Saw It On Mythbusters
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2005
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Saw It On Mythbusters
hey all that talk about removing the tailgate and putting one of those nets in its place, or driving with the gate down giving you better gas mileage is FALSE!! They did a test on mythbusters, and you actually get BETTER mileage with the tailgate UP. With the gate up, it creates a vortex of air just behing the cab, making the oncoming air go completely over the bed. With the gate down, or removed, the oncoming air goes over the cab and right into the bed, putting a drag on the truck. So all those claims by pro net and the like about better mileage are false.
Post Fiend
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From: Eastern WA
New User
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reducing mass can be a factor
Removing the gate reduces the mass of the vehicle.
Less mass means less force (less fuel) is necessary to accelerate.
In situations (such as stop-and-go city driving) where wind
isn't an issue, this is definitely advantageous.
Less mass means less force (less fuel) is necessary to accelerate.
In situations (such as stop-and-go city driving) where wind
isn't an issue, this is definitely advantageous.
Last edited by txag; Mar 23, 2006 at 12:03 PM. Reason: typo
Elder User
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From: Northeast of Toronto.
Originally Posted by AlbraiNYa
hey all that talk about removing the tailgate and putting one of those nets in its place, or driving with the gate down giving you better gas mileage is FALSE!! They did a test on mythbusters, and you actually get BETTER mileage with the tailgate UP. With the gate up, it creates a vortex of air just behing the cab, making the oncoming air go completely over the bed. With the gate down, or removed, the oncoming air goes over the cab and right into the bed, putting a drag on the truck. So all those claims by pro net and the like about better mileage are false.
They also did a test comparing windows up and a/c on vs windows down and a/c off. They found out that at less than 50mph it's more economical to have your windows down and a/c off. At more than 50mph it's beneficial to have your a/c on and windows up. They ended with a graph showing that the magic number is 50mph. They did the test two ways, once with hightech gadgets but the results proved faulty and the second time just driving down the highway until the gas ran out.
Freshman User
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txag, i think that everyone had in mind highway driving, where aerodynamic forces such as drag are a factor. Though i dont really think the weight of the tailgate is that relavent in a situation of stop and go traffic. There are already too many other factors that kill the gas mileage in that situation. Although the mind set of "every little bit helps" is always a good one to go by.
Also, we did quite a bit of testing on this issue at Texas Tech (ME dept.) in wind tunnels like that of which was done on Mythbusters. Basically same results. Tests were geared towards highway driving speeds above 50 mph.
Also, we did quite a bit of testing on this issue at Texas Tech (ME dept.) in wind tunnels like that of which was done on Mythbusters. Basically same results. Tests were geared towards highway driving speeds above 50 mph.
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To check this out myself, I went on a road trip last year on the interstate
through the desert. Going a distance of 195 mi, from an elevation of
1085 down to 152 ft, I got 12.x MPG with the gate up, and continuing,
I went 62 mi from 152 ft to -40 ft, and got 15.x MPG with the gate
down. This was starting with a full tank each time, cruise control engaged.
Ride was noticably smoother with the gate down as well.
This is not a scientific study, of course, and there are other
variables possibly at play. I don't pretend to be able to
explain it. But for now, I drive with the gate down or removed,
and will test it on further road trips.
through the desert. Going a distance of 195 mi, from an elevation of
1085 down to 152 ft, I got 12.x MPG with the gate up, and continuing,
I went 62 mi from 152 ft to -40 ft, and got 15.x MPG with the gate
down. This was starting with a full tank each time, cruise control engaged.
Ride was noticably smoother with the gate down as well.
This is not a scientific study, of course, and there are other
variables possibly at play. I don't pretend to be able to
explain it. But for now, I drive with the gate down or removed,
and will test it on further road trips.
Last edited by txag; Mar 23, 2006 at 01:30 PM. Reason: typo
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 215
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From: Massachusetts
ahh the test where they discovereed the seperated air bubble. I can say that at any speed, I get dismal gas mileage at any speed.
~Su
~Su
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Southern New England
There are a couple of disadvantages to driving with your tailgate down, which have nothing to do with the elusive mpg's with a 6000# vehicle.
The tailgate will pick up dust, stones, debris, or whatever is on the road and kicked up by the rear tires. In my case (with a previous truck), it was almost a sandblasting-like affect. Or you can leave the tailgate down, like my brother-in-law, and misjudge objects when backing up. He hit a tree and trashed his tailgate (the cost of which severly cut into the fuel he was saving by driving with the tailgate down).
Maybe Ford should consider a retractable tailgate?
The tailgate will pick up dust, stones, debris, or whatever is on the road and kicked up by the rear tires. In my case (with a previous truck), it was almost a sandblasting-like affect. Or you can leave the tailgate down, like my brother-in-law, and misjudge objects when backing up. He hit a tree and trashed his tailgate (the cost of which severly cut into the fuel he was saving by driving with the tailgate down).
Maybe Ford should consider a retractable tailgate?
Last edited by 2Fords1Jeep; Mar 26, 2006 at 08:21 AM.
