Ford Maverick - Tonneau Cover Effect on MPG

Since installing our Truxedo Sentry CT bed cover, we've been curious how much it benefits our fuel economy to be running with a closed bed. Thanks to Daily Motor's highway mpg testing, we now know the answer!
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More Mav: • Ford Maverick
0:00 Bed open
6:35 First results
10:00 Final results
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Music and graphics by Skyler Benn.
This video was filmed with in-ear, binaural microphones, so if you listen with headphones, it will sound like you're sitting in the driver's seat!
#maverick #ford #tonnaeu

[@brandonsheaffer5035]

yea this does seem like some pointless shit a maverick owner would worry about. go back to ur 2dr coupe if ur worried about mpg

[@henrynoel494]

?

[@Dan-cj9yg]

Why? The average 2 door coupe gets LESS MPG. How many vehicles under 30k get 40 MPG? Zero. Hell, barely any under 40k do and they are much smaller and less versatile. This truck cover thing isn't just something a Maverick owner wonders about it, but ALL truck owners, and lots of regular car enthusiasts because it's a simple question lots have wondered about. Similar to when people use to wonder if an open tail gate helped with MPG.

[@BIendtecc]

?

[@chadsmith28]

lol Brandon is triggered 😂

[@edwardweeks1539]

Show me on this doll where the small truck hurt you

[@JKLauderdale]

A solid tonneau is a must for me, regardless of factory installed or not. 90% of the thieves in my area won't bother with the tricks for bypassing the tonneau latch but will HAPPILY slice through a fabric one. Another great thing Ford did with the Mav was moving the Cat up into the engine bay, eliminating the issues regarding theft and repair.

[@huntergibson9359]

I didn't know the cat was up in there. This is actually excellent news!

[@dlev]

Good to hear about the cat!

[@14bonanza]

My hybrid Maverick gets 48 mpg in town, without a tonneau cover, consistently. With the cover on, I consistently get 52 mpg in town. It works.

[@pstoneking3418]

That's a great difference in town. I'm sure the range difference would even be better out on the highway.

[@14bonanza]

@@pstoneking3418 .Will find out on my next vacation shortly

[@darthvader7010]

Dang 48mpg is amazing , I have 2018 f150 and it gets 19.1 mpg

[@gomcse]

Actually, the maverick tends to get worse mileage on freeways.

[@N8RTH]

I enjoy these vids, guys! The Mav appears to be a great little truck.

[@waylonjennings5063]

It’s not

[@Xerethane]

I have a Maverick XLT with the 2.0 on order with a tonneau cover. This makes me more glad I got it.

[@ryanbreton69]

Awesome video! Really gave me some insight and definitely sealed the deal for me. I’ll be getting a tonneau for sure once my Mav comes in!

[@jerryjeromehawkins1712]

Mythbusters covered this (no pun intended) years ago Ryan. Bed covers do nothing to raise MPGs... actually in some cases you will have worse fuel mileage.

[@ryanbreton69]

@@jerryjeromehawkins1712 I hear what you’re saying! But 1.) that was a different full size truck and 2.) I became speculative of some of their test methods many times. So their results are definitely not law.

[@pstoneking3418]

@@jerryjeromehawkins1712 I don't always agree with Mythbusters findings. Common sense says it's inevitable to get some wind resistance against the tailgate of your truck. It's called common sense. When I'm hauling sheets of drywall or paneling with my gate down, my range either increases a little or remains the same as not hauling anything. That tells me there must be tailgate wind resistance.

[@1drummer172]

Thank you! Nice looking truck.👍

[@h20bearboy65]

I do have the hybrid. I put 10K miles on it, average was 41.5. then added a tonneau cover. I'm at 21000 miles now - still 41.5 no noticeable difference in mileage. It is nice to have the cover for security , weatherproofing etc, - but for me - absolutely no difference in mileage.

[@mrmrlee]

I'd imagine the difference due to aerodynamics would be in highway driving only, since the hybrid gets it's best mileage in stop and go driving your results would make sense.

[@andyd5492]

On my F150's that tonneau cover was good for about 6% better mileage. Company claimed up to 10% but I was happy with the improvement. Of course, the more expensive the cover, the longer to pay it off.

