Do Tonneau covers increase gas mileage?
By
Elaine Knight
In this blog post, we will answer the question: “Do Tonneau covers increase gas mileage?” We will discuss selecting the right Tonneau cover and list the various types of Tonneau covers. We will also describe the six best Tonneau covers and talk about how to increase the gas mileage in your truck.
Do Tonneau covers increase gas mileage?
Yes, Tonneau covers help increase gas mileage by sealing the pickup truck bed. It improves the aerodynamics of the truck by giving you more mileage. This also depends on the type of truck and the type of Tonneau cover that is used. Several factors can help to improve the gas mileage of a truck. This also includes driving habits.
Tonneau covers are also good for protection, they are secure, safe, and perfect for storage. They come with a good warranty and there are many options available to suit your truck. Several truckers have reported that Tonneau covers have increased their gas mileage. However, you cannot expect a huge difference in the mileage.
Selecting the right Tonneau cover
If you are planning on getting a Tonneau cover, be sure to get the right one that will suit your truck bed. This means you will need to get the right size and the right material. Heavy tonneau covers will add weight to the truck and these covers are not going to be very effective in terms of mileage. You will need to consider the lighter Tonneau cover before purchasing.
You might want to avoid heavy Tonneau covers like fiberglass. Due to the weight of the cover, the mileage might decrease. The best thing to do is to take your vehicle to the place where you plan on purchasing the cover. Despite adding a Tonneau cover, there are a few other things that you need to consider.
The whole reason for adding a Tonneau cover is to increase the mileage on the truck. Hardcover is sure to give you better protection but they come with a price and are also pretty heavy. The Softcover is generally light and flexible. They are also more affordable and better for increasing the mileage on the truck.
Different types of Tonneau Covers
- Roll-up Tonneau covers.
- Retractable Tonneau cover.
- Hard tri-fold Tonneau cover.
- Soft tri-fold Tonneau cover.
A soft roll-up Tonneau cover can result in the airflow under the Tonneau and enhance the drag on the vehicle. Keeping the cover tight across the vehicle will help you save on gas. The hard tri-fold and soft tri-fold covers are good enough to carry oversize stuff. The retractable Tonneau covers are similar and are perfect for oversized loads.
Six best Tonneau covers for your truck
There are several brands of Tonneau covers available in the market, but there are few that have been exceptionally good. Purchasing a Tonneau cover also depends on the type of truck that you have. Another factor to consider is how often and how far you travel with your truck. Here are the five best Tonneau covers that are recommended.
Tyger auto tri-fold truck bed cover
This is a soft Tonneau cover that is sleek-looking and is built for modern-day pickup trucks. It has sturdy dual-coated marine-grade vinyl. This is perfect protection and it comes with a weather-tight seal. There are LED bed lights and it is easy to install on different truck beds. There is no need for any drilling as this cover comes with clamps.
Truxedo TruXport roll-up cover
This cover can fold up and roll over in three separate sections. You can use this cover whenever you want and keep the bed exposed if you want to load more cargo. There is no drilling required and is easy to install. It will take you less than 20 minutes to get this cover fixed. It is not too expensive and the only disadvantage is that it might not lock to the tailgate.
Bak MX4 hard folding cover
The Bak hard folding cover is one of the best Tonneau covers that have been widely used. This product is widely sold due to its unique matte finish. The appearance of this cover is impressive and it is sleek and perfect. The outstanding warranty and the fold-up design are incredible, but the price range is a little high due to the quality.
Max Mate tri-fold truck bed
The Max Mate tri-fold truck bed is a soft tri-fold Tonneau cover that has dual-coated marine-grade vinyl. It comes with rust-preventive powder-coated frames with stainless steel security clamps. The advantage of the truck bed is that it comes with a 10-year warranty. It is not too expensive and is easy to install.
Lund Genesis elite roll-up
This Tonneau cover has a great reputation since it has been in the market since the 1970s. They are affordable, easy to install, and have durable fabric construction. These covers are not as slim as the other soft Tonneau and their quality is pretty decent. They also have a limited lifetime warranty and are good at protecting material.
Exatang Hard Folding Tonneau Cover
This cover is light and easy to install. It comes with hard polymer panels that make the opening and closing easy. The biggest advantage is that they are water-resistant and they can keep your belongings protected from the elements outside. It is sturdy and durable, but the price tag is high due to the quality.
How to increase gas mileage?
Apart from using Tonneau covers, there are a few tips on how to increase gas mileage. Tonneau covers will certainly help and it is also a good option to keep your gear safe and dry. You get to choose the type of material that will suit you best with a wide variety of options available. Here are some of the tips to increase your gas mileage.
Double-check your tires
- The tires are the most important part that contributes to the mileage of a vehicle. Many people are unaware of this fact and they forget to check their tires.
- You must keep the tired inflated to the right pressure.
- Too much air is not good and too little is not good either.
- Be sure to keep the tires with the right amount of air pressure.
Check the air filter
- The air filter is very important in any vehicle.
- Keeping your air filter clean will sure help in adding those extra miles to your mileage.
- It is recommended that you remove the air filter of the vehicle and clean it properly every six months.
- By doing this you will always have a clean air filter and a better mileage capacity.
Maintain your truck alignment
- Did you know that the truck alignment has a lot to do with the mileage you receive? The more you maintain your truck, the better mileage you can receive.
- Take your truck to a mechanic every couple of months to make sure that the alignment of your truck is proper.
- You will be able to know when the alignment is off, but the best option is to give your truck for service.
Avoid rash driving
- If you tend to drive fast and rashly, the mileage is sure to decrease.
- Rash driving is not only bad for mileage, but it is also dangerous for you and everyone else on the road.
- Drive safe and smooth as much as possible and you will see a significant improvement in your mileage.
- Relaxed driving habits can also add to those extra miles.
Following all these tips together with a Tonneau cover is sure to increase gas mileage on your truck. Truck drivers have witnessed at least two to three miles extra after following all these tips. The most important part is to keep the vehicle well-maintained. It is advised to take the vehicle to a mechanic every six months even if there are no issues faced.
Conclusion
In this blog post, we have answered the question: “Do Tonneau covers increase gas mileage?” We have talked about selecting the right Tonneau cover and listed the various types of Tonneau covers. We have also described the six best Tonneau covers and talked about how to increase the gas mileage in your truck.
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