Which is more fuel efficient, driving with a pickup's tailgate up or down?

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Well, who am I to argue with engineers with their own wind tunnel

But I really don't believe that demo is an apples and apples comparison.

Not to belabor my lack of knowledge but that demo is a static display of smoke flow. A true test would measure dynamic drag and I don't believe for a second that there's less drag with the tailgate up. Also they don't show the smoke flow, from the front, with the tailgate down.

Are the claims real or is it a tightly scripted marketing plan to sell the new design of the tail gate? I'm a hard sell.

Ron

I'm a hard sell too. But, Myth busters did a segment on this very topic some time ago, and they also got better mileage with the tailgate up. They explain why at the link:

Driving With Tailgate Up Is Fuel Efficient : Discovery Channel