V-gates
V-gates, those pickup tailgates with the notch in the center, are fairly popular with fiver owners. Most of them are louvered, and you'll see claims that the louvered designs cut wind resistance and improve gas mileage. I don't know if there are any Consumer Guide type studies on this. A quick search came up empty, and my own experience is inconclusive. But I didn't buy one for the mileage...
I bought my V-gate after I forgot to lower my stock tailgate while unhitching. I had one of those "Doh!" moments that seem to occur a little more frequently with the advancing years. Since my tailgate was mangled enough to be useless, I decided the time had come to get a V-gate. They really are convenient, though I still lowered it most of the time as a precaution. But it was nice to know that if I had another brain cramp, at least I wouldn't be shopping for another tailgate. I've got a new truck now with a stock tailgate. So far, so good.— Jerry Brown
posted by jerryriverguy at
8:22 AM
2 Comments:
I read an item a few years ago, someone tested the louvres. They said it improved the gas mileage on some rigs, it degraded it on others. But, the difference wasn't enough to make much difference.
By
don, at 10:45 AM
Actually, "MythBusters" did a test with the tail-gate down, the claim was less wind resistance would improve mileage, the problem is, there wasn't a bubble of air for the air coming at the truck to ride over.
In other words, Tail-gate down (or in this case "louvered" equalled 40 miles less a tank then full-tailgate up.
However, if you're driving while towing a 5er, expect to see your mileage tank anyway, even over a traditional travel trailer. Much more wind resistance, usually knocking down your mileage several miles more than towing a traditional travel trailer.
By
Anonymous, at 11:07 AM
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