Yakima Rack Installed

[plemieux]

Photos from my Yakima Rack install today. I already had the control towers from a previous installation (Honda Element) so I bought new crossbars (58") and the new Landing Pads (#11) to complete the install. Was not too difficult. Followed the advice of some of the other users that have the same setup. Will probably add a fairing or windjammer to it because it added some considerable wind noise above 40mph. Need to run through a few tanks of gas before I can definitively say if there is a hit on the mpg.

 

[icarlos]

How is the wind noise? I had the Thule Aeroblades but had to uninstall them due to loud wind noise and poor mileage.

 

[plemieux]

Wind noise is considerable at speeds above 40mph. I ordered the Yakima Windjammer which is a little plastic wing/fin thing that snaps on to the front bar that is supposed to reduce noise similar to a fairing. I'm going to try that before the fairing. It's a third of the price. When it gets here I'll post an update on noise and mpg.

 

[rjdee]

Looks good. The fairing will cut down on noise but I prefer the windjammer. If you're mostly commuting (solo driving), you can slide the 'jammer to the driver's side to reduce the noise on that side.

What will you be carrying?

 

[plemieux]

Looks good. The fairing will cut down on noise but I prefer the windjammer. If you're mostly commuting (solo driving), you can slide the 'jammer to the driver's side to reduce the noise on that side.

What will you be carrying?

Thanks for the pro tip on the jammer. Do you adjust the angle of it at all or just let it ride however it wants?

14ft MadRiver Canoe and/or 7ft Kayak. Also thinking about a cargo box for future camping trips.

 

[Jonesey]

Nice! they look and seem to mount like my Rhino Racks - using existing mounting holes - very clean.

I do notice more wind noise and a small hit on the mpg - maybe 1 mpg difference - I still get ~ 31 avg total calculated mpg

 

[acboothby]

Nice rack system!
The question I have is about the gutters. My CX5 has a solid black strip on the gutters, no access points in the plastic. I have a rack system to put on but it requires mounting as you have.
Did you encounter this same issue?
Thanks!

 

[rjdee]

Nice rack system!
The question I have is about the gutters. My CX5 has a solid black strip on the gutters, no access points in the plastic. I have a rack system to put on but it requires mounting as you have.
Did you encounter this same issue?
Thanks!

Underneath the plastic strip are the mounting points. You'll need to pop the trim strip off and either cut or drill the strips to work with the rack hardware. My only experience is with the Yakima system which requires only one bolt to thread into the mounting point. I drilled mine instead of cutting. If your rack threads into 2 mounting points/corner then you'll probably will have to cut the strip.

 

[CCR76]

Noisy, but the beauty of the Yakima system is that the crossbars and towers are super easy to take off and put on.

Even with just the bars I notice a definite MPG hit. And godawful woowooohhoowwwooo, although if box or boat are mounted the noise goes away. Will be interested to learn if the windjammer helps.

 

[plemieux]

Got the windjammer over the weekend. It cuts out about 60-70% of wind noise. It basically just delays the start of the noise to about 55mph instead of 35mph without the jammer. I drive a lot on the highway at 55 so it isn't helping as much as I would have liked. I think i'm going to have to lay down the cash for the fairing.

To address the install questions, RJDEE explained it well. I did the same thing. Instead of cutting the rubber strip on the roof I just drilled a single hole because the Yakima landing pad only needs one screw to thread into. I guess the Mazda factory rails need both screw threads which is why the factory rails require cutting.

I have gone through 2 tanks since the install and so far there is no recognizable difference in the computer calculated mpg. Still averaging around 31mpg just like Jonesey. I haven't calculated by hand yet.

 

[addabox]

Which mounting holes did you use? The front one in back and the back one in front?

 

[yarnoj]

Yes, I'm also interested to know which mounting holes you used. I'm trying to figure out the crossbar distance to see if I could use a Yakima Rocketbox 12/14. Right now, from the pictures posted it looks like it could be tight and close to the rear hatch.