Milage/ tailgate drag question

Im gonna be doing a cross country trip this coming week. Im not using my bed (bags in backseat) and was wondering if I would see a substantial increase in mpg by removing my tailgate. Im not really worried about looks, only laws and mpg. If anyone has experience with this or something related I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

 

Mythbusters said lowering your tailgate gets WORSE gas mileage

 

i think there is a thread on this. and that you actually get better mpg with your tailgate in the regular closed position.

i could be wrong but thats what i remember

 

There's a thread on here were it's discussed... I don't think there's a meaningful difference, but I don't remember. I know there was a Mythbuster's episode about that where they found that the truck they tested (a Ford F150, I think) went further on the same amount of gas w/ the tailgate on and closed.

As the other thread discussed, though, different trucks will act differently.

 

Here's the thread I remember. The discussion of the Mythbuster's episode is on the third page.

I vote that you drive one way w/ your tailgate up, and drive back w/ it down. It will be far from scientific, but the results could be interesting.

 

Yep, I saw that one too.

 

According to mythbusters, when the tailgate is closed, a bubble of circulating air occurs behind the cab. This bubble keeps passing air from entering the box and flowing out of the truck. When the tailgate is open, there is no bubble created and airflow pushes down on the tailgate creating drag.

 

up

 

Leave it up, the MPG reasons have already been explained.

One thing I don't see mentioned though, and I don't know for sure if it's true, but I've heard or read that leaving it open all the time for high speed drives can actually eventually lead to the sides of your bed warping. The idea being that your tailgate acts as a lateral support for the sides of your bed.

 

If it is not already posted, it is a good way for you to expand your brain - read a couple of internet articles of what you are looking for (aerodynamics of trucks), 'borrow' some of your mom's yarn and tape tufts of yarn about every 2 inches with all your gear/spare tire/etc. and see what it looks like while someone else is driving (kind of tough to do if you are driving) with gate up and gate down. Post pictures and your conclusion. I will give you a high 'B+' - good towards your education and will apply for non-accredited schools!

 

Yep. Mythbusters did it with the tailgate removed as well. No difference over tailgate up. They speculated that taking the tailgate off reduced weight and made up the loss encurred by leaving the tailgate down. The only thing that increased mileage was a mesh tailgate. It increased mpgs by about 5% ( which would work out to about 1mpg). They speculated the reduced weight plus the ability to create a pocket in the bed resulted in an increase.

 

Ok, I vote you take off the tailgate, put up a tailgate net. That way you meet both standards...

 

Part of the deal is to have a higher pressure bubble in the bed area to help create a teardrop shape of the truck going through that darn air.

 

Saw the same show, net tailgate FTW if you don't care about looks and want the best gas mileage

 

Up , and add a big spoiler to it ,

OZ

 

I think you should say myth busters and drive one way there with the tailgate down, take the gas mileage and drive with it up on the way back and tell us when you get back.

Just my 2cents

 

As long as it's up hill both ways!!!

 

leave it as is, it won't make a difference I think

 

You got a point Murphy..Didnt think of that