Tonneau cover ??
Tonneau cover ??
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Joined: May 2006
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I saw both segments on Mythbusters on this. They did a second one because so many people thought they were wrong. And I for one think they are. There have been other studies that have been done in more controlled manner than the ones they did that prove tonneau covers do save on gas. Also, on the Mythbusters they only tried it with a hard cover and that might make a difference. Ford Engineers did some studies to see if taking the tailgate down or putting a tonnea cover on would help. Here is an excerpt from an article in Tailgate Talk by Bruce Smith:
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.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: South Jersey !!!!!
Originally Posted by kellie_truxedo
I saw both segments on Mythbusters on this. They did a second one because so many people thought they were wrong. And I for one think they are. There have been other studies that have been done in more controlled manner than the ones they did that prove tonneau covers do save on gas. Also, on the Mythbusters they only tried it with a hard cover and that might make a difference. Ford Engineers did some studies to see if taking the tailgate down or putting a tonnea cover on would help. Here is an excerpt from an article in Tailgate Talk by Bruce Smith:
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.
Thanx for the info,I ordered the truxedo yesterday,who cares they look cool anyway !!!!
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Medford, OR
Originally Posted by deerdude
Thanx for the info,I ordered the truxedo yesterday,who cares they look cool anyway !!!!
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 244
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From: Wisconsin
I have a cover, no difference in mpg's, but it protects the items in the back from the elements. It does look cool!
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Newark, Delaware
Im trying to get a tonneau cover for my F150, i really don't know what the difference is between a snap on or seal and peal, but im probably going to go with the snap on style because they cost the least. The cheapest snap on cover i saw was 217 on styleinconcepts.com i think
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From what I hear from people that have the snap covers, they are hard to close in the winter. We don't manufacuter the snap covers or the seal and peal, but we do have an economical cover that we offer as an option to a snap cover. It is called the Truxport and has Velcro on the sides. The suggested retail on that cover is $311.
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: San Jose, CA
Hey,
this month's TruckTrend (I think) magazine had a short blurb on the advantages of tonneaus. In general, all trucks benefited a bit with the tonneau cover.. However, for the F150 Screw 5.5ft bed, they measured 0.1mpg WORSE mileage WITH a cover compared to the same truck WITHOUT a cover.
The real question for those of us who are buying a $500 cover purely for hopes of increased mileage is how long will it take to realistically break even in gas savings? Unless we're constantly driving freeway all the time, I surmise it'll take quite a long time.
this month's TruckTrend (I think) magazine had a short blurb on the advantages of tonneaus. In general, all trucks benefited a bit with the tonneau cover.. However, for the F150 Screw 5.5ft bed, they measured 0.1mpg WORSE mileage WITH a cover compared to the same truck WITHOUT a cover.
The real question for those of us who are buying a $500 cover purely for hopes of increased mileage is how long will it take to realistically break even in gas savings? Unless we're constantly driving freeway all the time, I surmise it'll take quite a long time.
Last edited by aquaman; Feb 28, 2007 at 01:08 PM.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 244
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From: Wisconsin
I had a snap cover on a Ram, and it was fine. If you have to get in it during winter, park it in the sun for a little bit, or in a garage and it closes fine. I now have a snap-less one.... it is alright, but I can not get it as tight as the snap one! Never thought the Velcro one would be practical!? I paid $170 for my snap less one... It has clips that "snap" into place in a slotted rail.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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I want to get a fiberglass one, matched paint, etc. Problem is I don't know what brand to trust, how long the paint will last, etc. So, maybe I'll get a soft one.
Compared to the fiberglass, how do the soft covers do, as fading and durability, and watertightness goes? I haven't had anything but a camper shell in the past so this is all new to me.
Compared to the fiberglass, how do the soft covers do, as fading and durability, and watertightness goes? I haven't had anything but a camper shell in the past so this is all new to me.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Escondido, Ca
I put a Truxedo on my 04 FX4 because it looks old school, fits and works great, and adds some security...if you have to worry about how much it costs against how much it saves...ride a bicycle...!!!
The "cool" factor is what works for me...!!!
The "cool" factor is what works for me...!!!
New User
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Yankton, SD
Originally Posted by FXForistell
I want to get a fiberglass one, matched paint, etc. Problem is I don't know what brand to trust, how long the paint will last, etc. So, maybe I'll get a soft one.
Compared to the fiberglass, how do the soft covers do, as fading and durability, and watertightness goes? I haven't had anything but a camper shell in the past so this is all new to me.
Compared to the fiberglass, how do the soft covers do, as fading and durability, and watertightness goes? I haven't had anything but a camper shell in the past so this is all new to me.
I can't say any tonneau is 100% water tight however the truxedo lo pro does a very good job keeping the water out. It has some large rubber seals in the front and back that really work good.
Senior User
Joined: May 2006
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Originally Posted by FXForistell
I want to get a fiberglass one, matched paint, etc. Problem is I don't know what brand to trust, how long the paint will last, etc. So, maybe I'll get a soft one.
Compared to the fiberglass, how do the soft covers do, as fading and durability, and watertightness goes? I haven't had anything but a camper shell in the past so this is all new to me.
Compared to the fiberglass, how do the soft covers do, as fading and durability, and watertightness goes? I haven't had anything but a camper shell in the past so this is all new to me.