I ordered a Extang Tanno/Tonneau cover but not sure if I want to go pick it up. For one, I don't feel like spending $200 on it and two, I'm not sure I like the looks of them. Also, do they really help your fuel economy? I have a short bed. I'd like to get a fiber glass bed cover but they are too pricey.
Tonneau Cover ?
- Thread starter buster
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The hard shell covers help a lot. Most guys that own the Dakota's pick up 2-4MPG once they put a hard cover on them. The guys with the soft covers with bows and fabrick never picked up anything close to those numbers. You reduce your parasitic drag with the hard fiberglass covers.
My understanding is a well designed cap is the best for reducing drag. Next is a tonneau. I don't like caps on pickups because it makes them look like SUVs and I like the "distinction" of a pickup (especially older rednecky looking boxy styles). I would not have a tonneau but that my used '95 F150 came with it. I like it, but if you haul bulky stuff much it is a pain to open and shut a lot. Winter I had to run the garage furnace to warm it before I could get all the snaps in place.
I wouldn't expect any difference in fuel economy. Hard tonneaus are a PITA. If you haul anything taller than the bed, you must remove it. If you actually have a need for a truck, then a soft tonneau is the way to go.
I'm one of those morons that actually doesn't need a truck, but wanted one bc I like them. I know it's stupid. I have used it 3 times to help others move **** around so it does come in handy. I'm sure I'll use it more at some point. Another thing is if I don't keep this truck long, I don't want to sink anymore money into it then I have to. I'm going through a truck phase.
I wouldn't mind picking up 2-4mpg if I could.
Buster, you make a lot of friends when you buy a truck. Everyone has something they need moved.
BTW, some a-hole left a cigarette on my tonneau and I now have a small leak. I'll get some black nail polish to patch it.
Have you checked out forums for the Ram? Sometimes they offer specialized products from specialty vendors.
OK, now what's the mileage update?
BTW, some a-hole left a cigarette on my tonneau and I now have a small leak. I'll get some black nail polish to patch it.
Have you checked out forums for the Ram? Sometimes they offer specialized products from specialty vendors.
OK, now what's the mileage update?
I had soft covers on 2 different S-10's and I never noticed a difference in mileage.
Don't feel bad. Nothing wrong with having a truck without the need. I really don't need a truck, but the few times I do it is very handy. Anyway, I have been driving pickups since 1977 and chose them because I could get under them to change oil and other work without jacks. Also like the looks and good ground clearance for snow and two-tracks.
[ November 12, 2004, 10:09 PM: Message edited by: TallPaul ]
Looks like 17k per year. Or about the same amount of money on gas you would be spending putting 65k per year on the Corolla.
Same here TallPaul. I like the looks of certain trucks, sitting high and the 4 wheel drive option. As I've said in previous posts, I'll most likely return to something more fuel efficient in a few years. As long as I keep my mileage under 20K per year, I'll be ok for trade in. Not as good as 12k per year, but better then the 50k I was avg'ing with the Corolla.
My toyota got about 2 mpg better with the tailgate off versus on and up. This was with mixed freeway and city driving to and from work on the same route. Mostly freeway at high speed I could see getting 3-4 mpg better.
Its worth paying a few extra bucks for a Extang cover.I had one on a GMC truck i used to have.The Extang cover has snaps that can be reversed in the winter so it goes on easier.Basically the snap part is off centered so in the summer its tighter and then in winter you reverse it so its looser and goes on easier.I traded that truck for a Dodge and bought some other brand that was cheaper cost wise.It didnt have the reversable snaps and was a real pain to get back on during winter.I dont think the covers changed my mileage much but they are nice to have to keep stuff dry and out of site.
My old (slow) Ranger definitely held speed better with the tonneau on. If anything it's nice to keep the bed cleaner and drier along with whatever is in it.
It would have been nice if he did the test at different speeds. The differences I noticed were at speed well under 65mph with most speeds at 35-55. Impossible to go 65 for any length of time during rush hour on the freeways around here so I would just take the side roads which gave a good 40-45mph average.
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