[LWC]

Having ladder on and roof bars...does it really affect your mpg?

Always wondered, i always carry mine...dont really know why they only come off about once a month.

[DaveG]

I made an internal ladder rack for my van Matt and can honestly say it improved ecomomy by 3 or 4 mpg

[LWC]

I made an internal ladder rack for my van Matt and can honestly say it improved ecomomy by 3 or 4 mpg

Wow, i could do with that! I cant put mine inside, but i do have those collapsible ones which get most places...always the what if

Actually, no im going to take them off

[DaveG]

As soon as you take em off mate someone will say " can you get that tennis ball out of my gutter please Matt, theres £50 in it for you!!" 

[chopsie]

I keep toying with taking my ladders and rack off, I must only use them a handful of times a year. I think it would take a while to take off/put on the rack though, probably 15-20 mins.
You can guarantee as soon as i do it i will turn up to a new job and need them  :
But the bonus is the van will also fit into car parks etc under the barriers when i go dogging oh, errr, er shopping

[DaveG]

I keep toying with taking my ladders and rack off, I must only use them a handful of times a year. I think it would take a while to take off/put on the rack though, probably 15-20 mins.
You can guarantee as soon as i do it i will turn up to a new job and need them  :
But the bonus is the van will also fit into car parks etc under the barriers when i go dogging oh, errr, er shopping

THATS where I know you from!

[chopsie]

was that you flashing your headlights the other week 

[sf]

no roof rack and ladders works out at up to 30% more mpg

[CLEANCARE WC]

there are only 2 days a month i need a ladder now so im going to go as far as taking the roof rack off, and then back on for the 2 days. i just need to buy a 3/8 ratchet to undo the security torx bolts

[Mike_G]

Not sure about 30%, that seems a lot. Without a roofrack you can save 2% according to this, not sure about ladders, I guess it depends on the size of the ladder and the weight of it

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheaper-fuel#efficient

[CLEANCARE WC]

But the bonus is the van will also fit into car parks etc under the barriers


hadnt thought of that..bonus

[sf]

Try taking rack and ladders off van if you dont use them.THEN COMPARE MPG A MONTH LATER UL BE SUPRISED.

[Mike_G]

I know one thing for sure, without the ladders the van is a whole lot quicker!

[LWC]

I know one thing for sure, without the ladders the van is a whole lot quicker!

It canna create that much drag...can it lol

[Richard Neal]

As soon as you take em off mate someone will say " can you get that tennis ball out of my gutter please Matt, theres £50 in it for you!!" 

That reminds me i must buy some more tennis balls 

[sf]

roof rack alone can take  10% off ur average mpg.

[Tom White]

I would guess it depends on what sort of speed you travel at.  Most of my jobs are within a 4 mile radius, and maybe I wouldn't get above 30 MPH to get to them; so ladders or no ladders, I bet the difference they'd make to me is minimal.

But if your route involves a 40 mile return journey and you're doing 40 to 60 MPH, then ladders will have a greater effect on your fuel consumption.

I reckon.

[Neil Gornall]

This was in the news during the world cup. I remember hearing it on the radio.


http://solarpanelquoter.blogspot.com/2010/06/england-flags-on-cars-affect-mpg-by-3.html

[LWC]

Well i wiped them off and can honestly say ive noticed a difference. I reakon getting an extra 5 - 10 miles to my tenner.

[DaveG]

Told ya