Quote:
Originally Posted by 98frontier
I installed a fiberglass camper shell on my truck a few months ago and have not recorded any noticeable increase or decrease in gas mileage, in theory, should my shell/topper help or hurt my gas mileage and aerodynamics? My truck is a 1998 nissan frontier king cab XE.
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So far,only one report,a 2009 Masters Thesis,by Feysal Ahmed Adem reported an mpg loss when a 'traditional' camper shell was installed on a pickup.
Other reports and testimonials claimed modest improvements.
The added weight could aggravate urban mpg.
On the open road any weight addition from the shell would be a wash with respect to mpg.The reduced rear lift offered by a shell would be an inducement to keep it even if it did nothing for mpg.
Every pickup should be considered on a case specific basis.