5th wheel tailgate
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis, Mo.
5th wheel tailgate
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
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 74
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From: Bishop, CA
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.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,708
Likes: 5
From: Kiowa CO
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.
I think there was a Mythbuster episode that busted the myth that an open tailgate improved airflow and mileage but I'm not sure.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis, Mo.
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?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis, Mo.
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 -
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,708
Likes: 5
From: Kiowa CO
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.
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