tailgate down?
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 1
From: N. Mississippi
I don't care what the Mythbusters proved....I saw that show.....but I recently received a tri-fold tonneau cover from my oldest son that he got in a deal helping someone move and installed it on my F-150, 4.6 auto.
My "average" mileage went from 17 to 19 mpg. That is no lie! On the highway, mileage went from 21 to 23.
It's held on with 4 toggle clamps and comes off easily if I need to haul anything.
I also don't drive with a "heavy" foot either.
My "average" mileage went from 17 to 19 mpg. That is no lie! On the highway, mileage went from 21 to 23.
It's held on with 4 toggle clamps and comes off easily if I need to haul anything.
I also don't drive with a "heavy" foot either.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,595
Likes: 52
From: Lawton, Oklahoma
Originally Posted by ddrumman2004
I don't care what the Mythbusters proved....I saw that show.....but I recently received a tri-fold tonneau cover from my oldest son that he got in a deal helping someone move and installed it on my F-150, 4.6 auto.
My "average" mileage went from 17 to 19 mpg. That is no lie! On the highway, mileage went from 21 to 23.
It's held on with 4 toggle clamps and comes off easily if I need to haul anything.
I also don't drive with a "heavy" foot either.
My "average" mileage went from 17 to 19 mpg. That is no lie! On the highway, mileage went from 21 to 23.
It's held on with 4 toggle clamps and comes off easily if I need to haul anything.
I also don't drive with a "heavy" foot either.
Senior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
I work at ShurCo the manufacturer of the Truxedo Lo Profile and we have done our own studies on tonneau covers in regards to gas savings. We found that you can increase your savings by 1 or 2 mpg. Also, this comment appeared in Tailgate Talk by Bruce Smith who is quoting a Ford engineer.:
According to many of those same experts, the best way to improve a pickup's fuel economy is to leave the tailgate up and cover the bed with a quality after market tonneau cover."Tonneau covers on pickup boxes reduce aerodynamic drag" said Ford's Jack Williams. "we've seen reductions of about 8 to 10 percent on the F150, which means the average fuel economy improvements for the EPA city/highway cycle(test) is about 2 percent."The average steady-state (cruise control) fuel economy improvement at highway speeds is close to 5 percent.."Adding a tonneau could mean an improvement in fuel mileage that is the equivalent of a free gallon of gas for every 20 gallons used.
According to many of those same experts, the best way to improve a pickup's fuel economy is to leave the tailgate up and cover the bed with a quality after market tonneau cover."Tonneau covers on pickup boxes reduce aerodynamic drag" said Ford's Jack Williams. "we've seen reductions of about 8 to 10 percent on the F150, which means the average fuel economy improvements for the EPA city/highway cycle(test) is about 2 percent."The average steady-state (cruise control) fuel economy improvement at highway speeds is close to 5 percent.."Adding a tonneau could mean an improvement in fuel mileage that is the equivalent of a free gallon of gas for every 20 gallons used.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 1
From: N. Mississippi
Originally Posted by HomerWinzlow
Id like to get something close to what you were before the improvement.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 3
From: South Kitsap County, WA
The myth doesn't hold true for any truck, my '82 never showed any change with or without a tailgate, but any type of bed cover will improve mileage some.
As you both have stated without actually saying it, the ultimate mileage improver is your right foot.
-Kerry
As you both have stated without actually saying it, the ultimate mileage improver is your right foot.
-Kerry
