Does anyone drive without the tailgate?

If so do you find that you save on gas mileage?

 

This question gets asked about 1-2 times a week and the answer is NO. I'm sure a couple people will insist it helps but they are wrong. I gotta allow them their opinion though, even if it's wrong.
This was asked yesterday and someone posted a link to some rather detailed research explaining exactly why it doesn't help.

I recently proved it to myself on a 4000 mile cross country trip in my Ranger. 2000 miles with the tailgate down and cruise set at 80 yielded 19.5 mpg. The return trip with the tailgate up and cruise set at 80 yielded 21.7 average.

 

Research conducted by Ford proved that removing the tailgate does not improve mileage. These tests were conducted in a wind tunnel which showed that when the tailgate is on, an air bubble forms in the box. This bubble then allows the air to come over the cab, and move smoothly over the box then off the back of the truck.

Removing the gate caused turbulence in the box and much more drag then with the gate on. Removing the tailgate to improve mileage is a myth, nothing more.

 

Even assuming that with the tailgate up, and airbubble is formed that reduces drag, wouldent the fact that removing the tailgate which reduce the weight of your truck more than compensate for the extra drag? how heavy are the tailgates of the new f-150's anyway?

 

the tail gate isn't even that heavy, only reason i would remove it is so I won't have another mishap of it falling off on me when closing it.

 

Somewhere I saw where someone had checked a truck with the tailgate down vs. up and it made one tenth of a mile per gallon difference. Not enough to run my truck around with the tailgate down...Kevin

 

Haha, its your foot. I can get like 8-10mpg with it floored around town, 14mpg 25on it/75 not, about 16 in town if i go like grandma, but thats not fun.

 

Never took the tailgate off, but...I noticed when I drove with my bed cover open, the ride was definitely more rough. I mean it was as if I could feel the wind hitting the bed and moving the truck slightly from time to time...and just more rough overall. I've had the cover ever since I've had the truck...so I definitely noticed the difference.

 

This topic has been beaten to death. Try doing a search and you'll find plenty to read.

 

the key reason to leave the tailgate on is structural intergrity.

With no tailgate, the side panels flex at speed. That day you wish to reinstall it, you will find it may not fit as well... and then you will bitch that Ford makes a ***** product.

 

The tailgate is actually pretty heavy. I have taken mine off a few times, it weighs about 80lbs I would guesstimate.

The lift assist REALLY tricks you.

 

if you drive around my area with the tail-gate down some
nut following too close will run into it

 

I worked on wind tunnel test on trucks back in college. Now I did this 20 plus years ago. OMG it's been that long. The models were 1/10th scale. The tailgate up or down had no big effected on the drag of the truck. The best reduction was adding a camper shell. The test was just on the effects of drag, so you have to remember that adding the shell adds weight to the truck. That may make it an even trade. I have a bed cover on my truck, but it's just to protect what I'm hauling and I like the looks.

So from 20 plus years ago, the answer to your question is no.