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tacashion Sophomore Author Missouri Posts:122 Points:165,040 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2011 12:57:58 PM Ignore tacashion Report Abuse How much fuel mileage is actually gained by putting a tonneau cover on a pick-up truck?

tacashion

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Missouri

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Message Posted: Jul 10, 2011 12:57:58 PM

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How much fuel mileage is actually gained by putting a tonneau cover on a pick-up truck?

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pinbuster2005 Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:5,210 Points:1,521,375 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Aug 2, 2011 12:52:39 AM Ignore pinbuster2005 Report Abuse jsoko - No mater if it's a stock or a custom mpg calculator I'll still trust good old fashioned paper and pencil miles driven divided by gallons used before I trust a computer mileage calculator.
jsoko Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,310 Points:608,670 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 2, 2011 12:44:14 AM Ignore jsoko Report Abuse Ok, well since you are trusting Santa Clause giving you the presents from the elves AKA random sources. There's nothing to read other than the single sentence of "mesh tailgates worsen aerodynamics of these vehicles as well"; which I read. I'll trust the original source (Mythbusters) with actual data. Good day.
Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,338 Points:693,295 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2011 9:19:59 PM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse Honestly, you have to read the article, it's in the second paragraph. You ask that I give you something with data but you gave me . . . nothing. Worse yet you gave me a source from a company that wants to sell me a mesh tailgate. Product specialists are standing by! If this wasn't so sorry, it would be laughable. If you want to believe in the Good Tooth Fairy, go ahead. Any normal person would have concluded I was right after the first source I supplied.
jsoko Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,310 Points:608,670 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2011 8:38:00 PM Ignore jsoko Report Abuse Houckster, I see nothing and I'm not going to look forever to find something you should have mentioned. They state it's "worsened" yet no data... AKA: no good for proof. Sorry Here's a link from AA. Search air-flow and it's right there.
Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,338 Points:693,295 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2011 5:51:58 PM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse More indication that mesh tailgates worsen fuel efficiency: Road and Track Weighs In
jsoko Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,310 Points:608,670 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2011 9:59:01 AM Ignore jsoko Report Abuse pinbuster2005, it wasn't a stock MPG calculator. It was custom. I don't quite remember, but they might have used a scale and measured the weight before and after. (They have been doing that more recently)
jdunlap65 Champion Author West Virginia Posts:1,372 Points:239,980 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2011 9:51:12 AM Ignore jdunlap65 Report Abuse ive never really checked it
fieldt Champion Author Lansing Posts:3,920 Points:726,800 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2011 8:19:17 AM Ignore fieldt Report Abuse Good post tacashion. I always thought that, of course it would increase the mileage. Now I see that it is not so cut-and-dried. Thanks for saving me $$.
pinbuster2005 Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:5,210 Points:1,521,375 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2011 4:15:56 AM Ignore pinbuster2005 Report Abuse jsoko - "Mythbusters also just drove a truck with a MPG calculator on it! This is the evidence I am using, 1 truck 1 driver. There are so many other factors like wind for instance." I don't trust those mileage calculators either. One of my father's minivans had one of those and when you did the mileage out on paper it was off by .5 mpg most of the time. I'll take doing the figuring with the miles driven and gallons used to get the true MPG not what a computer says. vin63 - "If your driving is limited to city/stop and go, then it could help, but if you drive on the freeways, etc., it creates more surface area, increasing your drag coefficient. It's better to have the tailgate up and no tonneau at sustained speeds." Your not going to have more surface area with a tonneau cover because it's the same length as the bed of the truck. The cover just takes the place of the air bubble that forms inside the bed at higher speeds. Also as I said in my last post it doesn't matter to me if it increases my mileage or not the main reason I have a tonneau cover is to keep anything I have in the bed dry plus it's a lot easier to brush off the cover after it snows in the winter than to shovel out the bed it self.
LanguageMan1 Champion Author Tampa Posts:11,707 Points:1,658,865 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 31, 2011 11:52:19 PM Ignore LanguageMan1 Report Abuse Generally from what I've seen, heard and experienced, a 6 to 10% gain in fuel efficiency is the result, which fall into line of what kst8er is getting. It's not a ton, but every little bit helps, especially at today's prices and the higher prices you'll pay still. Plus, if you're planning on keeping the vehicle [for anyone reading this that has a truck for that matter] for more than a year, it's probably going to pay for itself over that length of time.
