View Poll Results: Why do people drive around with the tailgate open?
Cuts down wind resistance
25
42.37%
Keeps other cars & trucks an extra 2' back
2
3.39%
Easy to to clean trash & water out of bed
8
13.56%
Forgot to close it
5
8.47%
Looks cool
1
1.69%
The latch is broke
4
6.78%
Makes truck look longer
0
0%
Other (please comment)
14
23.73%
Voters: 59. You may not vote on this poll
Why drive around with tail gate open?
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: New Braunfels TX
Why drive around with tail gate open?
I keep my tail gate up unless I'm haulin some thing back there. That is what supports your sides. I've seen several trucks with thier sides flappin in the wind because there is no tail gate for that support that they need.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1,016
From: Central KY
Why drive around with tail gate open?
There was a post recently in one of the other forums on this topic. Apparently, a University somewhere did a research experiment using a tonneau cover, a camper top, an empty bed with tailgate up, and an empty bed with tailgate down on a Dodge Ram. The results showed that putting the tailgate down actually INCREASED the drag coefficient on the vehicle by disturbing the natural airflow around the design of the truck. This would seem to indicate that putting the tailgate down on a Dodge truck does NOT increase fuel economy.
I assume Ford trucks would show the same results. If you're curious...the tonneau cover was the setup that provided the least drag on the vehicle.
I assume Ford trucks would show the same results. If you're curious...the tonneau cover was the setup that provided the least drag on the vehicle.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Why drive around with tail gate open?
well.. here at Texas Tech University we did wind tunnel tests on Dodge, Chevy, and Ford... the 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, and full ton trucks..
ALL of which with the tailgate down were slower, had higher drag coefficents, and bad fuel economy... it also created MORE downforce, and added to tire wear..
the difference in drag adn everything is noticeably small.. but yes.. it IS and ALWAYS will be worse..
if you drive with your tailgate down for no reason.. I assure you.. you have been mis-informed
its like the flaps on an airplane... when you split the air around an object and it has to move farther on the top than the bottom (the bubble) it creates drag, lift, everything.... and the LONGER the air is split.. the greater the drag.. thats why flaps on airplane wings make the wings bigger .. just my .02$
ALL of which with the tailgate down were slower, had higher drag coefficents, and bad fuel economy... it also created MORE downforce, and added to tire wear..
the difference in drag adn everything is noticeably small.. but yes.. it IS and ALWAYS will be worse..
if you drive with your tailgate down for no reason.. I assure you.. you have been mis-informed
its like the flaps on an airplane... when you split the air around an object and it has to move farther on the top than the bottom (the bubble) it creates drag, lift, everything.... and the LONGER the air is split.. the greater the drag.. thats why flaps on airplane wings make the wings bigger .. just my .02$
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Myrtle Beach
Why drive around with tail gate open?
Well, when I had a 96 Ranger before I traded in for my Explorer, I had a tonneau so it wasn't a factor. I would've left it down for only one reason, though, and that would be wind resistance.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,940
Likes: 2
From: Eastern WA
Why drive around with tail gate open?
If it's a Ranger then I can only assume that it's because the load in the bed was too long to have the tailgate closed or it's because the driver want's the tailgate to fall off after hitting a bump while driving. It's mentioned in the owners manual to leep it up while driving.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 788
Likes: 0
From: CHEESELAND, USA
Why drive around with tail gate open?
I wasn't born in a barn. I always close the door behind me. Therefore unless something is hanging out.........of the box the tailgate stays up. I didn't buy a truck for mileage. I didn't buy a truck to go fast. And I sure didn't buy a truck to have what ever it is I have in the back to be seen or slide out the back. If it was meant to be down they would have called it a bumper.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 551
Likes: 0
From: Norton Ohio
Why drive around with tail gate open?
Mine fell off, the bottom pivit point and part of that support fell out of the bed the first time i loaded my dirtbike in the truck so it went in the scrap pile thats the same that the beds going once i get my new one (6ft fleetside is the old one a 6 ft stepside is the new one)
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,105
Likes: 2
From: Mississippi
Why drive around with tail gate open?
Well I see this alot..Most the time I do it when I am hauling something long or when i have had alot of gravel in the bed and can't close the tail gate because of rocks between the tail gate and the bed...Haha and keeps other vechials alittle father back..
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: on the creekbank in NC
Why drive around with tail gate open?
Can't do it here in NC. It is against the law. State DOT says it interferes with the reading of a lisence plate. It also becomes a ptrotrusion in an accindent. In other words, you get rearended with it down and YOU pay the bills. How's that for a dope!