TurboSonic18
Member
Has anyone noticed a significant drop in MPG after installing a roof rack?
Yakima/Thule or other roof racks.
- Thread starter MySonicBoom
- Start date
LorbeerTLC
Member
Perrycraft Roof Racks
I haven't noticed a drop on the installed Perrycraft roof rack that I have on my car. I still get 40+mpg on highway driving.
Perrycraft - Racks, Rails, & Load Bars
What I did notice is a 10mpg drop after I have my Thule Roof Box attached to it. Otherwise, if the rack is empty my MPG remains about the same!
I haven't noticed a drop on the installed Perrycraft roof rack that I have on my car. I still get 40+mpg on highway driving.
Perrycraft - Racks, Rails, & Load Bars
What I did notice is a 10mpg drop after I have my Thule Roof Box attached to it. Otherwise, if the rack is empty my MPG remains about the same!
TurboSonic18
Member
Rack installed
Installed my Rhino rack today, with the Inno Wind Fairing. Very satisfied with this set-up.:banana:
Installed my Rhino rack today, with the Inno Wind Fairing. Very satisfied with this set-up.:banana:
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Sonic.jpg
Just tried to install my new rhino rack today. Unfortunately, things are not going well.
First they suggest that you cut the little rubber strips to 81mm in the back. But when you slide the towers up against them, the rack does not properly fit on the car. You have to back the towers out a bit to have the whole thing fit. Not a big deal, but in case anyone else is looking to get one of these, keep that in mind. You might be best off installing the rack first (before cutting the strips) and then measuring to see what the actual lengths should be.
But the bigger problem for me was that when the doors are closed, the metal for the car door actually hits the metal "clamps" that attach the rack onto the car. At first I thought I was doing something wrong and spent a lot of time trying to adjust the fit (and I followed the instructions on placement to the mm). Eventually I realized that there is no way for the clamps to actually fit between the door and the body of the car because when the towers are in their "upright" position it forces the clamps to not be flush against the body of the car. And when the clamps are flush against the body, the towers are forced to cant inward such that they cannot be attached to the cross bars.
It is hard to explain in words. Hopefully this image will describe the issue better:
The upper portions of the clamp have the following number stamped on them:
114488
and the lower portions have this number on a sticker on the back:
sub0155
I am wondering whether this is supposed to be a specific part for our cars and that somehow I was shipped the wrong one.
Another picture:
Anyone with Rhino racks on their hatchback have any insight?
First they suggest that you cut the little rubber strips to 81mm in the back. But when you slide the towers up against them, the rack does not properly fit on the car. You have to back the towers out a bit to have the whole thing fit. Not a big deal, but in case anyone else is looking to get one of these, keep that in mind. You might be best off installing the rack first (before cutting the strips) and then measuring to see what the actual lengths should be.
But the bigger problem for me was that when the doors are closed, the metal for the car door actually hits the metal "clamps" that attach the rack onto the car. At first I thought I was doing something wrong and spent a lot of time trying to adjust the fit (and I followed the instructions on placement to the mm). Eventually I realized that there is no way for the clamps to actually fit between the door and the body of the car because when the towers are in their "upright" position it forces the clamps to not be flush against the body of the car. And when the clamps are flush against the body, the towers are forced to cant inward such that they cannot be attached to the cross bars.
It is hard to explain in words. Hopefully this image will describe the issue better:
The upper portions of the clamp have the following number stamped on them:
114488
and the lower portions have this number on a sticker on the back:
sub0155
I am wondering whether this is supposed to be a specific part for our cars and that somehow I was shipped the wrong one.
Another picture:
Anyone with Rhino racks on their hatchback have any insight?
Thanks. I checked the rhino racks website and they show that the custom clamps are in fact the sub0155 ones. But I really can't see how they could fit.
The "sub0155" clamps are indeed the correct ones. They are a "universal" clamp and not specific to the Sonic. The only things about the Rhino Rack that are specific to the Sonic are the rubber mounting feet and the measurements. I actually received one incorrect mounting pad with my order, and had to wait another week to get the correct one. I suppose the fitment could be better, but it is a clamp-on roof rack and neither thule nor yakima can be bothered with fitting one to the Sonic. The GM rack is not wide enough for my canoe, so that's out.
Regarding my earlier comment about the rubber strips, here is a picture to show how I finally figured out how to align them.
If the towers are set too far apart on the crossbar, then I can see how you could run into this issue with the clamp hitting your door. If anything, I believe it is better to err on the side of being 1mm too close rather than too far. Moreover, the fitment of the doors on our Sonics is not exactly uniform throughout the model line. Some have a larger gap and others a smaller gap. I would retry using the measurements provided in the instructions.
