The Real Truth About Tonneau Covers and Gas Savings

In the world of pickup truck enthusiasts, one of the most discussed potential benefits of a truck bed cover is its impact on fuel efficiency. From an aerodynamic perspective, a truck bed cover can reduce drag by streamlining airflow over the truck bed, potentially improving miles per gallon (MPG). But does it work that way in the real world?

We often get questions from customers during the sales process: Can a truck bed cover help improve MPG? How much fuel efficiency can it help improve? To better answer our customers' questions, our team of experts conducted two experiments, one at highway speeds and the other in daily use. Let's take a look.

Experiment 1: On the highway

Initial Setup and Preparation

We used our own pickup truck for this test. The test consisted of two parts: driving a specified distance on the highway without the tonneau cover installed and then repeating the same route with the tonneau cover installed, all done on the same day, with consistent driving conditions throughout.

The first thing to do was to establish a baseline for the truck's fuel efficiency. Both experiments were conducted with a full tank of gas. We set the cruise control to a steady 70 mph to ensure a consistent speed throughout the drive. The route chosen was pure highway driving, minimizing any variables that could affect the results, such as stop-and-go traffic. At the start of the test, the odometer read 187,000 miles.

The First Test

After driving 163.5 miles on the highway, we arrived at a gas station to refuel and calculate the MPG. The truck consumed 11.6 gallons of fuel during the trip, so the MPG was about 14.06. While not impressive by today's standards, it provided a solid reference point for subsequent tests with the tonneau cover installed.

The Second Test

We installed a soft roll-up tonneau cover on the bed of the truck. The cover is designed to reduce drag by creating a smoother surface for air to flow over, theoretically reducing the amount of fuel needed to maintain a given speed. Aside from the tonneau cover, there were no additional items in the bed of the truck, which is unlikely to have any significant impact on the results.

After securely fastening, I drove along the same highway, again using cruise control to maintain a steady 70 mph.

Since we wanted to get the results as quickly as possible, we shortened the drive to only 109 miles, but the other driving conditions were the same.

After completing the drive, we arrived at a gas station and refueled the truck, then calculated the MPG. This time, the truck consumed 7 gallons of fuel in 109 miles, resulting in an MPG of about 15.72. This represents an 11.82% improvement in fuel efficiency compared to the test without the tonneau cover.

Results and Analysis

Based on the results of this experiment, it seems that the tonneau cover can indeed help improve fuel efficiency, at least under the test conditions. The 11.82% increase in MPG observed in this experiment is consistent with claims from various manufacturers and online sources that indicate cargo covers can improve fuel efficiency by up to 10%.

Experiment 2: Daily use

Initial Setup and Preparation

This was a real-world simulation. The experiment was simple, we drove for 20 days without a tonneau cover installed, and then another 20 days with the tonneau cover installed. In the previous experiment, our team calculated the MPG ourselves, which may have been inaccurate. This time we tracked the miles per gallon (MPG) using the on-board diagnostic (OBD) tool, which reads the data directly from the truck's computer. We believe that this will produce more accurate data.

The First Test

For the first 20 days, we drove our usual route without the tonneau cover. This route included driving to work, running errands, and picking up the kids, while maintaining a consistent driving style and speed. The OBD tool was set to automatic recording mode, recording data while the truck was driving. The results are as follows:

• Average MPG: 13.1 mpg

• Average speed: 39 mph

The Second Test

We installed our best-selling soft roll-up tonneau cover and ran another 20-day test. This cover is nothing special, just a common, practical option designed to protect the cargo compartment. We then repeated the same driving routine for another 20 days, recording MPG data as before. The results are as follows:

• Average MPG: 13.7 mpg

• Average speed: 38 mph

Results and Analysis

At first glance, the tonneau cover does improve fuel efficiency, by an average of 0.6 MPG. However, it is important to note that some variables could affect these results, as the two experiments lasted for a long period and were subject to uncertain weather temperatures, one in February and one in March, and the weather in March is generally warmer than in February. Warm weather may help improve fuel efficiency, as vehicles tend to run more efficiently in warm conditions.

The small increase in MPG observed during the experiment may be attributed to these seasonal changes rather than the tonneau cover itself. In daily use, having a tonneau cover installed or not may not result in a noticeable increase in MPG.

Should You Buy a Tonneau Cover for Fuel Efficiency?

Based on the results of this experiment, while a tonneau cover may slightly improve fuel efficiency, especially when driving on the highway. It's unlikely that a tonneau cover will save you a ton of money at the gas station, but it can still help improve fuel economy over long distances. It will add up over time.

However, in everyday use, it's hard to definitively say that a tonneau cover will significantly improve your truck's fuel efficiency. While there was a slight improvement in MPG over the 20 days of using the cover, other factors, such as temperature and driving conditions, make it difficult to single out the tonneau cover as the sole reason for the improved fuel efficiency.

In summary, don't expect to see a big improvement in fuel efficiency simply by installing a tonneau cover. If you're considering buying a tonneau cover just to improve your MPG, you must weigh this potential benefit against other factors, such as cost, practicality, and the specific driving conditions you'll encounter.

Our recommendations

If you frequently drive long distances, consider getting a tonneau cover. Your wallet and your truck's gas gauge may thank you.

One thing to keep in mind is that while all tonneau covers reduce drag if your tonneau cover is too heavy, it will also add considerable weight to your truck, offsetting any potential mileage improvements.

That's why we strongly recommend that the most fuel-efficient tonneau covers are soft roll-up or soft folding bed covers, which are light enough to be very effective in helping you increase your MPG.

If you have any questions about your tonneau cover, please contact our product experts.