Mythbusters Tailgate Up/Down
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From: Florida
Mythbusters Tailgate Up/Down
I ran across this today. Im sure you have all seen it but I thought why not post it.
http://www.truckblog.com/video/tailgate_myth
Myth in question is: "Is it better to drive with the tailgat up or down to maxamize fuel economy?"
http://www.truckblog.com/video/tailgate_myth
Myth in question is: "Is it better to drive with the tailgat up or down to maxamize fuel economy?"
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From: city of angels
Originally Posted by Kymber
http://www.truckblog.com/video/tailgate_myth
Myth in question is: "Is it better to drive with the tailgat up or down to maxamize fuel economy?"
Myth in question is: "Is it better to drive with the tailgat up or down to maxamize fuel economy?"
i guess that settles it...truth IS stranger than fiction.
drj
Last edited by drj777; Apr 16, 2007 at 04:57 PM.
Fleet Mechanic
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From: Simi Valley, CA
yeah theres only one thing wrong with that, they used the brand new body style of truck, if they had used an old, say 97-03 model it would habve been different, these newer trucks have extra deep beds DESIGNED to create the locked air flow vortex deal, our trucks have a lower bed rail compared to the bed floor, so if they did this test on our trucks, they would, IMO, find tail gate down the better option, but hey i could be wrong
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From: Simi Valley, CA
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From: lexington N.C.
well i tested the theory and i have to say on my truck i get better milage with it down i drive 45 miles to work one way, all highway and it made a 1/8 of a tank differance but in town i leave it up just cuz i want to..lol
Laughing Gas
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From: DC
My old '86 Reg cab / 8' bed used to get about 2 mpg better with the gate down. My '97 Supercab with a 6 1/2' bed has no noticable difference with the gate up or down. Obviously, it's all about aerodynamics and with all the different truck shapes these days, I think you need to experiment and see what works.
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From: Wyoming
If you're going to leave the tailgate down or even off entirely, just don't have a whole bunch of crap in the bed. A toolbox coming out the back end on the highway ain't pretty.
I had to dodge a cooler that rolled out last week. Somebody was on their way out to the oil/gas patch, and had a big round water cooler tip over and slowly roll out the back. A six pack of beer (obviously for the trip back to town) came shooting out the top along with all the water and ice. Could'a saved alot of trouble by just putting up the tailgate.
I had to dodge a cooler that rolled out last week. Somebody was on their way out to the oil/gas patch, and had a big round water cooler tip over and slowly roll out the back. A six pack of beer (obviously for the trip back to town) came shooting out the top along with all the water and ice. Could'a saved alot of trouble by just putting up the tailgate.
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I like Myth Busters, but I think they didn't get accurate results. There was an article in Tailgate Talk by Bruce Smith in which a Ford Engineer discussed the affect of tailgates being down or up and tonneau covers and their affect on mileage. Here is a short excerpt from that:
According to many of those same experts, the best way to improve a pickup's fuel economy is to leave the tailgate up and cover the bed with a quality after market tonneau cover.
"Tonneau covers on pickup boxes reduce aerodynamic drag" said Ford's Jack Williams. "we've seen reductions of about 8 to 10 percent on the F150, which means the average fuel economy improvements for the EPA city/highway cycle(test) is about 2 percent.
"The average steady-state (cruise control) fuel economy improvement at highway speeds is close to 5 percent.."
Adding a tonneau could mean an improvement in fuel mileage that is the equivalent of a free gallon of gas for every 20 gallons used.
According to many of those same experts, the best way to improve a pickup's fuel economy is to leave the tailgate up and cover the bed with a quality after market tonneau cover.
"Tonneau covers on pickup boxes reduce aerodynamic drag" said Ford's Jack Williams. "we've seen reductions of about 8 to 10 percent on the F150, which means the average fuel economy improvements for the EPA city/highway cycle(test) is about 2 percent.
"The average steady-state (cruise control) fuel economy improvement at highway speeds is close to 5 percent.."
Adding a tonneau could mean an improvement in fuel mileage that is the equivalent of a free gallon of gas for every 20 gallons used.