Tonneau Cover and MPGs? Which One?

Heard that a tonneau cover can help with mpg's, can anyone give me their results if any? Also which one would you recommend? Been looking at the OEM but not really interested in switching the bed rails or the bakflip MX4, looking for something not too bulky.

Also live in SoCal so not worried about the leaking problems some people get, not too much rain here.

Oh Yeah, please post pics of your tonneau.

thanks.

 

I posted this in the product review section some time back (click here). I remain quite pleased with the cover:



As to fuel economy, nothing significant that I have noticed (in good faith I have to state I have a heavy right foot)--IIRC the Mythbusters busted this on one of their episodes...

 

I tested my 05 TRD Sport DCSB with a Retrax cover both open and closed (1 full tank each way) they were pretty much the same mpg. Myhbusters on discovery did testing with an F150. Only difference that I can see is the added weight of the cover and the ability to keep the bed dry and secure (which is what I prefer). I'm running the OEM cover because it came with the truck.

 

I must confess that when I bought it I may have, sort of, off-handedly, mentioned fuel economy to SWMBO...

 

If you are looking for mpg savings, you won't find any. There has been lots of tests. Search on-line to see the rusults.

 

Yup; it is one of those perfectly intuitive things, often asserted and accompanied by convincing graphics, that just ain't so...

 

I believe myth-busters did a skit on this, and found absolutely no change in fuel economy, a quick google search will find it for you. Now if you're looking to justify the purchase all you need to do is want it and be able to afford it

 

I bought and installed a Truxport cover on my 16 TDR a couple of weeks ago. I wanted a hard cover, but didn't have the money at the time, so I settled for the roll up. It works, but there are a couple of things I'm not happy with. The main thing is that you can't close the cover with the tailgate closed. It has to be open. You also can't open it with the gate closed, which I understand, but with some hard covers you do have that option. I haul bicycles to ride, and keep our gear in the back of the truck, so that would be a good option to have. It does leak when it's not moving, but I think that's pretty common for any cover other than the fiberglass ones that completely cover the rails. I think if I had to do it over, I'd be more patient and wait on the hard cover - probably an Xtang or something like that.

 

Yeah, I was thinking the trifold might be good for me. If you have one on a 3rd gen, please post a pic.

 

Lift kits, large tires and camper shells will affect fuel economy.

 

I remember Mythbusters doing the Tailgate up and down test but don't remember the one with a cover.

 

Fact. I get at least 8-10 mpg better with my tonneau cover. Easy.

 

I added pics to my original post...

 

I just purchased and installed a BAK Revolver X2. I love it so far. Easy install with no drilling new holes etc. Also it's a hard roll up cover so it's solid and it doesn't block the back window when it's rolled up.

 

I know you said you weren't interested, but I have the Bakflip MX4 and love it. Not bulky, easy to install, keep your rail system (albeit a bit lower), you can drive with it part way or all the way open, you can open/close the tailgate without lifting the cover, and it looks tidy.

 

It does look really nice. How much did you pay?

 

I'm up in Canada so we get raped on accessory pricing, but I managed to get it for $1250 CAD. Others on here have found it for $800-$900 USD. They wanted $70 for the install but I did it myself. Myself and others added some tips in another thread to help make the install more water/dust resistant.

 

8-10????? Really???

Gonna love my new Undercover!! So you're saying I can go from 18-20 to 28-30??

G.

 

How easy is it to take on/off the truck? Does it simply clamp on to the existing bed rails? Thanks for any info.

 

Read my review here, these questions are answered...