Rooftop tent and mpg

[mjohnson622]

I know, I know, it’s smiles per gallon but I’ve got to ask. I’m already down around 14-15mpg (I drive mainly highway miles going 80-85). How much does a hardshell rtt in the back affect it? I’m looking at 8” Billie bars and a hardshell rtt ~8”, so I’m still well below the height of the cab.

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[sharpsicle]

It lowers it. Varies based on size, shape, weight, etc. No one answer to your question unfortunately.

Hitting 80-85 torpedoes your MPG as it is, so you might actually find a balance with the RTT on and a lower speed to be the same MPG as you get now.

 

[tysongladiator]

@sharpsicle gave you a great answer!

I ran a RTT for almost two years before moving it to a trailer last year. I had it on a full height rack. Changed over to a mid height rack and it change the MPGs and vehicle control. I had a soft cover RTT. A clamshell will be different. And then just like already stated, weight, size and shape matter too. If I slowed to 70mph, it would get better. Too many factors to give you a solid answer.

 

[jeepstertim]

I run a hard shell on a half height rack. It has definitely made the rolly polly Rubicon moreso and blunted slightly the dynamics. MPG hasn't dropped and I've averaged 20.92 (UK MPG) over the last 6 months. I rarely go over 75 and it's pretty flat here but I do do a lot of urban and off road.

 

[Chief_jeep]

I run a hard shell on a half height rack. It has definitely made the rolly polly Rubicon moreso and blunted slightly the dynamics. MPG hasn't dropped and I've averaged 20.92 (UK MPG) over the last 6 months. I rarely go over 75 and it's pretty flat here but I do do a lot of urban and off road.

what half height rack is that? It looks fully enclosed.

 

[jeepstertim]

what half height rack is that? It looks fully enclosed.

It is, I had it made locally in aluminium, fully enclosed, 3 doors, lights etc. Took Nuthouse canopies as my inspiration.

 

[Chief_jeep]

It is, I had it made locally in aluminium, fully enclosed, 3 doors, lights etc. Took Nuthouse canopies as my inspiration.

That’s epic. I was searching for one of these for a long time. Where are you located? And if you don’t mind me asking, how much did that cost to get fabricated?

 

[jeepstertim]

That’s epic. I was searching for one of these for a long time. Where are you located? And if you don’t mind me asking, how much did that cost to get fabricated?

I'm a Brit based in Qatar. It cost approx $1600 and while fittings (gas rams, hinges, lights etc) are Chinese standard, the welding and fabrication is 1st rate. Try US based Nuthouse industries for something similar or find a friendly fabricator. All up it weighs in at 65kg - got to love aluminium!

 

[Zero_Accel]

I noticed that my MPG falls of a cliff right at 67 mph, so 65 everywhere it is for me. Honestly it's like a 5 minute difference on my commute, BUT, I go from 13mpg to 17, so it's absolutely worth the trade-off. Might be worth considering going easy on the skinny pedal.

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