THULE fairing mounting

[dkl]

Originally Posted by MosH

Thank you JCAP!, Which bars are you using? I like the clean look of the bars ending where the feet are rather then hanging over.

Dutch, I agree, however the sales associate at ORS racks suggested I get the bigger fairing for the X, she may have made a mistake...

It looks like JCAP is using the LB50 bars, which would barely fit the X5 (not sure if the end cap would even fit flush on the bar). Unfortunately, the next size up is the LB58, which does stick way too far out, IMHO. I ended up going with the LB58 with 4inches cut off making it a custom LB54 See this thread for more details => http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...endations.html . Post #27 of that thread shows my cut LB58 bar (54inches across)...hope it help answers your question.

[JCAPX5]

Originally Posted by dkl

It looks like JCAP is using the LB50 bars, which would barely fit the X5 (not sure if the end cap would even fit flush on the bar). Unfortunately, the next size up is the LB58, which does stick way too far out, IMHO. I ended up going with the LB58 with 4inches cut off making it a custom LB54 See this thread for more details => http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...endations.html . Post #27 of that thread shows my cut LB58 bar (54inches across)...hope it help answers your question.

Yup, I think you're right. I had a longer set of bars that I thought looked horrible and then got this set (the ones pictured earlier in this thread) from my boss at work. They were from his E46 3 series and thus, "too short" for the X5. Although I do think this looks best and remains functional and safe. Basically the bars are about 1 inch shy of sticking out the end of the Thule "feet". Without them sticking out, it looks sweet but the end caps do not fit on. We'll see...I'd like to try the LB58's and cut them too but these work for now.

[AZX54.4]

It looks to me like the BMW OEM roof base system doesnt stick out. If you look at lightwerkz photos on this post: http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...snow-pics.html
they dont stick out. Does the OEM system sit higher than the yakima or thule?

[Gurltech]

I mounted my fairing to the front rail.
And it sits just in front of the panny sun roof.

[MosH]

Well here it is mounted, not too bad at all, I moved the front load bar all the way forward.

[AZX54.4]

Originally Posted by MosH

Well here it is mounted, not too bad at all, I moved the front load bar all the way forward.

How well does the fairing do at cutting down wind noise??

[MosH]

I haven't driven it yet, I put it on today. I will let you know however there is a whistling coming from where the bars mount to the feet, I have heard this should be sealed with silicone to eliminate the noise. This is my next task.

I am hhoping for some MPG help with the fairing as well.

[AZX54.4]

I look forward to hearing your updates on wind noise, mpg etc... I am thinking about getting a roof rack to carry my snowboards.

[MosH]

I averaged about 17-18mpg in mountaneous terain with the rack loaded up with 2 snowboards this past weekend. Also 2 people in the truck with a fully loaded luggage compartment at a average highway speed of 72-75mph.