Aerodynamis of Towing
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Aerodynamics of Towing?
Currently have a Leer fiberglass painted tonneau cover on my 2007 Supercab 6.6 bed, and tow a 23 ft travel trailer. Is there any benefit to upgrading to a truck cap aerodynamically? Setup tows great, just curious if it might help my mileage any when towing my brick of a TT.
Last edited by JonU; 04-03-2018 at 03:00 PM. Reason: Typo
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Simnut (04-05-2018)
#4
Senior Member
Yup. They say air fills the box and creates a surface that the air goes over as it would with a tonneau cover. A canopy may create more air disturbance than a person wants..eddies or vortices between the truck and trailer because of the distance between the two as someone already mentioned. I don' t know...I'm not a fluidologist!
#5
If you are thinking it will help MPG, it won't, trust me, because thats what I have on mine, and between the 14 and the 16 both get 7-9 MPG towing that huge wind sail behind it. The only thing that might help improve MPG would be a ramp like you see on semi's that directs the airflow over the top of the trailer. You would also need those rear flaps you see on trailers and the under belly deflectors to complete the setup and you might gain 1 or 2 MPG while towing. the only good thing about the topper and the reason I have them, you can store things back there out of the weather and lock it. I keep my genny, fuel, tools, cooler and spare propane in the bed, locked up and out of site.
#6
Senior Member
I get the idea and yes it has nothing to do with tailgate up or down thing. The idea is would a topper “fill” in the gap between the truck and trailer improving aerodynamics? I think no but it might. It would take a wind tunnel to find out.
#7
Senior Member
No, and it would reduce your payload capacity even more.
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Ricktwuhk (04-04-2018)
#9
Member
Thread Starter
I was concerned about the payload as well. Although the tonneau isn't light, I'm sure the cap is a good bit heavier. Not seeing weights on the Leer or A.R.E sights - perhaps too many variables w/all the various options.
#10
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Why not a larger version of aviation "flap gap" seals between the back of the bed/cap and trailer, and then one of those folding Chinese take-out box aero rigs and chassis skirts we see now on the back of semi trailers...
/ponder
/ponder