I had similar experience with my gas truck. I took many long trips with loads in my minitruck, usually getting 16 to 19 mpg. One load sloped smoothly from the top of the cab to just above the tailgate, and I averaged about 23 mpg over a 700 mile drive. My guess is a shell that fit the rear of the cab, and sloped back (magic angle is something like 17 degrees) to a small (or no) window above the tailgate would be optimal.
Just an OT comment, my Jeep Cherokee has a motor that is twice the displacement, and always gets better gas mileage than the truck did. Kamm-back styling? Fuel injection and better gearing probably help, too. --- Geoff Shepherd <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hi Eric, > > Since you were wondering about tonneau covers and aerodynamics, I > did some > testing with my factory Ford Ranger Electric and an OBD-II > diagnostic tool. > The truck typically uses 60A (@325v) to cruise at 60 MPH. Removing > my heavy > fiberglass tonneau cover did not change that. Further, driving with > the > tailgate open also did not change the consumption. Now I'm enjoying > having > an open truck bed so I can use it as a pickup as intended. I'll > probably > sell the fiberglass cover. If I ever add a cover again (to keep > rain/prying > fingers out), I'll likely go with a Pace/Edwards Rolltop, which I > have used > previously with good results; it is far more convenient than a > rigid cover > or typical snap-on soft cover. > > -- > Geoff Shepherd > > > On 9/2/02 11:39 AM, "Eric Johnson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > (snip) > > I've suspected that the open PU box is not very aerodynamic, > > and I think this really shows it. I've driven nearly that > distance > > at somewhat lower speeds with less problems. Either the pack > > has weakened greatly in the 6 or so weeks since then, or the > > slightly higher speeds really increase drag. One thing I want > > to try is a tonneau cover. Hopefully, Sheer will post about > > his observations on this subject based on his trip from/to > Seattle. > __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Finance - Get real-time stock quotes http://finance.yahoo.com
