Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Better fuel efficiency on a pickup truck

Redlemon · 06-01-2008, 05:36 AM

Don't bother with what you "remember", here's the official results from Mythbusters:

Episode 43:
Myth: It is more fuel efficient to drive your pick-up truck with its tailgate down, rather than up.
Status: busted

Driving with the tailgate down actually increased drag on the pick-up and caused it to consume fuel faster than the identical truck driven with the tailgate up. It was later revealed that the closed tailgate creates a locked vortex flow that created a smoother flow of air over the truck. With the tailgate down the trapped vortex was dissipated and the drag increased.

Episode 64:
Myth: REVISITED: It is more fuel efficient to drive your pick-up truck with its tailgate down, rather than up.
Status: re-busted

Using a calibrated fuel flow gauge, Adam and Jamie first re-busted the tailgate up vs. down myth, then went on to test various other truck configurations (hard top, mesh tailgate, no tailgate).

Episode 64:
Myth: SPINOFF: A plastic mesh tailgate provides superior fuel efficiency compared to the standard metal tailgate.
Status: confirmed

Again using a calibrated fuel flow gauge, Adam and Jamie proved that the mesh was the most efficient way to configure a pickup truck.

06-01-2008, 05:36 AM	#12 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	Don't bother with what you "remember", here's the official results from Mythbusters: Episode 43: Myth: It is more fuel efficient to drive your pick-up truck with its tailgate down, rather than up. Status: busted Driving with the tailgate down actually increased drag on the pick-up and caused it to consume fuel faster than the identical truck driven with the tailgate up. It was later revealed that the closed tailgate creates a locked vortex flow that created a smoother flow of air over the truck. With the tailgate down the trapped vortex was dissipated and the drag increased. Episode 64: Myth: REVISITED: It is more fuel efficient to drive your pick-up truck with its tailgate down, rather than up. Status: re-busted Using a calibrated fuel flow gauge, Adam and Jamie first re-busted the tailgate up vs. down myth, then went on to test various other truck configurations (hard top, mesh tailgate, no tailgate). Episode 64: Myth: SPINOFF: A plastic mesh tailgate provides superior fuel efficiency compared to the standard metal tailgate. Status: confirmed Again using a calibrated fuel flow gauge, Adam and Jamie proved that the mesh was the most efficient way to configure a pickup truck. __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.