2007-05-23 07:52:36 · 13 answers · asked by bobthehawk 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
Check out the Mythbusters on Discovery, they proved you get better mileage by leaving the gate up or putting a cover over the bed.
2007-05-23 07:55:09 · answer #1 · answered by odandme 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contrary to popular belief, it is better to keep the gate up than down because the bed will retain a "pocket" of air and aerodynamics will play a part in pushing the air away from the truck. Popular thinking used to be that if you lowered the gate it would increase your gas mileage by reducing drag but this has since been debunked.
2007-05-23 15:01:12 · answer #2 · answered by frodo33 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They actually discussed this on the radio while I was driving in this morning. Evidently you get better gas mileage with the tailgate up because the trapped wind/air makes a "protective bubble" that reduces overall aerodynamic drag on your vehicle.
2007-05-23 14:58:52 · answer #3 · answered by J Z 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They covered this one on Mythbusters twice. Removing the tailgate or driving with it down cause the gas milage to drop. They had the best results with one of those mesh tailgates though.
2007-05-23 14:55:02 · answer #4 · answered by A.Mercer 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but by a ridiculously small amount. The drag behind the cab is the biggest area of negative pressure. Try a bed cover and you will reduce this area by at least 50%.
2007-05-23 14:56:33 · answer #5 · answered by yes_its_me 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Surprisingly, no. The truck was manufactured to have the tail gate in place, and the air flow adjusted to accommodate that. Removing it changes the aerodynamics and actually increases drag.
2007-05-23 14:58:43 · answer #6 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes significantly because it is just like a parachute and look at how much that slows you down. That's the same as the drag it puts on your truck. Lower it.
2007-05-23 14:59:02 · answer #7 · answered by thomas m 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No - it dont make a difference.
Make sure you tires are full, unnecessary crap out of the truck and be gentle.
Thats about all you can do
2007-05-23 15:10:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
not any longer for the later models
the wind drag etc is factored in while engineering them
2007-05-23 14:55:06 · answer #9 · answered by caretaker 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
JZ has the correct answer which is no. It's actually better with the tail gate up......good luck!
2007-05-23 15:01:18 · answer #10 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