Sponsored

sotek2345

Well-known member
First Name
Tom
Joined
Jun 7, 2021
Threads
30
Messages
3,678
Reaction score
4,317
Location
Upstate NY
Vehicles
2022 Lightning Lariat ER, 2021 Mach-e GT
Occupation
Engineering Manager
This is for the ICE F150 but very applicable to the Lightning. I didn't expect the huge effect from the "sport back" bed cover. I wonder if we will see a market for them going forward.

Sponsored

 

Blainestang

Well-known member
Joined
May 20, 2021
Threads
3
Messages
1,028
Reaction score
1,213
Location
FL
Vehicles
F56, R55, Pro
Great to see how huge the advantage is from the "fastback" bed cover.

I was hoping someone would make one that is a "fastback" when driving, but then the top hinges/pops up to horizontal for camping. Then you could put a tent on top another bed or stuff in the bed.

You could have 4 people camp and avoid the huge range hit of a trailer.
 
OP
OP
sotek2345

sotek2345

Well-known member
First Name
Tom
Joined
Jun 7, 2021
Threads
30
Messages
3,678
Reaction score
4,317
Location
Upstate NY
Vehicles
2022 Lightning Lariat ER, 2021 Mach-e GT
Occupation
Engineering Manager
Great to see how huge the advantage is from the "fastback" bed cover.

I was hoping someone would make one that is a "fastback" when driving, but then the top hinges/pops up to horizontal for camping. Then you could put a tent on top another bed or stuff in the bed.

You could have 4 people camp and avoid the huge range hit of a trailer.
This is the only one I have seen. I have mixed feelings about it....

https://www.mivehiclesolutions.com/aero-x-cap
 
Last edited:

JerseyGlock

Well-known member
First Name
Jimmy
Joined
Jul 1, 2021
Threads
4
Messages
155
Reaction score
15
Location
New Jersey
Vehicles
2021 Lariat Powerboost
Fastback, go buy a suv or get a camper top. Grill shutters will mostly be closed during highway speed, it created a air buffer in front of the vehicle.
 

Blainestang

Well-known member
Joined
May 20, 2021
Threads
3
Messages
1,028
Reaction score
1,213
Location
FL
Vehicles
F56, R55, Pro
This is the only one I have seen. I have mixed feelings about it....
Was there supposed to be a picture or attachment? :)

I've seen a fastback on a recent F-150 and I was... not a fan. But if it means I don't have to tow a trailer and cut my range in half and substantially increase my trip time/capability, I might live with it!
 

Sponsored
OP
OP
sotek2345

sotek2345

Well-known member
First Name
Tom
Joined
Jun 7, 2021
Threads
30
Messages
3,678
Reaction score
4,317
Location
Upstate NY
Vehicles
2022 Lightning Lariat ER, 2021 Mach-e GT
Occupation
Engineering Manager

Blainestang

Well-known member
Joined
May 20, 2021
Threads
3
Messages
1,028
Reaction score
1,213
Location
FL
Vehicles
F56, R55, Pro
Yeah, mixed feelings is a good way to describe that haha

And it's $4k, ouch.

I'd want one that pops up like that, but has canvas or mesh or something like a pop-up camper to turn the lower section into an enclosed "tent"... and has removable mounting points for a rooftop tent on top of the lid, as well.

Seems like a good way to maximize range and avoid the huge hit from a trailer.
 

JerseyGlock

Well-known member
First Name
Jimmy
Joined
Jul 1, 2021
Threads
4
Messages
155
Reaction score
15
Location
New Jersey
Vehicles
2021 Lariat Powerboost
It would be nice if they tested the aerodynamics of a standard tonneau cover and compared it to the "sport back".
You can use tapes, strings and camera to record them yourself!
 

gorwell

Well-known member
First Name
Andrew
Joined
Jul 19, 2021
Threads
18
Messages
819
Reaction score
1,116
Location
Sacramento
Vehicles
Ioniq 5 / XLT Standard
For reference:

He says ICE F150 has a drag coefficient of .463

One of the latest Rivian R1t reviews says they achieved a a drag coefficient of .30, which is insanely good for a truck.