[@pstoneking3418]

I was considering a cover anyway, this is a plus I thought I'd be getting, but wasn't sure about. This helps confirm the savings I might expect to get.

[@caddmann]

On my old 2003 frontier I noticed I got between 1 to 2 mpg extra with the bed over. Mind you it was on a much longer trips.

[@henrynoel494]

I thought the savings would be more than 5%, but what a great video. More interesting, especially to those who do mostly highway driving, is the better fuel economy of the EcoBoost over the hybrid at 72 MPH. My Lariat AWD is looking pretty good to me right now.

[@mrmrlee]

Seeing such great MPG makes me curious to see how my base model eco boost would do with a tonneau cover on the highway...With eco mode and front wheel drive only it's lighter and slightly more efficient so maybe there's a difference, maybe not.

[@humansustainability]

thanks for the test

[@milkbone1978]

Got the same truck😊 mine has cp360, mud flaps, fx4, 4K tow, full size spare, and drop in bed liner

[@1203jjt]

Why do you think random internet people want to know the specs on your truck?

[@pstoneking3418]

@@1203jjt Why did you feel you had to make that comment? Did you get any satisfaction from doing so? Just curious why some people do things like that.

[@davidcloyd1296]

I appreciated that, thanks!

[@johndaltroff2241]

Seems to me that the tonneau cover will eventually pay for itself. Impressed by the milage figures , especially since you didn't have the hybrid.

[@brianxcunningham]

Thanks!

[@pstoneking3418]

This is significant. I'll be getting a paragon tonneau cover for my lightning. A 5% increase for me will take me from 2.4 miles per kwh to 2.52 miles per kwh. Using my 131 kwh battery that's a range difference of 330.12 - 314.4 = 15.72 miles. That may not mean much to many, but when I can gain nearly 16 miles on a fillup and protect everything in my truck bed while doing it, that's great. Once I get my cover I'll be performing a similar test on my truck. I do like the paragon tonneau better than the roll up though. It takes up very little of the bed space.

[@oldriver1827]

The studies that support tonneau covers give 5% at 65 mph. Around 8 at 85 and negligible below 55.

[@GeorgeOu]

@@oldriver1827 Most people drive faster than 65, so they'll likely see around 7% difference. So instead of a $100 bill at the pump, now it's $93. That's $28/month or $364/year.

[@oldriver1827]

@@GeorgeOu That is 5% in drag not mileage. Which theoretically = about 1.1% or so increase in range. But then we have to throw that little problem of go faster to get the increase in DRAG REDUCTION which of course takes more energy per unit of distance. If you want a cover, get a cover. But in a perfect world using real numbers on a normal 5 day a week driver 10 years to pay for every $350 invested.

[@rcppop3090]

I love my maverick

[@peterwilson1699]

Thanks for the video. I'm here in Germany on the autobahn I run long distance at 83 mpg and av 30 with with cover and 25.7 without

[@DailyMotor]

That's cool, I didn't even know you got the Maverick in Germany.

[@tadinator1362]

I've seen 34 highway mpg with a simple soft roll-up. My conditions were in the midst of summer, high 80's, humid, and traversing through a hilly portion of southwestern NY. I didn't drive in an area where speeds could be maintained steadily, but with quite a few small towns with stop-and-go traffic, expressway stints, and curvy back roads. I certainly cannot complain coming from a Ram 1500 that would have only managed 24 mpg on the same route.

[@waynelake306]

My question is direction in travel out and back. It’s very probable that one direction was more into the wind and the other direction more with the wind. I find that a very big factor when watching mpg

[@Incrediblebowlesmodels]

I had the ranger with the 2.3 eco boost the best I could get without running ac at all was 28 in the city without a cover never got one because I averaged about 20 to 21 with ac on

[@papercut1987]

just got a trifold hard top for my xlt hybrid after a year of usage. I think the cabin noise also gets better with a cover, or the frequency is lowered? and the protection of course.

[@SerPurple51]

I took a Maverick for a test drive the other day and was pleasantly surprised with how well it drove. It was the hybrid power train. I'd personally prefer the 2.0 only because it comes with an actual transmission. Now just hope I can order one soon!

