smoker wrote:there are actually several theories on this and all of them speed related. at speed the flow of air in the bed actually works its way to the front of the bed and gives the truck a slight push increasing mileage with the tailgate up. of course daily driven the average is probably better with it down. but then you look like a dork...
Ive never heard of that theory, but i can vouch for the fact that having the tailgate down gives better gas mileage. My dad takes his off of his truck when doing long journeys (and he's not carrying anything). Like when we went to binghampton, ny from the eastern end of long island. I dont remember the exact figures (it was over 5 years ago last time we went), but i know we got better mileage.
Are you getting a new one, or just done with riding?
I'm looking for something with four wheels to hop on but I sure love dirt bikes. I haven't found a better rush than launching 80+ feet through the air or traveling at highway speeds through a narrow bush trail racing all your friends through the dust.
oXpToWnXo wrote: hey people how do i get an avatar b.c im having a hyartd ti9me understanding it when im stoned and trippin on shrooms so help me pleasssse!!!
ridr4lif wrote:Ive never heard of that theory, but i can vouch for the fact that having the tailgate down gives better gas mileage. My dad takes his off of his truck when doing long journeys (and he's not carrying anything). Like when we went to binghampton, ny from the eastern end of long island. I dont remember the exact figures (it was over 5 years ago last time we went), but i know we got better mileage.
Either that or get a cap.
tedd
i cant find the article but it was in truckin mag. a few years back. i thought i had the issue still but who knows where it is now? but basically they tested trucks in a wind tunnel and a track and used different scenarios like no cover, half cover mounted to the rear of the bed and half cover mounted to the front of the bed and no taigate with no cover and tailgate dropped. it was determined by them that half cover toward the front yielded the best results and that in daily driving tailgate down or off was more of a head game than anything else.
NorthQuad wrote:I'm looking for something with four wheels to hop on but I sure love dirt bikes. I haven't found a better rush than launching 80+ feet through the air or traveling at highway speeds through a narrow bush trail racing all your friends through the dust.
Ya I love dirt bikes, I got my first bike when I was like 6 or so.
Just wish I still had the time to go out and ride, my bike has been sitting in my friends garage for about a year now. I'm not even sure if they have ridden it at all either. My bike is getting pretty old now, but looks almost brand new.
NorthQuad wrote:I'm looking for something with four wheels to hop on but I sure love dirt bikes. I haven't found a better rush than launching 80+ feet through the air or traveling at highway speeds through a narrow bush trail racing all your friends through the dust.
Man, your making me jealous. I miss riding so much. My 'rents made me give it up when every cop in my town knew me by first name. I guess they thought it wasnt good for my reputation. I still have my '87 KX 80, i never got rid of it, she's my baby. So i ride that every once in a while, even tho im huge on it now.
But i love YZ 125's. I had one and a bunch of my friends used to. But i know what you mean about just jumping on somethin w/ 4 wheels. Quads are so much fun too!!!
The difference in tailgate up and down is dependant on the truck you drive. All newer trucks are designed to create a cushion of air within the bed, referred to as a seperated bubble or a locked vortex flow, that deflects the air from the cab over the tailgate. In that case, lowering the tailgate will decrease fuel mileage. But, in any case, a tonneau cover will always reduce drag, it will usually get you an extra mpg on the highway.
On older trucks like my 83 C10, it benefits to drop the tailgate. It isn't exactly a marvel of aerodynamic design, though.
