i'd have to think that no bedcover w/tailgate down... has to be faster than with the bedcover on. if u think about it

 

get back with us after u try that out.... this is an interesting info...

 

The last time I was at a trac rental I made 7 runs.
All plenty of time to cool down.
I was never able to beat my time when I had the cover on. Even after screwing with the shocks and caltrac bars. I believe the tonneau helped the tires hook.I ran it with no tailgate no tonneau and it was sideways each shift.
Im running 305 nittop drags, Caltracs and Qa1 shocks, 3000 str stall, etc..
The Tonneau is a Fibernetic Hard cover. It was a small company that I don't think make them anymore. It's pretty heavy But I have never weighed it. My guess is prolly 100-125.
race weight with me is 4230
I wouldn't say this would be the case with everyone but I certianly like the fact I don't have to remove the dam thing.

 

.........about the effects of running with the tailgate up or down for gas mileage. It turns out you hurt mpg with the gate down, and it's worse with a net.
The air forms a pressure bubble causing the air over the roof to go over the tail gate or not hit it as hard as one would think. With the gate down the air puts additiona weight on the truck thus burning more fuel.
Light weight bed covers are the only improvment.

study1

Gear Ratio vs. mpg study

 

dont forget about that that one thing that attaches to ur bed and at a certain speed lets it down a lil bit. It was a SEMA and won all kinds of awards

 

My snug top is 98#'s