Increase range by 18% with Flated Cap

[twodogsdennis]

Good morning, I recently added a cap to my Pro from Flated that has increased the range by 18% to 2.7 mi/kWh. I posted a video of the range test and now with ~800 miles the range is still holding the 2.7. I met two other Lightning owners charging at A-Basin on our last ski day and we exchanged thoughts about the range increase. I've had a tonneau cover since day one while the other owners run an open bed and we've noticed roughly the same 2.3 range, as noted in previous posts. The same appears to be true with hard caps having no effect on range. Without doing the math, my guess is with the Flated cap weighing only 55 pounds the ratio of weight added versus the tunnel created is net positive.

See my range test on YouTube here, twodogsdennis




Rather than posting a lot of pics, I thought readers could check out the channel as they often do when others post about their YouTube, but here is a pic. As I said in the video, I've done a variety of terrain from 6,000 ft elevation to 11,991 ft, 70 degrees to 32 degrees.

Sponsored

 

[Grumpy2]

I have also seen a boost to my consumption rate similar to you, but in my case I had the tonneau cover removed and "stuff" in the bed. I believe in my case it was the 80 degree weather I was driving in.

 

[Heliian]

Be great if you added a picture of what you put on there.

 

[Citizen0]

I'm guessing it's this one. It's pretty nifty looking and would be great for camping. I like the idea of being able to install it and break it down without help.

https://flated.com/products/full-short-cap56?_pos=4&_fid=08a9a1180&_ss=c

 

[MillieChliette]

Either you broke the laws of physics or your testing methodology was bad. Likely a combination of variables you can and cannot control led to this result. Weather, wind, feather foot, speed, etc.

 

[Brent@ANParts]

18% improvement is wild! I wonder how different the numbers could be if it was sealed off a little better near the cab.

 

[twodogsdennis]

18% improvement is wild! I wonder how different the numbers could be if it was sealed off a little better near the cab.

I was thinking the same thing. Right now, the plastic window covering on the outside of the cap is preventing the entire width of the cap to seal against the back of the Pro cab. Unfortunately, a slider window isn't available on the Pro, so squeezing the cap to the cab may prove moot. I'm going to remove the plastic window to see how well the cap will seal and whether it will need some weatherstrip or channel foam to seal the gap and prevent water intrusion into the sleeping area. I may contact Flated or see if the guy who does their videos is still in the Salida area and get their ideas.

 

[Maquis]

I don’t like the looks of a cap, so I’ll just do this to increase my range:

 

[WaterboyNorCal]

Either you broke the laws of physics or your testing methodology was bad. Likely a combination of variables you can and cannot control led to this result. Weather, wind, feather foot, speed, etc.

have to agree with this assessment. Although I have seen a SLIGHT increase in efficiency with my Smartcap EVO (as compared to a stock truck/empty bed), we are talking about less than 5%. (2.3 miles/kWh to 2.4, approximately). And since the truck software ROUNDS the efficiency numbers, the increased efficiency could be as little as 1-2%. An 18% increase is definitely not possible, unfortunately. Physics are physics…

 

[Monkey]

I have also seen a boost to my consumption rate similar to you, but in my case I had the tonneau cover removed and "stuff" in the bed. I believe in my case it was the 80 degree weather I was driving in.

This was my initial thought... I mean is it really the topper or is it because the battery is now happy in warm weather?

 

[astrand1]

The OP kept saying “flatted” cap and I thought he meant just a truck cap that was level with the cab of the truck. But is apparently a brand. I just put on a hard tri fold cover and it did make a small difference. I’m with some others here that 18% is probably more variables than just the cap. That seems like an awful lot of gain.

 

[K6CCC]

I should have my shell in a week or so and will see what it does to range. SnugTop cab high fiberglass shell.

 

[MotoGary]

The OP kept saying “flatted” cap and I thought he meant just a truck cap that was level with the cab of the truck. But is apparently a brand. I just put on a hard tri fold cover and it did make a small difference. I’m with some others here that 18% is probably more variables than just the cap. That seems like an awful lot of gain.

The brand name is “Flated” with one T. Like Inflated.

I like the ingenuity of the Flated products. But the look of the truck bed cap is a little too utilitarian for my taste. I might reconsider if the claim of 18% increased efficiency could be verified. But like others here, I’m skeptical.

 

[astrand1]

The brand name is “Flated” with one T. Like Inflated.

I like the ingenuity of the Flated products. But the look of the truck bed cap is a little too utilitarian for my taste. I might reconsider if the claim of 18% increased efficiency could be verified. But like others here, I’m skeptical.

Yeah I gave up on the spelling because the iPhone kept correcting it. Figured people would figure it out. But 18% I think is a bit high. lol.

 

[Jseis]

I get 2.7 regularly at 80 F and country roads. Lots of country roads but 80 F is rare. Actually, with my truck parked in the garage/plugged in and the Milky Way Galaxy hauling butt at 2.1 million km/hour, I’m paying nothing.

Sponsored