2.7 mpg/performance
03-15-2015, 11:33 PM
#371
Junior Member
Tire/wheel weight effect on mpg
I have searched and read most of the posts and I don't see anyone listing their wheels sizes. From research on this forum and others, it looks like the 20" wheel option adds 8-10 pounds per tire/wheel combination. People are reporting the 18's weigh 71-73 pounds per wheel/tire and 20's weigh 79-81 pounds per wheel tire. Everyone knows unsprung weight and rotating mass has a greater effect on mpg than sprung weight. The common theory is 1 pound of unsprung weight equal to 7-10 pounds of sprung weight. So having 20's on your truck could be like driving around with 400 pounds in the bed as compared to 18's. That should be worth 1-1.5 mpg. Can anyone add experience or input to this?
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bk117wrench (09-25-2015)
03-16-2015, 12:39 AM
#372
Does a topper or tonneau cover help improve fuel mileage, I know from looking at Access Covers web site they claim a 10% increase in MPG.
I average 75-80mph in the interstate and living in a rural area where it's either short in town trips (7 min to work and 25 min across town in rush hour traffic) or a 50 mile highway trip to the closest big town tend to spend more time on the highway.
Last fillip was 16.3mpg according to the truck, but over 1/2 the tank was going 80-85mph on the interstate with 35mph or greater headwinds and cross winds & that sucks gas....not to mention we live at 6k feet & was a trip to 8kfeet and down to 5 then back to 6k feet, so that's a good gain of elevation....
I want to get a Access Lorado cover, but might end up with a Access Original as a couple guys I know have been saying the Original handles winds better.
I average 75-80mph in the interstate and living in a rural area where it's either short in town trips (7 min to work and 25 min across town in rush hour traffic) or a 50 mile highway trip to the closest big town tend to spend more time on the highway.
Last fillip was 16.3mpg according to the truck, but over 1/2 the tank was going 80-85mph on the interstate with 35mph or greater headwinds and cross winds & that sucks gas....not to mention we live at 6k feet & was a trip to 8kfeet and down to 5 then back to 6k feet, so that's a good gain of elevation....
I want to get a Access Lorado cover, but might end up with a Access Original as a couple guys I know have been saying the Original handles winds better.
03-16-2015, 12:29 PM
#373
Junior Member
I have the Access Lorado and like it. I haven't had a lot of wind exposure yet but I have been through the car wash blowers about 5 times with no problems. Ford has a video, I think on YouTube, explaining the design of the 2015 tailgate and its affects on mileage and wind tunnel testing. The Ford engineer makes a reference in that video to tonneau covers, I believe saying that they are better aerodynamically.
Last edited by AvoidTheBoyd; 03-16-2015 at 12:34 PM.
03-16-2015, 12:32 PM
#374
Looking at nascar racing trucks they seem to have a box cover on them.
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Rampy (03-16-2015)
03-17-2015, 07:14 AM
#377
Does a topper or tonneau cover help improve fuel mileage, I know from looking at Access Covers web site they claim a 10% increase in MPG.
I average 75-80mph in the interstate and living in a rural area where it's either short in town trips (7 min to work and 25 min across town in rush hour traffic) or a 50 mile highway trip to the closest big town tend to spend more time on the highway.
Last fillip was 16.3mpg according to the truck, but over 1/2 the tank was going 80-85mph on the interstate with 35mph or greater headwinds and cross winds & that sucks gas....not to mention we live at 6k feet & was a trip to 8kfeet and down to 5 then back to 6k feet, so that's a good gain of elevation....
I want to get a Access Lorado cover, but might end up with a Access Original as a couple guys I know have been saying the Original handles winds better.
I average 75-80mph in the interstate and living in a rural area where it's either short in town trips (7 min to work and 25 min across town in rush hour traffic) or a 50 mile highway trip to the closest big town tend to spend more time on the highway.
Last fillip was 16.3mpg according to the truck, but over 1/2 the tank was going 80-85mph on the interstate with 35mph or greater headwinds and cross winds & that sucks gas....not to mention we live at 6k feet & was a trip to 8kfeet and down to 5 then back to 6k feet, so that's a good gain of elevation....
I want to get a Access Lorado cover, but might end up with a Access Original as a couple guys I know have been saying the Original handles winds better.
03-17-2015, 09:10 AM
#378
I have searched and read most of the posts and I don't see anyone listing their wheels sizes. From research on this forum and others, it looks like the 20" wheel option adds 8-10 pounds per tire/wheel combination. People are reporting the 18's weigh 71-73 pounds per wheel/tire and 20's weigh 79-81 pounds per wheel tire. Everyone knows unsprung weight and rotating mass has a greater effect on mpg than sprung weight. The common theory is 1 pound of unsprung weight equal to 7-10 pounds of sprung weight. So having 20's on your truck could be like driving around with 400 pounds in the bed as compared to 18's. That should be worth 1-1.5 mpg. Can anyone add experience or input to this?
The following users liked this post:
Joe Friday (03-20-2015)
03-17-2015, 09:20 AM
#379
Senior Member
So the 2.7L equipped trucks with 2WD drive models are rated for 26MPG HWY and the 4WD are rated to get 23MPG HWY.
As far as I can tell, I see 3 differences.
1) 4WD hardware weight
2) Larger diameter and A/T tires on 4WD models
3) Shorter Rear End ratio on 4WD models
Am I missing anything else?
Which of those 3 or other factors do you think is the big player in the HWY MPG difference?
As far as I can tell, I see 3 differences.
1) 4WD hardware weight
2) Larger diameter and A/T tires on 4WD models
3) Shorter Rear End ratio on 4WD models
Am I missing anything else?
Which of those 3 or other factors do you think is the big player in the HWY MPG difference?