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Old 09-01-2014, 06:41 PM   #1
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New Cap on Truck Bed

Put a new Leer 100R cap on my truck.

Pros: Ability to keep stuff secured in truck bed.
Big unexpected benefit, mileage towing trailer has increase from
an average of 8.5 mpg to 10.2 mpg. This is based on a 320 mile
round trip to Myrtle Beach and back.

Con: Added #240 to back of truck. I also put in a bed rug, which is
included with this weight.

Had not weighed in about a year. With this addition and more stuff in the trailer I have managed to get about #100 above my GVWR (#6900)

Also my Drive Axle weight has increased by a total of #600 and Trailer Axle decreased by #200. This has really surprised me! Need to get more weight on the Trailer Axle. Front Axle is still at the same weight and the hitched up weight is within #20 of the unhitched weight.

I am still more than #3000 under my GCVWR and #340 under the rear axle weight rating.

I think the rig is set up properly. Pulls well, no sway.

(Went by a Dodge Durango pulling a big toy hauler today. Trailer nose way down, front end of truck way up. Trailer had slight sway at 50 mph -- I wonder what forums he is not reading)

Always thought that Rustic Eagle was a little high on his 15 percent on the tongue for a TT but that's about where I am! Kudos to him.
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Old 09-02-2014, 07:02 AM   #2
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Hmm I think you need to tighten the weight bars up a little more so you transfer more weight to the front truck axle.
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Old 09-02-2014, 10:34 AM   #3
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The front axle has returned to its unloaded weight after hitching up. Transferring weight from one end of truck to the other won't make the truck lighter; I would still be about #100 over the GVWR. Got to get some weight out of the front of the trailer and shift it back behind trailer axles. That will shift weigh from the truck (lighter hitch weight) to the trailer. As I noted the trailer axles are about #200 less the previous weighing.

Purpose of the post was to note the increase in gas mileage and the weight penalty for adding a cap to a 1/2 ton truck.
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Old 09-02-2014, 10:44 AM   #4
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Good info. I thought about adding a bed cap, but since I'm right at my max, that's not a possibility for me. However, I will likely add one to my next truck which will have PLENTY of excess capacity to accommodate anything I want to add!
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Old 09-02-2014, 12:48 PM   #5
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I also noticed a mileage improvement with adding the cap over the pickup bed.
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Old 09-02-2014, 12:52 PM   #6
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What about with a tonneau cover? My brother tows a small enclosed car hauler and says he can feel the difference with and without the cover in place.

I'm thinking of adding one to my truck so we have somewhere to put strollers and such, and am wondering if I might notice any other benefits...?
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Old 09-02-2014, 01:36 PM   #7
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I tried a tonneau and returned it. We haul too much stuff to be limited to the height of the bed rails. I noticed no difference in gas milage with it. I recently added a topper (cap, shell which ever terminology you prefer) and noticed a decrease in mpg when not towing the camper. That could be from the racks I had installed for the canoe. I haven't checked it yet from this weekends trip pulling the camper.
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Old 09-02-2014, 01:44 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by Camper_bob View Post
What about with a tonneau cover? My brother tows a small enclosed car hauler and says he can feel the difference with and without the cover in place.

I'm thinking of adding one to my truck so we have somewhere to put strollers and such, and am wondering if I might notice any other benefits...?
Bob, I'm experiencing 3 to 5 % better fuel economy with my tonneau cover by basically eliminating tailgate drag. Mine is a tri-fold that can be removed or installed in 5 minutes. It's also nice to keep things dry in the bed. http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/at...1&d=1409686998
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Old 09-02-2014, 01:48 PM   #9
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Bob, I'm experiencing 3 to 5 % better fuel economy with my tonneau cover by basically eliminating tailgate drag.
not disagreeing with your calculations but I have never experienced an increase in economy.
With a 3-5 percent increase ,which is quite a bit, you would think manufactures would install them as standard equipment to lower their CAFE level. it would save them millions in penalties
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Old 09-02-2014, 03:11 PM   #10
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Having been researching pickups recently, I found that the Ram 1500 can be ordered with a High Fuel Efficiency package (HFE) which includes grill shutters and a bed tonneau cover to reduce drag and improve fuel economy by 1 MPG. Apparently the 2015 F150 will have a similar package to eek out an MPG or two to give it bragging rights.

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Old 09-02-2014, 03:29 PM   #11
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The tonneau mpg debate has been going on for quite a while. I noticed no difference the brief period I had one. However, all testing that I have read about shows a tonneau decreases gas mileage.
Here is a consumer report study.
Also, my first trip pulling the camper with the new topper I averaged 9.7 mpg according to the digital readout. Depending on where I am traveling I average 9-12, so no real difference there. I wanted the topper for keeping things dry and (somewhat) secure.
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Old 09-02-2014, 04:29 PM   #12
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I had ordered a canopy for my truck the first day I bought it. Took 2 weeks to get in and while I was waiting I had the bed of my truck sprayed with Armorguard and stainless steel stepbars installed. The big plus was being able to keep things dry especially with the camping gear.
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Old 09-02-2014, 06:27 PM   #13
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not disagreeing with your calculations but I have never experienced an increase in economy.
With a 3-5 percent increase ,which is quite a bit, you would think manufactures would install them as standard equipment to lower their CAFE level. it would save them millions in penalties
This was hand calculated [not the computer] in the 3 months I didn't have the cover vs. after I installed the cover. 20.5 mpg@60mph without cover, 21.2 consistently after, around the same speed. Obviously lots of variables to consider but I was really curious about how the cover would affect mpg so I paid close attention to it. Of course, one of the variables might be that I don't know how to calculate.
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Old 09-02-2014, 07:46 PM   #14
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me too. darn math!
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Old 09-02-2014, 08:21 PM   #15
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Myth Busters did an economy test with and without tailgates and found that mileage was better with a tailgate. There is probably very little difference with a cap, but when towing a cap can reduce turbulence between the truck and trailer.
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Old 09-03-2014, 07:54 AM   #16
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Myth Busters did an economy test with and without tailgates and found that mileage was better with a tailgate. There is probably very little difference with a cap, but when towing a cap can reduce turbulence between the truck and trailer.
This is where I was going. I can't afford the weight of a cap, but I need a tonneau for other reasons. I would never install it simply for the gas savings, I need to put stuff in my truck as a daily driver that I don't necessarily want exposed to the weather.

So I'm wondering if a tonneau cover will have some effect on the occurrence of turbulence between the truck and trailer since that is where a lot of inefficiencies come from? I know it wouldn't be as effective as a cap, but again, I don't have the weight surplus for a cap.

Really, I'm just curious, I'll find out for myself soon enough, just thought I would jump in here and expand the original discussion.
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