Can it save you money and gas mileage by running with your tailgate down on a pickup??

Question

I have heard that running with your tailgate down or no tailgate on your pickup can save you money in fuel. Is this true?

Answer 1

Proven fact---It doesn't affect the truck to have it up. The people selling nets and other products say what they say to sell THEIR products.

Answer 2

Who cares about the fuel consumption.........it is just not cool to ride around in a pick up truck with the tailgate down. The only time it is cool to have your tailgate down is at a tailgating party at the football field or race track.

Answer 3

nope,you get just as good if not better milage with it up.myth busters did a test also

Answer 4

People hear these things, and give credence, but they forget that the manufacturers spend millions of dollars researching everything they do.  Running with your tailgate down, or off, or those stupid lace tailgates will not save you gas.  The dynamics of the cab create an air bubble.   Plus, with the tailgate up, the structure of the truck is more solid, ergo, a lot safer.

http://amos.indiana.edu/library/scripts/...

http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns/A...

Answer 5

Have you watched "Myth Busters"? They answered this one in two different ways. Both showed that a pickup saves gas with the tail gate up. I had always thought it would be with it down. You might check their website.

Answer 6

Nope it dont matter.

I seen the myth busters episode, it was said there that it did not make a difference.

About the same can be said for driving with or without the air conditioning on or off.

The best bet is to ease into the speed you desire

Keep up on maintenance like spark plugs, oil changes air filter and so on.

As well as making sure your tires are at the correct pressure.

Answer 7

well myth buster had an episode where they tested this and they found out that the truck has better fuel mileage with the tailgate closed.

Answer 8

Every one is right somewhat, the newer pickups it doesnt matter the older ones pre 80's it does make a slight difference.