MPG w/ tailgate up -vs- down
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 5
From: Trussville, Alabama
MPG w/ tailgate up -vs- down
This subject has been batted around here several times in the past.
Anybody see this:
http://ask.yahoo.com/ask/20050427.html
Anybody see this:
http://ask.yahoo.com/ask/20050427.html
Hotshot
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,170
Likes: 5
From: The hills of No. Calif.
Interesting...a stagnant air bubble that forms in the bed with the tailgate up. I've come across some people on the road around here who have that same stagnant air bubble form between their ears... -TD
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,931
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From: N. Mississippi
I tried this with an 87 Nissan I used to own and saw no difference in the gas mileage. I added a fiberglass shell to that truck and my mileage increased by about 5 mpg.
I also saw on the show 'Trucks' on the Spike channel when it used to be TNN, that when they raced their Jeep truck on the track, they saw no difference in time or fuel used with tailgate on or off. But I know some folks that will still argue that they get better gas mileage with the tailgate down.
I also saw on the show 'Trucks' on the Spike channel when it used to be TNN, that when they raced their Jeep truck on the track, they saw no difference in time or fuel used with tailgate on or off. But I know some folks that will still argue that they get better gas mileage with the tailgate down.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,821
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From: South Dakota
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...mpg+university
This old thread had a link that showed that leaving your tailgate down was bad for mpg.
Too bad the link no longer exists.
This old thread had a link that showed that leaving your tailgate down was bad for mpg.
Too bad the link no longer exists.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,507
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From: Magrath
Leave it up. One, it doesn't save you any gas mileage. Two, your asking for rock chips and stuff to hit the tailgate. And three, it isn't really the safest way to be driving your truck. Hit a bump that bounces the truck just right, the tailgate could come off. I guess I don't see any reason to leave the tailgate down.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 931
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From: Cool, CA
Friends have a cabin in Lake Tahoe. When we go there we have to bring the trash back with us since there is no pickup service there. I have routinely tossed very light bags of garbage int eh truck bed and driven miles on teh freeway that way. With the tailgate up the wind blows over it completely, as the article suggests by a "stagnant air bubble". I'm sure if I lowered the tailgate it'd blow right out, even at slow speeds.
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The Pacifier
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,245
Likes: 7
From: Cloverdale, BC
Just to add to couleeman, having the tailgate down all the time will eventually cause the bed sides to flex themselves loose. The tailgate adds to the structural integrity of the bed when it is closed.
What I don't like about running with it down is when I hit a bump the thing bangs every time it comes back down.
What I don't like about running with it down is when I hit a bump the thing bangs every time it comes back down.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: covington wa.
I read an article in a popular mechanics mag once that did some
testing on this and there findings were that it would basically take
forever to see a differance in mileage gained and gas saved.
testing on this and there findings were that it would basically take
forever to see a differance in mileage gained and gas saved.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 1
From: Edgerton, WI
Having the tailgate up or down doesnt make any difference. No matter what you do you still get the air swirling off the back of the cab. That is where your "dirty air" comes into play and that is why you typically gain milage with a cap.
Octane
Octane
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,127
Likes: 2
From: Lewistown, PA
I would say spend your money on a cap or tonneau cover instead of leaving the gate down. It's unlawful to do so in some states. At any rate the areodynamics of the cab will create a void behind the cab. Also remember that trucks push the wind aside with the gracefullness of a garage door.
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