Do you save gas mileage with tailgate up or down?

Question

Do you save gas mileage with tailgate up or down?

Answer 1

With the tailgate down cause that decreases the wind drag on your vehicle

Answer 2

I saw an episode on Myth Busters on this, you save gas with the tailgate up.

Answer 3

This was on the awesome show Mythbusters(my faveroite!).

I'm pretty sue it is better up. It's something with drag.

Answer 4

That was on "mythbusters" and it was up got better mpg.

Answer 5

I believe that it is somewhat of a myth.  The best solution is to put a topper on the bed to assist with the gas mileage.  But the cost of a topper will buy a lot of gas.  Good luck.

Answer 6

no difference according to the different reports i heard and read.

Answer 7

Retain That Tailgate!

Some pickup-truck drivers take it as an article of faith that they're saving fuel by driving with the tailgate down, or removed, or replaced by a mesh fabric or metal gate. False.

Aerodynamic studies show a pickup truck is most fuel efficient with its tailgate up. It seems the upright tailgate causes air flowing over the roof of the cab to collect as a stagnant "dome" in the cargo bed. As speed builds, this dome, which tapers in a teardrop shape near the tailgate, acts as an aerodynamic ramp that forces airflow over the tailgate, to the benefit of fuel efficiency.

Disrupt this flow by dropping or removing the tailgate, and air coming over the cab is left to swirl around in the cargo bed, degrading the truck's aerodynamics and hurting fuel economy.

Answer 8

People THINK because the tailgate is up, it catches air and causes drag. I see people that don't know any better drive around with their tailgates down all the time.

UP is better, because the air caught in the bed stay relatively calm, while most of the air flows over the bed. You can test this by laying in the bed of a moving truck, then suddenly stick your head up while going down the highway (NOT recommended-LOL!)

The best thing is to cover the bed with an aerodynamic cap or a flat hard cover.

Better yet, park the truck and only drive it when you actually need the extra towing/hauling capabilities of a truck. Most people who drive trucks don't need them......