Trying to figure out the best roof rack for the Tesla Model 3? Take a look at the effect on range of the options below, and then view our full comparison of different Model 3 roof racks
Roof Rack Efficiency Test
Test Procedure
- Get on the highway going 70mph with autopilot engaged and reset the trip meter.
- Drive 6.5 miles south, gaining about 130 feet in elevation.
- Log the Wh/Mi, disable autopilot, and get off the highway
- Get back on the highway going north and do the same thing again. This time losing about 130 feet in elevation.
- Average the north and south results together.
Controlled Variables
- 55-60°F outside temperature
- Dry highway road, minimal wind
- 70mph on autopilot
- HVAC off
- Radio @ 25% volume
- Tires @ 42 psi cold
Configurations Tested
- Baseline: Tesla Model 3 Dual Motor Long Range, 18” Wheels w/ Aero Wheel Caps
- Config 1: Aero Wheel Caps removed
- Config 2: SeaSucker Monkey Bars, Thule 91725 Flat Top Ski Carrier, 2 snowboards bindings down, Yakima Wildshield Fairing 46”
- Config 3: Model 3 Roof Rack, Yakima FatCat 6 Evo T-Slot mounting, 2 snowboards bindings up (T-Slot mounts too low to put bindings down)
- Config 4: Model 3 Roof Rack, Yakima FatCat 6 Evo standard mounting, 2 snowboards bindings down
- Config 5: Model 3 Roof Rack, Yakima FatCat 6 Evo standard mounting, 2 snowboards bindings down, Yakima Wildshield Fairing 46”
- Config 6: Model 3 Roof Rack
Source: TeslaMotorsClub thread on Roof Rack efficiency comparison
Another Roof Rack Efficiency Test
This test comes from Kootenay EV Family
The test was performed in 3 different configurations – first Test #1 with a Tesla Roof Rack and a Yakima Ski Box (similar to Rocketbox 11), Test #2 with just the Tesla Roof Rack, and then Test #3 with the stock Model 3 roof (nothing attached, no roof rack).
Overall, the consumption for Test #1 was 207 Wh/km, with just the roof rack coming in at 188 Wh/km, and no roof rack coming in at 185 Wh/km.
The test was performed on a rear wheel drive long range Tesla model 3 with nearly new Nokian Hakkapeliita 9 studded tires.
