MPG and the tailgate

I have seen many times that some trucks are driving with their tailgates down. I imagine since theres nothing in the truck they are doing this for aerodynamic reason. Could driving with the tailgate down at speeds of 60mph really help your gas mileage.

 

google mythbusters. they said driving with gate down is of no gain i believe

 

Myth Busters did an episode on this and if I remember correctly the MPG was actually less with the tail gate down.


Regardless of the episode, that has to be one of the most retarded things I see on the road. A full size truck, lifted with larger tires and the tail gate down to save MPG

 

ya because pickups are design for flow with the gate up or something like that. doesnt it create a pocket or something like that that helps it not interfere with airflow around it?

 

Saw it as well. I use to drive with it down all the time til I watched that episode.

 

+1 lmfao

 

I remember that episode. I believe the best way to improve your mpg was to get a tailgate net. I was going to get one anyways because I like to have my tailgate off when I have my dirt bike in and I don't want to keep taking the full tailgate on and off.

 

i had a buddy who said he actually did a test with his ranger and got 2 miles per gallon better.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3aqHbD-O9E

 

Myth busters is full of crap at times, although watching the video, they sure did dot thier I's and cross thier T's, although they only test 1 model truck. They had an episode once that talking on your cell phone while pumping gas couldn't cause an explosion. Go do a search on google and you'll find a bunch of them. Anything that would improve areodynamics will improve fuel mileage.

That being said, I do not recommend doing it or getting a cargo style tailgate. The tailgate is part of the integrity of your bed; it squares it out. After awhile, I've heard of beds shifting inwards and the tailgate no longer fitting in properly. Not on Toyota, but I've seen it.

If your that worried about fuel mileage, go drive a corolla.

 

I saw that mythbusters too, but I don't believe it. I have done it on my tacoma and two previous trucks on multiple tanks and I think having it down did help. I did it more because I was curious not really to save the money. The gains weren't much maybe 1-2 mpg at most.

 

Your friendly TW aeronautical engineer says women prefer a man whose Tacoma tail gate is up!

 

I asked a few engineering majors about this today oddly enough, they all agreed that the curvature of the rear bumper and quarter panels gather air to "push" the truck along. Take it with a grain of salt, but I keep mine up.

 

Word

 

relax man Im not that worried you and another poster need some lexapro. All I was asking is if this made any sense. Too many chiefs in this forum not enough indians.