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07-16-2015, 10:29 PM
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#1 |
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Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Mulvane, Ks.
Posts: 754
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Flow-thru tailgates
I've used a flow-thru tailgate for a number of years, but I was wondering if they actually help on gas mileage or not. Has anybody done any research on this?
Thanks for any input. |
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07-16-2015, 10:44 PM
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#2 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Baytown TX
Posts: 2,219
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Re: Flow-thru tailgates
Mythbusters have tested tailgate up vs. down and it makes no measurable difference in fuel consumption. My guess would be the same for a flow through gate.
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John 82 Chevy Silverado 350ci/TH350 
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07-17-2015, 01:27 AM
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#3 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Louisville,Ky
Posts: 5,811
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Re: Flow-thru tailgates
Having something covering the bed like a topper or tonneau cover will give you like 2mpg.But the true gain would be driving habits and up keep.
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07-17-2015, 06:22 AM
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#4 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Mulvane, Ks.
Posts: 754
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Re: Flow-thru tailgates
Thanks.
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07-17-2015, 04:44 PM
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#5 |
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driving is in my blood
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Mesa AZ
Posts: 5,714
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Re: Flow-thru tailgates
I'm willing to bet the answer if they work or not is different for each type of truck and its available styles [shortbed reg cab vs longbed quad cab etc.]
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-78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me. |
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07-19-2015, 11:39 AM
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#6 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 1,201
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Re: Flow-thru tailgates
Canadian government did testing of tailgate open or closed years ago. Basically, leave the tailgate up.
http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/achiev...down_myth.html Alex. |
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07-19-2015, 08:45 PM
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#7 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: PA
Posts: 441
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Re: Flow-thru tailgates
those tests were done on modern trucks. you know the kind of trucks that were made at a point in time when people cared about aerodynamics.
are trucks are barn doors. having the tailgate down or off could be night and day compared to modern trucks. and im pretty sure that the Mythbusters determined that having the tailgate down reduces fuel economy. but that was done with a modern truck and brings me back to my first point. |
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07-20-2015, 02:29 AM
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#8 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Louisville,Ky
Posts: 5,811
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Re: Flow-thru tailgates
A modern truck i would keep the tailgate up and locked.The newer trucks you can steal the tailgate super easy is why i say keep it locked.
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07-20-2015, 07:02 AM
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#9 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: North Texas
Posts: 3,472
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Re: Flow-thru tailgates
One of the car magazines did a test (in the late 70s or early 80, as I recall) on tailgate open vs. tailgate closed. They concluded it didn't make any difference in gas mileage because air flows across the top of the bed, not down into it. I've also read that bed covers don't make a difference.
Might be interesting to remove the tailgate on my 2011 F150 and drive it that way for a couple hundred miles to see what happens. Having put 48K miles on the truck, I'd definitely see any difference.
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Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! |
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07-20-2015, 02:48 PM
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#10 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Spearfish South Dakota
Posts: 407
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Re: Flow-thru tailgates
If you ride a bike you would be surprised how much something boxy even some little square sport utilities muck up the Air. Those new pickups set so high there terrible I think the gas mileage increase has little to do with areo dynamics.
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83 c10 long Box Daily Driver 90 Jimmy parked 98 Road King/ 06 Road Glide In memorium 63 impala SS/ 65 Chevy Panel 65 GMC Short Box/ 68 Camero |
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