Improving Gas Mileage in a Pickup Truck

One of my friends is unfortunate enough to be driving a pickup truck around right now. It's her only car, and she has an average commute back and forth to work, so gas prices are really hurting her. So when my brother-in-law started talking recently about getting a pickup truck or an SUV, I warned him off of it right away, telling him about how much money my friend spends on gas.

You definitely shouldn't be considering buying a pickup truck right now, but if you already drive one there are pickup truck accessories available that can help to improve your gas mileage. If you have no commuter car and no way (or desire) to get out of your pickup and into a more fuel efficient car, every little bit helps.

For example, tonneau covers are a great inexpensive way to improve your gas mileage. The reason is this: The open bed of a pickup truck creates wind resistance, primarily because of the tailgate. Covering the bed prevents wind from getting in there and slowing you down, meaning that your truck doesn't have to work as hard to maintain its speed. Another option is to replace your tailgate with a net, which allows air to flow straight through.

There are also some truck accessories that create wind resistance, worsening your gas mileage. For example, things like bug shields and ventshades create some drag, and by many accounts can cause your gas mileage to go down by 1 or 2 percent. This may not seem like much, but believe me, when gas is around $4 a gallon it's noticeable!

Of course, the best thing may be to get a car with better gas mileage, but some people just don't feel comfortable driving a compact sedan. If you just have to stick with your truck — either because you can't get out of it, or because you don't want to — you still should look for ways to improve your gas mileage any way you can!