tailgate down?
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 329
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I would think not , but i'm sure over time it might take it's tole if you leave it down all the time, because it's ment to be latched more, than to be down. I don't like to leave mine down and extender on due to the inconvienence,when putting stuff into bed of truck. Hope this helps.
03' supercrew 4x2 5.4L
Fabtech lift,K&N,Flowmaster
03' supercrew 4x2 5.4L
Fabtech lift,K&N,Flowmaster
Last edited by karenj; Nov 13, 2003 at 02:59 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 262
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From: Tucson
There was a post a while ago about this and the general consensus was that it does not affect mpg one bit. They did find out however that driving with your windows down gets you worse gas mileage than with them up.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 201
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From: Schaumburg, IL
i was following a truck last nite that had a tubular tailgate - chrome metal horizontal bars with black vertical bars. looked pretty cool, lets the air flow through (in case it does affect mileage) and looked to be pretty strong. i've seen the cloth mesh things that replace the tailgate but this looked way better.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 124
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From: Hawaii
F-150-AZ is right. There was a study done about this that talked about how the trucks are designed where air flow around the cab wraps around and actually pushes behind. I
Actually the best thing to do is to install a cover over the bed. That really helps.
Actually the best thing to do is to install a cover over the bed. That really helps.
New User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Get a tonneau cover!
f150-az is right!!
That has to be the biggest myth yet. Riding with the tailgate down will not increase gas mileage. Your best bet is to go with a tonneau cover (hard or soft). This has actually been proven to increase gas mileage by as much as 1-2 mpg on the highway. It doesnt really make a difference when driving around town but driving on the highway you will see a difference!
Hope this helps!
That has to be the biggest myth yet. Riding with the tailgate down will not increase gas mileage. Your best bet is to go with a tonneau cover (hard or soft). This has actually been proven to increase gas mileage by as much as 1-2 mpg on the highway. It doesnt really make a difference when driving around town but driving on the highway you will see a difference!
Hope this helps!
New User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: NH
I'll vouch for Hoosier. I have a 97 Lariat 4x4 with a 4.6 in it and I got about 2mpg after putting the tonneau cover on. If you drive with the tailgate down, after awhile the sids of the bed can actually lean out or in and then they'll be out of whack. plus, it loooks kin dof funny to have your tailgate down all the time. The cover has a much cleaner look.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
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tailgate
Myth Busters did an episode on tailgates busted the myth according to their expert. air flow over the cab of the truck creates a void of air . resulting in no drag. covers and fancy sports nets are a sales gimik
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 393
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From: Mi
mpg and f150 are words that dont go along with each other......i ride with my tailgate down.....when im hauling lumber/drywall around town ....driving around with it down for no reason makes no sense to me as rocks from the rear will kick up and knick the gate......
Junior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 78
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From: Edgerton, WI
Id be worried about getting stone chips all over the tailgate if you drove with it down all the time, not to mention the stress caused by it bouncing when you go over bumps.
I agree with the comment that leaving your tailgate down does nothing for you MPG. There was an episode of Mythbusters about this very subject and they found that leaving the tailgate up creates an air bubble that actually improves the aerodynamics as compared to leaving it down.
I agree with the comment that leaving your tailgate down does nothing for you MPG. There was an episode of Mythbusters about this very subject and they found that leaving the tailgate up creates an air bubble that actually improves the aerodynamics as compared to leaving it down.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
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Back in the day, I had a Ranger pickup...at the time, I also bought into the myth about improved MPG.
My neighbor was a cool old retired guy. We'd talk shop all the time. He would always put my tailgate up for me. I'd come home at night with it down, and every morning it would be up.
He's since passed on, but those memories still make me smile...
My neighbor was a cool old retired guy. We'd talk shop all the time. He would always put my tailgate up for me. I'd come home at night with it down, and every morning it would be up.
He's since passed on, but those memories still make me smile...