For pickup trucks on the highway, about 60% of all the energy they consume comes from aerodynamic drag according to SAE research from 2023. This happens mainly because of the turbulence generated when driving with an open truck bed. The air moving over these empty spaces forms what looks like a low pressure vortex, kind of like a big invisible parachute behind the vehicle. Ford did some tests in their wind tunnels and found that this phenomenon actually makes fuel consumption go up between 7 and 12 percent when going 65 miles per hour, as opposed to when the bed is properly covered.
The drag coefficient (Cd) measures a vehicle's aerodynamic efficiency, with modern pickups averaging 0.45–0.55 Cd. Threefold pickup truck back covers improve this metric by 15–20% (NHTSA 2022) through three key mechanisms:
Field tests demonstrate threefold covers reduce air resistance by 550 Newtons at 70 mph–equivalent to removing a 4×8 ft plywood sheet from the roof (UTAC 2023). The trifold design achieves this through patent-pending airflow channels that accelerate air over the bed, preventing turbulent separation at the tailgate.
Single panel covers tend to create turbulence around their edges, but the three part design of this pickup truck cover works differently. The segmented structure actually follows principles similar to how airplane wings function aerodynamically. Each third of the cover redirects air downwards in sequence, which cuts down on boundary layer separation by almost 40% compared to regular flat covers according to research from WSU Aerolab back in 2023. What makes this design stand out is how it keeps smooth airflow going for nearly three times longer than other truck covers on the market. For anyone who cares about fuel efficiency or just wants their truck looking sleek while driving down the highway, these performance improvements make a real difference.
Tests have shown that when trucks are equipped with these three panel bed covers instead of leaving their beds open, they experience about an 18% reduction in wind resistance. According to research published by SAE International last year, this actually makes a real difference at the gas pump too. Drivers can expect around 5 to 9% better mileage on highways when going over 55 miles per hour. What makes these covers work so well is how they're designed. The multiple panels fold together to create much smoother air flow over the vehicle, cutting down what engineers call the drag coefficient or Cd. And get this from the US Department of Energy report from 2024 - almost half of all fuel used during highway driving comes down to just this drag factor alone.
Fleet operators report median fuel savings of 3.4% across 8,000 miles annually when using threefold covers–equivalent to 71 gallons saved per truck yearly at current diesel prices. Long-haul drivers note the most pronounced benefits:
| Driving Condition | MPG Improvement | Data Source |
|---|---|---|
| Highway (65 mph) | 6.2% | Commercial Fleet Analysis |
| City/Stop-and-Go | 1.8% | Owner Self-Reports |
These figures align with aerodynamic modeling showing turbulence reduction behind the cab accounts for 92% of total fuel savings (Transportation Research Board 2023).
Rigid tonneau covers do offer slightly better Cd values, around 0.02 to 0.04 points lower than their soft counterparts. But don't overlook the threefold designs either since they still hold onto about 98% of that aerodynamic benefit thanks to those tight tension-sealed panels. What really sets these apart though is how easy they are to work with. Soft folding models let people get into their truck beds nearly half a second quicker than the hard ones, which makes all the difference when someone needs to grab something quickly or adjust cargo multiple times during the day. And here's the kicker they actually manage airflow just as well while being so much more convenient for everyday driving situations where constant loading and unloading becomes part of the routine.
This three part pickup truck cover combines good airflow with real world usefulness. The way it's built gets rid of those annoying sticking out corners and messy air pockets that create resistance, so there's less wind drag but still total access to whatever's in the truck bed. People who drive these trucks find they can switch from carrying big items to just driving on the road without having to choose between one thing or another. That's something most standard single piece covers just cant do because they have to be taken off completely whenever someone wants to load anything tall inside.
