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Tailgate Net

hawaiianstiln

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hawaiianstiln Enthusiast

hawaiianstiln

Posted
Posted

Do the bully tailgate nets for trucks really help in gas mileage?? I guess if you take the tailgate off that's less weight. I'm sure some of you have different opinions about the airflow in a truck without a bed cover and how much it helps or doesn't help to drop the tailgate or buy a tailgate net.

jrrod2004 Senior Enthusiast

jrrod2004

Posted
Posted
Do the bully tailgate nets for trucks really help in gas mileage?? I guess if you take the tailgate off that's less weight. I'm sure some of you have different opinions about the airflow in a truck without a bed cover and how much it helps or doesn't help to drop the tailgate or buy a tailgate net.

 

 

It would be easier to throw a tonneau on and close the gate. Many here will agree that dropping the tailgate with 1) Stretch your cables and 2) would have worse effect than leaving the gate open. Now as for removing the gate all together, it does save weight, but the problem is that the rear tires now have even less weight for them.

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted
Leave the tailgate ON and in the UP position. The Wind Tunnel at The GM Tech Center has proven this. Believe Me.

Yip... old wive's tale number 529 is BUSTED.

 

I had a bed cover on mine for 60 days or so and the difference was in very very tiny fractions of a mile per gallon. Certainly not worth buying for mpg gains.

Outbacker Enthusiast

Outbacker

Posted
Posted

I have watched the Mythbusters episode, and it is quite plausible that leaving the tailgate up will give you better mileage then having it down. I leave the tailgate up simply to keep prevent the cables from stretching, and keep the structural integrity of the box intact.

frogbiscuit Enthusiast

frogbiscuit

Posted
Posted

Before mythbusters, the National research council of Canada did the same thing (I think it was in Raod and Track), that tailgate down or net actually worsens the aerodynamics. A tonneau, even a partial, helps.

2000DV4.8 Senior Enthusiast

2000DV4.8

Posted
Posted
Before mythbusters, the National research council of Canada did the same thing (I think it was in Raod and Track), that tailgate down or net actually worsens the aerodynamics. A tonneau, even a partial, helps.

 

That's in Canada though, and we all know they're crazy up there... :jester:

slimjim2525 Senior Enthusiast

slimjim2525

Posted
Posted

 

 

Leave the tailgate ON and in the UP position. The Wind Tunnel at The GM Tech Center has proven this. Believe Me.
:jester:
hawaiianstiln Enthusiast

hawaiianstiln

Posted
  • Author
Posted

well, as far as less weight on the rear tires if I took the tailgate off, I was going to tow my boat 2200 miles (round trip) and thought by having a tailgate net would help. :jester:

Mikeee Enthusiast

Mikeee

Posted
Posted
Leave the tailgate ON and in the UP position. The Wind Tunnel at The GM Tech Center has proven this. Believe Me.
:jester:

 

+1

 

This subject has been run thru the mill here already.

Search Button still works very well.

Guest Riggs

Guest Riggs

Posted
Posted

if you have a 8 ft box it will help...

sk Senior Enthusiast

sk

Posted
Posted
Leave the tailgate ON and in the UP position. The Wind Tunnel at The GM Tech Center has proven this. Believe Me.
:banghead:

 

+1

 

This subject has been run thru the mill here already.

Search Button still works very well.

 

 

Yep, discussed at length on here already.

 

Anyway, SAE proved the same thing (I can't get the SAE paper to upload but if anyone wants a copy or wants to host it let me know).

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