Camper Shell For Milage
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 790
Likes: 1
From: Fort. Lauderdale FL,
I dont think that it would make that big of a difference...I mean if i had a 4 banger isuzu pup then maybe a little. But your engine shouldnt even know that you have a cap on there or 20 in my opinion...Personally i hate them unless you use your truck for business and you need to lock your tools up, Which i also think it like the worst place to lock your tools since well its not exactly the hardest thing to break into. But for a everyday driver and or not work related you might as well by the excursion seeing as its the same thing just no carpet in the back and a bit longer. You cant really put to many ral toys or big things in the back.No more 4wheelers, most bbq's wont fit. But hey different strokes for different fokes. Someone wants one thats fine with me. To me it kinda defeats the pourpose of the truck..Sorry to get off topic i tend to say to much sometimes. ummm yeah i dont think it will effect your mpg...or atleast it shouldnt
ryan
ryan
Last edited by wolffee; Jun 30, 2005 at 09:02 AM.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 139
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From: Breaux Bridge,La.
I agrree with you on the real purpose of a pickup bed but have heard that there is a wind drag even with an empty bed qwith the tail gate up so was wondering about the wind on thew front of the camper. Just completd a 5900 mile trip with the camper and averaged 11.2 mpg then made a 400 mile trip empty and got 20.1 so was wondering if something would help. Just grasping ar straws I guess but none the less looking. Thanks for the responses.
wesran
wesran
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 790
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From: Fort. Lauderdale FL,
How fast were you cruising on your 400mi trip when you got 20.1mpg thats not bad. Are you running any kind of larger tire. Just curious as i have almost the same truck except a srw 350. I do have a slightly larger tire though then factory at 33in. I know this makes a difference just trying to get an idea..
ryan
ryan
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2005
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Hi Guy's,
I put a Leer camper shell on My 04 F150. It seems to have improved th milage a bit but not enough to off set the cost of the shell. I read recently that the best way to improve milage is to either drop the tail gate wich I think is illegai in most states. Or to remove the gate completly and use one of the after market flow through nets.
I use My topper to lock up My Yard sale finds, and to haul whatever. The only problem with this is if You get some thing big it's a pain to take it off and put it back on!
I put a Leer camper shell on My 04 F150. It seems to have improved th milage a bit but not enough to off set the cost of the shell. I read recently that the best way to improve milage is to either drop the tail gate wich I think is illegai in most states. Or to remove the gate completly and use one of the after market flow through nets.
I use My topper to lock up My Yard sale finds, and to haul whatever. The only problem with this is if You get some thing big it's a pain to take it off and put it back on!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 19,098
Likes: 8
From: Great State of Texas
have heard that there is a wind drag even with an empty bed qwith the tail gate up
With todays designs this is just a myth. Even our 4 ton shoe box with wheels has aerodynamic features that that actually create an air bubble directly behind the cab thereby deflecting the air flow up and away from from the bed and tailgate area. This is the reason your stuff doesn't get wet in the rain (until you stop of course). Not just because you are going fast.
People like me however do all we can to disrupt the airflow as it is designed. I have a high profile tool box and a bed cover. I imagine that makes for a pretty deformed bubble.
Not being an aero-engineer however, I could see where a cab high bed shell could possibly deflect the air away from a towed box trailer. The effect could be very much like the go fast cars do when they are drafting the vehicle in front of them.
But hey, I'm just a poor ol traveling sales guy. The magic word for old guys like me is..."sure". "Sure" means...I'm gonna sell it and engineering and production can figure it out later.
With todays designs this is just a myth. Even our 4 ton shoe box with wheels has aerodynamic features that that actually create an air bubble directly behind the cab thereby deflecting the air flow up and away from from the bed and tailgate area. This is the reason your stuff doesn't get wet in the rain (until you stop of course). Not just because you are going fast.
People like me however do all we can to disrupt the airflow as it is designed. I have a high profile tool box and a bed cover. I imagine that makes for a pretty deformed bubble.
Not being an aero-engineer however, I could see where a cab high bed shell could possibly deflect the air away from a towed box trailer. The effect could be very much like the go fast cars do when they are drafting the vehicle in front of them.
But hey, I'm just a poor ol traveling sales guy. The magic word for old guys like me is..."sure". "Sure" means...I'm gonna sell it and engineering and production can figure it out later.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Originally Posted by barefootslim
I read recently that the best way to improve milage is to either drop the tail gate wich I think is illegai in most states.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2005
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RE:
Dropping the tail gate.
The way I've heard it is if a truck gets into a wreck the tail gater can come flying off and slice into another car.
Kinda like a big ol frisbee!!!!
It's illegal here in Tennessee any way
Dropping the tail gate.
The way I've heard it is if a truck gets into a wreck the tail gater can come flying off and slice into another car.
Kinda like a big ol frisbee!!!!
It's illegal here in Tennessee any way
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Breaux Bridge,La.
Well I can see where it will probably be up to each on this subject but at least did answer my question, maybe it does and maybe it doesn't.
As for my speed on the 400 mile trip was running 70 mph@ 1950-2000 rpm. It is all flat country from Breaux Bridge, La. to Gulfport, Miss. and return was impressed myself as my preveous best had been 19.2 mpg when it only had 1500 miles on it, I now have 19100 miles and started using stanadyne about 12500 just before the 5900 mile camper trip so don't know if that helped or the added miles. Have heard milage may increase with miles.
Thanks again for the responses as it has made me decide against the camper shell.
wesran
As for my speed on the 400 mile trip was running 70 mph@ 1950-2000 rpm. It is all flat country from Breaux Bridge, La. to Gulfport, Miss. and return was impressed myself as my preveous best had been 19.2 mpg when it only had 1500 miles on it, I now have 19100 miles and started using stanadyne about 12500 just before the 5900 mile camper trip so don't know if that helped or the added miles. Have heard milage may increase with miles.
Thanks again for the responses as it has made me decide against the camper shell.
wesran
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Ohio
I use Tonneau covers on my trucks. Priced less versus buying a bed cap. Removes easily to haul items and the theory out of sight out of mind if your going on a trip covers or hides items you have.
You can see the wind ripple across the tarp so I know aerodynamics without the cover would add wind drag to the truck. When I just drop the tailgate and load an item….
It does not register in a persons mind you do not have to remove the cover to access the bed. 
It does not provide security for expensive tools.
You can see the wind ripple across the tarp so I know aerodynamics without the cover would add wind drag to the truck. When I just drop the tailgate and load an item….
It does not register in a persons mind you do not have to remove the cover to access the bed. It does not provide security for expensive tools.