The segmented panels equipped with precision hinges let the cover fold straight up towards the cab area while maintaining most of the original airflow shape even when only half open. Traditional roll up covers tell a different story though they tend to bulge outwards when pulled back creating unnecessary drag. Looking at recent wind tunnel testing results shows something interesting about these three part designs. They keep drag coefficients within just under 2% difference whether completely shut or partially opened at around 50%. Compare that to regular roll up systems where drag jumps anywhere from 6 to 8 percent when not fully extended. These kinds of differences really add up over time for vehicle performance.
| Feature | Threefold Cover | Roll-Up Cover | Solid Cover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drag Reduction | 18–22% (closed) | 14–17% (closed) | 15–20% (closed) |
| Access Convenience | Partial/full opening | Full open only | Requires removal |
| Security | Hard-shell locking | Soft material | Full bed obstruction |
Pickup truck back covers with three sections beat out other options because they're built right. They need less upkeep compared to those sliding mechanisms, keep water out better than simple roll up covers, and make getting stuff in and out much easier than completely solid designs. Makes sense really. According to a survey from Automotive Accessories in 2023, around two thirds of truck owners went with these foldable systems when looking at both practicality and day to day usefulness. Most folks just want something that works without constant hassle.
The amount of gas saved by putting a bed cover on a pickup truck depends mostly on how someone drives, what kind of truck they have, and which cover they choose. Research indicates that when drivers speed up too fast or go over 65 miles per hour, this can eat up around 20 to 30 percent of the fuel used in big trucks according to MDPI in 2022. Companies that teach their drivers how to drive more efficiently tend to get about 15% better mileage than those who don't bother with such training as noted by ScienceDirect last year. For trucks that aren't very aerodynamic (those with drag coefficients above 0.45), adding a good quality bed cover makes a real difference. And interestingly enough, newer trucks equipped with cylinder deactivation tech actually save even more fuel when these covers are installed properly.
Today's three-part folding structures often incorporate aircraft quality aluminum or advanced composites, which keeps their total weight around 40 pounds max. That's comfortably beneath the 2% fuel efficiency drop mark when extra weight is added to vehicles. When cruising on highways, the wind resistance improvements from less turbulence actually make up for any small weight gain. The lighter build really matters in urban settings too. Stop-and-go traffic eats away at fuel economy, especially since heavier vehicles require more energy each time they accelerate from a stop sign or red light. Lighter materials help combat these efficiency drains in daily commutes.
When there are gaps between a truck cover and the bed itself, it creates swirling air patterns called vortices which can boost drag forces somewhere around 12 to maybe even 18 percent. Threefold pickup truck covers tackle this problem with special gasketed seams and adjustable clamps that keep everything sealed tight even when temperatures change throughout the day. The result? No more air getting sucked into the bed area where it causes those annoying pressure differences. And we all know what happens next - that dreaded parachute effect kicks in, making our trucks work harder and burn more gas especially when driving at highway speeds. Pretty frustrating if you ask me.
Research has shown that those three panel truck bed covers actually improve gas mileage on highways by around 5 to 7 percent when going over 50 miles per hour. This was confirmed during wind tunnel testing back in 2021 by SAE International. What makes these covers so good for fuel economy? They get rid of what's called the parachute effect. When a truck bed is left open, it creates all sorts of turbulence in the air behind the vehicle, which basically slows things down. Three panel designs work better because they fit snugly against the truck cab, creating a smoother airflow. Tests found this design cut down on drag by about 0.08 points in the drag coefficient measurement compared to trucks without any cover at all.
The fuel savings just aren't there during those constant stops and starts typical of city traffic since aerodynamics matter much less in these situations. According to some recent studies from the Transportation Research Institute back in 2023, drivers only saw about a half percent better mileage at best in urban settings. And let's not forget about those heavier duty tri fold models either. We're talking units that tip the scales past 80 pounds, which really eats into any efficiency improvements because of all that extra weight. What truly kills performance though is when people don't install covers properly or they start to wear out over time. Air leaks through faulty seals completely undo whatever aerodynamic advantages these systems were supposed to provide in the first place.
A threefold pickup truck back cover primarily improves fuel efficiency by reducing aerodynamic drag, potentially giving drivers a 5-9% improvement in fuel economy on highways.
The threefold design follows aerodynamic principles similar to airplane wings, reducing turbulence by redirecting air downwards in sequence, which significantly cuts down boundary layer separation compared to single panel covers.
Threefold covers are generally lightweight, often made from materials like aircraft quality aluminum, and the minimal added weight is usually offset by the aerodynamic benefits they provide.
Rigid tonneau covers offer slightly lower drag coefficients but threefold soft models provide comparable aerodynamic benefits while being more convenient for frequent access.
The benefit can vary based on the truck's model, driving habits, and prevailing speeds but generally, trucks with higher drag coefficients gain more from adding a quality cover.
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