Towing with a cap / topper vs empty bed.

Wondering if anyone has experience towing an enclosed trailer or rv with both a cap and without?

I have a 14’ enclosed with the 2.5’ v-nose. I tow with an empty bed and have been contemplating building an aluminum rack and covering it with a thin aluminum skin similar to having a cap. I was wondering if this will have a benefit aerodynamically. Not looking for theories or opinions. Hoping someone has actual real world experience and can chime in and give definitive experience that the cap is a big help on fuel economy or it doesn’t have any substantial effect.

I have lots of room in my enclosed / toy hauler / race bike hauler / rv and the bed of the truck. I don’t need more storage so this is strictly for aerodynamics / fuel economy. I don’t want to spend big bucks in something I find doesn’t solve my issues or build something that also just wastes time and money.

 

I tow a 5x8 enclosed. Yes I do get better mpg's with the cap vs before it, but not enough to make a cap worth while. I may have picked up 1mpg and that's with a flat front trailer, a v-nose I'd guess you pick up less.

 

@HawkShot99 thanks for the feedback.

Since I am 2’ wider and much longer I wonder if size matters since you gain 1 mpg at 5’ wide. At least it gives me some data. My fuel economy drops by 50% when towing my enclosed.

 

Borrow a cap and take a test trip?

Maybe someone in your area can help you out.

 

Tacoma’s aren’t near as popular in Canada as the US so I don’t see that as plausible. Good idea none the less. There is a cap reseller a few hours away who buys up all the used caps from dealers and the auctions and maybe I could approach them about a rental / try before you buy.

 

These small trucks are definatly not great towers no matter what people claim. If I planned on towing more then I do currently a full size would be replacing the tacoma immediately.
A few yrs ago I used my truck and trailer for a highway delivery at work. 80 miles 1 way, 90% interstate. The boxes weighed 1k tops. Drove a normal 70mph there. Coming home u was running late and work was paying the fuel bill so we did 85 with absolutely nothing in the trailer. I got 9mpg total on that trip.....the massive wind resistance of even only a 5x8 requires torque. The tacos v6 just doesn't have it. It wants to keep downshifting and getting into high revs.

 

I've towed the same trailer, a 7x16 flat front enclosed cargo trailer, with and without my cap. Actually I've tried two trucks with the same trailer, with and without a cap. The cap doesn't seem to make any difference at all in gas mileage, drive-ability, or aerodynamics. I think the truck would have to be a lot closer to the trailer for the wind signature of the truck to make any difference.

 

It's hard not to laugh, while towing MPG will be in the toilet no matter what.

These trucks are meant to be able to tow but not meant to tow

 

Find another post to shit on. This is for those who have experience on the topic and questions asked. There is always one clown who has to disrespect every thread.

 

Mine is the v-nose so the front is very close to the truck. I can’t drop my tailgate because it lands on the trailer jack handle.

It may be the front cuts the wind fine but the rear of the trailer is where the issue is hence why tractor trailers are now sporting the trailer wings at the doors to help reduce drag off of the trailer.

Thanks for the testing report.

 

I do have experience with this but you're just a little dummy so

 

I'll be helpful now. Get this!

So many sweet savings

 

For your wealth of experience you came in and talked shit just like the multitudes of clowns who do so in every thread. Where is the real work experience with a cap vs without in your post? Where did you say anything about the topic? You waltzed in and made a comment that everyone has heard multiple times before and now claim you have experience.

If you had information to share showing benefits of cap vs no cap or the lack of benefit then I would be all ears. Simply shooting your mouth off and acting like you are in the know while saying nothing of value adds nothing to the thread or the debate.

 

So besides the pictures what impact will that have on a trailer? Making my Tacoma look like a Prius doesn’t mean it will be any better at towing or give me any more information regarding building or buying a cap.

 

not Tacoma experience but my buddy used to tow with a raised topper and said it was a noticeable difference. looked goofy as all hell though

 

I was just looking for pictures of one of those ones that ramp up at the rear of the cap. That is what I am thinking of. My enclosed has a decent slope at the front of the v-nose. So it v’s right and left as well as up toward the roof.



Still not 100% convinced a cap will make a massive difference or any at all. A couple have come up for sale used but they are hours away or damaged or listed as should work for a Tacoma. Since I have no use for a cap EXCEPT for possible benefits when towing it is an expensive test if I buy one and it doesn’t work out.

 

if you could get one of those air deflectors for the roof that semis have that would be nifty

 

Sorta the idea I have been tossing around. Making an aluminum rack for the bed and skinning it with 16ga with wings for keeping the airflow laminar from the truck to the trailer. If I need to I will use piano hinge and have the wings extend closer to the trailer but can be flipped out of the way for parking / jack knifing the trailer if required.

Aluminum would be ideal as I can easily remove it or put it back on.

Edit:
Buying or building is no biggie IF I know there will be benefits that are measurable. Going through the effort and finding no benefits is a waste of time I could use for my long list of projects I have waiting for time to commit to.

 

With a V nose, you probably wouldnt notice as much of a difference than you would with a flat nose. You would be reducing some drag, but would offset that with additional weight. Flat nose, having a cap would reduce the area of drag between the truck and trailer. Same reason for cab extension panels on semis.
While not economical for mpg gains unless getting lots of miles, there is a product called AirTab. It is a vortex generator that is attached to the back sides and roof to change how the air flows past the back of the trailer to help reduce the drag at the back of the trailer. They also help with trailer stability. I think they are about $200 for 80 and you install one every 4 inches. You could also put them on the back edge of the cap to further reduce drag between the truck and trailer.

 

I have a roof rack wind deflector from Thule. I have considered putting it right on the back of the cap to see. But I rarely take long drives with the trailer so have not bothered.