If I drive with the tailgate of my truck down will I get better gas mileage, if so how much?

Question

Its a mini truck.

Answer 1

Myth busters did a couple of test that proved that you get worse gas mileage with the tailgate down.

The wind tunnel test which showed that the air comes down on the tailgate and actually pushes down on it. They also took 2 identical trucks. Filled the gas tanks. Drove one with the tailgate down and one up. The one with the tailgate up went 20 miles farther

Answer 2

No you won't. In fact, you will get worse mileage because the air current over your truck will come down and push on the tailgate causing drag.

Answer 3

no you will not.   a tonnou cover will help slightly though

Answer 4

it was proven on the mythbusters the truck bed is designed so that when the tailgate is closed the wind makes a tumble weed kinda shape in the bed, and when its down the wind presses down on the bed.

this is why the pick up truck designs are the way they are like the ridgeline the sidewalls are taller then the tailgate, its all engineering to make the car preform better and get better mpg

Answer 5

Nope, this was tested on mythbuster and the truck with trunk up got more better mileage.  Don't be a lead foot and clean your air filter and you'll see some slight increase in mileages but not much.

Answer 6

The current wisdom is a resounding no. Besides, driving with my tailgate down gives me the insecure feeling that people behind me can see into my truck easier.

Answer 7

this has been debated time and time again,myth busters did a test on this and proved that it doesn't really make that much of a difference in them,some people still believe it does though,and i for one do drive with mine down sometimes,it seems to make small difference on my truck,but its never really been proven to actually increase it enough to notice,i figure i need all the help i can get with gas prices being at what they are now ,good luck,

Answer 8

This was tested on Mythbusters and they found that gas mileage was actually worse! What theey discovered was that the air turbulence behind the cab wasn't contained in the bed by the tailgate and made the vehicle less aerodynamic.