flow through tail gates
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New User
Joined: Oct 1999
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flow through tail gates
Anyone have any stats on mileage increase using one of these flow through tail gates? I guess that is the only reason for using them. I notice they seem to come in cargo net style or the solid venetian blind louvre style. The net style should have less air resistance while the other is more durable. Are they worth it?
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: OK
flow through tail gates
While I have no first-hand experience, most everything I've read says these do little (or nothing) to improve mileage. Before buying one, try driving around with "no" tailgate and see if you get any MPG improvement. Let us know what you find. 
New User
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Nixon
flow through tail gates
Yes they offer less resistance. Yes it will increase mileage, but you will not notice it. Fill a large sink full of water, put a drop of water in the sink. Did the level of the sink go up? Yes, but you will not notice it. I had a vented tailgate with a vee in the center on my last truck for several years. I never saw an increase in mileage. The advantage of the tailgate was that I could hook up a fifth wheel or gooseneck with out lowering the tailgate.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 377
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From: Cary USA
flow through tail gates
I just finished doing a little test over the last couple of weekends - 135 mile trip from Raleigh, NC to Wilmington, NC.
With the tailgate up 14.75 mpg (miles driven/gallons used - not the overhead computer). With the tailgate down 14.78 mpg. Filled up at the same pump in Raleigh prior to starting the trip and filled up at the same pump in Wilmington at the end of the trip. Cruise set at 70 mph, air temp - mid 70's, A/C on, tire pressure 75lbs f&r, all interstate driving.
I have less than 1000 miles on my truck.
Gary M.
2002 F250 SD, SC, SB, 4x4, 6.8L v10, 3.73LS, 4spd Auto, Reverse Aid Sensor, Class IV Hitch, Offroad Package, Manual Hubs, 40/20/40 Bench Seat, Camper Package, Lariat, White, Putco Locker Side Rails, Mud Flaps, K&N Filter, Vent Visors....more to come I'm sure.
With the tailgate up 14.75 mpg (miles driven/gallons used - not the overhead computer). With the tailgate down 14.78 mpg. Filled up at the same pump in Raleigh prior to starting the trip and filled up at the same pump in Wilmington at the end of the trip. Cruise set at 70 mph, air temp - mid 70's, A/C on, tire pressure 75lbs f&r, all interstate driving.
I have less than 1000 miles on my truck.
Gary M.
2002 F250 SD, SC, SB, 4x4, 6.8L v10, 3.73LS, 4spd Auto, Reverse Aid Sensor, Class IV Hitch, Offroad Package, Manual Hubs, 40/20/40 Bench Seat, Camper Package, Lariat, White, Putco Locker Side Rails, Mud Flaps, K&N Filter, Vent Visors....more to come I'm sure.
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Billings, MT
flow through tail gates
I have a Heavy Duty ProNet, and the only reason I have it is for better visibility, so I can tell when I'm backing into other peoples' cars. The cool thing about the ProNet is it's rated for something like 400 lbs.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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flow through tail gates
Contrary to the other, I do a lot of long distance driving with motorcycles in the back of my 2001 CC SB V10 Lariat 4x4. based on my truck computer when seems to be very accurate. I can get over 2 MPG better with the tail gate down. The speed I travel at makes little difference (65-85). Typical gate up will be 11 mpg, gate down 13mpg. with two motorcycles in the rear. I have the same results when the bed is empty. my average freeway speed is 75mph.
William
William
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 238
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From: Troy USA
flow through tail gates
Here is a link to some very good information on this subject. Try and forget they are using a Dodge Ram for the test. The results may surprise you.
http://mars.wnec.edu/~ehaffner/did.htm
In short, removing your tailgate INCREASES drag. Simply lowering your tailgate DECREASES drag. The baseline is a tailgate in its closed position.
http://mars.wnec.edu/~ehaffner/did.htm
In short, removing your tailgate INCREASES drag. Simply lowering your tailgate DECREASES drag. The baseline is a tailgate in its closed position.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 238
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From: Troy USA
flow through tail gates
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 03-May-02 AT 05:02 PM (EST)]>"Yes they offer less resistance. Yes it will increase
>mileage..."
Wrong on both counts. Removing your tailgate INCREASES drag. Adding a net INCREASES it even more.
