AERO or NOT AERO.

I have heard and read, covering a pickup truck bed with a flat cover will better fuel mileage in a non-towing application. If you guys have experimented with such a project, I would like you to share your results if you please.

Dave.

I have a 2006 dodge ram with a cover and it makes absolutely 0 difference. I bought it because i like the look and out of site out of mind for sticky fingers. Myth Busters did a test on a truck with the tail gate up and down to see if it made a difference; it did not!

[quote="66prostreetfairlane"]I have a 2006 dodge ram with a cover and it makes absolutely 0 difference. I bought it because i like the look and out of site out of mind for sticky fingers. Myth Busters did a test on a truck with the tail gate up and down to see if it made a difference; it did not![/quote

I watched that show and the truck with the tailgate up got better mileage.

[quote="res0rli9"]

66prostreetfairlane wrote:I have a 2006 dodge ram with a cover and it makes absolutely 0 difference. I bought it because i like the look and out of site out of mind for sticky fingers. Myth Busters did a test on a truck with the tail gate up and down to see if it made a difference; it did not![/quote

I watched that show and the truck with the tailgate up got better mileage.

i just pulled it up on youtube and you are correct....i will say i didn't make a difference on my truck...The programer, full exhaust, and pulling the clutch fan for an electric made the biggest difference. The programer was good for about 2 mpg, exhaust was 1 mpg, and e-fan 1 mpg. I was getting 11 mpg and now get up in 15.5-16. The truck is lifted 6" with after market wheels and tires that are heavy as hell.

[quote="res0rli9"]

66prostreetfairlane wrote:I have a 2006 dodge ram with a cover and it makes absolutely 0 difference. I bought it because i like the look and out of site out of mind for sticky fingers. Myth Busters did a test on a truck with the tail gate up and down to see if it made a difference; it did not![/quote

I watched that show and the truck with the tailgate up got better mileage.

I have also heard that

Not quite the same but I get an increase in fuel mileage when I remove my canopy. 1-2 mpg

The frontal area of the truck is the killer, make it more pointed (or remove some of it) and you'll probably see improvements. I haven't seen one in a wind tunnel, but I suspect the majority of the air over the cab probably probably is detached and tapers to about the top of the tail gate (at highway speeds).

some freinds of mine doing wind tunnel testing one day on a mustang pulled in a pickup for the same reason,and found that tailgate up is the best way.

It's amusing to me that people buy something that is as aerodynamic as a brick and worry about gas mileage

John Myrick wrote:It's amusing to me that people buy something that is as aerodynamic as a brick and worry about gas mileage

no joke!

John Myrick wrote:It's amusing to me that people buy something that is as aerodynamic as a brick and worry about gas mileage

You just haven't figured out the way to get performance parts for your truck the easy way.

You tell most wifes you want a part for your truck because it will increase hp or you tell her you want it because you will get better mpg....you see which one works best.

66prostreetfairlane wrote:

John Myrick wrote:It's amusing to me that people buy something that is as aerodynamic as a brick and worry about gas mileage

You just haven't figured out the way to get performance parts for your truck the easy way.

You tell most wifes you want a part for your truck because it will increase hp or you tell her you want it because you will get better mpg....you see which one works best.

I realise your kidding around, but not all of us must check in with the wifey......

66prostreetfairlane wrote:

John Myrick wrote:It's amusing to me that people buy something that is as aerodynamic as a brick and worry about gas mileage

You just haven't figured out the way to get performance parts for your truck the easy way.

You tell most wifes you want a part for your truck because it will increase hp or you tell her you want it because you will get better mpg....you see which one works best.

LOL I don't check in with the wife before I buy anything

As far as my truck...it's bone stock 6.7 CC and it's going to stay that way. I'm not interested or need any more power than what Ford gave it at the factory. 800 ft.lbs and 400 HP is plenty

John Myrick wrote:It's amusing to me that people buy something that is as aerodynamic as a brick and worry about gas mileage

It pleases me you are amused! With a bit of common sense, a brick's edges can be rounded.

Dave.

I have to agree with Dave. While I did not buy my truck for MPG, I do like getting the most out of it. I try to do the little things, like keeping it somewhat clean, keep things out of the bed, tires inflated, drive with cruise control, etc. Maybe I get 1-2 mpg better than the average guy. That is money in my pocket and less wasteful. I tend to do that with everything (turn the lights out, keep the A/C reasonable, re-wear clothes if their not dirty, etc). I think that is from being raised by my grandparents in high school.