Most current electic SUVs are around .28 and .30. Tesla is in a category by itself, so not really going to compare to them.

The Lightning will not match the Rivian, but it will be better than the ICE version due to a little bit more sculpting, wheel and wheel well differences, and also the undercarriage being flat. Maybe .40? Which would be ~13% improvement. Roughly inline with adding the basic changes the video suggests, the only one that Ford isn't addressing is the aerodynamic of the Bed... I believe Rivian addressed this some by the Spoiler on the cab.

Unfortunately, tonneau covers do not appear to have any notable impact on range based on other tests that already exist... Likely ~2%, if anything.
 

Sponsored

Blainestang

Well-known member
Joined
May 20, 2021
Threads
3
Messages
1,028
Reaction score
1,213
Location
FL
Vehicles
F56, R55, Pro
I believe Rivian addressed this some by the Spoiler on the cab
Spoiler on the cab, you say?

This truck was spotted near a Lightning that was charging at an EA station (black F-150 at left of picture is a charging Lightning).

Looks like something aero going on at the rear of the cab to me.

Ford F-150 Lightning F-150 aerodynamics modeling E_6KnvEUcAos6hQ?format=jpg&name=large
 

Lightning_Bob

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 22, 2021
Threads
11
Messages
57
Reaction score
44
Location
FL
Vehicles
Reserved Lightning...
Yeah, mixed feelings is a good way to describe that haha

And it's $4k, ouch.
...
The change is silhouette would be polarizing - The hypermiler/efficiency optimizer in me loves it, but can see why lotsa truck folks would be appalled....however at $4K, not sure one would get that back in returns on energy savings over the lifetime of the vehicle...If one was looking at expensive $1.5K Tonneau covers...maybe since it gives a little more space and helps mileage a bit...but still a $2.5K premium...would still have a hard time justifying the functional practicality of it.....


Ford F-150 Lightning F-150 aerodynamics modeling AeroX_IMG_1531


Ford F-150 Lightning F-150 aerodynamics modeling AeroX_IMG_1526



Ford F-150 Lightning F-150 aerodynamics modeling unnamed+(3)


Ford F-150 Lightning F-150 aerodynamics modeling unnamed+(3)
 

gorwell

Well-known member
First Name
Andrew
Joined
Jul 19, 2021
Threads
18
Messages
819
Reaction score
1,116
Location
Sacramento
Vehicles
Ioniq 5 / XLT Standard
Spoiler on the cab, you say?

This truck was spotted near a Lightning that was charging at an EA station (black F-150 at left of picture is a charging Lightning).

Looks like something aero going on at the rear of the cab to me.

E_6KnvEUcAos6hQ?format=jpg&name=large.jpg

Would be cool, but that just looks like a ICE f150 in Camo.

Seeing some old 2019 photos w/ that extra height on the cab: https://www.caranddriver.com/photos/g27408306/2021-ford-f-150-pickup-spied-gallery/?slide=11

So probably just a way they apply the camo.

The top of the F150 does have two random stand-offs, so that's probably it, not really sure why those exist

Ford F-150 Lightning F-150 aerodynamics modeling 1633474973792


Ford F-150 Lightning F-150 aerodynamics modeling 1633475100442
 

euchre_u

Well-known member
First Name
Kurt
Joined
May 26, 2021
Threads
1
Messages
76
Reaction score
15
Location
Texas
Vehicles
GX460, RX350, EX35
Occupation
Old Farmer - Outstanding in my field
Okay, I’m sorry. I have to say this - the slopes cap thingy makes the truck look like a 4 door El Camino or 4 door Ranchero. Apologies in advance.
Sponsored

 
 





Top