gas mileage boost with tailgate down
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New User
Joined: Nov 2004
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gas mileage boost with tailgate down
I was laughed at by everyone I mentioned this to before, but this weekend I spent some time on the interstate and did a Mileage test. On level ground both ways, with traffic being the same and keeping my speed between 70 and 75, I got 18mpg with the tailgate down and 16 with the tailgate up. I was expecting a difference of maybe a few tenths but this is as accurate of a test as I know how to make. The only thing I could have done is make it longer because in order to stop at the same gas stations each way, I only went 99.6 miles. Even if Im off a little two mpg is a heck of a lot!
04 scab 5.4 3.73
04 scab 5.4 3.73
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 14,413
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From: Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA!
But do you really want to leave your tailgate down so people can steal it? I saw a guy driving down the road today with his tailgate down. You should have seen it bouncing everywhere! 
-Matt
-Matt
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 441
Likes: 6
From: Madison, WI
The money you save on gas can be spent on a)tailgate paint (from all the rock chips) b)torsion bar (when you wear out the bushings and hinge pieces) c)tools, furniture, or other things that you put in the bed ,or even the tailgate (when they go bouncing down the highway) d)when Slippery Ed steals your tailgate and sells it on Ebay e)the ticket you get when you get cited for obstructed rear license plate (these new tailgates are quite a bit taller....
I think I'll leave mine in the up and locked position.
MK
I think I'll leave mine in the up and locked position.
MK
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New User
Joined: Nov 2004
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I didn't explain well enough. The only reason I was interested in gas mileage with the tailgate down is to help decide whether or not to get a tonneau cover. I am definitely going to get one now. No, Of course it would be silly to go around with the tailgate down all the time.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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Hell no dont do that! Dont ruin the AWESOME look of these trucks with a tail grate!
Those things look sooooo bad.
Those things look sooooo bad.
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 441
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From: Madison, WI
I also have to add, as someone mentioned before, just because pickup trucks have a removable body panel, this doesn't mean that you should take it off... You wouldn't run around with a fender missing if it were removable, would ya?
The tailgate actually adds a tremendous amount of support and rigidity to the whole vehicle. It prevents the bed from twisting and contorting, and helps increase the stability of the roof and passenger compartment if one were to flip, roll, or set said vehicle on its roof.
MK
The tailgate actually adds a tremendous amount of support and rigidity to the whole vehicle. It prevents the bed from twisting and contorting, and helps increase the stability of the roof and passenger compartment if one were to flip, roll, or set said vehicle on its roof.
MK
Last edited by mkoser; Dec 26, 2004 at 11:17 PM. Reason: used wrong wording
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 383
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From: Mililani, Hawaii
i solved my gas mileage issue with a part time job and a geo metro...and i only drive the truck in emergencies....i push the truck up hills and in city traffic...anything to take the load off the engine and save gas....and for god sakes never tow. I do lower the tailgate when pushing the truck. it takes the drag off a keeps me from getting fatigued as fast.
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