Admittedly, it does take a bit of trial-and-error in order to get the rack fitted to the car. I would recheck all the measurements and give it another go. When tightening the clamps, be sure to alternate between the left and the right side of the car to get it clamped down evenly.
I hope that this helps a little. Unfortunately, I just removed my rack for the season and don't have any plans of re-installing it for now.
Regarding my earlier comment about the rubber strips, here is a picture to show how I finally figured out how to align them.
If the towers are set too far apart on the crossbar, then I can see how you could run into this issue with the clamp hitting your door. If anything, I believe it is better to err on the side of being 1mm too close rather than too far. Moreover, the fitment of the doors on our Sonics is not exactly uniform throughout the model line. Some have a larger gap and others a smaller gap. I would retry using the measurements provided in the instructions.
Admittedly, it does take a bit of trial-and-error in order to get the rack fitted to the car. I would recheck all the measurements and give it another go. When tightening the clamps, be sure to alternate between the left and the right side of the car to get it clamped down evenly.
I hope that this helps a little. Unfortunately, I just removed my rack for the season and don't have any plans of re-installing it for now.
Thanks so much for the info. I will give it another go with the racks "realigned" to match your photo more closely.
Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your point of view) it appears that my Sonic has very tight clearances between the upper door and the roof line. Even if the clamp were to sit 100% flush against the roof, the mere thickness of the metal is such that the door frame would be at most a mm from bumping it. That means that any angle that causes the clamp to bow out will be enough to have the metal portion of the door contact it.
I'll take another stab at it, but if it doesn't work I will have to think about what to do. I bought them from AutoAnything so I am not sure if they will take them back (technically they were the correct parts and it isn't "defective" as such). And even if they do, the restocking fee and shipping might make it not worth it to send back. I might sell them. On the other hand, I might take them into work and see if I can fab up some custom clamps that would fit my car more closely (basically drill out the pivot between the upper and lower portions of the clamp and replace the lower section with my own design).
Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your point of view) it appears that my Sonic has very tight clearances between the upper door and the roof line. Even if the clamp were to sit 100% flush against the roof, the mere thickness of the metal is such that the door frame would be at most a mm from bumping it. That means that any angle that causes the clamp to bow out will be enough to have the metal portion of the door contact it.
I'll take another stab at it, but if it doesn't work I will have to think about what to do. I bought them from AutoAnything so I am not sure if they will take them back (technically they were the correct parts and it isn't "defective" as such). And even if they do, the restocking fee and shipping might make it not worth it to send back. I might sell them. On the other hand, I might take them into work and see if I can fab up some custom clamps that would fit my car more closely (basically drill out the pivot between the upper and lower portions of the clamp and replace the lower section with my own design).
That's an idea. Where would you get something like that? Auto parts store?
Meanwhile I am going to also contact Rhino and see if they have any ideas.
Yeah. Any auto parts store will have it. Can't remember where I got this.
probably autozone. I had some left from a previous project and used it for another project today. Can't believe I didn't think to use this myself for the top of the door. I had a little rubbing on the front passenger door with my rack.
probably autozone. I had some left from a previous project and used it for another project today. Can't believe I didn't think to use this myself for the top of the door. I had a little rubbing on the front passenger door with my rack.
Yeah. Any auto parts store will have it. Can't remember where I got this.
probably autozone. I had some left from a previous project and used it for another project today. Can't believe I didn't think to use this myself for the top of the door. I had a little rubbing on the front passenger door with my rack.
Thanks. I'll look into it even though it isn't my first choice. I'd really rather the rack fit. I just emailed Rhino with my issue (and the photos). Hopefully they will get back to me. I'll post whatever I find out here. In the mean time, I'm going to see if I can fab up a sample piece that fits better. I'll do a prototype in aluminum first to get the proper dimensions and then switch over to steel. My steel working skills are fairly limited, but this should actually be a pretty simple project to cut my teeth on (and fingers, and...)
I spoke with Rhino today and they were super helpful. First thing they noticed was that I had one of the parts on the rack installed backwards. That helped a tiny bit, but ultimately the gaps between the roof and the top of the door is so tight that there does not appear to be enough room for the clamps to fit in there even if they were completely flush. On three of the doors I would have less than 1mm clearance. On one door I don't get any clearance at all. I guess that my particular car has the doors mounted pretty high up. I don't think I could even fab up my own simply because whatever material I use would most likely still have to be as thick (including padding) as the ones Rhino sent (unless I can find some unusually strong material that can give me the same holding power with half the thickness).
