Better mileage
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Escondido CA
Better mileage
Hello everyone...I am new to the group and have been lurking in the background learning as much as I can from this forum..I am slowly improving my truck as cash and the wife will allow. A question that I want to pose is about fuel economy. I was wondering if anyone has any comments on the tonneau covers for the open beds. Do they help any by cutting down wind resistance? I've read differing opinions...some say that the open bed does not create any "pocket of air" thus acting like a parachute which is why some people have their tailgates open..or no tailgate or the plastic mesh type. I'm on the fence on this one because I also would like a toolbox for the bed of my truck but also want to accommodate any fuel economy that I can get. Any thoughts much appreciated...and I find myself checking this group often...even at work..hehehe...
Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,037
Likes: 4
From: Grand Lake, La.
Welcome to FTE.
There has been test done on this. The bed of the truck does not lower MPG with the tail gate up and it does not raise MPG with the tail gate down. If you want the cover, fine. If you want the tool box, put it on.
I like my tool box, but I get what I get as far as MPG.
There has been test done on this. The bed of the truck does not lower MPG with the tail gate up and it does not raise MPG with the tail gate down. If you want the cover, fine. If you want the tool box, put it on.
I like my tool box, but I get what I get as far as MPG.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 1
From: No.Va.
Put in the toolbox,won't make a bit of difference.
You'll be glad you have it when you need it.
FWIW - mythbusters did a show on this,tailgate on was the most efficient.
(if you believe what they have to say)
WELCOME to FTE !
You'll be glad you have it when you need it.
FWIW - mythbusters did a show on this,tailgate on was the most efficient.
(if you believe what they have to say)
WELCOME to FTE !
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Escondido CA
Thanks all...sounds like I will be going for the toolbox..Now which one?? That may be another thread.. My thoughts are a toolbox in which I can mount a small ATV winch. What I'm noticing is as age creeps up on me I struggle more and more trying to lift large/heavy objects into the back of the truck..I figure if I get a winch I can pull the load up a ramp into the back...and reverse to unload. To coin a song from the Stones::"What a drag it is getting older"...sigh Although my military training says adapt and overcome...hoorah
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Southwestern Ohio
FYI, there was a Mythbusters episode on this issue a couple years ago comparing the various tailgate options (closed, open, mesh, etc.). I think they used an F150 in their experiment and found better mileage with the tailgate closed compared to it being open.
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Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,499
Likes: 10
From: Sterling Heights,Mi
This is exactly what I got from the 6637 (.5 to 1 mpg ) and the 4" ( 1.5 to 2 MPG ). With the Dp tuner on.. NOTHING ELSE AS OF YET has increased my milage..
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 699
Likes: 0
From: northern Michigan
The mods I did that gained me a bit on mileage was the air intake and zoodad with a stainless steel 4 " performance exhaust. Truck breathes better now and I gained 1.5 mpg towing and 4 mpg freeway not towing.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Escondido CA
I do have the 6637 mod done...also the zoodad..I am getting the 4" MBRP done next week...All of these upgrades I learned from no where else but here..Thanks ..now if I just could improve my mechanical skills plus have the right tools...There is a "warm fuzzy" feeling knowing that I have a great forum to fall back on in the case of a "fubar"
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,267
Likes: 5
If I had a quarter for every time this were true among these forum members, I'd have a total of .25$, for the one time I layed off cause there was kids walking.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
If you want to increase your MPG's, be very gentle on the skinny pedal. Lower your cruising speed and keep the rpm's low between shifts.
For the winch, why not add a cross brace under the bed and mount the winch below the toolbox on the bed? I'm guessing you either have a long bed or a really short ATV.
I think you left out improvise from your military training.
For the winch, why not add a cross brace under the bed and mount the winch below the toolbox on the bed? I'm guessing you either have a long bed or a really short ATV.
I think you left out improvise from your military training.