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

[dadd75]

I read that the open bed creates an 'air bubble' that swirls around and creates a buffer so the air stream flows over the bubble and no 'drag' is created by the bed or tailgate being closed. That is why many will say taking the tailgate off has no benefit.

Sponsored

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Can you explain that more? I feel like it must be a lot more complicated but maybe it's not.

It boils down to the wasteful use of the thermal energy in gasoline. If all the thermal energy was converted to torque the conversion device whatever it would be would get over 700 mpg. Let fuel cell research continue although there are many much more efficient possibilities.

 

[GPSMan]

I read that the open bed creates an 'air bubble' that swirls around and creates a buffer so the air stream flows over the bubble and no 'drag' is created by the bed or tailgate being closed. That is why many will say taking the tailgate off has no benefit.

Yes. True.

Dead leaves will stay in the bed even at highway speeds. They are more likely to blow out in your driveway (and unfortunately, blow in.) The #1 reason I got the cover was to keep leaves out.

 

[GPSMan]

It boils down to the wasteful use of the thermal energy in gasoline. If all the thermal energy was converted to torque the conversion device whatever it would be would get over 700 mpg. Let fuel cell research continue although there are many much more efficient possibilities.

Well now you are eggagerating unless you are talking about a 300 pound egg shaped 1 seater.

The theoretical maximum for a car, mini truck, or light SUV seen on roads today is about 120 MPG.

 

[clavicus]

If I recall, the optimal thermal efficiency of these engines are just under 40%. So yeah that tracks that a 100% fuel-efficient car of this type would be somewhere around 120mpg.

 

[Sea48!]

This is a good video about tonneau covers and MPG

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Well now you are eggagerating unless you are talking about a 300 pound egg shaped 1 seater.

The theoretical maximum for a car, mini truck, or light SUV seen on roads today is about 120 MPG.

It is weight related. Quick check reveals that IF a vehicle (I am assuming their calculation assumes the car was the same weight as the human used so the vehicle would be as inefficient as the man) burned the caloric content of a gallon of gas at the same efficiency as a 175lb man it would travel 912 miles. (Maybe I weighed 215+/- lbs years ago when I came up with 700 miles).

 

[Poultrygeist]

You don't see open bed trucks at Bonneville.

 

[Pequa1]

I think Myth Busters de-bunked this a few years ago saying it made no difference.

Wasn't that the "tailgate up or tailgate down ?"

Sponsored