Anyone notice a MPG increase after adding a bed/tonneau cover? (Aerodynamics)

[Kenneth F Greensweight]

I've heard it is about another mile per gallon. So short term it isn't much but over the long term I guess it is worth it. I am putting a cover on to keep from having to clean out my bed. Leaves, branches, and pine needles all over the place around here.

Thats the best one I for one don't like getting out the shop Vacuum over, and over again so a cover is for me on my Maverick

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[Mymaverick2021]

There have been several studies on this and any difference is negligible. Most have found a less than 2% increase in fuel economy. Over the course of a year it could make a difference given our current gas situation, but I wouldn't add a tonneau cover just to try to increase mpg. I'd add it for the other benefits and consider any potential increase a bonus.

I put one on my Colorado and I'm getting 3 to 4 more MPG plus it also depends on weather or not your Larry the Leadfoot

 

[onetequilatwo]

Areodynamics increase.
Weight decrease.

Net, not worth the cost alone.

That said, if it's worth the functionality to you, more power to you. I'm not here to yuck your yum.

Basically agree with this but in that video, it looked like a very heavy tonneau cover, the eXtang has at least one using aircraft matted sheet metal so the whole thing weighs 60 lbs. Curious of the weight of the one tested. But agree it may help a little but nothing to make it worth while for fuel efficiency.

 

[Ricstar]

Had my LoMax for a little over a week and at MOST 1mpg better. Would say yes it helps but if MPG is the reason you want one I would pass.

 

[BingoDingo]

you'll do better taking out the spare or turning off AC. A cover the shape of the one in the tesla "truck", which is a triangle tapering to the tailgate would actually probably help.

 

[jtpc2021]

I doubt it results in much gain on a 4.5’ bed on a truck that is low to the ground.
But some will probably swear up and down that they now get 4-5mpg more.

I had a cover on my Ram 1500 with 8’ bed. Made no noticeable difference in mpg in that application, granted it was a new truck. Modern trucks have better aerodynamics than old ones. The Ram’s tailgate was shaped like a spoiler compared to my older Ram that was just flat.

 

[nickmav]

Areodynamics increase.
Weight decrease.

Net, not worth the cost alone.

That said, if it's worth the functionality to you, more power to you. I'm not here to yuck your yum.

weight increase?

 

[stoptothink]

weight increase?

Not sure how much they weigh with the small Maverick bed, but a typical tonneau can weigh anywhere from 45-100lbs total. If you're wanting to improve efficiency, the lowest hanging fruit is generally getting rid of excess weight; 45-100lbs. isn't nothing.

 

[AnthonyMav]

I will say that it seems to have improved my fuel economy but I have not actually measured it. My driving has been mostly short trips and in winter conditions. You would need to do some long distances in similar conditions to have a accurate comparison. I didn't buy it for better fuel economy.

Same here. I gained 1-2mpg but my driving is local and slow, plus a hybrid.. so who knows. I got it for the security and to keep shit dry.

 

[stoptothink]

Same here. I gained 1-2mpg but my driving is local and slow, plus a hybrid.. so who knows. I got it for the security and to keep shit dry.

Short slow trips is where drag makes the least amount of difference. It's also the situation where there can be the greatest efficiency variability. As you said, there's just no way to know in your situation.

 

[nickmav]

Not sure how much they weigh with the small Maverick bed, but a typical tonneau can weigh anywhere from 45-100lbs total. If you're wanting to improve efficiency, the lowest hanging fruit is generally getting rid of excess weight; 45-100lbs. isn't nothing.

For sure. But he said weight decrease so i was confused.

 

[mav_can]

For everyone talking about weight, it doesn’t really matter on the hybrid due to the regen braking. EVs are the heaviest vehicles around and yet they’re still far more efficient than gasoline vehicles on an MPGe basis. Also consider that the hybrid gets better mileage in the city with stop & go. As long as you don’t slam the brakes to engage physical calipers, the regen will recapture the extra momentum.

 

[Old Hickory Trojan]

I doubt it results in much gain on a 4.5’ bed on a truck that is low to the ground.
But some will probably swear up and down that they now get 4-5mpg more.

I had a cover on my Ram 1500 with 8’ bed. Made no noticeable difference in mpg in that application, granted it was a new truck. Modern trucks have better aerodynamics than old ones. The Ram’s tailgate was shaped like a spoiler compared to my older Ram that was just flat.

When I added a hard tonneau to my 2012 RAM 1500 Limited my MPG went up around 2MPG. Maybe different for a soft tonneau or whatever other factors that may impact the specific configuration . I had a soft tonneau on my 2010 RAM Big Horn and it had a different rear axle ratio but the same engine and it got a lot less MPG...

 

[Bushpilot]

For everyone talking about weight, it doesn’t really matter on the hybrid due to the regen braking. EVs are the heaviest vehicles around and yet they’re still far more efficient than gasoline vehicles on an MPGe basis. Also consider that the hybrid gets better mileage in the city with stop & go. As long as you don’t slam the brakes to engage physical calipers, the regen will recapture the extra momentum.

Weight always matters, regen does not change that.

EVs are efficient because electric motors are twice as efficient as gasoline engines are.

 

[Mymaverick2021]

I've heard it is about another mile per gallon. So short term it isn't much but over the long term I guess it is worth it. I am putting a cover on to keep from having to clean out my bed. Leaves, branches, and pine needles all over the place around here.

And don't forget the dreaded snow factor, my tonneau cover gave me 3 to 4 more mpg on my 2020 Colorado

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