Topper and mpg

Hey fokes,
So I just had an A.R.E. CX topper put on my short box gen 3 off road. Well I went from 18 to 20 mpg on average. To 14 to 16, WTF. Is this topical for gen 3 tacoma. I mean let's put this in perspective. Is Toyota telling me if I give an average 200lb person a ride I can expect to lose 4 mpg. The motor can't be that weak. I'm new to Tacoma, is this normal. Thanks

 

It's probably not so much the weight as it is the Aerodynamics. Pulling a flatbed with ATVs on it my gas mileage went UP noticeably compared to towing without canopy. But yeah, with canopy mileage went down. Not sure it was as bad as you are stating though (2nd gen for me of course).

 

After adding a Snugtop GB Sport topper to a V6 Auto AC (long bed) my mileage:

1. Increased when driving on flat & downhill roads at steady speeds.
2. Decreased in all other driving situations.

Everyday mileage decreased as approximately 95.8% of my driving is not #1. Believe #1 is due to improved aerodynamics, and #2 is due to increased weight.

 

I am the same but I did add a bit more. I went from the 19-21 range stock to 14-16 range after snugtop, sliders, aluminum front skid.

 

Wow that is quite a drop without adding tires/wheels or other stuff. How much total weight do you figure you added?

 

It's increased drag.

With an open bed (tailgate closed) a pocket of air sits in the bed circulating. When air comes over the cab, it passes over the pocket of circulating air in the bed of the truck and moves past the vehicle. With a bed cap on the truck, that air coming over the cab makes contact with the vehicle for the entire length of the vehicle.

 

I would say 230 for the cap, 160 for the sliders, 40 for the skid. Around there. I have 16" ray 10 and 265/75/16 falken SL rated tires and lost maybe another .5 mpg.

 

I did not notice MPG changes after installing my Leer 100 camper shell (and I do pay attention to my mpg tank averages.)

You mentioned you're new to the Tacoma... you didn't happen to refuel for the first time with regular octane fuel after running through the dealer's initial tank of premium by chance?

For my truck and driving style there can be a couple mpg difference from 93 premium to 87 regular octane.

 

@allgoodpeople that video is awesome! Thank you for posting it.

 

Thanks everyone.

 

AllGood that is what I have heard and expected but my actual experience with this truck was different. My "long" bed with what appears to be a super slippery shell definitely can get better MPG, as does the OP (at least initially), so it is my opinion drag has decreased and aerodynamics have improved. Better mpg for steady state driving, worse mpg for anything else as the increased weight more than offsets the reduced drag.

 

@JagoTaco what cap is that?? purdy

 

Snugtop GB Sport

Yeah purdy but less functional side windows vs others

 

I got a ARE MX, its weight alone probably caused more gas mileage drop than any aerodynamics gained... then I added a Prinsu, RTT and another rack behind it on the topper, tires, plates and skids... oh well, mileage shmilage.

 

Leer topper on TRDOR 4x4 DBL cab averaged 19.4 with stock tires and topper. Have dropped to 17.8 with duratracs. OP your numbers do not seem right unless u goy a lead foot or something