Tonneau cover and MPG

I'm looking to add a Bakflip MX4 or F1. I chatted with a CSR at Backflip to get the weights on various covers but all she could give me was 69# shipping weight on all four models. This of course is some sort of estimate as they all can't weight the same.

Anyway, is there any MPG gain with a tonneau cover installed? Do the aerodynamics offset the additional weight as far as gas mileage is concerned? I'd hate to put one on only to find I lose 2-3 mpg.

 

http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/the-tonneau-cover-fuel-economy-myth/

 

fuel economy no, security yes.

 

I installed an Extang Solidfold 2.0 last summer. I love the cover but no change in MPG.

 

If there's any change in mpg, it is neglible.

 

The OEMs spends millions of dollars to get the aero just right on vehicles, for mpg. Dropping your tailgate, removing it or putting on any covering on your bed won’t have any positive change. Security yes, mpg no like said above.

 

Neat article Robman; supports what I had heard and thought for several years of driving pick ups.
edgerat: great points. Plus I agree that the cover is good for many reasons, but not fuel economy

Although I have noticed an .0007% increase in MPG with my new windshield wipers, but don't tell any one, that's just between you and me.

 

If you guys think a tonneau provides security you are crazy. All a tonneau does is slow the crooks down a few seconds before they are in

 

A soft one, yes. A hard one that locks not as easy.

 

http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/m...s-database/driving-tailgate-fuel-consumption/

 

Crowbar makes super quick work of any hard locking tonneau, never mind the damage they will do to it getting in it. Best practice is to keep valuables not in the bed.

 

It will deter most crooks. Crooks are lazy.

 

That I won’t disagree with, but you also have those crazy meth heads who like to steal anything that isn’t welded down and will go to great lengths to do so. Just trying to knock the myth that a tonneau provides you a lot of security down a tad

 

Agreed, I don’t leave anything expensive overnight but while I’m driving around the county installing network equipment, I figure it will at least keep people from walking by snatching something out.

 

So what's the stop that crook from taking the Crowbar to your window? Seems pretty easy to get in there.

 

We aren’t talking the cab of the truck