On Wed, 16 Feb 2005 22:13:03 -0600, Gary Hedlin
<garyhedlin@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
> On 2/16/05 9:52 PM, in article cv14cb$r3s$1@bent.twistedbits.net, "Josh
> Battles" <josh@omg-stfu.com> wrote:
>
> >
> > Yep, there was a study done about this. I didn't believe it so I drove
> > a whole tank with my tailgate in 3 positions. (one tank for each position)
> >
> > All these numbers are IIRC, so bear with me.
> > Tailgate UP = 19mpg
> > Tailgate DOWN = 15mpg
> > Tailgate OFF = 18mpg
> >
> > After doing that, I just drove with the tailgate up all the time. Then
> > I managed to gain almost 2mpg between the drop and bedcover.
>
> I believe ya on having it down, but having it off hurt ya?? You would think
> the weight savings would help.... But I guess that's not the case.
It's all about the aerodynamics. Removing the tailgate makes for a
*huge* change in airflow over the truck. When they design these
things, they do all the testing in the "stock" configuration.
What little weight you save in removing the tailgate is negated by the
aero change.
Last I checked, the page that had the wind tunnel study on it was down.
> I've been looking for a bedcover for the 05, but it's slim pickins right
> now.
Bed dimensions changed that much since previous years? IIRC, a Gen2
cover (soft cover anyway) for a 6.5' bed also fits a Gen3 6.5' bed.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Tue Mar 01 2005 - 10:04:31 EST