Tailgate
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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Tailgate
I did a test on aerodynamics of my tailgate. I seem to be getting 2 1/2 miles a gallon better mileage with it down over the past 4 days. If this holds to be true I am going to get one of those bedcovers, it would pay for itself in about 35 weeks. I don't think it could be summer fuel, not to of happened that fast. But to jump from 17.1 to 19.7 mileage it really has me thinking
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,324
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From: Denton,TX
How many miles are on your truck? It could be that you are still getting better mileage from break-in. It's not unheard of for mileage to increase up to 30-40K.
I have serious doubts that the mileage increase of that much is due soley to the tailgate. There have been numerous studies done on this in the past and the result is usually no to very little increase in mileage.
I have serious doubts that the mileage increase of that much is due soley to the tailgate. There have been numerous studies done on this in the past and the result is usually no to very little increase in mileage.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Elverson, PA
Glad it works for you!!! I welded up a custom flow-thru, 5th wheel style tailgate a while ago and didn't notice any difference when I put it on. Maybe I'll have to wipe the dust off it and try it again!
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55.5k miles on it. See I don't know if it's dumb luck or summer fuel. But it was awful coincedentel if it was summer fuel. I am using the console gizmo, which has been pretty accurate, plus or minus a couple tenths, if I restart it on fill up. I ussually track expenses, mileage and trips with a PDA program because of work, tax write off. Last fill up was correct, the next one will be the tell tale sign. Then I will put the tailgate back up and find out if it was just summer fuel.
Lulu, bought tires with truck, they are 275's. Dealer put brand news ones on.
Lulu, bought tires with truck, they are 275's. Dealer put brand news ones on.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: AZ.
It does seem like a lot of gain with short pickup gate but I believe in the therory. On a trip out of Buffalo in my 18 wheeler, I was pulling an empty trailer with high removeable sides and no top. I had a strong head wind so I removed the back panels to "let the air out". I was able to run one gear higher. FWIW.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Elverson, PA
I thought the console gizmo can be quite inaccurate?? Drive a couple tankfulls and figure it out the real way and get back to us on that gain!!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,324
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From: Denton,TX
Originally Posted by CAT_man_963
I thought the console gizmo can be quite inaccurate?? Drive a couple tankfulls and figure it out the real way and get back to us on that gain!!
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 152
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From: Central Texas
My tail gate got ripped off the other night, so I'll check what kind of milage change I get with it off. Under present circumstances, it should be a long enough test period to get accurate results.
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Denton,TX
Originally Posted by Bluesbandit
My tail gate got ripped off the other night, so I'll check what kind of milage change I get with it off. Under present circumstances, it should be a long enough test period to get accurate results.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Central Texas
That's what I figured, hope the thieves loose some MPG after installing my tailgate, and then read the ten commandments from the Bible they took from the cab (particurally the one regarding theft) while they are enjoying all my cd's on my cd player.
