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which begs the question, if a huge selling point of full size ev pickups is that they can do substantial towing, I imagine one of the manufacturers would have experimented with aero modification, the question is do we not see a factory option because of lack of effectiveness, or that the cost and potential customer demand do not justify an OEM solution. These trucks aren’t towing 5th wheels and goosenecks so what’s in or above the bed shouldn’t be an obstacle.
Have a look at this wind tunnel testing. Forgive the fact it's not a ford, it has the best visual for airflow. Notice how the wind channels right over the roof, over the tailgate and back down exactly where any trailer would be connected, including pop up trailers. Now put an air foil on the roof and all that wind is directed up and over said trailer. Is it worth the cost? You'd have to ask someone that tows all the time. I do not.
Have a look at this wind tunnel testing. Forgive the fact it's not a ford, it has the best visual for airflow. Notice how the wind channels right over the roof, over the tailgate and back down exactly where any trailer would be connected, including pop up trailers. Now put an air foil on the roof and all that wind is directed up and over said trailer. Is it worth the cost? You'd have to ask someone that tows all the time. I do not.
Sounds like most Lightning owners don't tow on the highway much, if there is no demand for an air foil/deflector/etc from the factory. We are talking about trucks that are often over 80k and many around 100k, I can't imagine a deflector would cost much in the grand scheme of things.
I’ve seen a few aero mods for campers, most recently an older Silverado HD with a fairing mounted on a rack over the bed. I get frustrated when people ask about towing efficiency with a certain weight…it’s all about the aero! Weight means almost nothing to highway efficiency. My Expedition only loses 1-2 MPG pulling my camper because the roofline sits higher than the 68” nose of my folding trailer. My Lightning loses 30-40% because the bed rails are substantially lower, which directs air into the nose of the trailer. I was thinking about a fiberglass cap to help with aero, but I scored a killer deal on a used power Retrax tonneau that’s easier for me to manage with a hand disability. Still thinking about it, though.
I think the Lighting is better than some others. The Rivian R1T is a smaller truck with lower bed rails, and the Cybertruck’s angular tail would direct air right into the nose of a trailer.
A headache rack mounted small deflector like you see on SUV roof rack and truck ladder rack may redirect enough air upward away from your trailer to make some difference, but sounds like the tonneau cover would interfere with that.
Sounds like most Lightning owners don't tow on the highway much, if there is no demand for an air foil/deflector/etc from the factory. We are talking about trucks that are often over 80k and many around 100k, I can't imagine a deflector would cost much in the grand scheme of things.
Not everyone buys a truck with towing in mind. I'm one of those people. I bought my truck to haul things in the bed to support a typical homeowners needs. Trip to Home Depot, etc.... @Tom would be better prepared to answer that question.
The Aeroshield I mentioned earlier costs around $400 so it's not something a weekend warrior might spend money on. Most likely it would benefit those that tow on a regular basis.
Tom, have you considered a topper, camper shell or whatever the kids are calling them now? When we had our 32' travel trailer, the topper seemed to help when towing it. Although, since we went to a 5th wheel, I will never go to a tow behind/bumper pull setup ever again. I didn't believe the hype in the difference in towing, but the hype is real.
We towed our travel trailer over the same continental divide you recently showed a picture of when we were taking it from GA to Seattle WA and back quite a few summers ago.
Sounds like most Lightning owners don't tow on the highway much, if there is no demand for an air foil/deflector/etc from the factory. We are talking about trucks that are often over 80k and many around 100k, I can't imagine a deflector would cost much in the grand scheme of things.
I don't think you will find most disagreeing that a Lightning is not the best highway tow vehicle due to reduced range when towing. That is not why people buy them. Just like a Dually isn't the best truck to tool around town in. My Lightning does everything my previous F-150 ICE trucks did but better in my opinion (other than towing a travel trailer) . It is rare to find a Lightning owner that doesn't love his truck. AND it's rare to find a Dually owner who doesn't ;t love his truck. Different trucks for different missions.
Have a look at this wind tunnel testing. Forgive the fact it's not a ford, it has the best visual for airflow. Notice how the wind channels right over the roof, over the tailgate and back down exactly where any trailer would be connected, including pop up trailers. Now put an air foil on the roof and all that wind is directed up and over said trailer. Is it worth the cost? You'd have to ask someone that tows all the time. I do not.
You got me thinking. I couldn’t find one for the ‘21+ F150s, but the YouTubes had this one for the ‘15 model. He mentions at the end how they thickened up the tailgate to clean up the air as it comes down off the cab.
Tom, have you considered a topper, camper shell or whatever the kids are calling them now? When we had our 32' travel trailer, the topper seemed to help when towing it. Although, since we went to a 5th wheel, I will never go to a tow behind/bumper pull setup ever again. I didn't believe the hype in the difference in towing, but the hype is real.
We towed our travel trailer over the same continental divide you recently showed a picture of when we were taking it from GA to Seattle WA and back quite a few summers ago.
Yup, I mentioned it before, but it’s easy to get lost in these longer threads. I got quotes and was ready to pull the trigger on a fiberglass cap, but I then found a killer deal on a Retrax power tonneau. This solves one of my two big problems for $300 instead of $3,000 for a cap. I still might go that way, but I’m loving the Retrax for most of my daily use. I’m sure a cap would make a noticeable improvement, but not sure if it’s worth the cost to me.
