I am in the market for a roll up tonneau cover for my 4cyl ranger so my stuff can stay dry. I read and most of the tonneaus claim a 10% MPG increase. That would be 2-3 MPG for me. Not alot but every little bit helps. Has anyone on the forum been able to see a difference in their mileage after adding one?

I had one once on my B3000 but I put it on when the truck was new and never compared before I sold the truck.

 

I had one on my 99 step-side and i noticed a 3 mpg increase

 

I had one on my Ranger and have one on my 150 and didn't notice any increase.

 

if there was an increase when i put mine on i didn't notice it. however for the security they are worth the money.

 

Wirelessly posted

I watched an Episode of Mythbusters and there was no noticable gain/difference with a Tonneau Cover.

 

the gains are sooo small. Get it to protect your stuff not to expect miracle gas millage that comes out of nowhere.

 

Thats the plan. I always liked having one just to keep the bed clean and dry and to protect cargo. I almost got a topper for this ranger but it would be to hard to take it off every time i want to load my motorcycle. I don't expect extra gas milage but it sure would be nice to get a bit extra.

 

I cant think of the name of the cover but if you get the one that rises up on a hinge and you can take on and off the truck you would thank me later. The roll up snap ones suck when the weather is cold or the leather ends up warping.

They are called something like full extang or something like that im sure someone else will chime in and help.

 

ya i stopped using my cuz it has the stupid snaps....taking off and putting bak on is to much of a hastle

 

the only thing about mine i don't like is if i need to open it in the winter it's a pain to stretch back into the cracks of the rails. however the room it takes off when removed makes up for that and i try and limit opening it in the winter.

 

i just took my hardtop tonneau cover off. and my gas mileage shot through the roof. i couldn't believe the difference. I have the 3.0 v6. and i used to barley get 50miles to about a quarter of a tank. when i drive to the gfs house which is about 40miles both ways. and now i filled up last night before i went. and i had to warm the truck up before i left her house. i got 50miles before it even got off full. idk i couldn't believe the difference. but the hard tops are heavy. close to an extra 200lbs i would suppose atleast.

 

xtang trifect is a tri-folding one that works great...still light weight. super easy to put on and take off.

 

Yeah don't bother with anything with snaps. I've been really pleased with my Access soft roll-ups, been using them for the last 3 years and they've been perfect.

 

My truck seemed to be about 1 mpg better with it on. Mine was old and a pile of crap, so off it went.

 

From an engineering standpoint, you get better mileage without the cover. The low pressure zone created inside the bed of the truck keeps high pressure wind coming over the cab from pushing it down. With a tonneau cover, you eliminate that. All car companies use a computer program to model truck beds with different depths and lengths to optimize the airflow.

And no, mythbusters is not a legitimate source of scientific information.

I will probably get flamed for this and called a liar. My dynamics teacher worked for GM as a mechanical engineer for several years and had to use that exact program.

Wonder why Nascar trucks have covers? To get more downforce, not for mileage

 

I ve had my trifecta for an for year now No mileage increase but a very nice cover and worth it. I haul firewood most weekends so its on and off a lot. It s so easy I always put it back on. It very water tight so I m hopeing it help fight a rusty bed in the long haul.

 

the soft covers you might get 1/2 - 1.00

 

I always liked my TonneauMasters cover. I won't do snaps, the velcro was way better. I also like the fact that the support bars are rolled up with the cover and weren't seperate.

 

I didn't really notice a gain in MPG when I had snaps on my old Ranger. It looked great but were a pain in the winter like everyone else has said. I think I will try the roll up velcro ones this time.

 

= no

 

this would be nice, my bars seem to move around and i wish they were more secure at times.

 

I actually went with a topper. Have a 4x4 06 4.0 and noticed a significant increase in gas mileage. As someone posted earlier a tonneau does not help with MPGs. But Ford did some research a few years back with the wind tunnel on this subject and its actually better to just have a closed bed (tailgate up) and no tonneau. The only thing they found better was having a topper. I would have to do some digging to find the study but I am not going through the work for it...lol ....take it or leave it. My $.02

 

if anything i lost an mpg going with a tunneau cover. but not having to play hockey is soaking wet gear was totally worth it.

 

I dont like toppers- I perfer a soft cover I think it makes the truck look better

 

just an FYI most pepboys carry a tonneau cover for the ranger, its right at 200 buck and it uses this piece of plastic that goes into a groove on the rails. ive had mine for two years now and no problems!