Regarding gas milage and pick-up trucks.Which would get better mpg;use canopy shell,or no canopy or tailgate?

Question

I've never heard the answer on this.I've heard trucks w/o a bed cover and tailgate get better gas milage.I've heard the air turbulance caused by the void behind the cab doesn't change the milage.I've also heard canopy shells actually improve milage because the air continues along the contour of the cab. What will give me best mpg?

Answer 1

canopy will give you slightly better mileage, but you are also adding weight.

Answer 2

i ve seen this on an episode of mythbusters once and i think they said driving with mesh or tailgate gave the best mpg.

Answer 3

Bed cover is actually the best. Really dont matter what you do with the tailgate. The airflow goes over the cab and rotates in a circular fashion back toward the cab. Even if the tailgates down would still do the same thing. Like the other guy said a camper is going to add alot of weight even fiberglass will offset any gains made. Best bet is some sort of bed cover/tonneau cover.

Answer 4

Having a tailgate UP is definitely a mileage-killer! Down is better, but it bounces and slams over potholes and bumps, so it needs a cushion. But it's probably about even with caps on, or open bed with tailgate down. There's still drag, either at the back of the cab, or the back of the bed CAP, so unless you install a wind diverter on top of your truck or cap, you'll still have some drag. I don't think there's spit worth of different between the 3 options ( Cap, bed cover, or tail-gate down ), but they all definitely HELP MPG, in my opinion. I know the tailgate down does personally. 1-2 mpg, not huge, but some.

- The Gremlin Guy -