Those with cab and tailgate spoilers, how do you like it?

[K5Blazer]

There has been several inquiries regarding the Ford Tri-Fold tonneau cover that I have, specifically, asking how flush it fits, thickness, etc.

As you can see, it is very thin, not raised or thick like a lot of aftermarket covers. It has three seals on the edge.

The Ford spoiler is also very thin, barely raising the height of the existing plastic lip cap at all.

Very seamless integration.

The spoiler extends about 3.5” beyond the stock spoiler lip.

Hope this helps.

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[K5Blazer]

I dunno... Not really. I think I'd need to see one in a wind tunnel to buy into it. I don't know anything about aerodynamics, but my assumption is that air should flow smoothly over the surface and two spoilers with such an aggressive angle would just throw it upwards?

Someone put a giant fan in front of your truck and blow some Bob Marley in large quantities across the body through it. I need to see it.

You removed your front tire air dams, put on wider, more aggressive tires, have a lower front valance with a tow hook inlets, installed a hood deflector, window rain deflectors… all huge airflow disrupters. Your drag coefficient increased dramatically.

Nice looking truck you have, not knocking the appearance at all.

However, you admittedly don’t know anything about aerodynamics, and aren’t concerned about increasing MPG through various enhancements. In fact, you’ve done just the opposite.

Citation needed. /s

 

[Montana]

You removed your front tire air dams, put on wider, more aggressive tires, have a lower front valance with a tow hook inlets, installed a hood deflector, window rain deflectors… all huge airflow disrupters. Your drag coefficient increased dramatically.

Nice looking truck you have, not knocking the appearance at all.

However, you admittedly don’t know anything about aerodynamics, and aren’t concerned about increasing MPG through various enhancements. In fact, you’ve done just the opposite.

Citation needed. /s

I know enough to know what I did is exactly as you mentioned. I'm not looking to increase my MPG. I'm wondering if these actually do anything on the Mavericks. Concerned is a stretch. Interested in the science? Yes. That's all. I personally don't even like the spoilers, but I think it would be cool if they worked.

 

[Hillbilly]

This looks awesome! Did you buy it from the Ford accessories page?

Yes with points. Put em on both Mavs
.

 

[Hardening2753]

The most important thing is to line it up with painters tape before removing the adhesive. You get one shot. Another word of advice is to make pull tabs at the end of the red tape to easily remove. All you need is a caulking gun to apply the sealer.

What did you use for sealer?

 

[Hardening2753]

Snowbird;
I am hesitant to say because I don’t want people to get one and then complain that they aren’t seeing the same gains.

With that, here goes:

Over 5MPG at 75mph. Four 1 hour trips to Denver from Loveland have confirmed this for me. Same weather conditions and traffic patterns as I noted before adding the spoiler. The only major change to my 4 test MPG trips, and all the others I have done since getting my Mav, is that now, I am running my A/C! That alone is impressive.

City driving is showing MPG gains as well I believe.

Keep in mind I have a tonneau cover.

Car and Driver had an article about the aerodynamic changes to pickups that help mpgs.

Among the other things that the Maverick already has, like front tire spats, tucked exhaust, flat underbody panels, etc., their information showed a 3-7% increase in mpg using a tonneau cover/ rear spoiler combination.

I believe this was referring to full sized trucks so not sure if our smaller vehicles would change the equation much either way.

I was fully prepared to rip this thing off if my mileage became negatively effected, 2-3 MPG or more.

The gains have truly surprised me.

Look at, name your brand, newer full size trucks. They all have a spoiler extension built into the tailgate metal panel that is similar to my spoiler design.
They don’t do that just for looks. (But it helps IMO)

Anecdotal evidence that this spoiler is reducing drag and turbulence is that the tailgate is staying cleaner.

I haven’t seen any testing showing what the effect of roof spoilers are. Until I do, I am not going that route. If positive, I would buy a pre painted one because I don’t like the tacked on look of the black plastic on lighter colored Mavericks.

That's great to hear on increase in MPG

 

[Ponchsox]

What did you use for sealer?

They give you a tube in the box.

 

[Hardening2753]

They give you a tube in the box.

Good to know!

 

[Aherpa]

There has been several inquiries regarding the Ford Tri-Fold tonneau cover that I have, specifically, asking how flush it fits, thickness, etc.

As you can see, it is very thin, not raised or thick like a lot of aftermarket covers. It has three seals on the edge.

The Ford spoiler is also very thin, barely raising the height of the existing plastic lip cap at all.

Very seamless integration.

The spoiler extends about 3.5” beyond the stock spoiler lip.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the extra info. If it only keeps the back of the truck cleaner (I live on a gravel road) it will be worth it to me.
I ordered one on Saturday.

 

[Hardening2753]

Still looking for the article I read about truck aerodynamic improvements.

This one from Motor Trend has similar information.
Thought you guys might like it.

https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/0602tr-truck-and-suv-aerodynamics/

A good YT video which explains the rear spoiler effect.

Arm chair aerodynamic expert here, sounds like the tailgate spoiler would increase the MPG some

 

[K5Blazer]

The concept is really quite simple: Any decrease in airflow turbulence, which, will in turn, decrease drag, will result in the engine using less fuel to accomplish the same result, be it speed, or fuel consumption.
The simple spats in front of your tires are probably netting you at least 1 mpg if not more.

The one of the biggest drag areas on vehicles is the rear end.

 

[Hardening2753]

Still looking for the article I read about truck aerodynamic improvements.

This one from Motor Trend has similar information.
Thought you guys might like it.

https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/0602tr-truck-and-suv-aerodynamics/

A good YT video which explains the rear spoiler effect.

Decent video. Thanks for posting sd this explains a lot and bust some myths

 

[Snowbird]

Not sure yet. Haven’t been on the road since the install. Will report back.

Any update on MPG's?

 

[Hardening2753]

Any update on MPG's?

Asking the important questions

 

[Ponchsox]

Any update on MPG's?

No noticeable difference.

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