>Hi all,
>
>Can anyone tell me if there is a significant difference if the tail-gate is
>removed and an aero-net installed??
>
>Just considering.
>
I think I've heard just about every possible argument about this topic,
and I'm still not sure which one to believe. :)
Some argue that taking the tailgate off actually increases drag,
because it allows air to fall out the end of the bed, whereas if you
had the tailgate up, the air coming over the cab would swirl from the
back of the bed to the front, creating a "tonneau cover of air", which
causes any new air coming over the cab to slide right over the bed and
tailgate without hitting it. (Or only hitting it a little.)
Others say that removing the tailgate allows air to flow out the back
of the bed, thus decreasing drag.
Still others say that leaving the tailgate up and installing a tonneau
cover is the most efficient. (Same as the first argument except that
absolutely no air hits the bed or tailgate, so its even more efficient).
Some say that a cap is the best, but others argue that the large surface
area at the back of the truck creates a vaccum and hence drag.
Again, I'm not sure who to believe, that's just what I've heard. I
have a feeling though that none of the above methods are going to result
in measurable differences, or differences big enough for anyone to care
about. (But I've been wrong before.) ;) Maybe someone else will have
some more detailed info...
-Jon-
.-------------------------------------------------------------------.
| Jon Steiger | '96 Dodge Dakota SLT V8 |
| stei0302@cs.fredonia.edu | '96 Kolb FireFly 447 |
| http://www.cs.fredonia.edu/~stei0302/ | '91 Yamaha FZR600R * |
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| DoD# 1038, EAA# 518210, NMA# 117376, USUA# A46209, KotWitDoDFAQ |
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