Roofrack and fuel consumption question

[Nathan_Cardiff]

Hi folks.

I dont want to ask loads of questions as us newbies are meant to do, but have done a search and havent found anything related.

Picked up new van today. a 75ps SWB, what sort of fuel consumption am i expected to get and how much is a rook rack going to affect this.
I dont need a roof rack every day, just weekends once in a blue moon for carrying ladders and heras fence panels.

Help and opinions appreciated.
(if this has been asked before could someone be kind enough to post the link.)

cheers

[popuptoaster]

happened to hear on the radio yesterday, a family car with an empty roof rack on gets about 10% less mpg

[Luke]

happened to hear on the radio yesterday, a family car with an empty roof rack on gets about 10% less mpg

dunno if thats - enviromentalists exaguration but where i used to work some lads would leave there ladders at the workshop to get more top speed - made mabe 5mph difference - no one was bothered about mpg - works diesel

[lordcakes]

There will be a difference as the aerodynamics are adversely affected. The 'experts' reckon 10% for a roofrack, 4% for an open window etc. etc.

All weight will make some sort of difference but most will be unnoticeable.

If the roofrack is used once in a blue moon then whip it off. Haven't got around to doing mine yet but I am sure that makes a difference especially in my 70ps engine.

[AndyG]

It only makes any difference once you start going 45+mph

[belly]

hi ive got a full galv rack (traderrack) a 19 rung ramsay ladder a 15 rung wooden and a 15 rung ally mine is a 100ps model fwd and has the same performance as a 90ps flat out and thirty quid will get me about 155 miles but i do drive on the motorway flat out all the time

[AndyG]

hi ive got a full galv rack (traderrack) a 19 rung ramsay ladder a 15 rung wooden and a 15 rung ally mine is a 100ps model fwd and has the same performance as a 90ps flat out and thirty quid will get me about 155 miles but i do drive on the motorway flat out all the time

And what would 'flat out' be (on a private road )

[popuptoaster]

[quote="lordcakes"]4% for an open window etc. etc.

quote]

just as an extra point, dunno how many of you are aware that having one window open above 30mph uses more extra fuel than having the air con on.

[stevew]

just as an extra point, dunno how many of you are aware that having one window open above 30mph uses more extra fuel than having the air con on.

In that case I'll start using my air con more often.
Oh wait....



Steve

[belly]

my flat out is between 90 - 100 depending on all the usual factors that affect a commercial wind load hill etc etc and downhill ive seen 105 indicated obviously i know thats not accurate and 100 is really wound up on a flat i dont see it often i can feel the van struggle with my super dooper fuel guzzling drag device on top been in another 100ps fwd with no rack and at the higher speeds it picked up so much quicker but ho hum until i can get some hover boots like the rac man i need my ladders plus its only me to blame for fuel consumption i should just sit in the draft of a artic at 52 (all speeds quoted in kmh for legal reasons)