I have found an 8' fiberglass canopy that matches up in length and color of my '95 and I was wondering if this would increase my highway mileage as it should make it a bit more aerodynamic, correct?

Also, it would help with winters head peaking around the corner, so I don't have to shovel out the bed of my truck everyday, as our Winters up here in Northern BC are quite nasty.

Does anyone here have any measurements of an increase or decrease in fuel economy? Or would the increase in weight cancel out the aerodynamics?

Right now, I'm getting 14MPG city and 17 or so Highway, as I haven't gotten out on the highway much. (A new O2 Sensor would help a lot!!)

 

I belive mythbusters did an episode on whether tailgate down/up effects, toppers and toneau covers. youtube it i guess

 

 

I saw those, but they didn't do a canopy, but I might have missed it.

I know I won't see an increase of mpg city, but highway would be a different story. All fiberglass, so it shouldn't be too heavy. I'm going for a test fit sometime this week.

Just seeing if anyone else has had any experience with and without the canopies with the 8 or 9th gen trucks here

I'm going to be getting a canopy anyways, since I'm getting tired of wrapping my tarp around my groceries and stuff that I'm moving.

 

No personal experience, but yes it's supposed to increase fuel mileage by cutting down wind drag.

 

You might see a small increase in highway mpg's, if the canopy/cap doesn't stick out past/above the cab of the truck. If it sticks out, it will increase drag.

And, I leave the snow in the bed of my truck for better rear traction.

 

I use 4 milk crates full of bricks for my traction i senter them between the wheel wells.

the canopy or truck cap kinda makes your truck into an suv with the wind dynamics it should help with air flow for sure.

 

It would depend on the actual weight of the canopy whether it would improve anything. My canopy that came with my truck didn't improve any mpg as it weighs almost 250 lbs. I used it on my trip back to my home town in May up in Northern BC from Vancouver here and I averaged 13-15 mpg on the 2400 km round trip. That is with the canopy and maybe 450 lbs of stuff in the bed and 4 adults in my 91 2wd S-Cab 302/E4OD both ways.

 

I'm not sure how heavy this canopy is, but the guy told me it takes 2 guys to carry it, but that's kind of necessary, as it's awkward big

I'd feel safer with sandbags in the back. That's what I put in the back of my Explorer last year.

Thanks for all the replies. I don't have plans on hauling big/ heavy stuff long distances, but would like to go for a long drive somewhere soon.

 

No problem. I used my canopy with no other major weight in the truck in and around Vancouver for the first 2-3 weeks of owning it and the difference in mpg in the city was about 3-4 mpg. At least with my heavy canopy. With canopy averaged about 13-15 mpg and without I average 16-19 mpg city driving, my commuting route has a main highway but not an interstate/freeway. Highway/freeway without is about 18-20mpg. this coming wet season I'll be using the canopy for weight, no real snow like back home but black ice can be a problem.