if I want some extra storage for seldom needed items.
Apologies for such rambling..

 

[spcurrie]

The RACK.
I have an OT. I drove home 6 hrs with the OE Roof Rack. It was really loud, so I removed it in a week or 2. It still sits in my garage…unused, unsold. . It is likely headed to our local recla-metal recycling.
My OT side rails, I hear nothing from them. If I was to install my Thule cross bars I’m sure I would hear them - but I’m perfectly happy with that since it’s for a purpose. The cross bars made noise on my 4Runner and my ‘22 Sequoia. But I use them to mount my ski rack, and 2 pairs of skis live up there each winter (except this year).
Last year I ended up carrying my skis inside the Sequoia, so I removed the cross bars. Silence.
If we’re taking a multi-day trip in winter, then I’m using the cross bars and Thule box.
Same in summer towing the camp trailer around if I want some extra storage for seldom needed items.
Apologies for such rambling..

Thank you for explaining.
So the crossbars will be loud too, even if not as loud as the entire rack. I wonder if they’re so annoyingly loud that I should just take the crossbars on and off whenever I use the Thule box (which is only a couple times a year). Seems like extra work I’d rather not do, but…