Bed Cover, Help Gas Mileage Or Not?

jaslo · July 28, 2009

I have researched about if bed covers really help gas mileage or not. Can't really find any good answers. I currently do have one, thinking about getting rid of it, because it is a hard tonneau cover, and if I want to haul anything big I have to get a trailer. I was thinking about getting a roll-up one, but now I just might not even get that. The only reason I see to get one is to keep things dry if we take the truck anywhere. So, let me hear if you have gotten better or worse gas mileage. Please let me know what year of truck and such that you have.

FargoZ71 · July 28, 2009

I have researched about if bed covers really help gas mileage or not. Can't really find any good answers. I currently do have one, thinking about getting rid of it, because it is a hard tonneau cover, and if I want to haul anything big I have to get a trailer. I was thinking about getting a roll-up one, but now I just might not even get that. The only reason I see to get one is to keep things dry if we take the truck anywhere. So, let me hear if you have gotten better or worse gas mileage. Please let me know what year of truck and such that you have.

I seem to get about 1/2 mile to a gallon better, and there was quiet a few posts/sites out there that claimed similar gains, obviously only going to effect hwy. But another reason to consider keeping some sort of cover is theft deturance, doesnt even have to be locked, but just out of site out of mind is mainly why i use mine.

Stevens03 · July 28, 2009

Not enough to make a difference.

Ron505 · July 28, 2009

Mythbusters found no significant gain. I will purchase mine in the fall

Zembonez · July 28, 2009

Had an access cover on my Sierra for a couple of months before I got my Leer shell. No difference in mileage. No difference with the shell either. I really figured it would make SOME difference but nothing has changed. Still 17.2 since new.

2000DV4.8 · July 28, 2009

Nothing different here. Actually, my last tank of gas was my most efficient yet, and it was all with the cover rolled up, and about 50 miles with a lawn mower in the back.

jake1530 · July 28, 2009

I know your question was seeking gas mileage, but I have a Truxedo brand cover. I have owned 4 trucks and allways hated covers(till this truck), but where I live it snows. When it does snow, without a cover the bed is useless for my tools and stock. I'm very happy with this brand, it's 4 years old now and still in good shape, take care, Jake.

qwk93ta · July 28, 2009

I bought a Lund tri-fold bed cover and I have not noticed a change in my MPG.

JoeRags · July 28, 2009

Mythbusters found no significant gain. I will purchase mine in the fall

+1

Kinda lame episode, but interesting...

jaslo · July 28, 2009

I was trying to set up a poll so people could answer yes or no. I had a bedcover on my other truck I get rid, don't think I ever noticed a difference. Would a regular cab or extended cab be helped out more with a bed cover?

66nova · July 28, 2009

Mythbusters found no significant gain. I will purchase mine in the fall

+1

Kinda lame episode, but interesting...

Yeah, they actually found, the truck they were testing atleast, got a little better mileage without the cover. Something to do with a rotating area of air in the bed actually helped the air move over the top of the truck.

I have had covers on both of my last trucks one had a hard cover and my current has a soft cover. No noticeable improvement in mileage with either. But still a must for me.

Crazy Canuck · July 28, 2009

Mythbusters found no significant gain. I will purchase mine in the fall

+1

Kinda lame episode, but interesting...

Yeah, they actually found, the truck they were testing atleast, got a little better mileage without the cover. Something to do with a rotating area of air in the bed actually helped the air move over the top of the truck.

I have had covers on both of my last trucks one had a hard cover and my current has a soft cover. No noticeable improvement in mileage with either. But still a must for me.

I remember that episode as well and the best mileage was with no cover and the tailgate up. I believe they tested it with the tailgate down, mesh tailgate replacement, and cover as well, but the differences were all pretty small. I have an Extang Tri-Fold on mine some of the time (when I am not hauling the quad for a while, or anything else large in the foreseeable future) and really haven't noticed much of a difference. I keep it on all winter pretty well for the fact of keeping stuff i put in the bed dry and not having to shovel snow out of it.

lilnotts · July 30, 2009

just put on a bakflip g2 cover, I really like so far, much better than my hard fiberglass one that was on my old truck. It folds up against the back of the cab and locks there. Only thing i have to figure out is to route the drain lines out the stake pockets. I think i picked up 0.5mpg