Tonneau covers

[rono]

Any opinions or experience on Tonneau covers and MPG.

 

[Jim W]

I have always run with a Tonneau cover when not towing but remove the cover when towing my 5er. The Tonnaue cover is a tri-fold so it will interfere with the 5er. I have had one since the truck was bought new in Nov 07.

Now as far as fuel mileage I do not think this will effect the mileage one way or another. But with the cover and a locking tail gate things are out of sight and out of mind. If someone really wanted something they could destroy the cover but they can also steal the truck too. This is just to keep the casual thief honest and my hitch dry when not towing.

Jim

 

[sag2]

I have the Mopar fiberglass cover and I do not think it makes a noticeable difference.

 

[AnOldBiker]

Don't know if this means much, but I tried this on an old gasser pickup I had.
With the lid off, I recorded the mpg for 5 trip to and from work, same time each day with relatively the same traffic.
The next 5 days I did the same with a lid on. Same route, speed, roughly the same traffic and so on.
The difference between the two weeks were 1.5 mpg better with the lid.
(Now as the legal people will state, mileage can vary due to ......)
I consider it so slight and could possibly vary slightly each run, that to me it's a wash.

But I use a lid on every truck to keep things out of sight and out of peoples mind.
If you don't see it, you won't steal it.

 

[MichaelOverfield]

Mythbusters did extensive testing on this. They found lower MPG with a removed tailgate, or tailgate down.. as it made more vacuum behind the cab, so tailgate up was actually better. Similar results for a cover or without, but the best MPG was ironically the net tailgate that used to be quite common, not so much any more, but I'd not do one based on practicality. They did precise measurements of fuel and controlled tests.. so to summarize, a cover or tail gate up had similar results, so don't expect a major gain with a cover, but it does have other advantages. I have a Roll N Lock cover, and it is great, but I don't have it expecting a huge MPG gain.

 

[sag2]

I didn't do it for the possible MPG gain, but for the out of the elements and out of sight out of mind.

 

[EDankievitch]

No MPG gain. After having almost all of the tri fold covers and a few snap on type, I've now got the EXTang Tri fold Solid by far the best bed cover I've ever owned. Install or remove in about two min. With the locking tailgate my cargo is safe and secure./

 

[rono]

Thanks for all the replies. I wasn't looking for a gain in mpg, as i'm happy with the mpg now. I just didn't want to cause a loss.

Thanks EDankievitch, I am also looking at the same cover. Good to hear from someone that has one.

 

[TDRGuy]

No mpg difference.

Strongly suggest the Agri-cover found at Geno's Garage.
Been using/selling them since 1996. Best cover and follow their recommendations for the "Literider" to save yourself some money and get the best value.

RP

 

[Roc Doc]

I just put one on my short-short bed and it went in nice and easy. The only thing is the lock. It says not to key it to the key that is in the key fob. What other key is there (the spare lock doesn't work).