2006-12-15 03:21:38 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
yes it does,,i own a repair shop,and i use a truck as a runner to get parts in,,and i often drive some long distances,,and it does help,and no its not against the law,,they pulled me over once for this,,but it quickly got straitened out,,but it will help you on mileage,,good luck with it,,i hope this help,s.,have a good x-mas.
2006-12-15 03:47:18 · answer #1 · answered by dodge man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
one of the major car mags did a test with ,dodge ford and chev on an 80 mile out and back trip.with tailgate up and with it down.with it down the mileage was less than 1/2 mpg better except on the chev and it actually dropped.
new trucks are designed for low wind resistance with the tailgate on
i did notice that my 1980's ford did get a little better but it also weakened the rear fenders
2006-12-15 12:21:01 · answer #2 · answered by doug b 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, it does not; driving with the tailgate UP gives you less wind resistance and better MPG because the tailgate up creates a little "whirlpool" in your bed, causing the incoming wind to float right over.
2006-12-15 11:26:19 · answer #3 · answered by Doyle Hargraves 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mythbusters and many other forums have tested this myth. leaving the tailgate down can reduce gas mileage as opposed to approving it. Just leave your tailgate up.
The only thing proven to help is to get an Airgate or cloth style gate, or to remove the tailgate altogether. At any rate, I'd just leave the gate up.
2006-12-15 11:28:26 · answer #4 · answered by Lemar J 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No . I have a truck and have tried both ways - no difference . On the program " Mythbusters" they drove 2 trucks one behind the other and found it didn't make a difference . They found any wind pushed off the tailgate pushed on the back of the cab . I have A Tonneau cover that makes no difference either.
2006-12-15 11:30:21 · answer #5 · answered by trevorgl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Driving with the tailgate down for any length of time will severely weaken your fender supports. Before you know it, your fenders will start flopping for lack of proper support. The minimal economic advantage of gas-saving is not worth the damage caused by driving with the tailgate down.
2006-12-15 11:33:14 · answer #6 · answered by Wilson 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it pretty much depends on the design of your truck. personally if i were you,id buy a soft tonneau cover,which will prevent the bed from becoming a cavity in the first place and then you wont have to wonder. choose a good quality soft one,becasue you can un snap it if you have something big to haul,and put it back down when your gone.this lets ya keep your tailgate with ya too,and you can keep small item from getting wet,and possibly stolen
2006-12-16 17:30:00 · answer #7 · answered by yankeegray_99 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
mythbusters says no difference but I dissagree...but then again I have a 1974 ranchero GT with a 460 cubic inch big block. I gotta squeeze every drop I can. and the mythbusters would be correct in most cases but in mine the tailgate weighs 235 pounds so the excess weight makes it more economical to lose the tailgate.
2006-12-15 11:25:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
maybe 20-30 years ago, but with todays aerodynamics and electronic computer ran engines, the difference is small, but it is actually more efficient tailgate up. and the mythbuster did 2 episodes on the issue.
2006-12-15 11:37:04 · answer #9 · answered by spcresha 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes it does, just make sure if you're driving it that way that the tailgate is secured properly, if it falls off replacing it or causing an accident will cost you more than you are saving in fuel, also the savings are very small you're probably safer just leaving it closed
2006-12-15 11:25:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