Old school of thought or science?
#1
2018 XLT FX4
Thread Starter
Old school of thought or science?
Many years ago, especially in the 80's and 90's, we used to see pickup trucks sans tailgates, or sporting those "Gator Nets" in lieu of a tailgate. This was based on the hypothesis of better airflow and less wind resistance, effectually increasing gas mileage. I thought I read something, some years ago when I had my first truck ('99 Dodge Ram), that modern design eliminated these issues, I however and as always, was skeptical... I still see the "whorling effect" on T-Shirts and random garbage in the back of trucks, so obviously there is still an area of low pressure and drag. Don't get me wrong - I would NEVER put one of those hideous "Gator Nets" on my brand new truck, or remove my tailgate, but I am a mileage junkie ( I know, I know, why didn't you buy a Prius then?!), so I'm just curious what the opinions are of all the lounge chair physicists out there. DISCUSS!
#2
I can't find any of the links now because they are 15 years old. But . . . I looked into this when I got a Dodge Dakota back in '00. I saw data that compared mpg with the the bed open and gate up, bed open gate down, soft tonneau gate up, hard tonneau gate up, and full cap on the bed. Now, I don't even remember the test method, and for all I know it wasn't scientific.
But, first of all the differences in mpg were minimal compared to open bed with gate closed. The open bed/gate down was slightly worse. The soft tonneau didn't have any measurable effect. The hard tonneau showed a slight improvement. The full cap was slightly worse.
So I was looking for reasons to buy a tonneau cover and improve mpg wasn't the reason.
One guy who worked at a body shop thought that dropping the gate let the side panels vibrate as the truck drove. He freely admitted it was his armchair physicist guess, but he also pointed out that vibrating side panels can't really be good for your truck.
Unlike last months repeated threads about design engineers and oil changes . . . this, I think, is where design engineers earn their money. They surely understand air drag and the physical design space they have to minimize it. I think they probably dislike side view mirrors more than they dislike tailgates.
But, first of all the differences in mpg were minimal compared to open bed with gate closed. The open bed/gate down was slightly worse. The soft tonneau didn't have any measurable effect. The hard tonneau showed a slight improvement. The full cap was slightly worse.
So I was looking for reasons to buy a tonneau cover and improve mpg wasn't the reason.
One guy who worked at a body shop thought that dropping the gate let the side panels vibrate as the truck drove. He freely admitted it was his armchair physicist guess, but he also pointed out that vibrating side panels can't really be good for your truck.
Unlike last months repeated threads about design engineers and oil changes . . . this, I think, is where design engineers earn their money. They surely understand air drag and the physical design space they have to minimize it. I think they probably dislike side view mirrors more than they dislike tailgates.
#3
Cruise
When I was a kid my cheap *** step dad used to leave his tailgate down all the time to save MPGs. He went over a railroad track one time and the damn thing fell off and got ran over the car behind us, lol.
As for your question, idk, can't help. Did bring back a funny memory though, so thanks, lol
As for your question, idk, can't help. Did bring back a funny memory though, so thanks, lol
#4
Senior Member
I always put a cap on my trucks as the way I use my truck I need one. What I don't need is that dumb lip on the tailgate. I wish there was a way to order the truck with a lipless tailgate. Because it really cuts down on how far I can reach into the bed with the gate up.
#5
Senior Member
Why not do a test. Drive one tank with it up and the next tank with it down and see if it makes a difference. I'm guessing it won't make much difference.
#6
Senior Member
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#8
2018 XLT FX4
Thread Starter
I'm sure any gains or losses would be negligible, but I was just curious and pondering, this early morning. I figured, why not engage the forum in some light discussion, as well. As far as rear view mirrors, I'm quite sure those are the bane of existence to any aerodynamic engineer!
#9
Save the Manuals!
I'm pretty sure Mythbusters did an episode on this too and the difference is negligible.
#10
Senior Member
I'm sure any gains or losses would be negligible, but I was just curious and pondering, this early morning. I figured, why not engage the forum in some light discussion, as well. As far as rear view mirrors, I'm quite sure those are the bane of existence to any aerodynamic engineer!
Too many people, in my opinion, go on the internets and ask people that don't know jack about things and then take their answers as gospel. Facts are facts.
My point is proved by reading what a poster said about Mythbusters, which is NOT what they found. http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/my...l-consumption/
FACTS:
Tailgate closed is more efficient.
Tonneau cover is more efficient.
Any other answers are total BS.
The other reason to not engage the forum is simple - because the forum has been engaged numerous times on this subject and answered it. A simple search, using Google (this site's search is not optimal), will show you that. Site:www.f150forum.com SEARCH TERM HERE works great and you can do that for any website on the internets.
Last edited by Ricktwuhk; 11-14-2015 at 09:21 AM.