Tailgate Up or down in terms of aerodynamics....

Aeroking

Aeroking

e.i.
Re: Tailgate Up or down in terms of aerodynamics....

having a flat surface on the rear (tailgate) creates an area of low pressure. Air moves from high pressure to low pressure areas. The air coming around the bedsides, and over the tonneau cover gets collected at the tailgate. If you open the tailgate you allow air to enter the bed under the tonneau, in the opposite direction. Leave the tailgate up. Unless you are running with no tonneau cover. Then you can lower it to an angle, or flat, depending on speed. If you are traveling fast enough, the air flowing over the top of the cab will never reach the bed. So the spoiler effect will only work at lower speeds.

Of course this is all crap, cause its a 4WD pick'em up truck. Unless you are sustaining 130+mph, i wouldnt worry about it.
 
Logan

Logan

Member
Re: Tailgate Up or down in terms of aerodynamics....

I have always heard that fuel economy and aerodynamics were best with the tail gate up. It never made sense in my mind but after seeing GMCs testing it does.
 
Mephisto

Mephisto

These trucks are cursed
Re: Tailgate Up or down in terms of aerodynamics....

the tailgate down myth was busted on mythbusters. Better economy with it up.
 
B

bigmileage

Member
Re: Tailgate Up or down in terms of aerodynamics....

I've always found my S10 did 1-2mpg better with the gate up than down.
 
Baythan

Baythan

SY2TY2SY2TY
Re: Tailgate Up or down in terms of aerodynamics....

I'm going to say....BOTH.

Here's why...when I ran my (former) truck for the magazine shoot in 2005, I started run #1 with tailgate UP. At about the 60 ft mark, the tailgate, which I had inadvertently left loose while polishing the truck for pictures, SLAMMED down.

I don't know if it was aerodynamics, or the loud THUD that scared the bejeezees out of me...but it ended up being the fastest of my 3 runs. :cool:
 
92TYPHOON937

92TYPHOON937

Active member
Re: Tailgate Up or down in terms of aerodynamics....

mythbusters did this it is best with tail gate up but there was something that was better but i dont remember what
 
Vaders Sy

Vaders Sy

Donating Member
Re: Tailgate Up or down in terms of aerodynamics....

I would imagine in most cases, having it up would yield the best aerodynamics and MPG. However, I was more concerned about the weight and ET's lol
 
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