Baby Got Rack.

"Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!" (theduckduck)
09/13/2018 at 11:00 • Filed to: None

Y’all can’t deny.

This thing was kind of a bastard to assemble. It’s a Curt 18115 Roof Rack with the Curt extension piece 18117. It measures 62.5"x37"x4". I am so glad I am a machinist. I also spent $26 replacing the garbage hardware this had with stainless steel and zinc plated.

There is now an annoying buzz at 60mph that gets louder the faster you go. Going to have to address that ASAP.

Had to make these because I would’ve ran out of thread before it got tight. Machined out four of these then realized I needed four more. Ugh.

Pre-rusted for your satisfaction!

I have to cut down and cap the studs holding this down so it doesn’t tear the travel bag I just bought. Stupid. I also wrapped black tape at each section where the tubes joined to try to keep some water out of the tubes.

Overall this rack is okay. I will someday fabricate one that is so much better constructed. I bought a Keeper rooftop travel bag as recommended by Ash78 still wonders why it isn’t called ComeFundMe. Hopefully I can find and eliminate the buzz the rack creates tonight because it will drive my wife and I insane if I have to tolerate all the to the East coast and back.

DISCUSSION (21)

Ash78, voting early and often > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!
09/13/2018 at 11:08

Based on my local observations, I didn’t realize the Outback didn’t come with this from the factory :D

Well done!

Maxima Speed > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!
09/13/2018 at 11:11

Wha causes the strut towers to be a different temperature than the surroundings? I’ve never noticed that on a vehicle before.

vicali > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!
09/13/2018 at 11:16

Looks like a decent solution. It’s a pain when you have to outfit things like that- but at least now you know it’s not going to fall apart.

Now go sit on it and take a pic, I think that’s what the kids do these days..

Kinja'd!!!

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!
09/13/2018 at 11:25

My outback started making an annoying buzzing sound from the front of the rack area, it turned out to be the rubber piece that sits between the car roof and the factory rack, it was vibrating in the wind. I folded up a small piece of paper and shoved it into the small void space and it went away.

FWIW I hate this particular fact ory rack, as I prefer a standard flat Thule or Yakima load bar. At this time Yakima makes an adaptor that screws into the holes where the factory load bars go, it’s extremely expensive but seems rather well thought out. I have not purchased it yet but am very tempted.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!
09/13/2018 at 11:32

We have the same buzz on our Outback when the Thule box is mounted. After some research, I believe it is caused by the extra wind resistance lifting the front of the rails enough for wind to get between the rail and the gasket which causes the buzz. I found a forum posting where I guy added additional wind protection to the front and the buzz went away. I planned to add a piece of tape from the roof to the side rail to cover the gap the next time we have to install the box.

Kinja'd!!!

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > vicali
09/13/2018 at 12:26

We actually used my roof basket like that when we went to the fireworks a couple years ago.

The wife, the 2 older kids, and me sitting in my roof basket on some foam cushions.

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > TheRealBicycleBuck
09/13/2018 at 15:13

Can you take a photo of the area being talked about? I think I found the forum post you're talking about but the ONE photo won't load.

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > Maxima Speed
09/13/2018 at 15:21

Will if I remember to, I will check how the hood insulated and report back but I don't know. I did get home close midnight last night after installing the damn rack and took this photo 7 hours later. Maybe the residual heat from the struts?

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
09/13/2018 at 15:22

Can you take a photo of where you did this and where the problem area is ? I found a forum post about this but the ONE photo in it won’t load. Plz?

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > Ash78, voting early and often
09/13/2018 at 15:30

Thank you for the roof bag recommendation!

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!
09/13/2018 at 15:32

Best I can do for now:

Kinja'd!!!

Ash78, voting early and often > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!
09/13/2018 at 15:36

Welcome! Fun fact: I’ve always used a roof bag without crossbars, believe it or not. If you criss-cross the 8 straps onto your main bars, you can cinch it down just fine. Crossbars definitely make it easier, though — and with this, it should be very simple.

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
09/13/2018 at 15:58

Awesome!!! I shall apply tape here first or just wedge cardboard. Thank you kind, noble sir!

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!
09/13/2018 at 16:05

When my car started to do it I thought it was going to explode. I took it to the dealer for an inspection and they couldn’t find anything wrong. We had to drive down the highway with the windows down touching various parts of trim to figure it out.