Bed cover Help for my new Gladiator

[awraynor]

They honored the forum discount and still gave free shipping. Have you noticed any gain in mpg?

I never measured with or without. I drive mostly local and not a lot in general.

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[WXman]

Anyone noticed a gain in MPG with bed cover installed? Thanks ?

The prior 3 tanks of fuel ended up at 23.94, 22.02, and 23.18 respectively. I'm nearing the end of my first tank with the Gator EFX hard bed cover, and right now I'm at about 21.5 or so. Won't know the exact figure until I hand calculate it when I fill up tonight or tomorrow. But, so far it appears that the bed cover has reduced MPG, which makes sense if you saw that old Myth Busters episode.

 

[Toyfrog]

The prior 3 tanks of fuel ended up at 23.94, 22.02, and 23.18 respectively. I'm nearing the end of my first tank with the Gator EFX hard bed cover, and right now I'm at about 21.5 or so. Won't know the exact figure until I hand calculate it when I fill up tonight or tomorrow. But, so far it appears that the bed cover has reduced MPG, which makes sense if you saw that old Myth Busters episode.

I saw one episode where they did they tailgate up vs down. Never saw one with a bed cover, unless I wasn’t paying attention? Oh look a bird. ??

 

[Sean Ozz]

ok, now i am gonna have to deep dive and find that episode. i get about 16 MPG where I live in the mountains so it would suck to see it drop at all. lol

I did get the undercover. i hope to install it Monday if time allows. it seems nice so far.

 

[Sean Ozz]

found it, seems mesh for the tailgate won and a tonneau cover was up there too.

 

[WXman]

I'm on my second tank of diesel now and my MPG continues to be down quite a bit from where I had been prior to installing a bed cover. Very interesting....

I may have to start running with the cover open and only close it when I need it. Needs more time to establish trends....

 

[WXman]

Upon further testing and investigation, the culprit appears to be the HVAC and not the bed cover.

We've had 90s lately so I've been using the A/C. Prior to that it was in the 80s and I just rolled the windows down. What I'm seeing is that the A/C KILLS the fuel efficiency of this engine. I'm confident in looking over my records that a solid 2 MPG is lost during full weeks where I use the A/C. When I shut the A/C off the hand calculated MPG numbers go back up.

I just wanted to update this because I don't want the bed cover to take the blame.

 

[Toyfrog]

The paint on the exposed rails isn't well done, but not a biggie.

The first one had a broken slat, but they did warranty it and sent a replacement.

Do watch the rear corner plastic covers. They are secured in place with thin tabs. On the replacement cover the rear cover had a split. With continued use I do worry about their durability. If they come off obviously a security and leak issue. It's easy to use and install, but I'm not sure there's a better option?

I see what you mean about the thin piece of plastic in the end. Went to put mine on today and the left side was already broken and still in the package. Also the front part that bolts to the bulkhead was bent real bad. ?

 

[awraynor]

@Toyfrog @RealTruck will certainly work with you on warranty issues, but they've got some real design and quality control issues they need to work out on the BakFlip .

 

[Sean Ozz]

i ended up with the Undercover Ultra Flex. the carpeted bottom and LED light along with some of you here helped me make that choice. i feel for my needs it is the best trifold I could get.

however, the instructions sucked. lol

so as I figured it out I made a review / instructional video that I hope might help others to make up their mind as well as install it if they go that route.



Cover install

 

[TheJoyceIsYours]

i ended up with the Undercover Ultra Flex. the carpeted bottom and LED light along with some of you here helped me make that choice. i feel for my needs it is the best trifold I could get.

however, the instructions sucked. lol

so as I figured it out I made a review / instructional video that I hope might help others to make up their mind as well as install it if they go that route.



Cover install

Thanks for making that video!

Looks lke you've had it for about 2 weeks or so. are you still happy with it?

 

[Sean Ozz]

Thanks for making that video!

Looks lke you've had it for about 2 weeks or so. are you still happy with it?

yes, so far it has rained hard a couple times with no water leaks and I really dig the carpet on the underside.

the directions sucked but we got it installed well and so far so good.

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