roof racks . . .

Based on what we needed for 2 days camping a few weeks ago i`m probably going to need to get a roof rack at some point, if i do i`m planning on leaving it on but I know from experience roof racks tend to make a fair bit of noise.

Some of you have them some don`t - Do you have one that does n`t cause too much noise or perhaps you took one off because it did?

I would be interested to hear your thoughts and opinions.

Noisy contraptions that cut down your airflow, potentially damage your Brazibay's gutters and roof if incorrectly fitted, cause water traps around their feet and they take the height up to whatever you put on top. If poor quality they rot too. Not a fan as you can tell.

Fit a tow bar and use either a tow bar mounted box or get yourself a trailer - much more useful - runs to the tip, putting the awning, tables etc in. Long term I reckon a tow bar works much better in a variety of ways.

I did originally purchase a cheap roof rack but found it difficult to load so eventually got a tow bar fitted rear luggage rack such as this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thule-EasyBase-Carrier-Base-Bar-Mounted/dp/B001N3L47Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1504100977&sr=1-1&keywords=thule+949
The cost of it is less than a good quality roof rack

However I also have a tow bar mounted bike rack so sometimes still use the roof rack when taking bikes with us.

This is the one I got
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-Roof-Rack-for-VW-T2-and-T25-Tin-Roof-C9002-/162580531496?epid=1462385284&hash=item25da8e0928:g:X58AAOxy66pRsaDW

It is not very elegant and the back end cross bar is close to the roof. However it is extremely practical and if you put some pipe insulation on the rear crossbar it does not seem to do any damage to the roof. However you should take it off when not in use for reasons as explained by TIMV. I do not notice much extra noise above the normal T2 vibrations and did not cause me any concern. However, overall, unless you need lots of space get a tow bar fitted and use a rear mounted rack or trailer.

From a different perspective . . .

Scooby doo like a good rack
The alleged noise from a rack has never been an issue for us - any way, just turn the speakers up to 11 man!
We have successfully used a roof rack on many occasions in the past - most useful for storing an awning - but doo keep on top of treating/painting it.
One tip: We cut small sections of hose pipe (blue of course) and place them under the feet of the rack in the gutter to help reduce any potential damage.
Also doo not overload or build up the height too much and source a good waterproof bag(s) for your roof rack items - we often used a blue tarpaulin too.
Our Air Cooled Kombi does not return good MPG without the rack, so when loaded with it we did not see it as an issue.
It's smiles per gallon not miles per gallon.

Our rack was the more traditional 'rectangular' roof rack found on many a classic camper - we eventually painted to match Scooby.
We doo however like the shiny bowed version that many a Brazilian Kombi sport atop the cab roof (maybe one day we too).
From the front elevation we always thought a rack was the 'crowning glory' on top of the Kombi (also much cheaper than a tow bar and trailer).
Have not used the rack much in recent times so we removed it - have got used to it now.  

Hope the above will be of assistance and doo let us know your eventual decision Dee James  

Interesting to hear both sides of the argument.

TBO I`ve ruled out trailers for reasons of storage when not in use, rear boxes i`ve not really looked into so i`ll take a look.

Good points made about potential gutter damage etc. - one of the reasons why i would want to just install it properly then leave it on although the possibility of damaging the gutters does put me off. I can see an issue with having too much weight that high up but it can`t make airflow that much worse can it Tim? Assuming it`s not stacked too high of course.

I must admit i do think the shiny bowed racks look great as well scooby, not cheap though so i would hate to get one the noise drive me mad, find a noticeable increase in bay sway and then condemn it to the garage . .

incidentally i found some really good dry bags cheap online the other day and posted a link on here in case anyone was interested.

When I had Kosmic, a 2011 AquaBay, to sell a few years back. The noise from the roof rack was the first thing I noticed when I was driving it home. You have to maintain those roof racks - the wood needs lacquering frequently. The more you pile up top, the more subject to crosswinds you will be and its knock-on effect on BraziBaysway.

Conversely, fitting a tow bar box will cause the rear of the camper to be heavy and raise the nose to a take-off attitude, thereby increasing BraziBaysway - so do what I do to counteract, put something heavy inbetween the front seats to force the nose down on the road. #firstworldbrazibayproblems

I've not noticed any noise from our roof-rack .............. well nothing above the noise of the engine!

I never take it off when not in use, Bumble has the aerodynamics of a brick anyway

We use the roof rack for body boards, chocks and drive-away awning; nothing that is a problem if it gets wet, really.

I'm like Scooby and have fitted pieces of bike inner tube under the four mounts, so that it doesn't adversely mark the guttering. As Tim says, the wood needs to be maintained (which I'm currently doing, by removing all the slats and repainting them).

We have a two bike rack which we fit on our Watling de-mountable tow bar; my concern about putting more weight on the back - as with a tow bar box - is the fact that they're already rear-heavy and I wouldn't want to add too much weight to the back.

(As it is I'm thinking of trying to reduce weight in Bumble and especially high up, by replacing the roof board with a much slimmer - and lighter - ply board, as we only use it for storage - no children sleeping up there).

P.

Bumble wrote:

I've not noticed any noise from our roof-rack .............. well nothing above the noise of the engine!

I never take it off when not in use, Bumble has the aerodynamics of a brick anyway

We use the roof rack for body boards, chocks and drive-away awning; nothing that is a problem if it gets wet, really.

