Yakima/Thule or other roof racks.
- Thread starter MySonicBoom
- Start date
TURBOBX
New member
KILLED the Roof Rack Noise!!!!
Made 2 adjustments:
1) Taped/Concealed the open outer side of track under the crossbars (I used black duct tape) This killed 99% of the "whistles." -You can also insert the plastic spacers (if you saved your scraps) but tape will be easier to remove should you need the bars off.
2) Purchased and Installed INNO Fairing (size Medium INA261 is the name) for under $80 @ CargoGear.com! This thing killed EVERY last bit of remaining pushing, swirling, etc. noise. Drove back to work now @ 60+MPH in a 20 MPH head wind and heard NOTHING but normal wind against the car. I can drive with my windows down again!
Yes, the INNO fairing is a simple design, but its 40" - so broader than the THULE one that doesn't eliminate all noise AND it's less expensive than a used THULE/YAKIMA... highly recommend guys/gals!:banana:
Made 2 adjustments:
1) Taped/Concealed the open outer side of track under the crossbars (I used black duct tape) This killed 99% of the "whistles." -You can also insert the plastic spacers (if you saved your scraps) but tape will be easier to remove should you need the bars off.
2) Purchased and Installed INNO Fairing (size Medium INA261 is the name) for under $80 @ CargoGear.com! This thing killed EVERY last bit of remaining pushing, swirling, etc. noise. Drove back to work now @ 60+MPH in a 20 MPH head wind and heard NOTHING but normal wind against the car. I can drive with my windows down again!
Yes, the INNO fairing is a simple design, but its 40" - so broader than the THULE one that doesn't eliminate all noise AND it's less expensive than a used THULE/YAKIMA... highly recommend guys/gals!:banana:
Attachments
-
no whistles.jpg -
no more noise.jpg
Last edited:
That's a relief to me too. I was planning on purchasing the Rhino Euro bars, but your review of the wind noise gave me serious second thoughts. Glad you got it resolved.
BlootyBlootBLoot
New member
Sorry, I'm confused. I had a 4 bike hitch mount rack I used to use with my Wrangler but I sold the jeep. I'm interested in the Chevy OEM roof rails but do they require any poking of holes in the car? I know nothing about mounting rails on the roof but it seems the only viable option for an RS. Thanks.
maryt937
New member
I checked on Yakima and Thule's websites and they said that they don't have any options that fit the 2013 Sonic 5-door. Where did you guys find these racks? I've seen a Blue LTZ in town with a GM/Yakima/Thule mixed setup but I don't know how to do that and I would feel like a total creeper asking a complete stranger. I need one for my kayak and I am desperate to find one. Please help!!
just get the rhino rack. neither thule nor yakima are currently producing or planning to produce a rack for the sonic so far as im aware. the rhino rack, however, works quite nicely. if mine can hold up to a canoe at 75mph, it will suit your needs as well. of course, you could always go with the gm rack, but i don't care for the looks and it isn't wide enough for a canoe.
Joyride
New member
^ +1...Don't think because the Rhino rack is less expensive that it is any less quality than its competitors. Just the opposite, Rhino makes really nice equipment coming out of Australia.
BriG21
New member
Factory Rack with Thule
I got the factory Chevy Roof rack and purchased the Thule Hull-A-Port to carry two kayaks. The thule Hull-A-Port will work fine on the factory rack except they gave me two different lengths of the M6 carriage bolts and both were too short. So I had to find and purchase M6 carriage bolts that were 80mm long. None of the local hardware stores carried these including Fastenal so I ended up buying the longer bolts on ebay. I haven't carried the kayaks yet with the car but I don't foresee any issues. Purchased the Thule Hull-A-Ports from backcountry.com
I got the factory Chevy Roof rack and purchased the Thule Hull-A-Port to carry two kayaks. The thule Hull-A-Port will work fine on the factory rack except they gave me two different lengths of the M6 carriage bolts and both were too short. So I had to find and purchase M6 carriage bolts that were 80mm long. None of the local hardware stores carried these including Fastenal so I ended up buying the longer bolts on ebay. I haven't carried the kayaks yet with the car but I don't foresee any issues. Purchased the Thule Hull-A-Ports from backcountry.com
Attachments
-
Roof Racks with Kayak Holders.jpg
Mlib26
New member
Im making a trip from New York to North Carolina and was just looking for a universal roof rack. all i need to put up there is my dogs crate (folded flat) and my fishing rods probably strapped to that. I'm literally only going to need the racks for this trip. Any suggestions or ideas on what to get? i've tried reading through every page of this topic and am still clueless 
First of all, I am not aware of any other member that transports canoes. I'd like to see some pics if someone else does.
