gooses, 5'ers and tailgates

[JHardwick]

It's pretty much accepted knowledge that driving around with your tailgate down or MIA will hurt fuel mileage ... ... ... ... ... but what about with a goose or 5'er?



The 5'ers I've looked at while on the road seem to sit the nose of the trailer behind the hitch point, but my gooseneck stock trailer sits several inches in front of the hitch point. I can tell you that a gooseneck trailer will suck anything out of the bed if it aint heavy or tied down. I've had cooler lids sucked open and stuff sucked out of the cooler, lost whole bales of hay and even witnessed a bale of pine shavings sucked up and held tight under the goose.



So my point is, would I be better off without a tailgate to let the air escape? I am hooked to a trailer 90% of the time and hauling to make money, and extra mile per gallon would be a nice raise Oo.

 

[CPittman]

I had a 6" x 6" x 12" block of cedar sucked out of the bed of my truck... maybe that's why some guys run with the "air gate" or louvered tailgate - let the air out but keep more stuff in. I can't imagine running with or without a tailgate would make an MPG difference when you're yankin' a 5er down the road...

 

[JHardwick]

By watching my boost gage on cruise, I can see as much as 4PSI variance depending on what big truck I follow ... ... ... . tankers are bad and car haulers are worse ... ... ... . I think drag in the bed could be more than you think.

 

[JThiessen]

I always remove my tailgate - since I dont have a flow through style. There's a lot of air thats being pushed down and through the back of the bed. I havent noticed any difference in mileage though.

 

[klenger]

I have a vented tailgate that is mostly open. I've not noticed any reduction in fuel economy, and maybe even an increase. This is towing and empty.