Tailgates and MPG
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,854
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
i have the louvered 5th wheel tailgate... the ad said it would help with mpg... i'm glad that's not why i bought it because it doesn't... far as i can tell there is no difference between the 5'ver gate and the stock gate up... the reasons why i got the gate is i can hookup to the 5'ver without droping the gate... and... when i look behind me to back up i can see right down through those louvers and see what is behind me, which is really nice when you are backing up to the 5'ver or turning around at some campground or in a tight spot...
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
Originally Posted by Douglas DC-9
I have a 2000 F-350 Power Stroke/auto/dually/SC/LB and I figure I'm getting about 11 miles to a gallon, 8 with my trailer on. I don't know what my gearing is but all I know is that my monthly fuel bill is about $850.00. It sucks! Although I'm thinking that maybe the truck was preformance chipped? I have a tonneau cover, and at this point, I don't think it does much good. Maybe it does, but I don't think that .5MPG is something to write home about.
Just my 2 cents
DC-9-32
Just my 2 cents
DC-9-32
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 542
Likes: 0
From: Milpitas, CA; Tyler, TX
My Dad put a cap/shell on his '01 Dodge Ram 1500 5.2, and he claims it went down by 1.5mpg. Blames it on the 200lb weight of the shell, but I'm thinking it just doesn't like the aerodynamics.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Lisle
I was getting around 14.5 mpg highway and city driving my 99 f350 dually auto with the tailgate up, the truck has 240k on it. I bought some diesel klean and the edge juice with attitude and now my mpg is up to 18.5. But if I go above 65 I start to lose mpg. So I'm thinking of getting a toneau cover. I think 18.5 is pretty impresive for a dually myself.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,552
Likes: 79
From: Manhattan, KS
I probably wouldn't run with the tailgate down on a regular basis after hauling a dog kennel and having to leave the tailgate down on the interstate about a year ago. When I got home I notice lots of small gravel pits on the tailgate. Evidently the turbulence caused small stuff to kick up and chip the paint.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,821
Likes: 19
From: South Dakota
Originally Posted by husker
I probably wouldn't run with the tailgate down on a regular basis after hauling a dog kennel and having to leave the tailgate down on the interstate about a year ago. When I got home I notice lots of small gravel pits on the tailgate. Evidently the turbulence caused small stuff to kick up and chip the paint.
1. It is illegal in some states to run with the gate down with out a load (and for dam good reasons).
2. The amount of damage done to your box sides is immense as the gate is no longer supporting them as it is designed to do.
3. You better have one heck of an Liability policy as the cables are not meant to be banging (due to gate bouncing), but held in constant tension (loaded); which means that the possibility of your gate comming off at high speed is considerably greater.
Want to spend some time in the pen because your tailgate fell off and took out some driver/passenger in a Honda just because you were trying to save a tid bit of fuel?
Something to think about.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,427
Likes: 10
From: Templeton, Massachussetts
Originally Posted by soutthpaw
After reading throught the vast thread on Diesel fuel additives I got to thinking about if having the tailgate down makes any difference or should you cover the bed etc. found this article interesting on the topic and wondering if anyone using a Tonneau cover soft or hard styles has noticed any changes in mileage on the PSD's
here is a more technical article that shows the wind tunnel image of the invisible bubble
DJ
here is a more technical article that shows the wind tunnel image of the invisible bubble
DJ
supposed to have a load in it.
remember those plastic tailgate nets??? never worked well.. i think it was a fad,
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,949
Likes: 0
From: Near DC
Originally Posted by husker
MobeyDick, You're probably right, but I'm working on it. Does busting off the nerf bars off roading give me redneck points?
Sheesh, you guyz...
Oh, and anything called a nerf CAN'T be redneck.
Ohhhh, you just lost points!
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
Originally Posted by Steve_250
No, but take the fake shotgun out of the window rack and put a double barrel up there.
Sheesh, you guyz...
Oh, and anything called a nerf CAN'T be redneck.
Ohhhh, you just lost points!
Sheesh, you guyz...
Oh, and anything called a nerf CAN'T be redneck.
Ohhhh, you just lost points!
Git r done
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,427
Likes: 10
From: Templeton, Massachussetts
Originally Posted by soutthpaw
Be a real Redneck and move here to Colorado, The state passed a law that allows you to drive or walk around with a loaded firearm. if you want to conceal it then it is about 185 for the class and CCW license
Git r done
Git r done