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Tailgate Air Resistance - READ ONLY

21 messages,  Last post on Jan 15, 1999 at 2:24 AM

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Messages Page 3 of 3

#16 of 21 ragu by ragu

Jan 02, 1999 (4:48 am)

Sorry I failed to mention my truck is a 99.

#17 of 21 Rich by Rich

Jan 02, 1999 (10:20 pm)

Some years ago, I had to move a mattress and box sprint set. Both brand new and in their plastic bag covering and laying flat in the bed of the truck. The truck was an '86 F-250 regular cab. When going up the freeway at 65-70, towards the cab of the truck the plastic bag was inflated and expanded as much as 12 inches. At about the center line of the rear wheels and rearward, the plastic bag was compressed flat onto the mattress.


Based upon these observations there is a significant air pressure differential between the front and rear of the truck bed.


On the '92 F250, I was never been able to notice a difference in the mileage between tail gate up or down. The diesel have so much torque that the tail gate resistance is not noticeable to MY right foot. On other trucks that are lighter and with an engine with less torque there may be a benefit to the tail gate in the down position.


I do remember in either the '86 or '92 owner's manual, Ford stating that the tail gate is a structural member of the truck. (Or some such words.)


Finally, yes it is legal to run a truck with the tail gate down. The states where I've lived and can remember the specifics of the law, it is a requirement that anything that extends 36" beyond the rear of the vehicle must have a red flag attached. The tail gate on most trucks is not 36" high. Therefore the tail gate can not extend into the area where a red flag is required.


Rich

#18 of 21 cobra98 by cobra98

Jan 03, 1999 (12:51 am)

My '85 F150 4x4 gets ALWAYS runs out of gas at 209 miles (give or take 0.6 miles). I've been testing my fuel mileage by alternating a few tanks with and a few tanks without the tailgate for about 6 months now. Without the tailgate, I've been consistently getting an additional 19 miles out of a tank. That's been a 1mpg gain for me.


Of course, that's my testing, your mileage may vary

#19 of 21 stanford by stanford

Jan 06, 1999 (5:10 pm)

One thing to watch for -- I've heard of people given tickets for driving with their tailgate down not for length reasons (although making your vehicle longer than it seems might be annoying if someone pulls up close to you at a red light) but because it can obscure the license plate, which most certainly is illegal.

#20 of 21 cobra98 by cobra98

Jan 06, 1999 (8:17 pm)

Actually, I should clarify that when I talk about the difference with/without a tailgate, I don't leave mine 'down', but rather take it off completely.

#21 of 21 JTO by JTO

Jan 15, 1999 (2:24 am)

I wouldn't drive with it down! Not because of covering the plate.... because I watched one unhook after some poor sap went over a bump!! It only has to swing up about 45 degrees for most tailgates to come off!

Messages Page 3 of 3

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