Topper Questions - MPG effect

[SteelWheelDeplorable]

I gained about 2-3mpg

Sponsored

 

[CP0861]

I've got an ARE MX (mid rise) on my SuperCab. I leveled the front 0.85" with Bilstein 5100's added heavier stock size tires, and a topper all over the same tank. I think the topper made up for the other two losses. I am still getting 21.5/22 @80, and 24/25 on the 65mph winding colorado roads. I paid $2800 including tax at Suburban Toppers in Denver, have folding front window, and win-doors on both sides, and carpeted headliner. The RSI SmartCap was initially on my list, but its beyond expensive for what it is, not THAT much lighter, and personally I think the fiberglass cap looks so much better, and provides a much more "slim" profile in terms of air drag.

I think I'm also going with the 5100's like you did. I'd like to bring up the front just a bit and improve the ride. From what I read here, I think I'll be happier with different shocks. I drive quite a bit...20k miles a year on completely flat roads and about 50% highway. I'm hoping for 25ish mpg with the top, front up 0.85 or maybe an inch, and stock tires.

 

[CP0861]

Topper finally came in and was installed yesterday. I can feel a difference in driving and handling....not huge, but it is noticeable. I like it...feels a bit tighter. I filled the tank right after I had it installed and hit the trip meter so I can hand calc the first tank. ARE CX

 

[JalanX]

Topper finally came in and was installed yesterday. I can feel a difference in driving and handling....not huge, but it is noticeable. I like it...feels a bit tighter. I filled the tank right after I had it installed and hit the trip meter so I can hand calc the first tank. ARE CX

Looks great. Interested in your mpg with it. I have same color tremor & that’s the exact topper I’d want. Any pics of the back by any chance?

 

[CP0861]

Looks great. Interested in your mpg with it. I have same color tremor & that’s the exact topper I’d want. Any pics of the back by any chance?

Thanks! So far, so good.....I've only burnt maybe 1/4 of a tank so far, and the trip meter is reading 26.5 mpg. The last couple of times I've hand calculated, it's been about 1.0 mpg lower. So right now, I'm probably at about 25.5 mpg....hopefully that continues for the tank. Before the topper, I was regularly getting 22.5-24.0 mpg.

I'll get more pics.

Here's another topper thread.....look for message #327. He has the same color...Tremor...with this cap also.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/topper-shell.1212/page-22#post-326751

 

[CP0861]

Got the topper and truck both washed for the first time today. I forgot to remove the antenna, but luckily, it didn't hurt it.

Checked inside the topper after I got back to work from the car wash....some water around the base of the tailgate, but aside from that, all nice and dry.

MPG is down to 24 something, but I've idled so much this tank, it's thrown off. Lots of short trips also. Not quite normal usage for me. It's better overall...as much as I can tell from the first tank anyway. It's hovering higher than normal pre-topper. I'll hand calc the first few tanks.

 

[DonB]

I think I'm leaning towards a top. I play and coach a ton of softball and I'd like to be able to leave all my equipment in the back most of the time. I'm thinking that all the in and out with a tonneau would get old pretty quickly as much as I'd be in and out of the bed, plus I can't carry my pitching machines with a hard cover. I also really like the look and it opens up the possibility of using it to camp out of, which is something I can see myself getting into in a few years when my kids are grown and gone.

I've searched through here (very helpful) and looked at countless pics and models. I've got a couple questions I haven't seen specifically addressed in other threads:

I'm a bit of a MPG geek. Nothing crazy or extreme, but I drive a few more miles than most and would rather improve efficiency whenever possible versus decreasing it (which will probably prevent me from leveling it). With that being said, I've read about slight MPG increases with hard covers. I'm wondering if anyone checked their MPG before/after adding a top? Any noticeable differences? I gotta think the improved air flow negates the little bit of extra weight. Speaking of weight, does it maybe improve the ride slightly, or nah?

Also, I priced an ARE Z2 and CX. I was quoted about $3700 for the Z2 and about $1k less for the CX. I also like one of the Leer models, the 100 something or other, but I haven't priced them yet. Out of Century, Leer, ARE, Jericho, are any of them significantly cheaper than the others? Just curious if anyone else has found a "bargain" (yes, I know that's laughable these days) brand/model for these Rangers before I start searching far and wide for various dealers. I like the aesthetic of the Z2 the best, but for $1k less, I think the CX looks great also. I don't need many bells and whistles....sliding side windows, dome light and keyless entry (depending on $)....that's it. Did anyone else do an extensive "best bang for the buck" kind of search?

TIA

On my 2015 Ram, a bedcover, not a topper, added about 1-2mpg, no question. The airflow improved in a big way.

 

[AvockAdoo]

Mine is the ARE MX Mid Rise topper. I added heaver tires and a 0.85" Bilstein level at the same time, and noticed absolutely 0 difference in MPG. Still getting 24-25 around Colorado Highways, 20ish going 80 with any headwind.

I notice that my MPG goes down 1-2 when I have my 1UPUSA Bike rack & two bikes on the back, nothing from the topper though.

 

[JohnnyO]

Ranch is a decent quality lower cost unit. I had one on my old Sport Trac, only used it in the winter, used a tonneau in the summer. The windows aren’t smooth and flush like a Leer or ARE but they cost a good bit less. I got mine used, only because units for Sport Tracs are rare, the color matched, and the price was right. Quality of the paint and fiberglass was perfectly fine. You may need to get a third brake light module from Amazon to get the cap’s brake light to work right. Costs about $20. I picked up 1-2 mpg on the highway. The aero is better but you’re adding a couple hundred pounds.

Sponsored