[@jamesm568]

I can't stand the hybrid, but that engine in the hybrid will outlast that 2.0L anyday. That 2.0L been coming back with engine water contamination add an alarming rate recently.

[@darkrulier]

Talk to your dealers. I was able to put $500 down for a preorder for a 2024. What that does is that the dealer will put in a order with Ford as soon as the next wave of orders open.

[@darkrulier]

@Steve Sherman I don't care, I rather do this and have a better chance with an order. Besides $500 today is nothing 😂. A high yield interest return checking account from ally bank is .25%. A .25% rate of return of $500 over 24 months is $30. Wow that dealer is banking!!! 😂

[@darkrulier]

@Steve Sherman thanks for caring so much about MY money. The thing is that I don't mind any of that. I already have a signed document by the manager stating the price will be at MSRP and I don't mind having $500 sitting there for a while. I rather do that than missing out on the next wave.

[@waynelake306]

I e been waiting 11 months and finally got a vin number. It will be just over a year I imagine before I finally take possession. Hope it’s worth the wait

[@mrmrlee]

Since gas pumps stop when they sense backpressure in the line, the cutoff point may be slightly different each fill up, hence it would be difficult to get an exact number, especially when talking about only a gallon or 2.

[@korybeckwith834]

Would it do better with a camper shell?

[@peterwilson1699]

We order them on base through MAS military Auto sales. It took 14 months or so for it to get here.

[@MrLandricHakon]

What dash cubby cell phone holder are you using? I just picked up my Maverick and I’m looking for something to do with the cubby.

[@DailyMotor]

The specific brand on Etsy isn't offered anymore, but I went on Etsy and searched Ford Maverick cubby.

[@wearethelandrovers9014]

I wonder how this pickup would do with a cab high shell on the back. I used to have an S-10 that got 30 MPG from the first tank of gas with a shell.

[@psdaengr911]

Bed length has a large impact on drag. Smaller bed, smaller cover, smaller advantage.

[@btwbrand]

11:24 Why does your comment exist.

[@pstoneking3418]

@@btwbrand I certainly don't have a problem with that comment. It just emphasizes the point that a longer bed may achieve even better results.

[@timothybinford61]

There has actually been several studies done showing Toneau covers, do not increase fuel economy

[@jerryjeromehawkins1712]

Yup... Mythbusters covered this.

[@oldriver1827]

Yeah i think a lot of these results are skewed by people driving different with the cover on.

[@jerryjeromehawkins1712]

@@oldriver1827 Agree. From what I remember it's something to do with turbulent wind in the bed actually creating a vortex that pushes the air flowing over the trucks cab upward. Anyone who's driven a pickup has seen a leaf or piece of paper in their mirror... bouncing around in the bed but never blowing away.

[@BillLaBrie]

@@oldriver1827 yep, when you pay $600 for something that’s supposed to save fuel, you tend to do what you can to help it along…

[@jeffeason853]

I have a Chevy 2500HD. I installed a bed topper about 19K miles ago. Before I had it my avg mpg over 32K miles was 13.9. Since I added the bed topper it has been 13.9 for the last 19K miles I didn't get the topper to increase my mpg which is good because it didn't.

[@pstoneking3418]

Maybe not so much, driving around town. But definitely increased range the faster you go. Wind resistance is a vehicles worse enemy.

[@DailyMotor]

Good point, I should have pointed out this mostly applies to highway driving

[@christophermathews7488]

How about driving with tailgate open, tonneau cover off?

[@jakes5530]

Nice video, can you test out the Ranger? (Non-tremor)

[@DailyMotor]

Probably not until Ford comes out with the new Ranger here. They aren't really promoting the current one.

[@tylerwatt12]

Random question. I assume this Maverick you guys bought/lease as a company vehicle. Do you expense these miles during testing to the IRS? If so, it's a pretty clever way to reduce your taxable income.

[@pstoneking3418]

They get paid by the miles driven, not the cost of the fuel, if it's anything like the federal government vehicle mileage reimbursement for wear on the vehicle.

[@tylerwatt12]

@@pstoneking3418 yea 62.5 cents per mile

[@poppyneese1811]

Didn’t find sane result on F150, my cover cost me about a half mile a gallon, Myth Busters did a study and found the cover hurt their fuel economy too, I was very surprised by your results. Still a great video enjoyed it a lot!