kst8er Champion Author St. Louis Posts:2,875 Points:1,043,725 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Jul 19, 2011 1:41:43 PM Ignore kst8er Report Abuse FWIW my experience has been that it depends on the vehicle... had a ford that went up 1-2 MPG... chevy went up 1-2 MPG as well... never had one on my dodge, but heard others say no improvement biggest issue is getting past the initial cost... both my experiences were with smooth hard tonneaus
jsoko Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,310 Points:608,670 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 19, 2011 12:52:16 PM Ignore jsoko Report Abuse Houckster, again, please provide proof disproving the mesh. Your link doesn't provide this. I am not disagreeing with how the bubble forms with the tailgate up! Your "head of an engineering department" is "Ed Fitzgerald, RESEARCH ASSISTANT, Dept. of Aero/Mechanical Engineering, U. of Notre Dame". A research asst is way different then a head. Also interesting, when you search his name online I find nothing. I'll trust Mythbusters, people that have a reputation.
Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,338 Points:693,295 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Jul 19, 2011 12:29:32 PM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse JSOKO: When I provide a direct quote from the head of an engineering department that has investigated this issue, THAT IS the proof. What do you want me to do? Rent out a wind tunnel?
jsoko Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,310 Points:608,670 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 19, 2011 1:36:06 AM Ignore jsoko Report Abuse Houckster, please provide proof for your hypothesis. Proof: disproving the mesh, and not a blog.
mattsage Champion Author Buffalo Posts:4,352 Points:695,775 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jul 18, 2011 8:16:09 PM Ignore mattsage Report Abuse I have one and I don't notice a difference whether its up or down.
Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,338 Points:693,295 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Jul 18, 2011 11:30:16 AM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse JSOKO writes: Houckster, yes mythbusters saw this bubble. And yet they got better gas mileage with the mesh tailgate! The mesh tailgate still caused the bubble, but it decreased the drag on the vehicle. See the episode if you don't believe. Mythbusters has experimental date/numbers which I believe over theoretical, because the world isn't perfect theoreticals rarely work. _____ Not to put Mythbusters down, but I'll take the word of an engineering department over a TV show just about any time, especially since the opinions are diametrically opposed on the advantages of the web tailgates.
jsoko Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,310 Points:608,670 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 18, 2011 10:43:40 AM Ignore jsoko Report Abuse pinbuster2005, Mythbusters also just drove a truck with a MPG calculator on it! This is the evidence I am using, 1 truck 1 driver. There are so many other factors like wind for instance.
pinbuster2005 Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:5,210 Points:1,521,375 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jul 18, 2011 6:34:47 AM Ignore pinbuster2005 Report Abuse "Dropping tailgate was worse and taking it off was the same MPG from mythbusters... so don't do that " The only problem with the way that mythbusters did thier test was that they used two trucks with two different drivers trying to match each other's speed. The only way to do a test like that accurately is to use one truck and one driver. You fill the truck and do a trip (say 300 miles round trip) at highway speed with the tailgate up. Then fill the truck back up and take the mileage and do the same trip with the tailgate down and fill up and take the mileage. Then you compare the results. But the key is to use the same truck & driver for both trips so you have the same pick-up & driving style. I did just that with my 2001 F-150 and having the tailgate down got me .5 mpg better mileage. With a tonneau cover I also got better mileage. But it also depends on what type of cover you have. A heavy hard cover might negate any possible drag reduction. The main reason I have a tonneau cover on my truck is to keep things dry if it rains and it's much easier to brush off the cover than shovel out the body in the winter.
tattoo666TX Champion Author Texas Posts:2,567 Points:344,480 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jul 16, 2011 10:10:12 PM Ignore tattoo666TX Report Abuse In wind tunnel testing it has been shown how basically a bubble forms in the bed of the truck that the airflow coming over the truck flows over which reduces turbulance and drag. Not sure how much effect a cover would have. Never seen the test done with one on. You may want to search and see if anyone has done wind tunnel testing with covers and see what they found.
Rockinmaster Champion Author Madison Posts:2,125 Points:702,875 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jul 15, 2011 1:28:53 PM Ignore Rockinmaster Report Abuse It makes sense, I don't have one.
jsoko Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,310 Points:608,670 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 15, 2011 12:16:38 PM Ignore jsoko Report Abuse Dropping tailgate was worse and taking it off was the same MPG from mythbusters... so don't do that
jimmy544 Champion Author Boston Posts:4,088 Points:650,930 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jul 15, 2011 7:47:55 AM Ignore jimmy544 Report Abuse Probably works better to drop the tail gate or take it off.
xwave97 Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:1,295 Points:198,160 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jul 14, 2011 9:10:59 PM Ignore xwave97 Report Abuse That makes since