The Aeroshield I mentioned earlier costs around $400 so it's not something a weekend warrior might spend money on. Most likely it would benefit those that tow on a regular basis.
I’ve seen things like that before, but I think they would be counterproductive for my case. I just need to direct air over a 68” trailer, not a full-profile unit that’s twice as tall. I’d imagine those are more effective for fifth wheels that ride just behind the cab.
Originally Posted by Flyct
I don't think you will find most disagreeing that a Lightning is not the best highway tow vehicle due to reduced range when towing. That is not why people buy them.
My mistake sir, I recall reading that now. When we went to a 5th wheel, I invested in a nice bed cover as well. We love it!
I can have it half way cover the bed when the 5th wheel is attached or all the way covered when not. It keeps all sorts of stuff dry like firewood, camping chairs, aquatainers, etc. I see things like this as tools and you need the right tools for the job in order to be successful.
I don't think you will find most disagreeing that a Lightning is not the best highway tow vehicle due to reduced range when towing. That is not why people buy them. Just like a Dually isn't the best truck to tool around town in. My Lightning does everything my previous F-150 ICE trucks did but better in my opinion (other than towing a travel trailer) . It is rare to find a Lightning owner that doesn't love his truck. AND it's rare to find a Dually owner who doesn't ;t love his truck. Different trucks for different missions.
Well, if there are ways to improve the Lightnings', or really any vehicle's, towing at freeway speeds, it should be explored and fully exploited, there is no reason not to, especially on a platform that saw some much investment already and do cost a decent amount. Sounds silly to kneecap it off the bat.
Anything that can be done with the EV trucks can be shared with ICE and hybrid trucks too, it's an aerodynamic problem, not a fuel source specific problem.
Now you want me to pull some truck driver over and ask them what a difference it makes? They make them for a reason. If you want to know more about it, google works.
You said you see them on the big rigs so I thought you might share something I didn't know. The big rigs will install a aero feature just a improve mpg by a slight amount that is not significant to improve distance/tank but adds to some annual savings.
EV towing distance improvement needs to come from battery energy density improvements. Not sure if these EV's with 700HP is the most efficient when 300 HP will do.
You said you see them on the big rigs so I thought you might share something I didn't know. The big rigs will install a aero feature just a improve mpg by a slight amount that is not significant to improve distance/tank but adds to some annual savings.
EV towing distance improvement needs to come from battery energy density improvements. Not sure if these EV's with 700HP is the most efficient when 300 HP will do.
You're arguing with the wrong person. I DON'T tow anything anymore except around town. Just offering possible solutions to a KNOWN problem when towing long distance. Go needle someone else.
You said you see them on the big rigs so I thought you might share something I didn't know. The big rigs will install a aero feature just a improve mpg by a slight amount that is not significant to improve distance/tank but adds to some annual savings.
EV towing distance improvement needs to come from battery energy density improvements. Not sure if these EV's with 700HP is the most efficient when 300 HP will do.
It's the schrodinger's air deflector: if you say it doesn't work then you are wrong, but no one can tell you if it works or not on half tons.
It's the schrodinger's air deflector: if you say it doesn't work then you are wrong, but no one can tell you if it works or not on half tons.
I never said any of these add on's don't work... but most if not all of them promote a small improvement in fuel economy. So for a typical light duty truck owner you would probably never realize the benefit, but if you own a fleet of semi's a $0.02/mile improvement gets some attention.
I think I’d see a benefit with a fiberglass cap because it would extend the cab height out to the rear bumper. My Expedition doesn’t lose nearly as much efficiency as my truck does. It’s just about justifying the cost and hassle against everything else I do with the truck.
I pulled my boat to the St. Croix river this afternoon with my boys. 115 miles round-trip and I returned with 21%. Extra efficiency with the boat would be nice, but it’s essentially worthless because I have no problems with range beginning and ending at home.
I think I’d see a benefit with a fiberglass cap because it would extend the cab height out to the rear bumper. My Expedition doesn’t lose nearly as much efficiency as my truck does. It’s just about justifying the cost and hassle against everything else I do with the truck.
I pulled my boat to the St. Croix river this afternoon with my boys. 115 miles round-trip and I returned with 21%. Extra efficiency with the boat would be nice, but it’s essentially worthless because I have no problems with range beginning and ending at home.
I've run thru a few trucks with and without caps over the years. Love hate relationship. Loved the added protection for cargo, both utility and extended living space. When I was still rearing the younguns such as you are now, loved the cap for getting those two argument antagonizers out of the cab with mom and I. Brother/sister 3 years apart. Took the back glass out of both the topper and truck and put in an accordion boot to seal the two spaces for climate control and in a few cases referee duty.
Hated the blind spots it creates.
It's literally a try it and see if you like it kind of deal, completely subjective. Sorry to add to your list of things to consider lol.
Brother/sister 3 years apart. Took the back glass out of both the topper and truck and put in an accordion boot to seal the two spaces for climate control and in a few cases referee duty.