Ram has patented an angled bed cap to make pickup trucks more aerodynamic

The angled bed cap at the heart of a new Ram patent could be Stellantis’ clever answer to one of the biggest efficiency headaches facing pickup trucks today.

Open truck beds are fantastic for hauling gear, but they have a weakness.

At highway speeds, they act like giant air scoops, dragging fuel economy down with them.

The new Ram patent suggests a way to tame that airflow, without sacrificing everyday utility.

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Ram’s angled bed cap will be fully integrated with the truck

Filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and approved in late December 2025, the patent is officially titled ‘Angled Bed Cap for Truck’.

The idea revolves around panels integrated directly into the bed sidewalls that can be raised or retracted, either manually or using actuators.

When tucked away, the panels stay hidden and don’t interfere with cargo, bed access, or accessories.

When deployed, they support a tonneau cover that angles upward, guiding airflow more smoothly over the bed and reducing drag.

That concept may sound familiar to truck enthusiasts, as angled bed caps already exist in the aftermarket.

However, what separates Ram’s approach from bolt-on solutions is integration.

Instead of removing a traditional bed cover or swapping hardware, this system allows the truck to switch between ‘work mode’ and ‘aero mode’ seamlessly.

The Ram patent even mentions the possibility of adding a hinged or retractable spoiler to further clean up airflow.

Importantly, the design claims to avoid intruding into the usable cargo area and could coexist with features like the RamBox storage system built into the bed walls.

Why does this matter?

These days, efficiency is no longer just a small-car concern.

Today’s truck buyers care about fuel economy, range, and operating costs more than ever.

Rising fuel prices, stricter emissions regulations, and longer commutes have turned aerodynamic tweaks into meaningful selling points.

Even a modest improvement at highway speeds can add up over thousands of miles.

For automakers, that means squeezing efficiency gains wherever possible, especially on pickup trucks that traditionally aren’t very aerodynamic.

Pickup trucks sit high, weigh a lot, and push plenty of air, so incremental improvements can make a real difference.

In fact, MythBusters recently proved that there’s a difference in fuel efficiency just by adjusting a truck’s tailgate.

While there’s no guarantee this angled bed cap will ever reach production, it highlights how seriously the carmaker is taking efficiency.

In an era where gas prices in some states are reaching eye-watering levels, even truck buyers are starting to expect smarter and more aerodynamic designs.

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