Will canopy affect gas mileage?
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Will canopy affect gas mileage?
My 1988 F150 XLT 4x2, 302, AOD, 3.55 LS axle extended cab truck has a canopy on it, which is useful from time to time, but I am considering removing it and leaving the bed open. Will this affect gas mileage--less weight may help, but could be offset by aerodynamic impact. I currently get about 17 mpg on the highway, 14 mpg city. Any thoughts/advice?
Frank.
Frank.
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I have a canopy in my 95, but I bought my truck with it, so I cant really tell you from personal experience. I know people that swear both ways. Some say the canopy helps the truck aerodynamics, some say it hurts it.
What I can tell you, is that assuming the canopy hurts mileage...lets say 1 or 2 miles per gallon less than without it, I still find the dry space the canopy creates on the bed more valuable than the loss of mileage it could possibly create.
Having said this, my 95 4X4 extended cab gets between 15 and 17 mpg in the highway (depending on how heavy my foot is) with the cap on. I would say that is a good mileage for a truck that big and heavy, 10 years old and with 167K miles on the original 302 V8.
What I can tell you, is that assuming the canopy hurts mileage...lets say 1 or 2 miles per gallon less than without it, I still find the dry space the canopy creates on the bed more valuable than the loss of mileage it could possibly create.
Having said this, my 95 4X4 extended cab gets between 15 and 17 mpg in the highway (depending on how heavy my foot is) with the cap on. I would say that is a good mileage for a truck that big and heavy, 10 years old and with 167K miles on the original 302 V8.
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Joined: May 2003
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From: NW Montana
Went through this question not long ago on another forum and the concensus was that trucks are designed to have an open bed. The trucks are wind tunnel tested for optimum wind flow without any cap on the bed and with the gate up. Altering this causes an interruption of the designed wind flow.
That being said, most everyone saw no difference in mileage with or without a top unless the top stuck up above the cab, then there was a reduction for obvious reasons.
I prefer the lockable dry space as well BTW...
Hope this helps...
That being said, most everyone saw no difference in mileage with or without a top unless the top stuck up above the cab, then there was a reduction for obvious reasons.
I prefer the lockable dry space as well BTW...
Hope this helps...
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From: IL
I ran my '97 250 with out any bed cover for almost a year, then got a soft cover for it and ran that for a year. With the soft cover I gained a whole 2 mpg on the highway and 0 intown. About 2 months ago I put a Brahma topper on(has the higher rear on it). I have lost 1 - 2 mpg intown with it and haven't had a chance to see on the highway yet.
I like the topper, but I will be going back to running my soft top in the summer and only putting the topper on in the winter. With gas prices the way they are 1 - 2 mpg actually does matter now.
I too like the topper, but the soft one works well and is easy to remove and put back on while it is warm out.
I like the topper, but I will be going back to running my soft top in the summer and only putting the topper on in the winter. With gas prices the way they are 1 - 2 mpg actually does matter now.
I too like the topper, but the soft one works well and is easy to remove and put back on while it is warm out.
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From: Douglas, Georgia
i lose about 1mpg.... barely worth worrying about.
however hauling my 8by16ft enclosed trailer I gain a good bit (3-4mpg) by having the campershell on it.... no doubt due to less flat surface area of the trailer getting pounded with wind
however hauling my 8by16ft enclosed trailer I gain a good bit (3-4mpg) by having the campershell on it.... no doubt due to less flat surface area of the trailer getting pounded with wind
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Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
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From: Lakewood, Ohio
on my 94 longbed i noticed about a 1mpg better with topper on. and it is way better in the winter.
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Thanks for the replies so far. So far, it sounds as if I am likely better off leaving the canopy on. I am wondering why mileage would be better in the winter with a canopy--any explanation?
Frank.
Frank.
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