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11-07-2016, 04:45 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 1
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Truck caps and Mileage
I have Ford F150. I get about 19MPG HWY with no trailer but drop to about 10 MPG towing my 23' Roo. Its about 5000 lbs. If I add a fiberglass cap will milage improve, or get worse?
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11-07-2016, 05:18 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,845
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It'll make very little difference.
There are plenty of studies that support my statement.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.) 
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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11-07-2016, 05:41 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 499
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The square footage of the front of the camper is creating a lot of drag. "The sail effect". Keep the speed down to speed limit. 10 mpg is about right for most gassers. I figure its the cost of camping..
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2006 Roo 23B hybrid
2006 Ford F150 4.6L
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11-07-2016, 05:47 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
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Some modifications may be required.
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2016 F350 6.7L LB CC Reese 28K 2014 Chaparral Lite 266sab
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." 2014 19 days camping 2015 17 days camping201620 days camping
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11-07-2016, 06:08 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: greensburg pa
Posts: 347
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Weight will affect it some But my 2012 Tundra gets 18/19 on the highway with cap loaded on vaccation. Gov rating is 17
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2006 Honda Goldwing
2012 Toyota Tundra DC s(sold)
2015 Cherokee Grey wolf 19RR Limited
2017 F150 Super Crew 3.5eb 5.5
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11-07-2016, 09:57 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Seaford, De
Posts: 2,377
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the mileage gain will be minimal if anything at all. The couple thousand you spend on a cap could buy lots of gas.
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David & Lynn 2014 Coachmen Chaparral Signature 327 RLKS 2016 Ford F350 Lariat CC Dually
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11-07-2016, 10:27 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Warwick, RI
Posts: 381
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I have what I call a double sail!
Tall utility cap on the RAM, and even taller ML23FB.
But surprisingly I average 12-13mpg when towing.
When not towing I still only average around 14-15mpg.
Truck has the small 4.7l V8.
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11-07-2016, 11:51 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,428
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Back with my 1998 Ram 1500 and 28' TT I tried it both ways and saw no improvement.
__________________
Now-2014 Sierra 346RETS 5er BUB
Then-2002 Keystone Springdale 286RLDS TT
Nights camped in 2014-28, 2015-127, 2016-10
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11-08-2016, 12:34 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: St Simons Island, GA
Posts: 1,234
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I just put a cap on my 2013 Silverado 2500 HD diesel and can't tell any mileage difference. Haven't towed the TT with it yet, but don't expect any difference.
__________________
 Aviator Wright Flyer #1919
Army Pathfinder Vietnam, 3 tours
DAV, MOPH, VFW, NRA, 1stCav. ABN
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11-08-2016, 12:38 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 638
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won't change a thing
__________________
2015 Chev Silverado 3500 dually D/A
2016 Cedar Creek 36CK
B&W Patriot 18K, Trail-Aire pinbox,
Level up, dual panes & all that stuff...
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11-08-2016, 05:53 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,452
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GOTTOYS
won't change a thing
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Yes it will. Less cash in his wallet means less weight he's carrying around.
Less weight for the truck to haul around=better fuel mileage!!!
Grumpy
__________________
Steve & Cheryl + Zoey, and Ziggy, our furry kids.
2012 Forrest River Lexington 283ts
Toad, 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
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11-08-2016, 06:17 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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When I see Nascar trucks putting on "Camper Shell's" I will think about it!  Youroo! ! 
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11-08-2016, 07:05 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: North Ga.
Posts: 420
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I have a TRI-Fold on my truck and have not noticed and difference in fuel mileage. I installed my cover so it would at least keep everything dry and out of SIGHT that is in the bed, especially if I'm en route somewhere and stop for the night.
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USAF Ret. ______________________________________
2015 24 FQSL NITRO TH
2015 2500 Silverado Crew Cab LTZ Duramax 4X4
2012 HD Street Glide
2008 Honda FSC600 Silver wing
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11-08-2016, 07:49 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Oshawa, ON
Posts: 983
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Very little difference when towing, but, noticeable when not towing. I didn't buy my cap for improved fuel mileage, I bought for storage and additional room.
If you're buying it for improved mileage - save your money.
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Dave, Southern,ON
2017 GMC SLT HD All Terrain Crew Cab (6' 6" Box) 2012 Roo 23SS
E2 Trunnion WDH (1,000 lb / 10,000 lb)
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11-08-2016, 02:27 PM
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#15
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Senior Gold Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 213
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The drop in wind drag from covering the box will be offset by the extra weight unless your running a diesel. A wind deflector on the other had mounted near the back of the truck cap will cut the drag on your trailer and tend to keep it bug free unless its a 5th wheel with a higher stance.
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rthomaslyons
2019 Sunseeker 3010 DSF
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11-09-2016, 09:25 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: SouthWest Michigan
Posts: 5,977
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Lyon
Very little difference when towing, but, noticeable when not towing. I didn't buy my cap for improved fuel mileage, I bought for storage and additional room.
If you're buying it for improved mileage - save your money.
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I think Dave hit the nail on the head !!!
I would never be with out a cap !!!
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11-09-2016, 09:50 AM
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#17
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Boondocking Only
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Wyoming
Posts: 360
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It will NOT make a difference milage wise! They are great for storage, as well as great in inclimate weather & winter!
^^^^^
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11-09-2016, 07:58 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 197
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wolverine 1945
I would never be with out a cap !!!
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After I had my first truck with a cap on it I have never been without one since. It is the first thing I add to every truck I buy, well second thing, the first is my rump in the seat.
__________________
John & Mary Jo
Enjoying the adventure
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11-09-2016, 08:36 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: in my new 29hfsxlr
Posts: 1,658
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohsusana
I have Ford F150. I get about 19MPG HWY with no trailer but drop to about 10 MPG towing my 23' Roo. Its about 5000 lbs. If I add a fiberglass cap will milage improve, or get worse?
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No difference in mpg but i like my topper keeps things in the bed dry and safe .plus
i can carry a kayak on it
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11-10-2016, 05:41 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Medina, Ohio
Posts: 155
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On my last TV (2010 F150 Screw 5.4) I had a hard Tonneau cover and did not like the way the trailer was buffeted by the wind going over the cab that seemed to swirl over the top of the bed and cause a lot of drag when hitting the trailer plus trucks were pushing me all over the road.
So, I installed a high cap (about 12 inches higher than the cab, but aerodynamic in shape). It really helped stabilize my towing, not sure if it helped the mileage but would not fit in the garage and got tired of parking outside.
After a year swapping caps depending on the season, I ended up replacing the truck and had a cab high (normal) cap put on right away. On a 2000 mile trip I averaged 9.5 mpg but what I missed most was the aerodynamics of that high cap so I built a wind deflector and it is great. Everything settles in real nice at about 60 mph not even trucks kick me around. I am am now getting over 10% better gas mileage. 11.5 Mpg in a 2016 F150 Screw short bed 3.5 Ecoboost pulling a Rockwood Roo 23 Ikss weighing in at 5900 lbs. That was over a 4200 mile trip crossing the Rockies twice. BTW, Ecoboost has all the power I will ever need.
So, I am convinced that a cap with aerodynamic shape or a wind deflector is the way to go for stability and of course storage space. Any increase in mpg is just a bonus.
__________________
2015 Roo 23IKSS
2016 F150 SuperCrew 3.5 EcoBoost
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