Lowering drag coefficient by 14.8%?

[Firestop]

It would seem that a regular tonneau cover would accomplish a lot by itself. Here's something that says it's close to 6%.

https://www.agricover.com/downloads/pdf/2007_windtunnel.pdf

Interesting. So after digesting the video and the written Study, am I safe to take away that after installing a flat bedcover alone, we’ll see ~4-6% reduction in drag depending on the model vs an actual test; and, that reduction in drag will translate to ~1.4-1.8% in “fuel” efficiency?

If so, that tells me adding a flat cover on the Lightning isn’t really going to have much of a range impact on an individual trip (~4.5-5 miles). Getting a cover is really about “protecting“ the cargo in the bed…which I’m ok with…. Use of a bed cover will save you “fuel” over time (life of ownership…and thus, save money), but is negligible in helping extend your range on any individual trip……

My take away is based on the following, if I’m getting it correct:

Looking at the Air Shaper video on YouTube, and reading the viewer comments, a viewer asked Air Shaper the question about the efficiency effect of installing a flat bed cover. Air Shaper responded that they ran their model (2021 F-150) using that scenario and it yielded a 4% drag reduction.

The Agricover PDF notes they tested a 2006 F-150 5.5 bed with a flat cover in a wind tunnel and observed a 5.7% drag reduction. The paper further noted this drag reduction would yield ~1.8% increase in fuel efficiency based on the estimated 3% increase with a 10% drag reduction.

Both testers noted truck travel speed changes had a negligible impact on changes in the measured drag on their F-150 “tests”.

Thoughts?

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[Lightning_Bob]

Additional information about Aero/Slant back caps for pickups:
https://ecomodder.com/blog/aerocaps-for-pick-up-trucks/

Scroll to the bottom and it shows DIY examples folks made and their results.....some nicer looking than others....


...this one looks the most cost effective diy (1/2" metal conduit & 4mm film) and not too horrible on impacting visibility....not so sure on the life span of the film...but should be easily re-skinable....on an 01' F250 lariat from 16mpg to 19mpg...
https://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/f-250-7-3-4wd-light-aerocap-12573.html

 

[EVben]

Man I may be being dense today but if there are solutions that give 2-3mpg, that seems significant.

will be cool to see the tests, maybe we have a new myth to bust

 

[Lightning_Bob]

Man I may be being dense today but if there are solutions that give 2-3mpg, that seems significant.

will be cool to see the tests, maybe we have a new myth to bust

Potentially more impactful for a Lightning.... If an 01' F250 went from 16mpg to 19mpg and this was the only mod done to it and it wasn't driven differently or in much different conditions - that is a 18-19% range increase...if that translates directly to EV range - that would boost the EPA range of the standard battery from 230 miles to 270 miles and the extended from 320 miles to 380 miles....so in real world highway usage (70mph-ish) should bump the standard battery from 180 miles to 214 miles and the extended battery from 234 miles to 278 miles....

//update
Thinking more about it - the 01' F250 probably doesn't have the aero tweaks the Gen 14 trucks have... like that wider lip on the tailgate that helps tremendously with drag (from that video in this thread with a wind tunnel)...even so, a slanted back should have some measurable benefits - with results most likely resembling the Aero analysis based on the full body scan of an 2021 F150 from the OP video...so probably closer to a real world 6-7% range increase... time for experimentation....won't be getting mine until 2023 at best - someone who got or is getting a 2022 - take the reigns!

 

[EVben]

I could see that being useful if it was fairly inexpensive and could be incorporated in existing tonneau and just folded up or motorized to deploy for long trips.

even if it’s just a novelty accessory could be cool, Kickstarter time

 

[sotek2345]

I could see that being useful if it was fairly inexpensive and could be incorporated in existing tonneau and just folded up or motorized to deploy for long trips.

even if it’s just a novelty accessory could be cool, Kickstarter time

Yeah - convenience is the biggest thing. It needs to be as easy to take off as a typical 3-fold tonneau - or at least not that much harder/time consuming

 

[GuyInVA]

This entire video is pretty fascinating - it takes a thorough full body scan of a stock F-150 scan and does aero analysis on what could be done to reduce drag/increase mpg - however this one section of the video stuck out as something that seems easily (but costly) way to net a 14.8% reduction in drag:




Not sure how one would properly calculate the impact on range for this type of bed cover....but if going by the video and assuming if one did all the mods (some of which ford has already done with the lighning - ie more aerodynamic wheels, smoother bottom) and netting 26% reduction in drag equated to 12% increase in range - doing this one thing of adding a slant/aero bed cover yields a 14.8% reduction in drag - this should yield a 6-7% increase in range...so an standard range battery would go from 230 miles to 245 miles, and the extended range would go from 320 miles to 340 miles...

This seems really tempting to try out until seeing there really is only one group manufacturing a slant/aero back for pickups, and it is pretty costly ($4,500):
https://www.mivehiclesolutions.com/products/aero-x-f-150

If anyone tries this out - please post your findings! ;-)

Surprised this hasn't been mentioned before:
https://www.thedrive.com/news/26381...f-150-fastback-is-real-and-yes-you-can-buy-it

Pretty much an upsized Mustang fastback topper.

 

[Lightning_Bob]

Surprised this hasn't been mentioned before:
https://www.thedrive.com/news/26381...f-150-fastback-is-real-and-yes-you-can-buy-it

Pretty much an upsized Mustang fastback topper.

....yeah.... because this exact item was in the original post...with a link to ordering page.....

... there really is only one group manufacturing a slant/aero back for pickups, and it is pretty costly ($4,500):
https://www.mivehiclesolutions.com/products/aero-x-f-150

 

[gorwell]

You all w/ the extended ranges overpaid....

My standard range is going to go 400+ miles and all it has to look like is:

 

[Lightning_Bob]

You all w/ the extended ranges overpaid....

My standard range is going to go 400+ miles and all it has to look like is:

Liking the front mods and smart use of a turbo/supercharger hood!

Needs more taper/boat tail....

 

[GuyInVA]

....yeah.... because this exact item was in the original post...with a link to ordering page.....

My mistake. Obviously, I didn't check out your link...skimming the article.

Mea Culpa.

 

[ShirBlackspots]

Here's something to consider
-- I see the Ecomodder link has already been shared.

 

[GoodSam]

I have ordered an ARE MX series topper/cap. It should be available shortly after I take delivery of my Lightning this month (4/18 build week). … will test the mileage before and after

Looks good. Will they match your truck color? What options & price? Will the bed camera have a view? thx!

 

[blpublic]

Looks good. Will they match your truck color? What options & price? Will the bed camera have a view? thx!

Yes, they are matching the paint. $3,180. I’m not sure about the camera.

 

[Texas Dan]

Now i want to know how much improvement for folding the mirrors in.

Interesting post. I’m wondering if Bluecruise will still work if the mirrors are folded. The F150L has really big mirrors and you really don’t need mirrors if Bluecruise is doing the driving.

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