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Double cab shortbed mileage improvement

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by 951mikeg, May 13, 2012.

  1. May 13, 2012 at 8:55 AM
    #1
    951mikeg

    951mikeg [OP] New Member

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    Anyone have suggestions on tonneau covers?
     
  2. May 13, 2012 at 8:59 AM
    #2
    SnowroxKT

    SnowroxKT Well-Known Member

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  3. May 13, 2012 at 9:00 AM
    #3
    Highland Logan

    Highland Logan UBIQUE

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    Frank
    Nova Scotia, Canada
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    Icon Stage 2 w/ overload left in, SPC LR UCA, 265/75 16 BFG KO2, front and rear Weathertech floor liners, OEM (Extang) solid fold tonneau, OEM bed mat, OEM front skid plate, OEM billet oil cap, "TOYOYA" tailgate decal
    Welcome to Tacoma World. I have a Extang folding hard cover. No issues with it yet. As to your title... you will get no mileage improvements from using a tonneau. A tonneau will provide you with security and protection from the elements for items in your bed, but not better gas mileage. This myth was dis proven on an episode of Mythbusters some time ago.

    Frank
     
  4. May 13, 2012 at 1:01 PM
    #4
    iroh

    iroh Well-Known Member

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    tonneau
    Personal observation on my AC, tonneau only starts to help mileage over 60 mph or so, and isn't really noticeable until 65+. Below 50 mph there was a definite reduction in mileage with the cover. It helps to have a consistent commute with an ultragauge to see trends like that. And by noticeable, I mean a few tenths (I record and monitor pretty much every drop I burn).

    It does help substantially on days with a crosswind. Those days when I'd start with an avg mileage reading 20.x, drive though a 25 mph crosswind and get to watch the instantaneous rise on a downhill to 15 mpg when only doing 55 mph are long gone. There's no 'bed bubble' to blow away anymore.

    There was another older test with a larger sample size (8 trucks iirc) that found longer beds (8' fullsize) tended to benefit more than shorter beds. Don't remember the name of it. It was done in a windtunnel. Even then the mileage potential only got significant at some really high speed, 80+ or something way over my state's speed limit.

    Mythbusters test topped out at 55 mph, with a reg cab shortbed Dakota. The tonneau could never come out on top in that one.

    There's only one mod proven to work... real-time mpg/load display and learning how to drive all over again, i.e. keeping speed down and pretending it sucks fuel like a six pack 440 GTX if you push the fun pedal. That, and avoiding AT/MT/LT tires.
     
  5. May 13, 2012 at 1:07 PM
    #5
    Enzo

    Enzo Well-Known Member

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    lol
     
  6. May 13, 2012 at 1:09 PM
    #6
    03f5sp

    03f5sp Well-Known Member

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    Mythbusters tested this. The net thing that replaces the tail gave the best gas mileage.
     
  7. May 13, 2012 at 1:13 PM
    #7
    WilsonTheDog

    WilsonTheDog Kylie's dad

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    You don't buy a truck and then worry about MPG. Too late.
     
  8. May 13, 2012 at 1:24 PM
    #8
    TacoDawgfan

    TacoDawgfan Hunker Down You Hairy Dawg!

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    5100's at 1.75, Rear leaf TSB, Moto Metal 951 16x8, BFG TKO2 265/75/16, AFe Stage 2 CAI w/pro dry filter, Kenwood DDX374BT installed with Idatalink Maestro kit, Access Loredo tonneau cover, N-Fab steps, Tinted windows, EGR in channel vent visors, UGA drink coasters in the front cup holders, and a Graco car seat in the back seat
    From my experience I actually DROPPED about .5 mpg with my Ram when I put on an Undercover. But I did mostly drive city so I can't say much for hwy driving on this. It was a quad cab short bed with the Hemi in case that matters to anyone. I suppose the bed length and/or cab configuration could play into it.
     
  9. May 13, 2012 at 7:06 PM
    #9
    iroh

    iroh Well-Known Member

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    tonneau
    Indeed. It's a blasted heavy rolling barn door with so many driveshafts and bearings the friction losses are a nightmare compared to a car.
     
  10. May 13, 2012 at 7:10 PM
    #10
    fletch aka

    fletch aka www.BeLikeBrit.org

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    I have a fold-a-cover, I feel it gave me 1-2 MPG on the highway, just a butt dyno guess though.
     
  11. May 13, 2012 at 7:26 PM
    #11
    KenLyns

    KenLyns 8.75" Third Member

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    Mods that improve mpg unfortunately don't look good - lowered suspension, skinny tires, etc. The V6 4x4 gets 20 mpg highway while the 5-lugger gets 25 mpg highway.
     

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