01SilverSCrew

I have a 2001 f150 supercrew 4x4, and Im trying to squeeze as much as i can out of my gas mileage, and was curious, would it do me any good to have the tailgate down when driving? I mean it would only be temporarily till I get a tonneu cover, but i'm thinking it may help out with reducing drag? I know theres a point in bed length where it actually makes it worse, but was just curious if anyone has tried this? (And I know taking it off completely would lessen weight too, but I dont wanna take it off for lack of storage and looks)

tleach17

I tried it on a highway run and it made no difference. I think Mythbusters did a test and it did not matter wether the gate was up or down.

apoirier594

Yea mythbusters did this. They said it makes no difference, they said when the tailgate is actually up the bed fills with air then all the other air just flows right over it, so its the same as with the tailgate down.

Just curious what kind of mpg are you getting? i am trying to drive conservative, I got a 4.6 a week ago and only getting 15mpg in city, its a 99 with 180k miles..is this normal?

01SilverSCrew

I have a 5.4 in the supercrew and i get 12.47, and thats mixed driving, with some speedy acceleration, but mostly baby driving. It depends which model you have, I heard for extended cabs, 15-16 is normal, and Im sure the difference between the 4.6 and 5.4 isnt too far off. Unfortunately every 4x4 supercrew guy Ive talked too says they get 12-13, which is horrible, but i guess I feel better knowing that its not just me.

apoirier594

Thanks. Guess mines fine then. Cause I have a Scab. Just wish it was a bit better, glad its not 12 tho. haha

Anyways, but yea I keep my tailgate up, and lock it. Only cause I have heard of a few ppl. getting theirs stolen.

Raevsky97

im getting 12-13, but i drive with a cali lean, and a hole in the bed

01SilverSCrew

Yeah man idk what it is with supercrews haha, I'd love 15. I mean luckily I dont drive alot as it is and I can afford gas, just wish it was a little better. Im talking to a guy about a programmer and he says he's gotten +3mpgs better with it...so i might have to invest in that

D`Nyed

The Mythbusters episode actually said you get better gas mileage with the tailgate up than down. They did a revisit of it and again confirmed that it is best with the tailgate up and also with a full, hard bed cover it was the same as no cover with the tailgate up.

Only reasons I've driven with my tailgate down was to fit something too big... or try to hide my expired license plate a bit ;-)

supercrewzn

I have never seen the crappy mileage some of you are getting. I dont drive like a grandma and get at least 17 out of my screw. That's mixed driving. Hwy mileage is 19-20.

Sl33p3r

If I go fast (70-90) I save gas

tailgate down = bad mileage

trucks were designed for the air to go in the bed and glide over the tailgate coming out.