Camper shell improve mpg when towing?

[BrownieNpadre]

Has anyone add a topper or camper shell and noticed any improvement in fuel milage when towing. My mpg is pretty dismal when towing my travel trailer, it is only 21 ‘ and 5k# so assuming it is mostly due wind resistance.

Also curious what mpg people may be getting with large travel trailer, may move to a larger one if I will still get 8-9 mpg. I have a 2020 6.4l .

 

[jadmt]

I have had three different toppers on my 2020 6.4L and no difference in mpg between running bare or with toppers.

 

[jsalbre]

I have had three different toppers on my 2020 6.4L and no difference in mpg between running bare or with toppers.View attachment 49385View attachment 49386View attachment 49387

I see three different toppers, two different colors of wheels, and two different step/rock rails. Is your truck Mr Potato Head?

 

[Jacob]

I added a camper shell for hunting season this year. I think there was some improvement towing my cargo trailer. Like 1 mpg. Definitely wouldn't add one just to get better fuel mileage. I've read that the soft toppers don't help. I've never had one. Always got a bit better with hard camper shell on previous truck. Mpg is so bad I try not to calculate it or contemplate it too much.

 

[AH64ID]

8-9 MPG is not pretty dismal for your truck when towing a TT.

It's hard to overcome with wind resistance of a TT.

I recall after putting some gauges in my 05 and starting to monitor things how hard the engine works with a TT. At the time I had a 18' 4.5K TT and on flat ground it took more fuel to tow at 55 than a 15K Dump trailer.

 

[BrownieNpadre]

8-9 MPG is not pretty dismal for your truck when towing a TT.

It's hard to overcome with wind resistance of a TT.

I recall after putting some gauges in my 05 and starting to monitor things how hard the engine works with a TT. At the time I had a 18' 4.5K TT and on flat ground it took more fuel to tow at 55 than a 15K Dump trailer.

Okay that is what I am getting at 69 mph. It seem not to gear down as much at that speed. Guess i was hoping to get more like 10-12. maybe i shoulf just be happy.

 

[AH64ID]

Okay that is what I am getting at 69 mph. It seem not to gear down as much at that speed. Guess i was hoping to get more like 10-12. maybe i shoulf just be happy.

Honestly I'm surprised its not closer to 7-8 at 69 mph.

 

[Gondul]

Has anyone add a topper or camper shell and noticed any improvement in fuel milage when towing. My mpg is pretty dismal when towing my travel trailer, it is only 21 ‘ and 5k# so assuming it is mostly due wind resistance.

Also curious what mpg people may be getting with large travel trailer, may move to a larger one if I will still get 8-9 mpg. I have a 2020 6.4l .

I've noticed zero change in Fuelly where I track my mileage.

 

[Firebird]

Unfortunately, it's difficult to use the term fuel economy and 6.4 Hemi in the same sentence, and I happen to like the 6.4

 

[AH64ID]

Unfortunately, it's difficult to use the term fuel economy and 6.4 Hemi in the same sentence, and I happen to like the 6.4

Hardly.. the term fuel economy has no connotation of good or bad with it. It simply describes the number of miles a vehicle can travel on a specified quantity of fuel.

 

[BrownieNpadre]

Unfortunately, it's difficult to use the term fuel economy and 6.4 Hemi in the same sentence, and I happen to like the 6.4

yes the 6.4 is a beast for sure!