Hey all - Anybody have any real numbers on mileage using a 5th wheel tailgate, vs. regular tailgate. Thinking about getting one but just wonder if it will really help mileage? Thanks, Bill

 

Many will tell you it will hurt your mileage, much like leaving the tailgate down does. Theory is that with tailgate up, a circular venturi happens in the bed and that circling air creates a cushion of air that diverts the air coming off your roof back and over the tailgate instead of having it drop down into the bed. That's what I've been told anyway.

 

Hmmm- I thought leaving the tailgate down would decrease drag & increase mileage. Have heard different schools of thought on this though

 

Quite honestly, my fifth wheel tailgate that I use has one purpose and that's to load and unload my trailer. I never seen any noticeable increase in mileage when it's on the truck. I figure that this truck is such a brick moving down the road that the airflow over the cab and into the bed won't yield me any improved mileage.

I think there was a Mythbuster episode that busted the myth that an open tailgate improved airflow and mileage but I'm not sure.

 

Broncodawg - Just did a search on this & like you said the general concenses is that the gate should be left up for best fuel efficiency,truck alone, but will pulling a 5er make a difference?

 

Chris - Thats what I was thinking- I guess I have to decide to "accidently" back into the pin so my wife says, Just go ahead & get that new tailgate you've been looking at,LOL -

 

Ah, good plan...

I got lucky and found a used gate from a guy on CL for $75. It had a small ding from him hitting it - he must have been a real lousy backer-upper - but it was worth it for me because I only use it a few times a year. The rest of the time, I have the OEM gate on the truck.