Truck + Tonneau +MPGs???
#1
Truck + Tonneau +MPGs???
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 once on my B3000 but I put it on when the truck was new and never compared before I sold the truck.
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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.
#8
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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.
They are called something like full extang or something like that im sure someone else will chime in and help.
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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.
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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
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
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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