[@donanderson7456]

It isn't Air Dynamics it is a Vacuum thing, the area on the back of the cabin is decreased by almost half decreasing the vacuum from the air stream over the cabin with the cover rolled up. Years ago studies were made of this.

[@j.w.perkins6004]

Curious if leaving the tailgate down would improve milage even more?

[@Lifeof728]

No. That has been tested to death by now.

[@wt9653]

My Honda Ridgeline lost 1 mpg after putting on the Diamond Back bed cover. 😢

[@zombieotr]

I get about 2-3 more miles per gallon on my Tacoma with my cover down.

[@christopherdimotsis1024]

To get a good reading you really need to do this test several times a day to confirm…. In the engineering world you need to be able to repeat a test at least 3-5 times with repeatable conditions to solidly says it’s better because for instance wind direction can change in a matter of minutes and also when you behind other cars you also improve efficiency.…. But that being said anything the covers dead space or smooths airflow around a car going 60mph and above will improve efficiency due to reducing drag…. So it’s understandable it should help but your fueling method would work better if you doubled that distance to increase your possible spread of data to see a good average…. Just tips for the future.

[@pstoneking3418]

I'm not too sure about using fuel usage as a measuring factor. Different pumps shutoff different levels, and having nozzle down into fill port, the speed the fuel flowing into the gas tank varies from pump to pump which can cause different shut-offs. Too many variables to deal with. If you have a vehicle mpg indicator should be more accurate form of measuring mileage range. I do agree about performing these test several times to ensure consistency. One time with & without tonneau cover just isn't a good test. However as you mentioned without cover there has to be more wind resistance. Which is the (main) factor when it comes to mileage range.

[@christopherdimotsis1024]

@@pstoneking3418 I won’t disagree that you can get inconsistent with different fill ups but if your returning and starting from the same pump every time you can mostly consider that consistent for testing purposes. also in general if you increased the distance driven you’d see a larger spread in the fuel consumption when trying to test for fuel efficiency…. I’ve found when testing under body panels on my own car it’s best at night with less people around and less impedance on constant driving speed… plus something to do if I couldn’t sleep

[@christopherdimotsis1024]

Also fuel usage can be measured as in the engineering world we go by mass flow rates and mass consumption as it can then be converted to many units. (MPG , L/100km)

[@mantiscity]

What app is that on the phone

[@nedvincentbazinkle926]

Maybe rather than rolling the cover up, it would have been better to remove it so as to provide the benefit of decreased weight to the no tonneau cover group. Just a thought that might yield a better comparison. Love your videos, thx

[@pstoneking3418]

Good point. And you never can be sure if the rolled up cover didn't still cause any wind resistance.

[@yamahaSHO]

Identical weight is ideal in testing any aero benefits. Rolling it up vs putting it in the bed could 'potentially' have a difference.

[@sherlockbonez]

I like to lock my stuff up and never drove one without a cab or hard tonneau.

[@timothybruggeman9332]

The difference will not be so pronounced if the majority of the driving you do is around town low speed driving. Wind (air) resistance varies with the square of the speed, so the resistance is much higher as the speed increases (double the speed, quadruple the air resistance, not to mention rolling resistance of the tires which also increases with speed.) I'll probably get a tonneau cover, but fuel economy won't be the driving factor in that decision.

[@TalkingHands308]

The thing about the tests that use the amount of fuel being filled before it automatically stops is that it can very when that happens due to several factors. One is how much the gas is "frothing" when you're filling, and then there's also the aspect of slight differences in how deep you're inserting the nozzle while filling...

[@cjgrimes7531]

My Hybrid is steady at 43MPG with Tonneau cover.

[@DailyMotor]

That's awesome

[@Georgeqaws]

Im lucky to get 15 mpg in my 2009 F150 that is lifted and leveled by 2 inches...

[@96stangGt210]

I have an eco boost and the best mpg I get is 24.9. Why?

