Does removing the tailgate from a pick up truck improve gas mileage?
by 
The Curious Bag
ANSWERS: 1
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<h4 class="dechead">On One Hand: The Tailgate Does Decrease Gas Mileage
The tailgate on a truck decreases gas mileage by adding extra weight. Extra weight will decrease your fuel efficiency sufficiently, especially in city driving that involves frequent starts and stops.
On the Other: Tailgates Do Not Increase Drag
When traveling at highway speed, the empty truck bed behind the cabin forms a low pressure zone which acts as a barrier to rushing air. The tailgate up stabilizes this low pressure zone. If the tailgate is down or gone, the low pressure zone disappears or never forms, which actually increases drag, according to Mythbusters.
Bottom Line
While tailgates add weight that can decrease gas mileage, they also decrease drag on the highway. If you drive a lot on the highway, removing the tailgate will not improve your gas mileage.
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