Help MPG thoughts talk Please!

Well... this is easy enough to prove, go pull around 1,000 lbs and see what happens. Let me know how much your mileage drops

 

You sir are an idiot! You are telling me that unloaded Taco's mpg and mpg of a Taco hauling around 1000lbs in bed would be NEGLIGIBLE???? That is the most ridiculous thing I have heard in weeks! Good job sir!

 

Can't find a troll smilie, so facepalm must suffice.

 

Mythbusters is an entertaining show, but few of the "experiments" they run to prove or disprove the myths are worth a damn. I didn't see this particular episode, but rarely do they utilize a true control group, and usually their sample size way to too small to really validate any of the results they achieve.

Again, the show is entertaining, but I take any thing they "prove or disprove" with a grain of salt.

Adding a 1/2 ton of weight to the vehicle will definitely affect gas mileage, and I don't need Mythbusters to tell me that...that's my own personal experience. None the less, the aerodynamics factor CANNOT be overlooked, and in the case of the OP, is probably what's causing the difference...because the weight of the cap is obviously much lighter than 1000 lbs, and probably is negligible.

 

GeogeW you are lucky to only be losing a couple of MPG with a Rack and Cap. I have a Corolla as a commuter car and me and the Misses are into cycling and mountain biking. We have a Yakima that goes on in the spring we usually lose 3 MPG on the car. Racks can reduce your MPG by alot. I wouldn't be too concerned with such a small loss for being able to run a rack and cap. You could try the NST pulleys, drafting off big-rigs, Cold-Air Intake blah blah blah....but for the cost of all that you'd just end up probably paying less in gas. 2-4 MPG loss is not that much for gaining a rack and cap or just take 'em off when your not using them. Welcome to TW.

 

TROOOOOLOLOLOL Logic FTW!!!

And I do believe I said, "If price isn't your concern"

 

Thanks guy's. I didn't want to start a war! We picked up this truck because the wife wanted it. Truck us very useful.. It replaced a 2002 Ford ranger. Ext cab 4L V6 with a 5 speed auto and it had all available options.. Nice truck.. MPG was 20+ most of the time 17 in city in winter.. Not bad.. We got this Toyota 2.7 reg cab with a st 5speed manual over a good used truck in the relm of thinking that it should be more or less issue free for the first 5 years or so .. We only put 3 to a max of 4000 miles a year on her.. Ya I know MPG and the cap.. I agree I think the weight is not heavy enough to affect MPG that much if I'm wise how I take off and shift.. I'll pull the roof rack when not in use for a few tank fulls and post back... But I think that most of the loss id with the big flat back between the tailgate and cap rear window.. The is a lot of drag going on back there.. And yes I'm seeing most of the loss at 50+ MPH.. I think I'll try and use 5th gear "over drive" a little less at speeds below 50 unless going down hill or on flat ground.. Heck I was not even sure 5th was a over drive. not steep at all all and all.. Also.. I'm Jeep Wrangler guy had been for 14 years had a 2001 4 banger St shift 5 speed now have a 2005 4L with a 4 speed auto.. Talk about a steep over drive I'm at 1400 at 55mph with that.. I have learned to take her out of OD a lot and that help with the JEEP.. By the way this time of year I get a avg. of 19 to 20 MPG with that with normal driving.. But could not care less. it's a Jeep it's our toy.. I was not looking for super high MPG with the Toyota but want decent MPG and I was getting that before the cap.. 27.5 was dam good for a new Rag cab 4 wheel drive pick up.
with no real miles on it.. thought it may get a little better after break in.. most do.. In any case I'll try and take off the roof rack and re post back...

Please I posted another issue dealing with a clanking metallic banging noise I'm trying to chase down.. Check it out.. would love some help.. i went over most things from the middle back yesterday. in fact most bolts were lose even the rear U Bolts.. Nuts But today I'm going from middle to the front if my back will that it I have a extremely bad back so it's hard.. In any case check out the other post if you would like to help maybe what I'm hearing is a common issue but i just don't know it.. thanks you all! george