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Mileage drop with topper

Discussion in 'Tonneau Covers, Caps and Shells' started by AaronK, Dec 28, 2015.

  1. Dec 28, 2015 at 7:55 AM
    #1
    AaronK

    AaronK [OP] New Member

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    What's been the experience here with mileage change when adding a shell? I used to get over 17mpg highway with an open bed. I added a shell and my mileage has tanked to mid 13s. It's not even a high rise one. The dry storage is nice but the price of it is making me second guess having it...
    Curious to see what other people are getting.
     
  2. Dec 28, 2015 at 8:39 AM
    #2
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    My mileage went down maybe 2/10ths gal per mil on avg. Not much at all to be concerned about. A 4 mpg drop does suck.
     
  3. Dec 28, 2015 at 9:13 AM
    #3
    chunk

    chunk New Member

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    I'll be putting one on my 2001 (4.7) soon. I'll see what the mileage is after. I too am getting about 17-18 mpg now with an open bed, tailgate closed. I am suprised at the mileage drop, it seems the shell should lessen the drag, not increase it. Cheers.
     
    Black Wolf likes this.
  4. Dec 28, 2015 at 10:02 AM
    #4
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    Winter fuel is not going to be the same as usual fuel. It doesn't last as long.
     
  5. Dec 28, 2015 at 11:15 AM
    #5
    bobeast

    bobeast really old member

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    - Bull Bar - LED Bunny Burners - AMP retractable running boards - Headlight leveling retrofit - P3 Brake Controller - 60% rear seat delete - relocation of Sub to rear wall - Bilstein 5100 x4, top setting with 2 shims per side - Coach builder +2 rear shackles w/carrier bearing drop - Firestone Air bags - on-board compressor with auto-leveling - Dual Undercover Swing Boxes. - P285/65/R20 (34.6") BFG TA KO2's - TRD Front skid plate - Pop & Lock Tailgate lock - Remote Tailgate mod - LED Headlights - Nav Bypass - iPhone integration - Serius/XM retrofit - 25% front tint - Bizon electric tonneau cover - Power folding tow mirror upgrade - 2010+ leveling Headlight mod - Auto-fold mirror mod. - one-touch lane changer mod - Flash to open garage opener mod - Rigid H/L fog light upgrade - Pushbutton / Remote start mod.
    My guess is you are looking at a coinkydink. I can't imagine how that change alone would cost a 4 MPG difference to the negative.
     
  6. Dec 28, 2015 at 12:29 PM
    #6
    AaronK

    AaronK [OP] New Member

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    When do they usually change? Put the shell on back in October.
    I'll fill up next time with ethanol free and see what that does. It does seem coincidental but I don't know what else it would be. I just put in new plugs. Old ones were well worn with over a 0.050" gap so I thought that might be a factor but it didn't change anything.
     
  7. Dec 28, 2015 at 12:34 PM
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    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    Not sure on exact dates, but 4mpg is a big drop. How heavy is your topper?
     
  8. Dec 28, 2015 at 5:10 PM
    #8
    AaronK

    AaronK [OP] New Member

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    My wife and I can move it fairly easily. I'd guess somewhere around 100lbs.
     
  9. Dec 28, 2015 at 5:43 PM
    #9
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    My ARE is approx 150 lbs. Winter /summer fuel is up to your state regs. Alaska for example has 100% pure gas year round.
     
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2015
  10. Jan 5, 2016 at 12:45 AM
    #10
    Rkcruza

    Rkcruza New Member

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    I would look elsewhere for your mileage drop. Put a SnugTop XTR on my Taco Pro and actually gained a bit of mpg. On my first Gen Tundra, the only time it saw 17mpg was when it was new and empty. I rarely if ever see 13mpg on my Tundra. It averages 14-15 with mostly mountain driving but weighs in at close to 6k all the time with a full lumber rack and side tool boxes on it. I did take about a 2mpg drop when I added the rack, but I think that is mainly an aero issue as you can watch it move around when driving down the road. Winter gas will usually drop me into the 13-14 mpg range, and in the summer time I get 14-15. I also run plain old 87 regular gas. Not sure why you are getting 13 with just a shell.
     
  11. Jan 5, 2016 at 5:52 AM
    #11
    Oper8r

    Oper8r New Member

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    Pretty sure I saw a mythbusters episode where they ran these tests and found the best MPG is in a truck with no topper/tonneau cover and with the tailgate up.
     
    TNTundra08 likes this.
  12. Jan 5, 2016 at 4:48 PM
    #12
    Island woody

    Island woody New Member

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    Your right about myth busters , best mileage is with no cover and tailgate up.image.jpgimage.jpg
     
  13. Jan 5, 2016 at 6:08 PM
    #13
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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  14. Jan 6, 2016 at 3:48 AM
    #14
    Island woody

    Island woody New Member

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    My fuel economy went out the window when I upgraded tires, love the truck but paying the price at the pump, at least fuel isn't 4.00 a gallon today
     
  15. Jan 6, 2016 at 6:17 AM
    #15
    chphilo

    chphilo Tundra addict

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    I stopped looking at the mpg during the winter. It really sucks. Wait until next summer and see.
     

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