Your cap and mpg

with no cap and removing the tailgate I did notice better mileage IIRC

 

Removing tailgate damages mpg

 

Interesting... after taking off my cap and removing everything from the bed including the tail gate it seemed to slice the air a bit easier..

 

I saw I drop in MPG. only between 1 or 2, but a slight loss nonetheless.

 

Nope. Myth busters tried it out. There's a aerodynamic 'bubble' that forms with the tailgate that helps mpgs.

 

If i cared about mileage i would have a prius. And hug trees.

 

Went to pick up my campershell and it was covered in scratches sent it back to leer.

 

If you gained MPG after removing the cap and tailgate it was probably because you just took a bunch of weight off the truck.

I didn't notice any real difference after adding my Leer 100R with roof rack but it would make sense if it hurt it a tad because of the weight and the wind resistance against the rack, I just don't notice any. And I pay attention. Still get 20-22 mpg highway with my 4.0 depending on whats in the bed/ how many people are riding.

 

just got my campershell today have a full tank of gas. So well see.

 

I've got an ARE utility topper, it sits above the cab and sticks out on the sides as well, and has ladder racks...I'm estimating 2-3 mpg drop.
Looking to trade for something that sits more flush with the cab, and has windows on the sides, relying on my side mirrors so much makes me nervous.
So...if anyone is getting rid of theirs...lol

 

Ok first real tank of fuel with the new shell. It seems ive lost around 1-2 mpg. According to this tank its right at 1mpg. I will see what the next tank brings.

 

Shitty before , shitty after

No difference

 

Thats correct.
STILL LOVE THE TRUCK. WAITING FOR THE DIESEL.

 

Don't hold your breath

 

No Toyota diesels in America. import a high-lux

 

Didn't Myth Busters do an episode where they tested pickups with an open bed, tonneau cover, cap, tailgate down, tailgate removed with one of those net gates, etc? I am pretty sure they did, and reported that none of those made bupkis difference.

 

I have no idea. I bought my 2004 4X4 Tacoma from my dad and it's had a somewhat high shell on it since it was new. I live in a very "high wind" state and the only time I have noticed dramatic changes in fuel mileage is when I'm being pushed by a 60 mph wind or driving into a 60 mph wind.

I average 19mpg with my 2.7 no matter what I do unless I spend a whole day on the trails then it drops to as low as 14 or 15. It really doesn't matter whether I use 91 octane where it does seem to run better but can't really prove it or 87 octane or "Deathanol" free. Although Deathanol free does seem to make it run the best and get higher mileage.

When it comes to fuel mileage I really don't care. I need to get where I want to go and that is pretty much the end of it. I'm not going to sell my Taco and buy a "go-kart" or an "electric abomination". What can I possibly do about it? It is what it is and whatever kind of vehicle someone wants to drive dictates what they will spend on gas in their own circumstance. It also depends on what state anyone lives in. Just check the gas prices between, for example, Kaifornia and Georgia, Oklahoma or many other states.

You can see how high my shell is here. As light as this Taco is side winds are a real chore and I deal with them all the time as well as wind that is coming from an angle. They reduce the mileage as well. I've gotten as low as 14 mpg and as high as 25mpg depending on the fuel I'm using, the wind and weather, the time of year since we all get better mileage in the summer due to the ridiculous fuel blends around the country and whether I'm off-road for an entire day or two, driving on the interstate at 80 mph or have the bed stuffed with a 700 lb. load for the trip at 80 mph.

My best mileage with the 4X4 RC and the 2.7 has been on the interstate with around 700 lbs in the bed and traveling right around 80 mph and that is on I-80 from Wyoming to Reno Nevada where there are many long, steep up and down grades. I get very close to 25 mpg under those circumstances. Other than that? It's 19mpg. I idle a WHOLE lot in the winter as well so that takes it's toll but I still average 19 mpg.

I have no idea why so many agonize over MPG. It costs what it costs and if you can't afford it then buy a go-kart or ride mass transit. Neither solution of which would even be a consideration where I live so I'm paying whatever it costs to have my freedom and drive where I want and when I want.

 

Well said!!!!

 

Myth busters is entertaining but they're weak on science so I wouldn't put too much stock in their conclusions unless you can verify them independently. As finicky as aerodynamics can be I wouldn't begin to doubt anyone else's findings offhand though, it's surprising which details matter and which don't. Snugtop did their own track tests with/without caps/covers and demonstrated ~5 - 10% benefit with. Admittedly biased but from my own experience with caps, lumber racks, and caps with racks mounted by far the best mileage comes with a clean cap/no racks. That was true for both of my previous trucks without question. After I bought this truck I drove it for about a month with the Thule bars installed on the cap and the best it would do was 23 mpg even keeping it around 65. Then I took them off for a trip down to Santa Barbara and got 26 on the way down and 25+ on the way back going 70+ and carrying scuba gear including tanks & weights for two. We came back via 280 through San Francisco which is hilly compared to 880 South through Oakland. I have not removed the cap yet. 2.7L 5sp.

 

I track my mpg the old fashion way, I write down how much gas I put in, and measure the miles with my od.
Was getting a solid 21mpg before I put the cap on, and so far I'm still getting 21mpg.
So no difference.
Pretty heavy old topper that wasn't designed for my truck, but fits well enough.

2008 2.7 4x4 access cab.

The biggest factor in gas mileage is driving habits in my opinion. If I drive like a bat out of hell everywhere I would be getting around 17-18mpg.
I usually go about 80 on the free way, and I don't accelerate more than need be in the city.
After getting hit by a driver who wasn't paying attention( they totalled my last vehicle and sent me to the ER) I drive much more cautiously, and it helps with gas mileage.
I was in stand still traffic on the freeway at a complete stop, some idiot rear ended me going about 80mph. So now I can't help by be very wary of other drivers. I still drive fast at times, but I don't wildly vary my speeds.

So in my opinion, I think driving habits dramatically effect gas mileage.

My 2005 trd off road was a gas hog, when I drove it like a grandpa I would get about 16.5mpg, but I was young and dumb when I had it, always peeling out and doing donuts, so I usually got about 12-13 mpg with it lol.