[@justinmitchell9262]

Me too.. I usually run 91 or 93 octane. Tires and pressure may be a factor also. It's probably more my foot, though 😅

[@bruceeigsti5274]

I have a soft cover if someone wants to slice it have fun i never nor would i ever store anything in the bed of the truck

[@Patrick-zj5jp]

Nice video. I suspect that driving with the tailgate lowered or down will yield the same results. The tailgate causes the truck to be less aerodynamic.

[@denisewildfortune4058]

The Mythbusters did an episode on this, along with others. Tailgate down is worse than up. With the tailgate up, the air is dammed up, creating a high-pressure zone that allows airflow from the cab roof to flow above the bed. With the tailgate down, air can spill into the bed and over the gate creating drag vortices under it, thus requiring more fuel to maintain speed. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGTEonuYeZKCb6c

[@the305hauler]

@@denisewildfortune4058 I was just going to say that, 👊😁👍🇺🇲

[@EdwardFielding]

@@denisewildfortune4058 Plus your stuff falls out the back. ;-)

[@pstoneking3418]

@@denisewildfortune4058 I'd say many truck owners definitely disagree with that Mythbusters findings. Driving with tailgate down is hard on the sides of the truck, yet many people drive this way for better fuel economy.

[@Patrick-zj5jp]

@@denisewildfortune4058 I can see how that may be true. Since the Maverick has a short bed, it may be worthwhile to track the mileage with the tailgate up, partially down and fully down.

[@mybui7166]

How much brother?

[@805gregg]

you can do the same thing by just opening the tailgate and driving with it down, at no cost

[@melvinhunt6976]

They look good but Don’t make much difference. In the seventies, guys would put the tail gate down to help with mileage. I did it with my F100, and it helped about 1-2 miles per gallon if you were on the expressway for a 50 mile stint! It just is what it is! We do away with a V8(Toyota Tundra), and get 1-2 mpg better? They’re Pickups and my 2.7 eco boost gets maybe 3 miles per gallon better mileage. They’re Pickups! They all get 2/3 times better mileage than in the seventies and l happen to believe that is pretty good!

[@Jesussaidhewillreturn]

Too short a distance to get an accurate reading on when the pump stops.

[@sflscott11]

Trip computers lie to make you feel better.

[@georgeniksich1152]

My 13 f150 was more stable at 80mph and above with cover. Mpg same. My Maverick same.

[@georgeniksich1152]

Same mpg

[@bikebudha01]

Yeah, but this only really helps gas mileage at highway speeds. Won't do jack in town...

[@tvdinner325]

Staying under 56 mph works. Myth-Busters did this years ago.

[@yamahaSHO]

That doesn't exacerbate the aerodynamic test being done here.

[@tvdinner325]

@@yamahaSHO They did this test with a tonneau, without one, tailgate open...closed etc. Speed is the only thing that matters. A rehash of old material, yawn.

[@yamahaSHO]

@@tvdinner325 The test was about tonneau cover aerodynamics...

[@tvdinner325]

@@yamahaSHO Yes I know. The aerodynamic problem with a truck, is the vertical surface of the rear window. No tonneau will change that. Did you you buy one expecting better gas mileage?

[@yamahaSHO]

@@tvdinner325 So you're commenting on something that wasn't part of the test. We can go all damn day doing that... I bought a cover to keep my stuff dry and out of sight. I think the videos I have on channel indicate that fuel mileage isn't my biggest concern. ;)

[@werkspartsllc7856]

The only measurement that matters is the manual input of gallons used for distance. Too many variables in the dash readout and that makes this video a bit of misinformation. Too many studies find that tonneau covers do make make a measurable improvement in fuel economy.

[@Hallowsaw]

Problem is fords have so many recalls, can we actually trust them?

[@DailyMotor]

So many brands have recalls-I'd rather have a potential passenger side airbag not inflate properly than my transmission not work properly (Santa Cruz recall). Also, at least when they issue recalls, they're fixing an issue rather than just letting it go or making the customer fit the bill. I'm not a Ford defender, I think they make a lot of stupid decisions and I don't think they're very reliable, but I don't find recalls to be the big issue.

