Anyone add a truck cap and did better MPG?

SunTime · February 18, 2007

Going to add one to my full size box anyway but was wondering if you guys that added them seem much better MPG after putting them on.

Thinking of going with A.R.E. or possibly Leer solid fiberglass lids.

Good? Bad? in terms of quality with either?

Shaners · February 19, 2007

I have the Leer cab-high cap. I didn't notice any real changes in MPG's...

My first gues though would be slightly less MPG's in town because of the added weight and no real slow speed aerodynamic benefits, and possibly just a touch better on the road.

curly · February 19, 2007

I am hoping to find out in the very near future. A board member has made me a heck of a deal on a Leer for my truck but I can't make up my mind if I just want to go pick it up or have it shipped.

THE BIGPUNN · February 19, 2007

suntime you wont see any mpg difference, heck they weigh 200 pounds.

dewfpo · February 19, 2007

My retrax rolltop only weighs about 30-35 lbs. But I put it on when new so I don't have any comparison numbers.

DEWFPO

tbyrne · February 19, 2007

My retrax rolltop only weighs about 30-35 lbs. But I put it on when new so I don't have any comparison numbers.

DEWFPO

How do you like that? I don't use the bed much so I've been thinking about going with one of these to smooth out the lines, keep the bed looking good and possible improve MPG a little. MythBusters did a story to see if lowering your tailgate will improve mileage. They found that it actually doesn't.

plainvanilla · February 19, 2007

my Undercover weighs about 65 pounds and I believe it gave me about 1 MPG with a 1/2 ton extended cab, 3.73 gears and a 4.8.

It's too early to tell on my new truck just yet with only 300 miles on it.

SunTime · February 19, 2007

I have the regular cab with a 8' box so I'd think even with the extra weight it'd help a bit at highway speeds.. Possibly not and not my main objective for adding it on in a couple weeks, but if a lid helps then it'll be a added bonus.

I prefer the look of the fiberglass lids personally so if anyone has a beef with the A.R.E. of Leer in terms of quality then chime in as well!

dewfpo · February 19, 2007

My retrax rolltop only weighs about 30-35 lbs. But I put it on when new so I don't have any comparison numbers.

DEWFPO

How do you like that? I don't use the bed much so I've been thinking about going with one of these to smooth out the lines, keep the bed looking good and possible improve MPG a little. MythBusters did a story to see if lowering your tailgate will improve mileage. They found that it actually doesn't.

I love my retrax roll top. Have had it 2+ years and it still looks brand new. I use it just about every time I drive the truck. I locks in any position along the rail and is easy to remove it you need to. The only drawback with the roll tops is the space they take up in the fron of the bed. I have a locking tailgate as well and between the locking Retrax and the locking tail gate I can leave gear in the bed have it secure.

I watch MythBusters too and all I can say is, the tests they run aren't necessarily very scientific or repeatable sometimes. There are other, more standardized tests that have been run by universities in a controlled environment (wind tunnel) that came up with different results.

DEWFPO

ATMINF · February 19, 2007

Yea not always the most "scientific", but they are fun to watch!

mini1 · February 19, 2007

My retrax rolltop only weighs about 30-35 lbs. But I put it on when new so I don't have any comparison numbers.

DEWFPO

How do you like that? I don't use the bed much so I've been thinking about going with one of these to smooth out the lines, keep the bed looking good and possible improve MPG a little. MythBusters did a story to see if lowering your tailgate will improve mileage. They found that it actually doesn't.

I love my retrax roll top. Have had it 2+ years and it still looks brand new. I use it just about every time I drive the truck. I locks in any position along the rail and is easy to remove it you need to. The only drawback with the roll tops is the space they take up in the fron of the bed. I have a locking tailgate as well and between the locking Retrax and the locking tail gate I can leave gear in the bed have it secure.

I watch MythBusters too and all I can say is, the tests they run aren't necessarily very scientific or repeatable sometimes. There are other, more standardized tests that have been run by universities in a controlled environment (wind tunnel) that came up with different results.

DEWFPO

They also replicate the real world most of the time. I'm not going to be driving in a wind tunnel with my cap, so testing that way is nearly pointless.

HDdave · February 19, 2007

Well when I got my truck it had a Leer fiberglass on it, and bald 245's. I got 13.8 mpg... Then I put on a tonneau and 285's and the highest I've seen since them is 12.8 mpg. The decrease is because of the tires though.. When my dad has his Leer cap on his D-max he gets about 3 mpg worse on the highway... Personally I can't stand caps, I think if you want that look then you should just buy a Suburban. Thats just my opinion though, I think a truck should look like a truck, not an SUV...

mini1 · February 19, 2007

Well when I got my truck it had a Leer fiberglass on it, and bald 245's. I got 13.8 mpg... Then I put on a tonneau and 285's and the highest I've seen since them is 12.8 mpg. The decrease is because of the tires though.. When my dad has his Leer cap on his D-max he gets about 3 mpg worse on the highway... Personally I can't stand caps, I think if you want that look then you should just buy a Suburban. Thats just my opinion though, I think a truck should look like a truck, not an SUV...

Some people need a covered truck bed, not a 3+ row SUV.... And don't say we should get a van, because they are not a truck. They cannot do what a truck can do.

Wingnut · February 20, 2007

my Undercover weighs about 65 pounds and I believe it gave me about 1 MPG with a 1/2 ton extended cab, 3.73 gears and a 4.8.

It's too early to tell on my new truck just yet with only 300 miles on it.

I thought that looked new

MrFusion · February 20, 2007

I've had 2 trucks, both with snugtop fiberglass lids, after having those and then my family owning a truck with a roll top, I definetly LIKE the rolltop better! You can use the bed like an open bed when you need it and cover it up when you don't you get the benifits with the fiber lid without having to hassle with an angled lid and such. For instance when you spontaneously need to fit something that is tall and the whole length of your bed, you can fit it without having to remove the lid.

The only downside is you loose half a foot or so for the roll-up space and you loose a smidge on the side.

From now on, I ONLY will by rollups, I like them that much more.

Just my 2 cents.