5ers and tailgates

I th iknk the qquestion is just how much does it improve mileage if indeed it does. I bought one for simplicity and use it mainly for a visual clue as to how my truck is positioned prior to hooking up. Although I havew a bed mounted 12V connector for my 7 pin,,,the cap broke off and so I use the stock one under the bumper...the V tailgate makes it easier to grab the cable and hook in.

Where I really notice a change in mileage is the fact that the nose of the 5th is significantly closer to the cab and is sculpted...that fact has given me on average about 1.5-2mpg better than pulling a bumper tow of any weight.

Stk

I really could care less aobut the fdifference if in fact there is on. Without the trailer hooked up, I have a bed cover.

I got one for my truck. It makes it easier to hitch, esp. when hitching at an angle where the tailgate might hit the trailer. It's a lot lighter so it's easier to open & close. If I do hit it and damage it, it's a helluva lot cheaper to replace than the truck tailgate. It doesn't seem to make any difference in fuel mileage. I'm happy with it. YMMV...

Nope.

..

Sometimes it doesn't matter if you actually do get better mileage, it just matters if you think you do.

ScottG wrote:

Dtank wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

B.O. Plenty wrote:
Nope, just makes it easier to hitch.

B.O.

Pretty bold statement, they do reduce turbulence in the bed. You can't base the answer on the Mythbusters test, as the truck bed was empty.

Base on the fact that there is no air bubble, so air going down needs an escape route.
I use one just because it i easier to hitch.

It's *NOT* a "bold statement"!..:S

The OP asked:
"Do these improve gas mileage when you aren't towing?".

NO.

Won't improve fuel (gas or diesel) mileage towing or not.

.

No, it wont help.
This wasn't just a myth busters episode, it was the subject of testing by a number of sources including a university.
The results showed you actually get better mileage with the tail gate because a high pressure zone is created in the bed which results in better aerodynamics.

The best mileage I've ever gotten was a late fall trip from PHX to Cortez, CO with a 14 cu ft chest freezer strapped in the bed, right behind the cab. Started out at 65 mph and DW said we needed not to fart around so ran it up to 75 and got 23 mpg. Go figure...

Lyle

Dtank wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

B.O. Plenty wrote:
Nope, just makes it easier to hitch.

B.O.

Pretty bold statement, they do reduce turbulence in the bed. You can't base the answer on the Mythbusters test, as the truck bed was empty.

Base on the fact that there is no air bubble, so air going down needs an escape route.
I use one just because it i easier to hitch.

It's *NOT* a "bold statement"!..:S

The OP asked:
"Do these improve gas mileage when you aren't towing?".

NO.

Won't improve fuel (gas or diesel) mileage towing or not..

I agree! Have had a louvered gate on two trucks for 19 years and never experienced an increase in fuel mileage when using it. But I like it for the ease in hitching and unhitching.
And as to turbulence, there is still enough that it lifted a bag of empty cans out of the bed.

Dtank wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

B.O. Plenty wrote:
Nope, just makes it easier to hitch.

B.O.

Pretty bold statement, they do reduce turbulence in the bed. You can't base the answer on the Mythbusters test, as the truck bed was empty.

Base on the fact that there is no air bubble, so air going down needs an escape route.
I use one just because it i easier to hitch.

It's *NOT* a "bold statement"!..:S

The OP asked:
"Do these improve gas mileage when you aren't towing?".

NO.

Won't improve fuel (gas or diesel) mileage towing or not.

.

No, it wont help.
This wasn't just a myth busters episode, it was the subject of testing by a number of sources including a university.
The results showed you actually get better mileage with the tail gate because a high pressure zone is created in the bed which results in better aerodynamics.

rhagfo wrote:

B.O. Plenty wrote:
Nope, just makes it easier to hitch.

B.O.

Pretty bold statement, they do reduce turbulence in the bed. You can't base the answer on the Mythbusters test, as the truck bed was empty.

Base on the fact that there is no air bubble, so air going down needs an escape route.
I use one just because it i easier to hitch.

Eeeeeh....

Even if there is any fuel savings it's not enough to ever recoup the cost, so what's the point in arguing about it.

Bought one for the old truck when we first got our 5th wheel.
When I bought the new truck, didn't even consider getting one.
Just didn't see the need since I very rarely hitched or unhitched without putting down the tailgate first.