Roof boxes and noise

[mybrainhurts]

I've been using a roof box occasionally and it's very quiet up to 80mph. I was talking to someone who said his box is uncomfortably noisy over 57mph.

Has anyone else experienced this? I'm about to get another box, but this is making me doubt the wisdom of such a move.

If anyone's used a Thule Atlantis 900 on a Volvo V70, I'd be very interested to hear your opinion.

[A900ss]

In my experience it all depends on how far the box 'juts' out in front of the windscreen airflow. Behind it equals quiet, in fro t of it equals noisy.

Good luck.

[s3fella]

It's the bars that make the noise. I have the posh bars that re like aeroplane wings, (not just aero bars that are oval profile) and they are so quiet we lave them on all year round, ( not just skiing!).
They really don't make any appreciable sound up to 130mph.
Kamei box was tested to 120 and seemed to be acceptable noise.

My old boy has square section bars on his mondo and it is a mare at 50mph!

[mybrainhurts]

s3fella said:

I have the posh bars that re like aeroplane wings, (not just aero bars that are oval profile) and they are so quiet we lave them on all year round,

Who makes those? Mine are oval, no noise with the box on, but howl like a banshee without the box at 55-60.

[mybrainhurts]

A900ss said:

In my experience it all depends on how far the box 'juts' out in front of the windscreen airflow. Behind it equals quiet, in fro t of it equals noisy.

Good luck.

Thanks. That makes sense.

[s3fella]

mybrainhurts said:

s3fella said:

I have the posh bars that re like aeroplane wings, (not just aero bars that are oval profile) and they are so quiet we lave them on all year round,

Who makes those? Mine are oval, no noise with the box on, but howl like a banshee without the box at 55-60.

Pro rack.

Roof bars.co.uk sell them.

[mybrainhurts]

Ta...

Discovered that the howling from the bars was down to the open channels in the top (for the T bolts) and small slots in the base on each side. Inserting the rubber bungs stopped most of the noise.

Now got the Thule Atlantis 900 and it's so quiet I don't even notice it.

Seems aero bars are a no-no with this box because the claws that hold the box to the bars would grab the front of the bar but not the thinner rear end.

Which is an arse, as I was going to buy factory aero bars and leave them on, being much neater.

[mike9009]

we have aero bars and a genuine Mini roof box for our clubman and I don't notice any noise at all on the motorway. The bars are oval shaped and if not using the box I always use the rubber strips to in-fill the bars.

Mike