Tailgate up or down

[tmf6902]

I found this on the web...supposedly it's from some GM techs.....

 

I for one never drive with it down, unless I have to, I don't like it bouncing around back there, and I think it looks dumb....and let's face it, what's an extra .1-.3 miles per gallon. Just my opinion though.

 

Better milage with tailgate UP!!!

 

The physics of that sound pretty solid to me....especially when you have leaves in the back....they just tumble around back there.

 

TMF

[Black02Silverado]

Next question, what about the individuals with tonneau covers????

[bummed-n-Md]

Very interesting....

 

After a similar debate with some co-workers about 10 years ago, we did an experiment.

 

I used my old ('92) S-10, it was a regular cab with the S-10 version of a 'long' bed. If I ran with the tailgate up, my mileage went down unless I had something in the bed that would 'fill the space' (like the air bubble that was mentioned) . If I ran with the tailgate down, (empty bed) my mileage would go up.

 

A friend of mine with the same truck, except a short bed, had exactly the opposite results: gate up, mileage up, gate down, mileage down. A third co-worker with the same truck had the long bed but with the extended cab, the effects on his mileage fell in between the two of ours.

 

It was not scientific, but was observable.

 

In my current truck, it is exactly the opposite, best mileage is with the tailgate up.

 

bummed.

[k1500chevy97]

always leave it up unless im hauling something in the bed thats too long

[General Lee 01]

This is another one of my pet peeves.

 

 

IMO, Pickups look kinda half-a$$ed (sorry for the pun) without the tailgate up (Or if the tailgate's missing for that matter. Plus, it's kinda dangerous to drive around with the tailgate down for no reason. Hazard to other motorists.

[Jpshostr]

You mean I don't get optimal mileage driving around like this? d**n!

 

 

I leave it up not because of mileage reasons, but to add support to the bed sides. We've all seen the old ones with the sides flapping in the breeze due to busted welds.

[pacodiablo]

The Ranger gets 20 +/- MPG, so I can't complain about MPG anyway, but no, I don't leave the tail gate down unless there is something there too big to close it.

[MCourson]

Always up for me.

[antirice]

down, I'd rather replace a tailgate than a tailgate and a bumper when rearended

[ugeesta]

Hmmm. Think there's a connection to the tailgate issue in teh Light Duty forum?

 

Maybe leaving the tailgate down is bad for the cables also.

[silverado man]

You mean I don't get optimal mileage driving around like this? d**n!

 

 

I leave it up not because of mileage reasons, but to add support to the bed sides. We've all seen the old ones with the sides flapping in the breeze due to busted welds.

Yes that is giving you to best milage.

[scooter70]

I remember reading a study that was done at an east coast engineering school (don't remember which one, but it wasn't my alma mater, RPI). Anyway, they tried a bunch of configurations on a Dodge 1/2 ton and I believe that this is how it came out:

Best............................................................................

........................ Worst

Triangluar shaped cap > standard cap > hard tonneau > soft tonneau > gate down> gate up

 

I may have read it somewhere linked from a post here, but it was probably two years ago....

 

YMMV

[robsawatsky]

I don't doubt that university study at all, but it will be valid for that particular vehicle only. Aerodynamics is much more complex than people thought back in the 30's when the art-deco and swoopy vehicle craze was big. Things that look streamlined aren't necessarily aerodynamically efficient and suble alterations around edges and the length and curve of surfaces can have dramatic effects.

[MCourson]

Aerodynamics is much more complex than people thought back in the 30's when the art-deco and swoopy vehicle craze was big.  Things that look streamlined aren't necessarily aerodynamically efficient and suble alterations around edges and the length and curve of surfaces can have dramatic effects.

How true. I just finished building a kart to race on a 2.02 miles track. With a 3000' straight aerodynamics is key. All my friends can understand how this thing is aerodynamic with that huge nose.

 

[timk49]

Leave the tailgate up.

Let the wife go down.