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SportTrac Discussion
General Sport Trac Discussion
Cap vs. Tonneau MPG
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<blockquote data-quote="Richard L" data-source="post: 952108" data-attributes="member: 52972"><p>It has already been shown that there is no significant mileage difference for a Sport Trac with or without the tonneau cover.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>MythBusters also did some extensive testing on several F150's regarding the myth that you get better gas mileage if you put the tailgate down. It was found that with the tailgate up, the air entering the bed swirls and builds a bubble of air in the bed that forces the air going over the cab to continue on past the truck bed making the truck more aerodynamic and improving gas mileage. Even those "Net" style tailgates did not improve mileage, so it leaving the tailgate up was the winner.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>I would think that the cap over the bed would act like the bubble of air formed by the tailgate being up, and the mileage would be similar.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Remember that added weight can decrease mileage, especially in stop and go city driving, but if it's not too heavy you probably will not notice much difference. </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>In the end it does not appear that covering the bed of a late model truck has much impact on mileage. It appears that a cap or tonneau cover only serves to protect cargo from the weather.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>...Rich</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Richard L, post: 952108, member: 52972"] It has already been shown that there is no significant mileage difference for a Sport Trac with or without the tonneau cover. MythBusters also did some extensive testing on several F150's regarding the myth that you get better gas mileage if you put the tailgate down. It was found that with the tailgate up, the air entering the bed swirls and builds a bubble of air in the bed that forces the air going over the cab to continue on past the truck bed making the truck more aerodynamic and improving gas mileage. Even those "Net" style tailgates did not improve mileage, so it leaving the tailgate up was the winner. I would think that the cap over the bed would act like the bubble of air formed by the tailgate being up, and the mileage would be similar. Remember that added weight can decrease mileage, especially in stop and go city driving, but if it's not too heavy you probably will not notice much difference. In the end it does not appear that covering the bed of a late model truck has much impact on mileage. It appears that a cap or tonneau cover only serves to protect cargo from the weather. ...Rich [/QUOTE]
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SportTrac Discussion
General Sport Trac Discussion
Cap vs. Tonneau MPG
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