Thought I'd Brag
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
I got an all time high of 19mpg in my 97 F350 4:10 5 spd w 315s on a 465 mile trip. But my speddo only registered 414 miles due to the 9% larger tires i had on. But i left on a full tank, went 423miles (465 actual), used 24.4 gallon of fuel. that was doing 65 and not one MPH over driving from NJ to VA down 81 for the most part. I almost fell over when i did my math.
465/24.4=19
465/24.4=19
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
I've got the same problem...
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,526
Likes: 0
From: Lunchtown
I disagree. I've run without my Toneau cover and compared mileage. The improvement with the Toneau Cover isn't huge, but it does make a difference (1 MPG at most). Until I designed a pulley lift system in my garage for it, if I took it off, it was off for a while. It's a solid fiberglass Toneau Cover, not just a rollup cover. It's heavy and awkward for only one or two people.
I know my mileage from tank to tank, but don't write it down anywhere, so I don't have any hard numbers with/without.
There are a lot of conflicting answers on the subject. Here is a link to a study done by Western New England College. The surprising result is that the the tailgate down reduced drag while tailgate off increased drag.
Ford F150 Tonneau Cover Saves MPG
If I had to buy the cover new, I don't know if I'd buy it simply for the mileage increase. I keep it on mostly for looks and utility of keeping stuff dry. It came with the truck when I bought it. I've gotten better mileage imnprovements by using the same technique everyone else says is the best way... keeping my foot off the accelerator and keeping the truck properly maintained.
PREMIUM SPONSOR
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,630
Likes: 217
From: North East Ohio
I understand i'm fudging some numbers, but to offset them, I'm adjusting the other numbers.
Beats actually trying to be accurate.
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'96 7.3 F-350 Reg Cab 4x4 - bought new.
'04 6.0 E-350 custom 4x4
'08 6.4 F-550 Reg Cab 6 spd 4x4
'17 6.7 F-250 KR ccsb 4x4
'96 7.3 F-350 Reg Cab 4x4 - bought new.
'04 6.0 E-350 custom 4x4
'08 6.4 F-550 Reg Cab 6 spd 4x4
'17 6.7 F-250 KR ccsb 4x4
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 11,231
Likes: 130
From: Thomasville, GA
I think it could've been skewed.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,799
Likes: 104
From: Ashland City, TN
Yea, it has to deal with how the air swirls in the back of the truck reduces drag on the back of the truck. When you put the tailgate down, it gets rid of that "swirl" and causes drag.
dont make any sense to me. *shrugs*
dont make any sense to me. *shrugs*
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,773
Likes: 1
From: Texas Coast
Thread Starter
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,799
Likes: 104
From: Ashland City, TN
5.5 gph and 5 gph is a difference between tailgate down and up.
5.5 with tailgate down. haha.
The rest were close to 5gph.
Wow. 5 gallons per hour, at 55.
thats 11mpg. That is rancid.
Guess thats why we have fords. haha.
I can explain the mesh possibly.
Less resistance than the tailgate, but enough resistance to create the vortex in the rear of the truck.
Screw the mesh.
5.5 with tailgate down. haha.
The rest were close to 5gph.
Wow. 5 gallons per hour, at 55.
thats 11mpg. That is rancid.
Guess thats why we have fords. haha.
I can explain the mesh possibly.
Less resistance than the tailgate, but enough resistance to create the vortex in the rear of the truck.
Screw the mesh.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,773
Likes: 1
From: Texas Coast
Quote- Screw the mesh.
My thoughts too. Looks like crap. I would like to see a 5th wheel test with the vented tailgate. I know with the tailgate up and a 5th wheel that the suction is tremendous. I had a rubber mat under a large fully loaded ice chest at the rear tailgate and was towing and the vacuum sucked the darn mat out from under it.
My thoughts too. Looks like crap. I would like to see a 5th wheel test with the vented tailgate. I know with the tailgate up and a 5th wheel that the suction is tremendous. I had a rubber mat under a large fully loaded ice chest at the rear tailgate and was towing and the vacuum sucked the darn mat out from under it.