Good afternoon Group,

I gues now that I have money I am thinking about getting a tonneau cover. My question is this. Would a tonneau cover improve on gas milage at all? Also what peoples thoughts on the truxedo deuce. I ask becuase I am thinking about getting that one. Or should undercoating be my priority? or should wheel to wheel nerf bars be a priority?

Help

 

it will help out your mpg. not sure how much though. somebody on here recently did the calculations before and after.

 

If the cover does improve mileage, its not going to improve it enough to make a measurable difference. One plus for you will be the fact that the cover will help keep your box snow free in the winter (a lot easier to brush snow off the cover than shovel it out of the box). I went with the Truxedo Lo Pro. The advantage with the Deuce is having access to the front of the box. However, unless you are fairly tall, its a long reach from ground level to the bottom of the front of the box. For me that function wasn't worth the extra hundred bucks.

 

Searching for a cover now for my truck and have been looking at the posts. Here is a calculator that shows the savings..

Not sure I will really save $250 per year, but maybe some savings. They do use them on race trucks. I just wanna keep my stuff dry.

So far I am looking at these after reading the forum:
extang
Access Laredo
Truxedo Lo Pro

 

has anyone used the truxport?

i cant afford to drop $400 on a tonneau cover, $289 i could do.

sticking above the rails isnt a big deal to me, i just want something to secure my bed with and get better mpg for when im driving back and forth to college

 

I have the Access tonneau cover and totally recommend it - not just because it's a lifetime warranty and it's ease of use to open and close, but I gained considerable gas mileage. Before I installed it I was getting anywhere from 15-18mpg depending on conditions and my lead foot. Now I'm getting anywhere from 17-22mpg, with 19-20 the normal since I don't do total highway driving. This is on a 2005 SCrew with 5.4L and 3.55 gears.

If you like the Access covers go on eBay and lookup the seller that has the "reconditioned" ones for sale. I'm not sure if they are the original manufacturer or a subsidiary, but the reconditioned covers usually were returns or had hardware missing on the first shipment, etc. I totally enjoyed getting one for $200 instead of $400+ new, especially with the warranty.

 

Almost decided between the Truxedo Lo Pro and the Access Laredo.

A few questions -
1. Do they leak water?
2. Do you need the tailgate seal everyone seems to want to sell?
3. Can you install them yourself?
4. Is any cutting or modification necessary for installation? - I have the Ford bedliner and factory bed rails (those rubber things at the top of the bed).
5. Preferences between the Truxedo Lo Pro or the Access Laredo?
6. Any recommendations on where to buy? Prices I am finding are around $450. Thinking online might save me if I install, but is it better to deal with local dealer?
7. Other hints/tips?

Thanks!

 

Not sure if giving credit is allowed on this forum (if not plz let me know), but got a great deal from Luke at Truckalterations.com for $350. He was a big help, very knowledgeable.

 

I have the trux lo-pro, it's 3 years old and been on two different trucks and thru 3 Cleveland winters. I'll try to answer your Q's as best I can.

1. A little, a mild or moderate rainfall and your bed will stay dry, but with a rain like we had today and you'll get some water back there.
2. No, the water seems to come in around the header at the front of the bed so a tailgate seal is a waste of money.
3. Yes, all you need is a 9/16" wrench
4.No cutting or mods needed, I also have the factory ford bedliner and it fits just fine. BTW all 04-up 150's have those plastic bed rail caps.
5. I chose the trux lo-pro because at the time it was cheaper.
6. If you want to get it local, you can go to Stylin' Trucks it's on Pleasent Valley Rd out in Independence. You can also try Auto Impressions on Lorain Rd in North Olmsted.
7. You might want to look into the new Extang Evolution cover, it sits even lower than the lo-pro does, it actually sits perfectly flat.

 

According to that link, the cover is free. I think in reality it depends on what kind of miles you drive. It will help on the freeway, but not do much in stop and go traffic.

 

I too have the lo-pro. I love my cover. However my only complaint is the water that enters at the header area. Its not much but still annoying.

I was wondering if you could take that tailgate seal and put it up front at the header to see if it would keep the water out.

Also does your cover hold some water on top during heavy rains? I came out one morning and there was a pool of water on the passenger side up towards the header. Just wondering if they will hold some water, or if I need to tighten it up the cover a bit since its been on for a year.

 

I never thought about putting the tailgate seal up front on the header, but it might actually work.

I get pools of water on my cover whenever it rains, it just runs off once I drive away. Last winter I had a foot and a half of snow piled on it and the cover never stretched, and after 3 years I've never had to tighten it.

 

The only problem I can see is that the water will wreck havoc on the sticky tape since it will be more in contact with water than it would be at the tailgate.

Gotcha on the water pooling, just wanted to make sure I wasnt the only one with a problem and needing to tighten up the cover.

 

Yep. I agree.. I am not going to be tracking my gas mileage to see if it pays for itself in what for me might be a year or too. If it does'nt pay for itself maybe I will send a note to Access requesting the difference. Like you said depends on where and how you drive. Good thing that is not the reason I bought the thing..

 

Has anyone has encountered rust or scratching after installing these clamps? I haul mulch, dirt, etc. on occasion. Do you think it is better to remove and reinstall my new cover before so it stays nice and clean? Regardless I think even if I just installed once, that clamp looks like it will bite into the inner lip of the bed rail. Any thoughts on putting some sort of rubber on the inner teeth? Also don't want the cover flying off on the highway cause I was too **** about a few scratches that may turn to rust. Your thoughts?

Thanks!