Does tonneau cover/bed cover help a lot to save gas nowadays?

[xridgelinex]

Originally Posted by dk miller

Another consideration to keep in mind is how and where most of your mileage is driven. A tonneau cover may improve coefficient of drag slightly and this can yield better mpg, but the effect is greatest at highway speeds.
If you drive mostly in urban areas with a lot of stop and go the added weight will decrease mpg. I suspect for many drivers it becomes a net zero.
The best reason to buy a tonneau is simply because you like it and need the ability to lock your cargo.

Originally Posted by brich

Of course not all covers are created equal. I would imagine that a solid versus a soft cover adds to the equation...Both weight and drag would probably somewhat be effected by it's construction, no matter how insignificant.

I don't have a problem with tonneau weight... I also find the RL has less weight in the winter (The real motivation for building the cover) ... Mixed driving, the most is an increased of 1.5mpg (with around 10% city).

Strictly highway I have no problem knocking out 23mpg tanks. Without the cover I could get 23mpg tanks but I had to be patient and drive less then 69mph, mostly around 67mph. Now I can squeeze that driving 70-72mph.