jes Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:16,150 Points:3,349,550 Joined:Jun 2003	Message Posted: Jul 14, 2011 7:26:28 PM Ignore jes Report Abuse If that's the only reason you were thinking about getting one, don't. They do look nice though.
tacashion Sophomore Author Missouri Posts:122 Points:165,040 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Jul 14, 2011 7:14:14 PM Ignore tacashion Report Abuse Ok, thanks everyone. I figured it would have to save a good bit in order to justify the $500 to $1500 price tag anyway.
kcan1003 Rookie Author Kansas City Posts:97 Points:1,990 Joined:Jul 2010	Message Posted: Jul 12, 2011 10:16:59 AM Ignore kcan1003 Report Abuse Their Trucks, not gonna make that much difference. :)
YANKEES78 Champion Author Miami Posts:3,518 Points:756,135 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jul 12, 2011 1:48:51 AM Ignore YANKEES78 Report Abuse No improvement according to Myth Busters.
Vin63 Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:1,835 Points:454,170 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2011 2:46:38 PM Ignore Vin63 Report Abuse If your driving is limited to city/stop and go, then it could help, but if you drive on the freeways, etc., it creates more surface area, increasing your drag coefficient. It's better to have the tailgate up and no tonneau at sustained speeds.
jsoko Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,310 Points:608,670 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2011 12:58:58 PM Ignore jsoko Report Abuse Kawtoy_77, a source would be nice. I agree if a lot of weight was being pushed on the side the bed may deform without the tailgate... but without any cargo you need to provide more proof for me.
Kawtoy_77 Champion Author Illinois Posts:1,155 Points:314,900 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2011 12:12:22 PM Ignore Kawtoy_77 Report Abuse The truck was not designed to be driven without the original supporting tailgate, and over time this weakens the bedsides from vibrations, and factoring winds. The Tailgate is a structural member of the rear end of a pickup.
jsoko Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,310 Points:608,670 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2011 11:17:47 AM Ignore jsoko Report Abuse Houckster, yes mythbusters saw this bubble. And yet they got better gas mileage with the mesh tailgate! The mesh tailgate still caused the bubble, but it decreased the drag on the vehicle. See the episode if you don't believe. Mythbusters has experimental date/numbers which I believe over theoretical, because the world isn't perfect theoreticals rarely work.
Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,338 Points:693,295 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2011 11:12:25 AM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse One poster wrote: Mythbusters busted this... If you want better gas mileage with a truck get a mesh tailgate. _____ Actually a mesh tailgate is even worse than just leaving the gate down. The best solution is just to leave the gate up. There's this from Ed Fitzgerald, Research Assistant, Dept. of Aero/Mechanical Engineering, U. of Notre Dame: . . . a closed tailgate sets up a large "bubble" of stagnant air that slowly circulates around the bed of the truck (we aero types call this a "separated bubble"). When air approaches the truck, it "sees" the bubble as part of the truck. So to the air, the truck looks like it has a nice, flat covering over the bed, and the air doesn't "slam" into the vertical tailgate. If the tailgate is open, or replaced by one of those "air gate" nets, however, that nice, separate bubble in the truck bed does not form (it "bursts"). Then the air approaching the truck "sees" a truck with a flat bed on the back of a tall cab. This is a very nonaerodynamic shape with a very LARGE drag. So, believe it or not, it's best for gas mileage to keep the tailgate CLOSED. Hope this information is helpful. Pickup Truck Aerodynamics and the Tailgate [Edited by: Houckster at 7/11/2011 11:12:59 AM EST]
MertieMan Champion Author Lexington Posts:14,773 Points:2,892,685 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2011 9:22:54 AM Ignore MertieMan Report Abuse Minimal at best because of the weight of the cover.
the1roadhog Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,903 Points:2,053,080 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2011 8:26:16 AM Ignore the1roadhog Report Abuse Might help. Can't say as I've never owned a pick 'em up.
schiguy24 Rookie Author West Virginia Posts:60 Points:149,430 Joined:Sep 2010	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2011 6:19:01 AM Ignore schiguy24 Report Abuse they look nice
jsoko Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,310 Points:608,670 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2011 11:37:52 PM Ignore jsoko Report Abuse Mythbusters busted this... If you want better gas mileage with a truck get a mesh tailgate.
mustangman02232 Veteran Author Massachusetts Posts:438 Points:7,840 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2011 8:19:51 PM Ignore mustangman02232 Report Abuse fuel milage, none, if it increased it that much it would be on the trucks from the factory
eye144144 Veteran Author Philadelphia Posts:345 Points:77,080 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2011 7:39:59 PM Ignore eye144144 Report Abuse i d k
Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,338 Points:693,295 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2011 5:39:27 PM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse None. I fell for that trick. If that's the only reason you want a tonneau cover, forget it. There have been a number of articles that have debunked this myth. You can find them easily on the 'Net.