Do Tonneau's actually improve MPG's?

I've driven Phoenix to Tucson (and back) multiple times with and without the cover on my truck. I'm within 1MPG regardless of which way I am driving. My best has been with the cover, but my worst was also with the cover. I'm going to say it does little to nothing.

 

Boy, some of you guys get pretty bad mpg. I constantly get in the mid 20's. 3400' to 4000' elev. 50 to 55mph. Even at higher speeds is close to that, open bed, tailgate up.
Duane

 

buddy everyone knows cone filters give you a 25hp gain. the k&n sticker on your back window yields another 15hp. only if applied on your back window though.

 

So I am no scientist... but with my camper shell, I got a consistent 13.5MPGs. When I sold it, my next tank was a hand calculated 15.6....

 

Probably due to drag. With a shell, you've got a large flat surface back there, creating more drag. This is why you see semi-trucks with those fins in the back. So your scenario makes sense.

 

It'll reduce drag, but the added weight offsets any gains.

 

I put a diamondback cover on mine. Didnt really notice a difference in gas mileage but the bed does seem stiffer on turns

 

I wouldnt buy one specifically for that reason but I noticed my mileage wasnt as bad when driving 70+ across open flat farm country. Also, on windy days I dont feel like I'm getting jerked around as much.

 

I believe mythbuster tested this awhile back. The open bed concept does swirl in the bed but its a turbulent air bubble where air flows off the roof and over the bubble. Air to air surface friction is a lot lower than the air to tonneau surface friction. Its the same idea why golf balls have dimples. The dimples create a thin turbulent pocket where the air flow tighter and creates less drag. Sure the difference in MPG is small and I believe mythbuster tested the aerodynamics of the bed with out the tailgate which was proven worse mpg.

 

The biggest benefit I got with a bed cover is in keeping the snow and rain out. and sure makes snow removal easy!

 

But they showed that the Tailgate net had better MPG.


I have a manual transmission, which was rated at 17 city 20 hwy.

before getting a Tonneau cover, I got 20mpg at 50 to 65mph, 19mpg at 70mph and 18mpg at 75mph to 80mph

After I get 22mpg at 50mph, 21 at 65mph, 20 at 70mph and 19 at 75mph.

That is a big difference in my eyes.

 

this is why i have mine on in the winter, softoper rest of year.

 

Parking in my garage works the best. Glad I finally had the money to put a garage up. Real tired of scraping windshields and side windows, hoping cardboard over the windshield stayed overnight. When I had my Ford Couriers, had to dump hot water over the door locks so I could push the button in to open the door. Shovel a path around then so I could get to the windows.
Duane

 

Interesting responses...do we think the type of tonneau affects the mpg? Soft vs. hard vs. fold-up vs. rolling have any effect?

 

What are you guys doing or equipment that only gives you mpg in the teens? Sounds like a F-150 figures.
Duane

 

Mine is a Bak revolver x2. Hard cover roll up. I get about 21 mpg at 65.

 

my experience on a non lifted V6..
like post#2 mentioned, maybe 1mpg on a good day but probably less.

the actual value of the tonneau in terms of driving is you'll be less easily blown around by wind. the difference is noticeable.

 

i have almost no armor, no lift, no RTT, no loads, just me in the cab. i never get above 18mpg. because i fucking drive the thing. if i put weight on it I'm pretty sure my mileage would go up because I'd be doing less driving but more Grandma'ing. I'm a throttle steerer so use lots of throttle all the time, every drive.

 

I didn’t see any difference in mileage. The thing I did notice on windy days on the hwy I’m not pushed all over. A smoother ride if that makes sense. When you drive 120 highway miles per day you notice the handling.keeps the gear clean and dry.

Bought mine on Fb marketplace $120. Tyger trifold. New in box .

It easy folds and clips for the bed use. I bought it in May and has about 11,000 miles since install. Cheap and simple.
I avg 22.7 mpg but when I catch the wind I’m getting upwards of 23.9mpg

70-80 mph on the hwy ... I haven’t taken the front wind dam off yet beacause of the mileage I rack up. Every 1-2mpg add up .

 

I bet the amount of gain in mpg's would be washed out by the added weight of the tonneau cover