Approx. % increase of mpg while adding bed cover
Trying to figure it out!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,992
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From: Ft Worth, Texas
Ford has done extensive research and shaped the tailgate to actually help reduce drag. I could see an actual decrease in mpg with a cover - especially the hard covers that weight 50+ lbs.
2018 XLT FX4
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Maricopa, AZ
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 788
Likes: 173
From: SW New Mexico
that ford video on page 1 was interesting - especially the comment about the top of the tailgate 'finishing' the most critical last 6 inches of the area that the tonneau would cover to give the air a launching point.
I wonder if adding just a small 'plank' in front of the tailgate would further reduce the drag, but without the added weight of a full tonneau? dang now I wish I could get into a windtunnel for a few hours - would be interesting to see if it worked. such a device could be very quick to remove / reinstall too
I wonder if adding just a small 'plank' in front of the tailgate would further reduce the drag, but without the added weight of a full tonneau? dang now I wish I could get into a windtunnel for a few hours - would be interesting to see if it worked. such a device could be very quick to remove / reinstall too
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,343
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From: Great Lake State
Ah naysayers galore... You want more?
http://www2.sema.org/Main/SemaOrgHome.aspx?ID=52546
Another, thier conclusion:
On average, it is safe to say that a tonneau cover will reduce the coefficient of drag by
5.73% (based on the thirteen different tonneaus we tested.) We tested a variety of covers, from
soft vinyl, to folding two-piece to fiberglass. As indicated earlier, other tests would need to be
conducted in order to determine the exact effect on fuel economy. Aerodynamicists often say that
a 10% improvement in aerodynamic performance is good for a 2-3% improvement in gas
mileage, based on an EPA road speed of 48 mph. Therefore, an improvement in Cd of 5.73%
could account for a 1.8% improvement in gas mileage. The results of this test are positive for
tonneau manufacturers. With fuel efficiency on the minds of consumers and automakers alike,
it’s great to see that aftermarket products can help improve fuel economy and will keep pickup
truck enthusiasts in their pickups.
http://www.trucktestdigest.com/PDFfi...uStudy2007.pdf
Score 3 against 1 so far saying they do.
LOL
http://www2.sema.org/Main/SemaOrgHome.aspx?ID=52546
Another, thier conclusion:
On average, it is safe to say that a tonneau cover will reduce the coefficient of drag by
5.73% (based on the thirteen different tonneaus we tested.) We tested a variety of covers, from
soft vinyl, to folding two-piece to fiberglass. As indicated earlier, other tests would need to be
conducted in order to determine the exact effect on fuel economy. Aerodynamicists often say that
a 10% improvement in aerodynamic performance is good for a 2-3% improvement in gas
mileage, based on an EPA road speed of 48 mph. Therefore, an improvement in Cd of 5.73%
could account for a 1.8% improvement in gas mileage. The results of this test are positive for
tonneau manufacturers. With fuel efficiency on the minds of consumers and automakers alike,
it’s great to see that aftermarket products can help improve fuel economy and will keep pickup
truck enthusiasts in their pickups.
http://www.trucktestdigest.com/PDFfi...uStudy2007.pdf
Score 3 against 1 so far saying they do.
LOL
If you take into account the weight increase of 70 lbs, and figure Ford lost 700 lbs to gain 1mpg with the aluminum parts, that is an offset of ~1% loss in mileage due to the weight increase, so just estimate 22 years to pay it off.
If however, you put that $600 in an investment that netted you 2% per year without compounding you would get $264 in interest that you are essentially loosing out on. Add on another 8 years to account for that loss and we are looking at a break even point of 30 years.
Just be content with keeping stuff dry...
