Tailgate MPG Experiment
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: right here in michigan
Originally Posted by PROSTOCK
I will say that on my old '65 it tracks better down the road with the gate down...not a mental thing either. I used to drive about 130 miles twice a week for several months. If I forgot to drop the gate it wouldn't take long to notice. As far as MPG goes, you don't discuss MPG in regards to that truck, it gets 7-8 MPG no matter what.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by jutahh1
What about spoiler's?
Rear spoilers are supposed to put downforce on the rear tires.
Since there is force being applied to the rear wheels to hold them down, you are increasing the rolling resistance of the tires, PLUS the aerodynamic drag equal to that downforce. It's like lugging around a load - ALL THE TIME - probably not much, but still something.
If the spoiler isn't putting any downforce on the back of the truck, the only point is "pretty"...
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by kellie_truxedo
This was discussed in an article by Bruce Smith in Tailgate Talk. A Ford engineer had done some studies on this:
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.
The average price for a hard painted tonneau cover is $600.00-$800.00 installed, which negates whatever gas savings you might get...at least for several years.
While they are fibreglass, they're still heavy. I have a Snug Top on mine, added for protection...who expects decent gas mileage on a three ton 1/2 pickup?
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From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by NumberDummy
The problem with tonneau covers is the weight. I believe Mythbusters found that with a heavy tonneau cover, mileage dropped 1 mpg.
I can load up my truck with 1500 lbs of crap in the bed covered with a tarp - up to the tops of the bedsides, and STILL get better mileage than completely empty. Like above, something around 15.5 empty, 16.2 w/1500 lbs of stuff in the bed, kids, wife, everything. So the weight of a bed cover or cap is not going to effect anything.
Maybe they should have filled up the tires to counteract the weight.
Just like they "busted" the cell-phone static charge thing with gas vapors (like at a gas station). Because their's didn't blow up doesn't mean squat.
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Villa Rica, GA
I agree with Krewat, there is no way the weight of a bed cover is going to drop 1 MPG. I can put over 1000 pounds of tools, etc... in the bed and I see absolutely no difference in MPG. When I was in school I drove back and forth from GA to NY a couple times a year with all kinds of crap loaded up in the bed and sometimes with a trailer behind me and MPG change was negligible if any at all compared to being unloaded. Maybe they tested a mini pickup that only weighed 1500 pounds and got 47 MPG, the 100 pound tonneau might make a difference of 1 MPG in that case.
Jason
Jason
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