Hi

Came across this web page on the effects of driving with the tail gate up or down, as well as having a camper shell on or off. I figured the camper shell on was bad for mileage, but according to this site the most efficient way to travel is with the tail gate up.

Here's the link: Tail Gate Up or Down?

Guess I'll go back to keeping the gate up.

Muser

 

Interesting, but not necessarily transferrable to different model trucks. My '01 F-150 showed a 2 mpg increase when I added a canopy. The 01 and canopy appear more aerodynamic than the rig used in this test.

I've seen other tests that also showed the tailgate up position to be better than with it down, so that I'll believe.

 

Someone told me once that riding with my tailgate down would improve my gas mileage.

So, I did and gave it a few tanks of gas. Nada. The only thing I got was a nice dent in the back of my tailgate from having the damn thing down and exposing it to the road.

So, I REMOVED my tailgate and drove around without a tailgate for about another 5 tanks worth of gas. Nada again. I think that is some boo-schnieke.

I can't speak for the camper - never wanted to try it either, so....

 

Thats an 8 foot bed.. most people dont have them and the air will flow diferently over the cab into the long bed then with my 5.5 bed. interesting site tho.
-Patrick

 

depends on the year............the manufacture of many trucks add a tiny lip to bump the air up....to go up.....hit down into the bed then out,....missing the tailgate theoretically

 

Everyone tells me that driving with my tailgate down will increase gas mileage, but I think the truck looks better on the road like it was meant to be... with the tailgate closed.

And campers and toppers are just plain gay looking, so screw that....

 

This isn't new....with the advent of aero design, trucks get better mileage with the tail gate up, because that's the way they were designed.

 

I told a guy at work about driving with his tailgate down and how it was supposed to be more fuel efficient if it was up. so he tried it up, down and with it off. it was best with it off. he drives 40 miles each way and tried each method for a few weeks.
Me, well i just leave it up. I don't want to drive around with no gate or with it down.

 

I was told, many moons ago, that driving with the tailgate off or down would cause the bed walls to become weak and wobbly. Even more so with those cargo nets in place of the tailgate. The cargo net acts as a parachute and will flex the walls. This, of course, would happen after a long period of time. So I wonder if what I was told was wrong ??? (it wouldn’t be the first time)

 

No this is true, here in "farmland" I see many many pickups 10 years + old with no tailgate and thier bed walls flopping back and forth. The tailgate also plays an important role in the over all structure of all trucks too. Minimizes damages and injuries during rear, side impacts as well as some roll overs. Even if you get 2 mpg increase with it down or off. At $3 per gallon, that is less than a $2 dollar savings per tank full. Yea Think I'll spend a couple dollars a week to keep my truck nice, keep my tailgate shutting easily, and maybe even my family and I safe. JMHO

 

You are 100% correct. I guess a tonneau cover is a better solution.

 

That show Mythbusters proved it was better driving with the tailgate up.

 

I JUST NOTICED THAT, WHAT REALLY THE PROBLEM OF HAVING A TAILGATE? I THINK IT'S UP TO YOU WHAT LOOK OF YOUR TRUCK WANNA BE, BESIDES IT WILL REFLECT YOUR ATTITUDE OR LIFESTYLE. THE BEST WAY TO SAVE SOME GAS IS HOW YOU DRIVE. BECAUSE ITS HARD TO COMPARE FUEL CONSUMPTION FOR THOSE GUYS RUNNING MORE THAN 50MPH RATHER THAN 40MPH OR CITY DRIVING TO HIGHWAY DRIVING TO OFF ROAD DRIVING. IF SOMEBODY THINKS THAT THE TAILGATE IS A PARACHUTE OF HIS TRUCK, IT'S MUCH BETTER TO REMOVE HIS TAILGATE OR THE BEST THING IS DRIVE A SMALL TRUCK.

 

Not only was that last post all over the place....I now have a headache and a sudden urge to strangle someone.....

 

Your truck is your investment, so enjoy it and drive safely and enjoy your driving. Gas expenses is part of it.