Pickup caps and wind resistence.

I replaced my hard cover with a cap, Did not notice any difference in MPG. Trip in Sept. was 4300 miles and averaged 10.2 About what I got with the cover. I did weigh it before they put the shell on and after and the difference was 250 lbs for the weight of the cap. Do not know what the hard cover weighed. 1/2 or less??

I bought a TT in August,
yesterday I bought a Fiberglass Cap for my RAM1500..
I did it mainly for dry storage in back of truck..
if any gas mileage increase.. welcomed... but I do not think it will help.

I am surprised at the weight of the cap. over a cover.

I had a number of 5th wheels and like my truck/cap tt combo best. It's a den for my 110 lb golden retriever and all my extra gear.

Dtaylor wrote:

mlts22 wrote:
Wind tunnel tests show the air flying over the bed anyway so a cap doesn't help.s.

most wind tunnel test I have seen show the truck only, not with anything behind it. Would love to see one with a tt behind it to see what really happens to the air flow.

And those test that I know of, have an empty bed as well!!! Allowing the "bubble" of air to form that helps the rest of the air "flow over" the truck bed. What happens when the bed has a couple coolers, firewood, maybe couple bikes???, etc in it?

I would still like to see Myth Busters do another truck test, Truck #1-tail gate up, Truck #2- tail gate up with some "things" i the bed: maybe a couple coolers, larger rubbermaid tub with some luggage in it to stay dry, etc. Truck #3- same as #2 but with tail gate down: secure cargo items obviously!!!

With that said, I have had a cap on the last 2 trucks, and while I didn't notice an increase/ decrease with/without the cap, it is more practical than a tonneau cover for storing things in the bed, and way better than an open bed in terms of hiding and keeping things dry!!!

The '13 will probably get a cab high cap due to the reasons mentioned, though I don't like what the prices are now!!! Looking at Century and A.R.E. as of now.

Chris

I have a soft top cap that can be folded down like a boat's Bimini. I get better mileage with the cap folded behind the cab and the bed open. It's always up when towing, so no comparisons are available there.

Teach

mlts22 wrote:
Wind tunnel tests show the air flying over the bed anyway so a cap doesn't help.s.

most wind tunnel test I have seen show the truck only, not with anything behind it. Would love to see one with a tt behind it to see what really happens to the air flow.

I've read on other sites that the best thing you can do to improve you mileage is not so much in the front but, more so in the back. As you pull a big square box down the road the wind going over it creates a big suction behind it that drags you backwards. There are different company's out there selling different types of things that are suppose to break up the flow of wind and the big suction at the back. It kinda makes since if you think about it. Look at todays ugly cars. They are quite often rounded on both ends. But, I don't know if any of those add on things for your trailer really work or not.

I've had them on two different trucks and they made no difference in mileage either towing or solo.

Sorry double post due to backing up in forum ~~:o

My experience


Markiemark:C

My experience


Markiemark:C