Prius and a roof rack

bikechess · 06-12-2005, 05:42 PM

I am thinking of getting a Prius to replace our old beater. But, I absolutely must have a roof rack because otherwise I just don't have room to transport my bike (and wife and baby and ...). I am concerned about how much a Yakima or Thule roof rack will affect the MPG. I know that the aerodynamics on the Prius are critical.

SO, I was wondering if anyone had actually put a roof rack on one of generation 2 Prius's. And what did you find, both with and without equipment on top.

Thanks

altaskier · 06-12-2005, 05:53 PM

I have had both a ski box and a bike on but usually not for very long. On a 300 mile trip with ski box I don't think the mileage was down more than a few MPG, but I I don't really remember...

**Tideland Prius** · 06-12-2005, 06:09 PM

I know someone has put a Thule Rack. Can't remember the name.

You could, actually, fit a bike and 3 ppl in the Prius with the hatch closed. If you need space for other stuff, see if they can fit in the lower cargo compartment.

KTPhil · 06-12-2005, 06:39 PM

An alternative, with its own unknown mileage penalty, is a hitch rack on the back using a hitch like Coastal's. This is the approach I took, but I haven't bought the rack yet. Hitch went on in about 20 minutes.

prius04 · 06-12-2005, 07:01 PM

Try this
http://priuschat.com/forums/adventures-del...highlight=kayak

HYACK · 06-12-2005, 08:51 PM

Hi all, i'm glad to join this forum and btw, happen to be about 10 days out from [hopefully] receiving a Prius on order.

Prius04, that was an hilarius story to which you linked and the poster is a truly great writer imo. (Maybe the moral of the story is if you are goin to the everglades to Kayak; rent a kayak upon arrival)?

But as for BikeChess's inquiry... I'd anticipate you might wish the rack to just be part of your characteristic profile and hence won't be taking it off when not used? If that's the case, I'd guess a 4-5 mpg hit w/o bike, 7-8 hit with? (9-10 hit w/the wife?) oops

Seriously, sounds like a relative win-win to me still, assuming you are going 'rack' either way.

bikechess · 06-12-2005, 10:27 PM

The link to the guy that put the kayaks on his Prius was indeed funny.

I guess that what I am most interested in is what will be the mpg lost with just the roofrack and a bike tray (no bike). I am not that concerned with what the fuel economy will be when the bikes are on the roof - as this will be a relatively small amount of the miles put on the car. It will mostly be used by my wife to do 2 mile trips to daycare, work, the store, etc...

HYACK's estimations are close to what I would expect, but I am wondering if anyone has actually done the "experiment" and done comparable trips with and without a rack on the roof.

prius04 · 06-12-2005, 10:28 PM

Thanks for the nice comment on the writer. She's my daughter. She convinced me to buy my Prius.

And I agree about her being a good writer.

06-12-2005, 05:42 PM	#1
bikechess Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Prius and a roof rack I am thinking of getting a Prius to replace our old beater. But, I absolutely must have a roof rack because otherwise I just don't have room to transport my bike (and wife and baby and ...). I am concerned about how much a Yakima or Thule roof rack will affect the MPG. I know that the aerodynamics on the Prius are critical. SO, I was wondering if anyone had actually put a roof rack on one of generation 2 Prius's. And what did you find, both with and without equipment on top. Thanks

06-12-2005, 08:51 PM	#6
HYACK Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cape and Islands, Massachusetts Posts: 110 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hi all, i'm glad to join this forum and btw, happen to be about 10 days out from [hopefully] receiving a Prius on order. Prius04, that was an hilarius story to which you linked and the poster is a truly great writer imo. (Maybe the moral of the story is if you are goin to the everglades to Kayak; rent a kayak upon arrival)? But as for BikeChess's inquiry... I'd anticipate you might wish the rack to just be part of your characteristic profile and hence won't be taking it off when not used? If that's the case, I'd guess a 4-5 mpg hit w/o bike, 7-8 hit with? (9-10 hit w/the wife?) oops Seriously, sounds like a relative win-win to me still, assuming you are going 'rack' either way. __________________ :mrgreen: Have a great day [you] and may we all save more by driving even less! :idea:

06-12-2005, 10:27 PM	#7
bikechess Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Prius and a roof rack The link to the guy that put the kayaks on his Prius was indeed funny. I guess that what I am most interested in is what will be the mpg lost with just the roofrack and a bike tray (no bike). I am not that concerned with what the fuel economy will be when the bikes are on the roof - as this will be a relatively small amount of the miles put on the car. It will mostly be used by my wife to do 2 mile trips to daycare, work, the store, etc... HYACK's estimations are close to what I would expect, but I am wondering if anyone has actually done the "experiment" and done comparable trips with and without a rack on the roof.

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06-12-2005, 05:53 PM	#2
altaskier Join Date: May 2004 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 157 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I have had both a ski box and a bike on but usually not for very long. On a 300 mile trip with ski box I don't think the mileage was down more than a few MPG, but I I don't really remember...

06-12-2005, 06:09 PM	#3
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,370 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 10	I know someone has put a Thule Rack. Can't remember the name. You could, actually, fit a bike and 3 ppl in the Prius with the hatch closed. If you need space for other stuff, see if they can fit in the lower cargo compartment.

06-12-2005, 06:39 PM	#4
KTPhil Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,200 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	An alternative, with its own unknown mileage penalty, is a hitch rack on the back using a hitch like Coastal's. This is the approach I took, but I haven't bought the rack yet. Hitch went on in about 20 minutes.

06-12-2005, 07:01 PM	#5
prius04 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: NorthEast USA Posts: 1,155 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Try this http://priuschat.com/forums/adventures-del...highlight=kayak

06-12-2005, 10:28 PM	#8
prius04 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: NorthEast USA Posts: 1,155 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Thanks for the nice comment on the writer. She's my daughter. She convinced me to buy my Prius. And I agree about her being a good writer.