Help! R1S Ski Rack is whistling

[twinprice]

I put my Ski Rack up on my R1S and it is whistling like mad! I had the rack set to the front at first, then I moved it to the back position to see if that would help (it didn't)

Does anyone have any suggestions? We are taking a ski trip this weekend and I am not sure I can handle this noise. Interestingly enough, I don't remember this rack making anywhere near the same level of noise on top of my Suburban but that could be due to the panoramic roof of the R1S.

Should I get a fairing to put in front of the front rack to divert the air flow? I am open to any suggestions (except taking them off since we will have a full car)

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[SFsoundguy]

I had the same issue with my ski rack on my range rover I think the sizeof the roof didnt help. It did make way less noise when it was fully loaded with my snowboards have you tried that to see how bad it is otherwise Id get a fairing of some sort

 

[twinprice]

I tried it with a pair of skis but there wasn't any change.

 

[crashmtb]

Keep driving until you get to… Whistler
it’s a sign!

 

[SoCalTravels]

Ours whistles loudly also. I believe it’s just the way it’s going to be with the large glass roof.

 

[Thisisjakea]

Yeah I don’t think its the glass roof, my Tesla was nowhere near this loud. Gotta be a way to reposition or maybe at worst add a faring…

 

[inconceivable]

Just to confirm: is it the ski rack or the rivian cross bars that are whistling? I’ve seen a bunch of posts about the cross bars themselves making a whistling noise and someone figured out how to fix it.

 

[Riviot]

Within spec

 

[Franksmartin]

Having the same issue did you find a way to improve it? Looking into a fairing.

 

[tahoer1s]

I'm having the same issue!

I can confirm it is NOT the crossbars alone. I've had the crossbars in place for quite a while with zero noticeable noise.

With the ski rack installed it sounds like a kettle is boiling on my roof. I've tried the ski rack in both the forward and rear positions. It's practically unuseable.

My ski rack is the Kuat Grip 6.

If anyone has found anything that works, I'm all ears!

 

[JKDU]

I'm having the same issue!

I can confirm it is NOT the crossbars alone. I've had the crossbars in place for quite a while with zero noticeable noise.

With the ski rack installed it sounds like a kettle is boiling on my roof. I've tried the ski rack in both the forward and rear positions. It's practically unuseable.

My ski rack is the Kuat Grip 6.

If anyone has found anything that works, I'm all ears!

I just got the Kuat 6 as well for my R1S and noticed the loud whistling noise too. I don't have the same noise issue with just my cargo rack on so it's the Kuat 6 making that noise. Has anyone tried a wind deflector to see if that works? If so, which one did you get? Any other advice would be greatly apprecaited! Love my Kuat but just want to fix whilstling noise if possible.

 

[tahoer1s]

I just got the Kuat 6 as well for my R1S and noticed the loud whistling noise too. I don't have the same noise issue with just my cargo rack on so it's the Kuat 6 making that noise. Has anyone tried a wind deflector to see if that works? If so, which one did you get? Any other advice would be greatly apprecaited! Love my Kuat but just want to fix whilstling noise if possible.

I'm still tackling it, but I think I figured it out.

You've got to put something in the crossbar channel to completely fill it. Any indentation will cause a whistle. Using a strip with vortex bumps to help disrupt the air should help too.

I just ordered these - https://www.amazon.com/Rhino-Rack-Vortex-GENERATING-Strip/dp/B099N1LBY4/ref=sr_1_3?crid=OL35KDWSPJ8C&keywords=rhino+vortex&qid=1704647261&sprefix=rhino+vorte,aps,172&sr=8-3

I think these would also work - https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Thule/TH69JH.html

Note - I went cheap and previously tried this - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I1QHA8?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1 It fits in the channel, but sinks too far down... still causes a whistle.

I tried the direct mounts too... those don't fix the whistle.

Will let you know how the new strips work!

 

[Seoras]

I'm still tackling it, but I think I figured it out.

You've got to put something in the crossbar channel to complete fill it. Any indentation will cause a whistle. Using a strip with vortex bumps to help disrupt the air should help too.

I just ordered these - https://www.amazon.com/Rhino-Rack-Vortex-GENERATING-Strip/dp/B099N1LBY4/ref=sr_1_3?crid=OL35KDWSPJ8C&keywords=rhino+vortex&qid=1704647261&sprefix=rhino+vorte,aps,172&sr=8-3

I think these would also work - https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Thule/TH69JH.html

Note - I went cheap and previously tried this - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I1QHA8?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1 It fits in the channel, but sinks too far down... still causes a whistle.

I tried the direct mounts too... those don't fix the whistle.

Will let you know how the new strips work!

Was just about to pull the trigger on these for my R1S but found this thread. Hope the channel inserts fix it for you and very interested to hear how it goes!

 

[tahoer1s]

FIXED!

The Rhino Rack vortex strips work. - https://www.amazon.com/Rhino-Rack-Vortex-GENERATING-Strip/dp/B099N1LBY4/ref=sr_1_3?crid=OL35KDWSPJ8C&keywords=rhino+vortex&qid=1704647261&sprefix=rhino+vorte,aps,172&sr=8-3

They are just a tad bit loose, so I put a piece of black electrical tape along the edge of the channel to tighten them up a bit.

No more whistle! Just a bit of wind drag noise from having the ski rack on top.

(Note - I also ordered the Thule ones I previously listed, but they were too loose. Go with the Rhino.)

 

[R.I.P.]

I put my Ski Rack up on my R1S and it is whistling like mad! I had the rack set to the front at first, then I moved it to the back position to see if that would help (it didn't)

Does anyone have any suggestions? We are taking a ski trip this weekend and I am not sure I can handle this noise. Interestingly enough, I don't remember this rack making anywhere near the same level of noise on top of my Suburban but that could be due to the panoramic roof of the R1S.

Should I get a fairing to put in front of the front rack to divert the air flow? I am open to any suggestions (except taking them off since we will have a full car)

They whistle. Take it off when not needed... that way you don't look like "that guy" that leaves the racks on all year

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