We are leaving in the AM to go to Myrtle Beach, and Iam wondering if I tow my 5th wheel without the tailgate, will it benefit me fuel consumption wise? Also, do I need to worry about any different kind of turbulence issues, etc. Thanks. And Happy 4Th to all!

Russ

want make any differance towing its the 5ver thats bucking all the wind

That's kind of like taking a scab off of an Elephant's butt to increase aerodynamics.

I don't think you will notice much difference

That's funny Dave. But you'r right.

Idahofox

the only benifit i can think of by removing the tail gate would be you dont have to worry about lowering it when you unhook the 5er

That's kind of like taking a scab off of an Elephant's butt to increase aerodynamics.

I don't think you will notice much difference

:lol: :lol: :muahaha: ):h :funnypost

Or forget to put it up..

Lots of folks fork over lots of $$$ to buy flow through fiver tailgates from at least a dozen different makers. They all make claims that are difficult to believe, for the reasons mentioned above.

One common statement made, off the record of course, is that with the flow through or no tailgate, you cannot run with the rear slider window open without smelling exhaust fumes in the cab.

The tailgate up creates a high pressure area under the fiver's front which prevents this affect. On the other hand, running sans tailgate, or with a flow through tailgate, this becomes a low pressure area which sucks in the exhaust gases.

All of the truck makers have done excessive wind tunnel testing on these tailgate issues. About 10 years ago, Truck-Trend Magazine did some independant testing and back up the theories about the exhaust smell in the cab, when towing with flow through tailgates, summing up that fancy tailgates or no tailgates resulted in slightly less fuel economy than with the stock set up.....

What this means is that you may see a fuel mileage change, but in the wrong direction. Keep your tailgate on.

RF

I say it's a good idea from personal experience.

Will it help mileage? NO! I think the tailgate-down "trick" is about like "high performance air filters"---a joke!

But, it will prevent you from mangling your tailgate when you forget to put it down and then pull out from under your 5ver/gooseneck after unhooking. :)

To me, it's not a matter of "if" it's a matter of "when" you forget to put the tailgate down.

it wont help mileage but it will help keep anything in your truck bed from blowing out.i pull a gooseneck everyday with the tailgate off it it cuts down on the wind hitting the tailgate and acting like a reverse spoiler

sideswiper nailed it. I have had boards and coolers blow out with the tailgate on. This usually happened when a semi passed me going the other direction. With no tailgate I have lost nothing to the wind.