Bed Cap or Roll up while hauling?

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xb1230

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So I am about to go on vacation for 2 weeks hauling a camping trailer.
18 feet hybrid camper if you wonder.

I currently have my Bed Cap on the truck, and was wondering which would be better to have on the truck while hauling from a an MPG perspective and mostly truck effort.

Would the cap raise the airflow enough to ease the drag from the Camper or would it be better to let the truck's "aerodynamics" (for whatever aerodynamics a pickup has...) and the scanted camper front do their own thing?

I know that if I am not towing the Cap creates more drag than the roll-up cover. But hauling a camper may change the equation.

Thanks for any tips.
 

usaf2006

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In my mind, I would think that having the cap on the truck would help move the air up and over the trailer...
 

07MegaCabRam

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You can do a hard cover on the bed if you want. There is a pocket of swirling air and that air helps throw the air up and over the front of the camper..

Similar to the "Myth Busters" show when they showed the trucks in the wind tunnel with and without tailgates. And if you haven't seen that... keep them tailgates up!!
 

usaf2006

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I read an article about aerodynamics that had quotes from someone heading up that department over at RAM. They said that a soft tonneau cover is best for aerodynamics (as far as covers go), and even step bars help reduce drag. Rather interesting I though.
 
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xb1230

xb1230

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...Similar to the "Myth Busters" show when they showed the trucks in the wind tunnel with and without tailgates.

I saw that episode, and knew about the tailgate up thing. However with a camper int he back it might be a little different. Might just keep the cap on just because it is easier than taking it off...

I read an article about aerodynamics that had quotes from someone heading up that department over at RAM. They said that a soft tonneau cover is best for aerodynamics (as far as covers go), and even step bars help reduce drag. Rather interesting I though.

I would have never guessed about the Step Bars...

Thank's to both of you for your input.
 
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