[@Hallowsaw]

@@DailyMotor a recall is an indication of having poor build quality and ford is at the top of the list with recalls. I agree hyndai is having dct issues and i dont think either vehicle is a good option. But people cannot deny, ALL usa branded vehicles are poorly built compared to Japanese competition. I mean Ford cannot even get paint right. That is basic cars 101. I know people who have flaked off paint at 70k miles on their fords. I have a 2006 toyota that still has no paint deterioration... little faded but not chipped or rusting out

[@poppyneese1811]

@@Hallowsaw how’s that Toyota frame holding up, a frame that ain’t rusted out at 4 years is really truck building 101, make my Azz hurt after owning 2 Tacomas my 2017 F150 has no frame rust, no comparison in comfort, better fuel economy and not the first problem with 82k of course thy sale about 800,000 more units a year than Toyota, no wonder Toyota copied Ford in so many ways with their new truck

[@Hallowsaw]

@@poppyneese1811 i mean its a 2006 and its still passing safety inspections so... only issue i have had was an ac condenser. Also its not a truck. If you have a frame rusting out on your car/truck you are most likely not taking care of it. All 3 of my vehicles are pretty much all steel underneath and 2 are ove 10 years old. Neither have rust. Its called wash your car after driving through salt and water... thats owner neglect, not the manufacturers fault.

[@buddy9577]

EVERY MANUFACTURER HAS RECALLS

[@chimmon19]

Where were you able to find a maverick for that price! I’m trying to get one but all dealers want an arm a kidney for it 😢😅

[@DailyMotor]

Got in before the shortage

[@trishaleaver3581]

Trucks have an 8ft bed. They just do🙃

[@mmahtnart8986]

Either the truck has no automatic phone charging pad, or your phone wouldn't charge in the case. Come in?

[@torres870rem]

Any new car is good with no mallige. Try that at 60k.

[@DailyMotor]

K tune in in 5 years.

[@ericbryant796]

$1,200 for a cover? That's nuts for the average owner IMO.

[@DailyMotor]

To get the security of the SentryCT, you gotta pay. There are much cheaper ones that can be cut through.

[@ericbryant796]

@@DailyMotor Maybe so, but I'd would never leave anything of value in my truck bed. But if you keep tools back there I can see it making sense...still seems like expensive insurance when a vinyl top can be had for $150.

[@justinkepple8940]

You went off of the dash readout…. Not a true mpg calculation. Those fords are notorious for being 10% off on the dash. I would know my last 4 f150s have all suffered from this omission

[@itsatoolthing6323]

Can't believe your math is way off. You should factor in the fuel economy of the tow truck that will probably doing the bulk of the mileage over the life of the Ford. 🤣

[@DailyMotor]

Lmao, you got me on that one

[@jamesm568]

I don't think bed covers make much of a difference on modern trucks these days.

[@gregoryfaulkner5345]

Sixty miles using a highly economic vehicle tells us little to nothing. It is way too easy to induce error just in top up variability alone. Using a sixty mile trip, you'd have to conduct open and closed tests about five times each on the same day to learn anything real on this tonneau factor. Additionally, your claim that the trip computer versus the pump for FE accuracy cannot be concluded by these two very low-data-input tests; and the assumption for the relationships with each other cannot be assumed by these low-data tests. In my experience with multiple vehicles; calculating near full tank-to-tank mpg for most tanks for months and even years, most pumps are very consistent as compared to vehicle trip computers. The main thing to check here for as-accurate-mpg-tests-as-possible is the vehicle trip error versus a GPS, and that will vary mostly by tires if there are multiple brands of tires or tire/wheel sizes for the same vehicle; but I've found that their is always a trip meter error for miles driven from 1.1% to almost 10% that will measure out fairly consistently on multiple long distance tests. I've seen that error go both directions, but always a consistent result. The thing to watch for on this test, however, is that some GPS without tenth-of-mile readouts often flip over to that first mile when they reach .5 mile. So you have to account for that when comparing one to the other.

[@reg428]

This myth was tackled by myth busters several years ago. Open bed with tailgate closed, gets best gas mileage

[@jimfigler7416]

stop moving your hands, OMG

[@alexanderscott2567]

Going a whole 60 miles for data is all scientific and stuff!

[@keithkimbrell8616]

Just one test with the cover on and off does not answer the question. You need to run multiple tests and average the results. Boring . Yes, but more accurate.

[@davechavis4275]

junk truck, already recalls. never ford again.