Youtuber with 25+MPG for a 4x4 V6? Do shells help?

I ran across this YouTuber getting around 25MPG average on the highway: https://youtu.be/kXDMekFtxHU?t=273

Do cab-high shells help? Do mid-rise shells hurt? How is your MPG?

 

They do not help. My MPG dropped with mine, likely due to weight.

 

Couldn't tell you what the effect of a cap is on MPG - mine '06 had a mid-rise cap almost from day one, and my new '21 also.
I judge MPGs by the tank-full. Those touting 25+ MPG are likely looking at what the onboard calculation is during a long drive only. Sure, I can push my '21 to well north of 25 MPG on a 30 mile level & downhill drive on the interstate. But what truly matters is the overall MPG on a tank of fuel. My best was 21.2 during a trip from CT to Burlington VT - all interstate, minimal local stop & go.
The first few tank-fulls were averaging in the high 16s. As the odometer climbed past 3K miles, it started to creep up to the low 18s. At almost 9K miles it's averaging in the high 18s to low 19s.
This is a '21 TRD OR AC auto with a Leer 180 cap and no drivetrain mods (i.e. stock wheels & tires, not lift).
I attribute the increase in MPGs to my getting used to the truck, and my truck adjusting to my driving style. And perhaps a bit of break-in miles that some say aren't needed.
YMMV

 

YouTuber is full of shit

 

Oh man, those are rookie numbers, he can bring those waaay down. I'm getting 13.5 mph with a super charger.
As CT Yankee mentioned, the on board computer numbers are bogus. It just indicates your estimated mileage at that brief moment, and end users ignore the low - around town, stop and go, numbers. Try using the Fuely app over 10+ fill ups to get an accurate average.

 

As an aside, I'd love to see photos of your truck! I'm considering a midrise shell for my '19 Tacoma.

 

A modest tailwind will add 4 MPG to mine. Doesn't take much to move it quite a bit.

 

It must be true, it’s on the internet, everything is true on there.

 

Don't believe youtubers. They are only looking for clicks and likes.

 

probably drives like my Grandma!

 

I'm getting 13.5 without one. I'd love to find one and see how much lower I could get

 

I'm still sporting the stock SR/SR5 narrow street tires and with the V6 4x4 (2 wheel drive engaged) I can hit (sometimes exceed) that 25mpg IF:

* No hills
* Max speed of 58~60 mph
* Take 3 minutes to 'accelerate' to those speeds mentioned above.
* Plan accordingly so you do not have to brake and drift when possible.

Of course driving like that doesn't win you any friends on the road OR in your own vehicle. On long trips I'll sometimes play the hyper-mile game but must do it solo as my better-half is NOT a fan. It's amazing the MPG you can squeeze out of the truck when driving like gas costs $500 a gallon (or is it amazing how shaitty the MPG is when sport driving?) I've hand calculated the fill-ups and the computer is VERY close with my testing.

Those of you that live in areas with big rolling hills or mountainous terrain will never see anywhere near 25 mpg (probably won't see 20 due to the torque challenges low in the RPM range.) In my opinion this engine pines for forced induction.

Disclaimer: I did not watch the video.

 

The guy is going 58mph. Of course he’s going to get those numbers, 55mph is what the window sticker is based on for MPG ratings. Not a surprise at all.

 

Here ya go:

 

Here's my 2018 DCLB OR. I've enjoyed my midrise ARE MX quite a bit. Plenty of space back there for both gear and camping. I get about 15 mpg around town and 19 or 20 highway depending on the hills and wind (I live in Anchorage). Plus I have KDMax installed, and it makes a world of difference in how the truck drives. Easily the best thing I've done to the truck is installing the tune.

 

Tank average vs trip average is a big difference.
He should drive to empty and fill it up . With this mpg he should be stretching his tank past 500 + miles. If you add his #'s, the tank in the video would yield ~ 450 miles
I did a few 450 miles ranges with 24.5 mpg when I had stock tires driving normally.

 

I bought a set of SR wheel/tires (H/T, 245/75/16) to run as my daily's.

I gained 4mpg avg over my E rated KO2's (265/75/16)

 

on my stock OR 4x4 i can get 23 or so mpg if i set the cruise at 60 mph. as soon as the speed starts to increase the mpg drops significantly. i dont believe anybody who says they are getting 20+ mpg at 70 mph or higher.

 

And areo. Even the super light softopper takes at least one mpg from you.