Tailgate up or down, cover or not to cover?

[Ron Earp]

http://www.motor.com/MAGAZINE/Articles/052004_06.html

Interesting. See lots of those net things in the back of pickup trucks, might not be so good on gas mileage.

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Ron
http://www.gt40s.com
Lotus Turbo Esprit
BMW E36 M3
RF GT40 Replica
Jensen-Healey: IT prep progressing!

[JLawton]

I had read the same thing in another article. I was very surprised!! However, when there is snow in my bed and going 60 mph, the wind picks the snow up from back by the tail gate and throws it against the back window........... Doesn't seem very aero to me????

[joeg]

When I used to drag race my Pick-up, it always had better ET(s)and speed with the tail gate down.

Curious.

[Mike Spencer]

One of the things they mention in the article is a difference between 6.5 and 8 foot beds. It would stand to reason that any number of other factors would also have an effect; overall ride height (2wd vs. 4wd) standard cab vs. extended cab vs. crew cab.

It seems to me that if you can minimize any other changes, leaving it up on the way to an event, and down on the way home should give you a much better data on how it works with YOUR truck.

(I always thought the best solution was a tonneau cover or cap)

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Mike Spencer
NC Region
ITA/7 RX-7 #60
1990 RX-7 Convertible (street car)

[John Herman]

Several years ago I talked with a GM engineer who worked on a Bonneville record pickup truck. They ran with a cargo net. The reason, the net supplier was a sponsor and footing a large portion of the bills. They did some unofficial runs with various configurations and got the best mph with the tailgate up.

[Ron Earp]

I have a soft cover stock and I like it. Rolls up easily for storage if I need to carry big things, and, it will also keep stuff dry. I can also see sleeping under in a pinch too as a "tent" in case it is raining.

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Ron
http://www.gt40s.com
Lotus Turbo Esprit
BMW E36 M3
RF GT40 Replica
Jensen-Healey: IT prep progressing!