truck tailgate up or down for best gas miles?

[bclapham]

I have recently bought a truck and a lot of people have said that leaving the tailgate down gives better gas miles (i have noticed lots of trucks with them either down or removed). However, the other day i read that this is a myth and you actually get better MPG's with it up! I didnt think this made sence but the article went on to say this was because of a "bubble" or air created by the bed (with the gate up) which has the effect of reducing drag. (sorry, but i cant remember where i read this)

does anyone have any ideas, inside knowledge or even better actual data on this?

thanks

bruce

 

[DAVE C]

No advice as far as gas mileage, but I know of people who have had big problems from leaving their tailgate down for extended periods of time. The sidewalls of the bed are allowed to flex and thus become "bent" over time. Some have gotten so bad that the tailgate can't be shut. Personally I would sacrafice a little on gas mileage in order to save the structural integrity of the bed walls. That is just my rather unprofessional opinion though.

 

[a454elk]

The new vehicles are designed with the gates in the up position. They don;t run out in the wind tunnel and drop the gate! Back in the older days, the gates acted like sails and it made a difference. If you drop the gate now, it changes the aerodynamics of the vehicle. This applies to the last 10 years or so, before that, your guess is as good as mine.
Elk

 

[JuliusPleaser]

While testing GMC's Syclone truck at Bonneville, Car and Driver magazine found that the truck achieved highest aero efficiency with the gate up and a hard cover over the front half of the bed.

If you leave the gate down, all your beer cans will roll out.

 

[a454elk]

Originally posted by Julius Pleaser

If you leave the gate down, all your beer cans will roll out.

That's what a stinkin quad is for, holds all the beer cans in!
Elk

 

[michigan]

Up/down makes no difference with my truck, but the speed I travel at makes a huge difference.

 

[YZmoto]

Originally posted by bclapham
I have recently bought a truck and a lot of people have said that leaving the tailgate down gives better gas miles (i have noticed lots of trucks with them either down or removed). However, the other day i read that this is a myth and you actually get better MPG's with it up! I didnt think this made sence but the article went on to say this was because of a "bubble" or air created by the bed (with the gate up) which has the effect of reducing drag. (sorry, but i cant remember where i read this)

does anyone have any ideas, inside knowledge or even better actual data on this?

thanks

bruce

I read about it in Dirt Bike magazine newest issue.

 

[HiG4s]

I get 20 MPG with my truck with the gate up, never tried down. I imagine the hot ticket would be up with a hard bed cover.

 

[zilla]

Don't know bout thte tailgate thing, but I have a cover on the back of my truck.. If I'm not hauling bikes It can be locked and also keeps the weather off your stuff.. It does iincrease mileage, at least I have noticed it.. Only downer id that you have to remove it to haul your bikes.. But it can be removed in about 5-mins sans tools...

zilla

 

[bclapham]

Thanks for the info guys, it looks like the general consensus is that tailgate up is best. i am quite pleased actually since i dont like the idea of driving with the gate down, it seems dangerous and would be a pain to jump out and put it back up every time you find a tight parking spot!

what is even more amazing is that YZmoto actually found some useful information coming out of a hitorque publication!

cheers

bruce

 

[Hucker]

Originally posted by Julius Pleaser
While testing GMC's Syclone truck at Bonneville, Car and Driver magazine found that the truck achieved highest aero efficiency with the gate up and a hard cover over the front half of the bed.

If you leave the gate down, all your beer cans will roll out.

He he, 0-60 in 4.3 seconds in that bad boy. I think with the tailgate down, the doors open and no hood that thing would still be a monster :)

 

[smb_racing]

now I noticed that en route to dirtweek with my truck fully loaded ('96 mazduh B2300) I got much better gas mileage. This is with several hundred pounds of bike, gear, and parts etc. All of this while going a steady 85 mph on I-70. I was getting right around 28 mpg, which is exceptional considering that I normally get right at 25. The only difference? The gate was down on the way to casey, I know it's unscientific but it works for me ;)

 

[VintageDirt]

Originally posted by bclapham
However, the other day i read that this is a myth and you actually get better MPG's with it up! I didnt think this made sence but the article went on to say this was because of a "bubble" or air created by the bed (with the gate up) which has the effect of reducing drag. (sorry, but i cant remember where i read this)

I don't know if it makes sense, but the quote came from page 59 of the February 2002 Dirt Bike Magazine.:eek:

 

[XRpredator]

While I can attest to the "bubble" (ever ridden in the back of a pickup at speed--the air kinda swirls around, but doesn't really blow hard), I'd never drive with the tailgate down. too much crap back there that I don't need strewn all over the highway! :eek:

 

[Jeepboy]

When I was in college, my Fluid Dynamics professor commented about driving with the tailgate up or down. He said the tailgate should be up. He also commented that their is also a small force of air actually pushing on the back of the tailgate with it in the up position.