See my post above for a URL to the proof.
>mileage..."
Wrong on both counts. Removing your tailgate INCREASES drag. Adding a net INCREASES it even more.
See my post above for a URL to the proof.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,742
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From: OK
flow through tail gates
Thanks for the link Rob! I had come across that site a few months ago while looking at aerodynamics about trailers... but didn't bookmark it and of course couldn't find it again. I thought their results were very interesting.
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Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Troy USA
flow through tail gates
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 04-May-02 AT 10:32 AM (EST)]warmdye,
Your quite welcome. Of course I do sense a little sarcasm in your post. I guess my only response will be, if you don't like the subject don't read it. Bye the way, the reason for both posts was I meant to add to my first, but I waited too long. Had to make a new one. Also, are you sure you got everything in your signature line? LMAO! Jeff Foxworthy would be proud!
NoMo,
I stumbled across this site a while ago... and found its results very interesting. I would have never belived them if it weren't for the obvious evidence. I have always been under the impression that removing your tailgate would decrease drag. The only reason I kept the link was to settle 'bets.'
Your quite welcome. Of course I do sense a little sarcasm in your post. I guess my only response will be, if you don't like the subject don't read it. Bye the way, the reason for both posts was I meant to add to my first, but I waited too long. Had to make a new one. Also, are you sure you got everything in your signature line? LMAO! Jeff Foxworthy would be proud!
NoMo,
I stumbled across this site a while ago... and found its results very interesting. I would have never belived them if it weren't for the obvious evidence. I have always been under the impression that removing your tailgate would decrease drag. The only reason I kept the link was to settle 'bets.'
New User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 13
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From: Brevard USA
flow through tail gates
rod
There is a difference between cargo net, slotted and wire tail gates. Except for the V notch, none will do you any good with mpg except the ones slotted with slats that are at a 45 degree angle.
The reason being is that they are designed for the air to be directed beneath your trailer - the others will not do this. As far a mpg goes, I agree with some of the other folks - the increase will be minimal to 2 mpg at best depending on speed, wind direction, etc.
The main reason I have one is to keep from replacing my oem tail gate because of pin damage....
There is a difference between cargo net, slotted and wire tail gates. Except for the V notch, none will do you any good with mpg except the ones slotted with slats that are at a 45 degree angle.
The reason being is that they are designed for the air to be directed beneath your trailer - the others will not do this. As far a mpg goes, I agree with some of the other folks - the increase will be minimal to 2 mpg at best depending on speed, wind direction, etc.
The main reason I have one is to keep from replacing my oem tail gate because of pin damage....
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 858
Likes: 14
From: Virginia
flow through tail gates
>Anyone have any stats on mileage increase using one of these
>flow through tail gates? I guess that is the only reason for
>using them. I notice they seem to come in cargo net style or
>the solid venetian blind louvre style. The net style should
>have less air resistance while the other is more durable.
>Are they worth it?
I'm sure that I am and will be told so but I think there are only a few reasons to replace your tailgate with one of these things:
1. you damaged you OEM gate after backing into a pole with the gate down.
2. someone stole your OEM gate.
3. Rearward visability
4. see above
You will never see an increase in milage with any of these at highway speeds. Any differance in aerodynamics will be very small and there are just to many other variables involved. At any rate, any diff would be very small indeed. I did my own test and run three tanks per round (with gate closed, with gate open & with gate off - I run about 1000-2000 miles a week) All were some close as to conclude that there is no real differance.
Petrol
>flow through tail gates? I guess that is the only reason for
>using them. I notice they seem to come in cargo net style or
>the solid venetian blind louvre style. The net style should
>have less air resistance while the other is more durable.
>Are they worth it?
I'm sure that I am and will be told so but I think there are only a few reasons to replace your tailgate with one of these things:
1. you damaged you OEM gate after backing into a pole with the gate down.
2. someone stole your OEM gate.
3. Rearward visability
4. see above
You will never see an increase in milage with any of these at highway speeds. Any differance in aerodynamics will be very small and there are just to many other variables involved. At any rate, any diff would be very small indeed. I did my own test and run three tanks per round (with gate closed, with gate open & with gate off - I run about 1000-2000 miles a week) All were some close as to conclude that there is no real differance.
Petrol