I liked the convenience of the used $150 louvered gate I got, but it's stored in the garage since I don't really tow enough to make it worthwhile....

and I LIKE the rear view camera too much to give it up

 

Unfortunately, the aerodynamics of TV and trailers get very, very complicated and there are few "easy" or "always" rules.

A couple are:
SPEED is huge factor in aerodynamic drag. 10% more speed requires 33% more power just to overcome aero drag.

90%+ of the wings and diverters you see on pickups do more harm than good. As you are likely aware from driving big rigs, the "gap" between two bodies has to be very short to keep the airflow passing over the gap. Any more than a foot or two will and it will not work. The air collapses back into the gap and the second body has to punch a new hole.

So to answer your question on will it help? I don't know, and couldn't calculate if I wanted to. It depends on your specific rig. But I SUSPECT any gains would be minimal and take many, many thousands of miles to recover the cost of a new gate.
Looking at the picture in your signature, your 5er looks like it sits pretty close to bed and is snugged up pretty close to cab - so you are already pretty aerodynamic (for an RV).

 

Thanks everyone, if the louvered tailgate cant help w/Fuel mileage iam not investing in 1 just for convience, unless i get lucky & find a nice used 1 reasonable.
Iam not at all interested in puttin a "wing" on the top of my truck, i just dont do enough travelin to justify all that plus i dont want to look at it.

Besides we have a new 5'er that has an awesome front end (patented in fact) not only are the edges sunk-in for an incrediable turning radious w/out sliding my hitch, the front cap is very very aero dynamic (see pic)

P.S...I drove OTR for 4 years but have worked Local the last 5 years ever since my son was born

 

Yup...same decision process I used. I'm a "weekender" camper, and don't tow enough to justify the extra cost for little to no return. I have no problems lowering and raising my tailgate and have had no "incident" yet (knocking on wood!!!). So until I see a need otherwise, I'm fine.

 

Ok iam NOT buyin a 5'er gate unless i find a good deal on a nice used one.

With that said do u think it is ok to leave my tailgate at home?
Basically do u think the wind pounding on bed sides w/out a tailgate is bad for my box (wondered if thats why there were "air-gates" but of course u never see em anymore)

 

If you had a cheap truck, I'd worry about it. I'd expect better from Ford - like a box that's sturdy enough that a little wind isn't going to deform the darned thing!

 

I do not see driving without a tailgate to be an issue. Even with a massive loads of dirt or gravel in my longbed, I did not experience any significant side wall flexing. The tailgate still latched and opened perfectly.

 

Thx everyone....ill be pullin the 5'er w/out a tailgate then, unless a deal that u cant refuse presents itself on a 5th wheel gate

 

I take my tailgate off, prior to doing so the heavy rubber mat on the bed floor would always end up folded back at the front toward the GN ball. When I pull the tail gate this does not happen so I figure it has to help the air move through there better.

 

Beautiful truck and trailer! I've towed all over the southeast with diesel and now gas. I've never owned a louvered tailgate but with our less aerodynamic 5th wheel and previous flat faced high profile 5th wheel, I got "slightly" better mileage without the tailgate on. Could have been other factors or coincidence but, I've since decided to stop splitting hairs and just leave the tailgate home.

 

Thank u "Boss08V10" & "SDTriton250" for sharing your experiance's.
It does sound like it will take the "roll" of air-flow out of there & iam glad to hear so many people pull w/out a tailgate at all, makes me feel better