bought a A.R.E. cab high camper shell today and will pick it up in two weeks. anyone here see an improvement in MPG with a camper shell installed? seems there would be because of less drag.

thanks,
david h

 

I don't know if you will believe me or not, BUT, when I had an aluminun one on my for, for, ahem, ford , the mileage actually dropped by about 3 mpg. I do not know why, even a friend in his chebby saw the same results.
Tom

 

I have to agree. I've got an Leer shell and my milage drops whenever I've got it on the truck.

 

It's simple airodynamics.
There was a big study done in a wind tunnel to prove that you will get better fuel mileage without a camper shell than with one.
It has to due with the air flow over the truck and creating turbulance as it passes over the cab then pushing down into the bed and giving you better traction.
Because you added about 500lbs and changed the air flow over your truck you lose that added traction but gain the extra weight thus your fuel mileage will go down
Go figure.
They said that the best type of cover to put on would be somthing that starts at the top of the back of the cab and then comes down to the tailgate at that angle. Then you would achieve the best fuel mileage.

 

The setup listed above might offer the MOST improvement in milage, but I will state that I saw a significant improvement in milage on my last Dodge when I had the toneau cover on.

 

Just removed the Leer shell form my truck to get ready to tow the 5er and it appears from the computer that the fuel mileage has increased. Haven't driven it far enough to really be sure.

Drop the tailgate or remove it and the mileage will increase some.

 

The study shows that dropping the tailgate will increase the milage very slightly over tailgate up.

Believe it or not, removing the tailgate entirely actually reduces MPG.

 

I have a cab high fiberglass topper, I had it on my 1996 Dodge gasser, I did not notice any increase or decrease with it on or off. BTW it is for sale......

 

I put a cap on mine and the mileage stayed the same, but then again, I usually drive at 2,000 rpm and at about 71 mph. I get right at 20 mpg.

DW