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Posts: 921
| Ok guys,
I've never had one before, but people swear by them. So I am looking to outfit my new truck with one.
Do you guys get better mileage with them due to better aerodynamics, or is that just a sales pitch?
I wouldn't be doing it for mileage, I would be doing it for functionality. But better mileage would definitely be a bonus.
Thanks - Midge
Edited by MuskyMidget 6/12/2015 2:15 PM
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Posts: 1828
| Conceptually it makes sense that you'd get better gas mileage. |
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Posts: 190
Location: Savage, MN | I thought at one point I had read an article saying that with the modern vehicles the design of the box and tailgate are the most optimum setup for fuel efficiency. I tried to locate the article but can't come up with anything. I had a soft tonneau cover on my last truck and never really noticed a difference.
With that said, I put a full fiberglass topper on my new truck and lost about one MPG on average as a result. Having the covered storage though is completly worth it for me. |
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Posts: 994
Location: Minnesota: where it's tough to be a sportsfan! | More than likely the savings in fuel will not pay for the cover, if you get a good one. The quality ones have metal bars running from side to side every two -three feet. So when you roll it up it is easy to do from one side. Same with the unroll. Tighten down one side at a time for a snap tight cover. If it's flopping in the breeze you are losing ground. |
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Posts: 9
| No difference |
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Posts: 38
Location: Central Illinois | I have seen several studies and tonneau covers did not make a big difference on mpg. If you are wanting a bed cover that is lockable take a look at the Retrax retractable metal bed covers. Lockable and extremely difficult to get into if locked - as theft proof as you can get with a tonneau cover. Durable, keeps out the water and long life - it will outlast your current truck and your next truck. My brother has 5 years on his and works as smooth as it did new. I also know some road contractors that have them and they have over 10 years on their Retrax covers. |
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Posts: 194
Location: Lake Elmo, MN | Look at wind flow on the bed area. When you have items in the truck bed against the cab, there is almost no movement of the item due to airflow. I'd agree with others and say fuel savings will be minimal at best. Don't use fuel savings as a reason for a cover.....there are indeed good reasons though depending on how you use the truck.
Good luck ! |
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Location: Eastern Ontario | I got about 1.5 mpg better with a cap on my last truck 2 wd Ford short box and about 1mpg better with current Ford 4x4 short box and tonneau cover. I mainly have them to insure things don't take off when a transport passes from the other direction. The gas savings won't buy much. |
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Posts: 32
| If I remember correctly, air actually swirls in the pick up bed and the new air actually flows over the swirling air. So it really shouldn't make that much of a difference, a large front air dam would probably help tho for mpgs. |
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Posts: 1209
| Mythbusters did wind tunnel/ water models with tail gait down and up. Up was better because a small portion of air/water would swirl in the box making the majority of the new air flowing over the cab pass over the box like a hatch back car. I use Toño covers and love them but I would say day to day no different in mpg. But some days with tail or side winds I have to say there is an improvement |
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