Tailgate effects on MPG thoughts...
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Planet Earth
Tailgate effects on MPG thoughts...
If someone was to drive, say, across a straight flat stretch of Kansas highway (I-70) from where I-135 crosses at Salina, to say, in Colorado where I-225 crosses at Aurora... a flat straight desolate stretch of highway...
If they were to drive one direction with their tailgate up, then back in the other direction with their tailgate down, what do you suppose the difference in gas mileage would be, if any?
I'm just wondering if it would be worth it if, I was to drive around town here with the tailgate down all the time, would I be saving anything.
I know this isn't that big of a deal, but I just thought I'd throw it out there...
Sam
If they were to drive one direction with their tailgate up, then back in the other direction with their tailgate down, what do you suppose the difference in gas mileage would be, if any?
I'm just wondering if it would be worth it if, I was to drive around town here with the tailgate down all the time, would I be saving anything.
I know this isn't that big of a deal, but I just thought I'd throw it out there...
Sam
FE "Freakin Expensive"
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,461
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From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Ya Sam, Zombie's right,, driving around town slow speeds I dont think your going to see any noticable difference!!
But you'll see some at Highway speeds on a long trip!!
Instead driving around with the tailgate down..
Just by a bed cover!! Good Luck!! Russ
But you'll see some at Highway speeds on a long trip!!
Instead driving around with the tailgate down..
Just by a bed cover!! Good Luck!! Russ
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,526
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From: Round Rock, TX
I used to make a 100-mile flat highway drive from Austin to College Station at least twice a week. Driving my wife's Isuzu 4x4 it took me just more than 1/2 tank with the tailgate up, but only about 3/8 of a tank with the tailgate down.
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Central Maryland
from what i have read on another site there was an egineering study done at a university. it said that driving with the tailgate down actuall reduced fuel economy by 3 or 5 percent. driving with the tailgate off was the same as driving with it up. putting a tonnuoe (sp?) would increase milage by about 3 percent. they also created a special cab that had a 5-8 percent increase in fuel economy.
it was pretty interesting. had all the data there too.
it was pretty interesting. had all the data there too.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
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From: Long Island USA
I have never tried it with my '74, but my '01 F250 gets at least 1 MPG better with a cab-height cap on the bed w/the V10
Now, realize, that the '01 is more aerodynamic than my '74 (basically it's still a brick, but with rounded edges
With my '74 I wouldn't expect much difference...
YMMV, literally.
(YMMV=Your Mileage May Vary).
art k.
Now, realize, that the '01 is more aerodynamic than my '74 (basically it's still a brick, but with rounded edges
With my '74 I wouldn't expect much difference...
YMMV, literally.
(YMMV=Your Mileage May Vary).
art k.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Brea CA
My F250 always runs the same old 12 mpg, uphill, downhill, empty, loaded.
The tailgate bangs around when driving with it down, I think you'd have to take it off.
The tailgate bangs around when driving with it down, I think you'd have to take it off.
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From: Phoenix Az, by way of Fre
Originally posted by kokopelli
from what i have read on another site there was an egineering study done at a university. it said that driving with the tailgate down actuall reduced fuel economy by 3 or 5 percent.
from what i have read on another site there was an egineering study done at a university. it said that driving with the tailgate down actuall reduced fuel economy by 3 or 5 percent.
With it up, once moving, it created a positive air pressure zone in the bed, keeping areo drag out of the bed...
With the tail gate down, the positve pressure was lost, and mileage suffered...
was small amount...
also remember reading a bed cover was the way to go.
Seem'd to make sence at the time...
I've yet to road trip my truck, so, never tested it out...
Last edited by cleanLX; Mar 10, 2004 at 11:46 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: KS
LOL, this question is almost as bad as the "What does FE stand for" question. I think it would depend on the truck, you would have to try your own truck to find out.
In Kansas it wouldn't matter because you would be bucking the wind both ways.
I have literally seen range flags at Fort Riley pointing towards each other. Also had a little Ranger with a load on it stall out when I topped a hill into the wind ('83 2.3 litre/4 speed). Good luck on your expirement.
In Kansas it wouldn't matter because you would be bucking the wind both ways.
I have literally seen range flags at Fort Riley pointing towards each other. Also had a little Ranger with a load on it stall out when I topped a hill into the wind ('83 2.3 litre/4 speed). Good luck on your expirement.