Based on that, I have to say I am not completely surprised that neither Thule nor Yakima have created a rack system for this car. Maybe they are running into the same issues and simply don't want to deal with the number of returns that a partially successful system would engender.
Time to investigate an alternative. I'm going to swing by the dealer and see if they have a chevy branded rack in stock that I can test. If that works, well I'lll buy that. If that has the same issue then I'm going to investigate a permanently installed system.
Small car. Gotta have a rack.
Based on that, I have to say I am not completely surprised that neither Thule nor Yakima have created a rack system for this car. Maybe they are running into the same issues and simply don't want to deal with the number of returns that a partially successful system would engender.
Time to investigate an alternative. I'm going to swing by the dealer and see if they have a chevy branded rack in stock that I can test. If that works, well I'lll buy that. If that has the same issue then I'm going to investigate a permanently installed system.
Small car. Gotta have a rack.
My sentiments exactly! The company that installed it called Perrycraft because there was a question on whether the racks would clear the drain pan that's associated with the factory sunroof. After careful checking, Perrycraft said it would. :banana:
If you've noticed in one of my photos, the rails go well behind the antenna. I asked why and they told me because that's where the re-enforced mounts are on the roof. The rack is rated at 180LBS and they had to make sure it was drilled into the strongest points.
I definitely wanted a professional installing this and I agree… it looks (and feels solid), like a factory job. I was also concerned about water seepage and they've guaranteed that it won't leak. After my trip (and several rainstorms), I haven't seen any. I'm very happy with it! :banana:
Ok, this is a very old post, but I was wondering whether now, over a year later, are you still happy with your rack? Also, where did you have it installed? I'm pretty sure I am going to try something very similar.
LorbeerTLC
Member
bvz, I'm VERY happy with my Perrycraft SportQuest Roof Rack!
I have not noticed any difference in my fuel mileage with just the roof rack and it does looks like a factory installed job. Wind noise is at a minimum and I don't have to hassle with a removable rack system. I now have almost 36,000 miles and have driven from Washington State to north of Toronto, Canada, down to Key West, Florida and to Southern California and back to Washington State with a Thule Roof Box without any problems!
If you've read my earlier post, the Chevy removable rack had a bad torque wrench that deformed the corners where attached. GM/Chevrolet repaired and repainted my roof at no-charge.
With all the problems I've been reading about these removable racks on the Sonic, I think this is the only way to go, period! The SportQuest is rated a maximum load capacity of 180lbs.
Here is a link to a list of available roof racks Perrycraft has for the Sonic. I don't know if this is for the hatchback only or if it would work for the sedans too:
Perrycraft - 2012-2013 Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback
I had this professionally installed at a Perrycraft dealer because I wanted it done right. Also, with a factory sunroof I didn't want to risk drilling through the drain pan.
Your best bet would be to go to the link and then go to the "Contact Us" button on the top right corner of the page and call them. That's how I found out where to take my car to have this installed.
Hope that helps and Good Luck!
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Glad to hear that they are working out for you. Thanks so much for the links.
I found an installer and now I'm just considering whether I have them do it or try it myself. They are pretty expensive and on top of that I am concerned about the side curtain airbags (they have never done a sonic before). That said, they have impeccable Yelp reviews and a lot of cars have side curtains these days so...
Anyway, thanks again for the info.
I found an installer and now I'm just considering whether I have them do it or try it myself. They are pretty expensive and on top of that I am concerned about the side curtain airbags (they have never done a sonic before). That said, they have impeccable Yelp reviews and a lot of cars have side curtains these days so...
Anyway, thanks again for the info.
After reading this entire thread I've ordered the factory rack for my 2014 Sonic Hatchback LT. I got part number 95932737 from shopchevyparts.com. The item title says "2014 Sonic Roof Rack, Removable, Sedan" but the description says "The Removable Roof Rack kit includes cross rails and all necessary mounting hardware to expand cargo capacity for your Sonic Sedan or Hatchback. "
I paid $178.50 and $15.00 shipping. I hope it fits
Then I went to autoanything.com and bought the INNO Wind Fairing Part # INA261
I paid $64.79 with free shipping.
So, for $258 bucks I'm hoping for a nice setup. It should be here early next week. I'll post my results when I install it.
I paid $178.50 and $15.00 shipping. I hope it fits
Then I went to autoanything.com and bought the INNO Wind Fairing Part # INA261
I paid $64.79 with free shipping.
So, for $258 bucks I'm hoping for a nice setup. It should be here early next week. I'll post my results when I install it.