Second, I generally leave the antenna in place when transporting my canoes. The antenna does not stick up all that far and there is a ton of clearance before interfering with the hull.
That being said, depending on the size and configuration of your canoe, you may run into a situation where the antenna interferes with the seat and/or any yokes or crossmembers.
If you plan to leave the antenna in place, be extremely mindful of it.
The antenna will break off if you slam a gunwale into it, leaving the stud broken off in the base. If you break it off, good luck extracting that broken stud. There was a post a while back where a member broke the antenna while washing his wife's sonic, or something along those lines. IRRC, the shop quoted him in the ballpark of $300 to fix it. Not sure whatever came of that.
The obvious thing to do is to un-screw the antenna before loading/unloading your canoe. It takes all of about 10 seconds and is nice insurance against a costly PITA repair. Once the canoe is loaded on the roof, you can screw it back on if you really need that extra reception. Personally, I don't think the antenna does much of a damn thing, and I get poor reception even with it on. I much prefer to play music from the USB anyway.
The best solution would be to buy a shark fin when they become available again and not have to worry about it ever again.
Now, time for some questions of my own:
What rack do you have?
Where do you plan to attach your tie-down lines for the bow/stern?
What size canoe do you have?
Finally, I know a thing or two about hauling canoes on the Sonic. Feel free to ask me any questions that you might have.
Good luck and share a picture when you get around to it.
Attachments
-
uploadfromtaptalk1372867936606.jpg
TheLorax
New member
Thanks for the intel and the pic!
I don't have a rack yet but I'm about to bite the bullet on the rhino rack with aero bars and a inno fairing.
I'm undecided if I want a canoe, a kayak or I'm also thinking about building a small 8' wooden boat. Like this: Boat plan details, Prameke 7'-8' (PK78), Dinghies up to 12'
My main reasons for using a boat are fishing mostly by myself however I do have a wife and a 10 month old and at some point they might join me. The canoe is probably the best option for more than one person. I like the fact that the small skiff is only 8' long though.
I don't have a rack yet but I'm about to bite the bullet on the rhino rack with aero bars and a inno fairing.
I'm undecided if I want a canoe, a kayak or I'm also thinking about building a small 8' wooden boat. Like this: Boat plan details, Prameke 7'-8' (PK78), Dinghies up to 12'
My main reasons for using a boat are fishing mostly by myself however I do have a wife and a 10 month old and at some point they might join me. The canoe is probably the best option for more than one person. I like the fact that the small skiff is only 8' long though.
8' is so tiny. I'm obviously biased, but I think that if you're only going with one of the above, a canoe is way more versatile. I got it so I can take my dog and/or friends. Its pretty decent for fishing, just watch out for the big ones, they'll drag you all over the place.
FWIW, I went with the euro bars and built my own fairing for less than $50.
Hard to go wrong with what you're thinking though.
FWIW, I went with the euro bars and built my own fairing for less than $50.
Hard to go wrong with what you're thinking though.
I have a once used OEM roof rack set for my hatchback I would be interested in selling if anyone is interested. I drove about 25 miles with it on...then sold my kayaks so I do not need them. PM me if interested. I'll be making a classified ad for them soon...once I get some pics.
Oops.. missed this. Better late than never..
- Curt Rack. Removed its fairing (killed mpg.. even when nothing is in the rack)
- GM OEM rack
- Inno Fairing.
I'm happy with it.
Attachments
-
P8040692.jpg