Aerodynamics

[yrralguthrie]

Well this has been discussed before a lot I'm going to put it in a different forum just because it's somewhat different than what I've been told before. And there's also some documentation for who did it test. Take it as you want.
Several professional studies have measured exactly how bed covers affect aerodynamic drag. A comprehensive test by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) examined 13 different tonneau covers on various full-size trucks. The results? Every single cover reduced drag compared to an open bed. On average, these covers dropped the drag coefficient by 5.7%. While that might not sound huge, aerodynamics experts note that a 10% drag reduction typically yields about a 2-3% improvement in highway fuel economy.

 

[moosem]

I have a bed cover on my truck and I get terrible mileage. Lol

 

[HSKR R/T]

Well this has been discussed before a lot I'm going to put it in a different forum just because it's somewhat different than what I've been told before. And there's also some documentation for who did it test. Take it as you want.
Several professional studies have measured exactly how bed covers affect aerodynamic drag. A comprehensive test by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) examined 13 different tonneau covers on various full-size trucks. The results? Every single cover reduced drag compared to an open bed. On average, these covers dropped the drag coefficient by 5.7%. While that might not sound huge, aerodynamics experts note that a 10% drag reduction typically yields about a 2-3% improvement in highway fuel economy.

Look at the date of that test. Modern trucks are computer designed and wind tunnel tested. They don't help as much as they used to when trucks were just built to haul stuff

 

[Eighty]

Well I can vouch for the accuracy of that study. I put a tonneau cover on my TRX and went from 9 mpg to 9.2 mpg. I’m saving the environment now…one gallon at a time

 

[arod412]

Going to be completely honest….tonneau cover folks like me aren’t worried about mpg…it’s about security and covering what’s in the bed.

That 1 mpg really doesn’t matter.



2022 Ram Big Horn Back Country
2016 Dodge Charger scat pack
2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara

 

[GyRoCoN]

for what its worth..... Long bed regular cab tradesman, but food for thought. It certainly won't become a Prius overnight but maybe if you drive lots of miles..