mpg help
Lucky Number 7
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 835
Likes: 40
From: South Texas
Went to Dallas for New Years in the truck... 2 of us and a dog and cargo in the bed. Drove up there and then did some driving around Dallas. 17.4mpg keeping at or just over speed limits... Haven't filled up again to see what happened on the trip home... 
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 36
From: Cleveland, OH
Lame winter gas + 10 miles a day to and from work, etc. Netted me 10.1 mpg
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
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Dirty Rotten Scoundrel
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 177
Likes: 2
From: Simpsonville, SC
They neglected to even test with a tonneau cover. My cover improved my mileage and the overall comfort of the ride, especially at highway speeds.
The cover eliminates so much buffetting created by cross winds and turbulence from other vehicles, especially big rigs. I had a Roll-Bak hard retractable cover that was pretty heavy and I still had a 1-2 mpg improvement right away. A lightweight cover would have improved economy even more.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 654
Likes: 2
Mythbusters is one of the least scientific shows out there. They always leave out important variables on these 'tests'. The slightest difference in alignments, tire pressures and wear, tuning, suspension, etc etc.
They neglected to even test with a tonneau cover. My cover improved my mileage and the overall comfort of the ride, especially at highway speeds.
The cover eliminates so much buffetting created by cross winds and turbulence from other vehicles, especially big rigs. I had a Roll-Bak hard retractable cover that was pretty heavy and I still had a 1-2 mpg improvement right away. A lightweight cover would have improved economy even more.
They neglected to even test with a tonneau cover. My cover improved my mileage and the overall comfort of the ride, especially at highway speeds.
The cover eliminates so much buffetting created by cross winds and turbulence from other vehicles, especially big rigs. I had a Roll-Bak hard retractable cover that was pretty heavy and I still had a 1-2 mpg improvement right away. A lightweight cover would have improved economy even more.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 899
Likes: 3
From: Akron, OH
that was an earlier show then the f150 show. so no ur not dreaming it did happen just a couple of years ago.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 36
From: Cleveland, OH
Seriously? Mythbusters can't be that un-scientific....
http://kwc.org/mythbusters/2006/12/e..._revisite.html
http://kwc.org/mythbusters/2006/12/e..._revisite.html
For the original myth they did a driving test and a water vortex test, both of which showed that you save more gas with the tailgate up. Their viewers suggested that they test three new conditions:
still busted
- Hardroof cover over pickup bed
- Mesh tailgate
- Remove the entire tailgate
- Tailgate down: 5.2 gallons/hr @ 55mph. 1.2 gallons/hr @ 25.
- Tailgate up: 5.0 gallons/hr @ 55mph. No reading for 25mph given, but tailgate up was once again confirmed as more efficient.
- Hardcover over pickup bed: 5.0 gallons/hr @ 55mph. 1.2 gallons/hr @25mph
- Tailgate mesh: 5% more efficient
- Tailgate removed: about the same as tailgate up and hardcover
still busted
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 36
From: Cleveland, OH
I put a truxedo on my truck, I noticed NO GAIN in mileage. Mythbusters did do a hard tonneau cover, They also used the same truck on what seemed to be the same day. While I think they could/should do a better job by using a scangauge or similar product. Iwill agree that they miss some of the simple things that might make a difference.
Besides, measuring actual flow isn't accurate enough? Come on, give me a break.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 654
Likes: 2
well that's good to know I was considering getting one. More so to be able to see the trans temp while towing. I guess you have to take all information with a grain of salt. I know my speedometer reads a little fast at least according to my garmin (about 2mph @ 65). I suppose that would skew my calculations. I was speaking more in general not specifically this myth.