I'm like Scooby and have fitted pieces of bike inner tube under the four mounts, so that it doesn't adversely mark the guttering.  As Tim says, the wood needs to be maintained (which I'm currently doing, by removing all the slats and repainting them).

We have a two bike rack which we fit on our Watling de-mountable tow bar; my concern about putting more weight on the back - as with a tow bar box - is the fact that they're already rear-heavy and I wouldn't want to add too much weight to the back.

(As it is I'm thinking of trying to reduce weight in Bumble and especially high up, by replacing the roof board with a much slimmer - and lighter - ply board, as we only use it for storage - no children sleeping up there).

P.

Interesting Tim noticed noise and you don`t Bumble - it could be the noise of the aircooled drowns it out or maybe the design of the rack perhaps, what one do you have?

Dee James wrote:

Bumble wrote:

I've not noticed any noise from our roof-rack .............. well nothing above the noise of the engine!

I never take it off when not in use, Bumble has the aerodynamics of a brick anyway

We use the roof rack for body boards, chocks and drive-away awning; nothing that is a problem if it gets wet, really.

I'm like Scooby and have fitted pieces of bike inner tube under the four mounts, so that it doesn't adversely mark the guttering.  As Tim says, the wood needs to be maintained (which I'm currently doing, by removing all the slats and repainting them).

We have a two bike rack which we fit on our Watling de-mountable tow bar; my concern about putting more weight on the back - as with a tow bar box - is the fact that they're already rear-heavy and I wouldn't want to add too much weight to the back.

(As it is I'm thinking of trying to reduce weight in Bumble and especially high up, by replacing the roof board with a much slimmer - and lighter - ply board, as we only use it for storage - no children sleeping up there).

P.

Interesting Tim noticed noise and you don`t Bumble - it could be the noise of the aircooled drowns it out or maybe the design of the rack perhaps, what one do you have?

I've driven both Aircooled and Watercooled with roof racks fitted. When my Airbus is full of stuff at the back you can barely hear the engine. Guess it's down to who set up your tappets ...... Both times the racks were the bow type.

Not actually used mine yet, so no idea if the noise from the back is improved when full!

I wonder if the non bow type produce less noise?

Dee James wrote:

Not actually used mine yet, so no idea if the noise from the back is improved when full!

I wonder if the non bow type produce less noise?

Everyone's hearing is unique, with differing thresholds dependant upon your age and potentially your health.
Weather conditions, wind direction, wind speed and the speed of your Kombi can all obviously impact upon any likely noise issues.
Anecdotal evidence clearly suggests some people hear it and some doo not.

Our advice would be to get a rack if you need/will use one and not to worry about the 'noise issue'.

As we have previously said, there is always the option to 'simply turn the speakers up to 11'.  

Scooby wrote:

Dee James wrote:

Not actually used mine yet, so no idea if the noise from the back is improved when full!

I wonder if the non bow type produce less noise?

Everyone's hearing is unique, with differing thresholds dependant upon your age and potentially your health.
Weather conditions, wind direction, wind speed and the speed of your Kombi can all obviously impact upon any likely noise issues.
Anecdotal evidence clearly suggests some people hear it and some doo not.

Our advice would be to get a rack if you need/will use one and not to worry about the 'noise issue'.

As we have previously said, there is always the option to 'simply turn the speakers up to 11'.  

Turning the music up is always a good idea Scooby ;-)

My main reason for asking this question was because i read a couple of posts that suggest the noise is pretty bad, interesting some agree and some don't but as you correctly say various factors will have a influence.

My airbus is away having work done at the moment but once i get it back the plan is to try to get in some nights away to work out what we actually need to pack and take it from there although with a couple of festivals and shows looking likely next year as well as a couple of weeks way in the SW i suspect it will be a nessesity . . .

We are a great believer in 'try before you buy' - so one option which may therefore be possible would be as follows . . .
Meet up with a fellow Brazi owner who has a rack fitted.
Sit in the front passenger seat with the window open while they take you for a little spin.
Just a thought!

Dee James wrote:

Bumble wrote:

I've not noticed any noise from our roof-rack .............. well nothing above the noise of the engine!

I never take it off when not in use, Bumble has the aerodynamics of a brick anyway

We use the roof rack for body boards, chocks and drive-away awning; nothing that is a problem if it gets wet, really.

I'm like Scooby and have fitted pieces of bike inner tube under the four mounts, so that it doesn't adversely mark the guttering.  As Tim says, the wood needs to be maintained (which I'm currently doing, by removing all the slats and repainting them).

We have a two bike rack which we fit on our Watling de-mountable tow bar; my concern about putting more weight on the back - as with a tow bar box - is the fact that they're already rear-heavy and I wouldn't want to add too much weight to the back.

(As it is I'm thinking of trying to reduce weight in Bumble and especially high up, by replacing the roof board with a much slimmer - and lighter - ply board, as we only use it for storage - no children sleeping up there).

P.

Interesting Tim noticed noise and you don`t Bumble - it could be the noise of the aircooled drowns it out or maybe the design of the rack perhaps, what one do you have?

Ours is the bow type.

We have a bow type roof rack - not noticed any additional noise above the air-cooled engine even with the window down and it being fully laden.