11-16-2005, 11:30 PM
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#1
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AF Enthusiast
Join Date: May 2004
Location: milwaukee, Wisconsin
Posts: 3,228
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Mythbusters
Anyone else see Mythbusters tonight???
They said it is less efficient to drive with the tailgate down because the air actually pushes down on the tailgate. When the tailgate is up, there is a bubble of air that rotats in the bed of the truck and the rest of the air just passes over the bubble and past the truck....
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11-17-2005, 12:00 AM
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#2
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AF Enthusiast
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Victoria, Texas
Posts: 512
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Re: Mythbusters
Quote:
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Originally Posted by korndogg
Anyone else see Mythbusters tonight???
They said it is less efficient to drive with the tailgate down because the air actually pushes down on the tailgate. When the tailgate is up, there is a bubble of air that rotats in the bed of the truck and the rest of the air just passes over the bubble and past the truck....
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My local chevy dealer told me that too when I complained of MPG. It makes sense though. I wonder if you remove the tailgate all together and put a slotted one on? or none at all?
__________________
2001 5.3 LS Tow Group
6 channel Alpine 3566 Amp
Jason Extreme Slam Camper Shell
Michellin X-Radials
70K Miles
All stock
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11-17-2005, 12:34 AM
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#3
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AF Regular
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Fair Oaks, California
Posts: 358
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Re: Mythbusters
I tested this one and found that with the gate off the truck, I lost about 1.5-2 mpg. Not gonna do that anymore!!
__________________
2002 Superado, LT (Carmine Red), 5.3 L
3.73 RR, Flowmaster, K&N FIPK Cold Air Intake,
160 T-stat, Hypertech Tune, Towing Pkg. 
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11-17-2005, 01:08 AM
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#4
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AF Enthusiast
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: The Alamo, Texas
Posts: 1,057
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Re: Mythbusters
I can't find the study that Ford and NASA did with tonneau covers, same info. Nets and no gate give same disappointing results....
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11-17-2005, 06:21 AM
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#5
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AF Enthusiast
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Smyrna, Georgia
Posts: 2,383
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Re: Mythbusters
__________________
  
"When I step on the gas, I want people to think the world is coming to an end!" - Homer Simpson
2002 ECSB, Nelson Tune, LS1 electric fans, 145A alternator, K&N FIPK, 160º T-stat, TB coolant bypass, Corvette servo, 4 headlight mod, blue LED gauge cluster |
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11-17-2005, 07:03 AM
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#6
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AF Enthusiast
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 212
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Re: Mythbusters
I've seen the bubble in action. If I understand correctly, it hits the tailgate and bounces back on the bed to the cab and rotates back up. I had an empty coke can float in mid-air in the bed of a truck once because of this. I believe in the bubble. I can't comment on the MPG factor.
I wonder what effect, if any, my camper has on MPG.
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11-17-2005, 10:17 AM
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#7
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AF Regular
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: andover, Massachusetts
Posts: 76
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Re: Mythbusters
When i have the tonneu cover off i loose 2-3mpg but thats with the tailgate up, so i think if you have a cover over the back it "should" give you better mileage rite?
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11-17-2005, 11:52 AM
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#8
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AF Enthusiast
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Falls Church, Virginia
Posts: 207
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Re: Re: Mythbusters
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Faze3
I've seen the bubble in action. If I understand correctly, it hits the tailgate and bounces back on the bed to the cab and rotates back up. I had an empty coke can float in mid-air in the bed of a truck once because of this. I believe in the bubble. I can't comment on the MPG factor.
I wonder what effect, if any, my camper has on MPG.
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I believe in the bubble! I believe in the bubble!!
Sorry.. I had to. But yeah, if you look at fuel economy numbers for the same drivetrain, a 'burb gets better mpg, despite being somewhat heavier. I would think that having the camper on would have a similar effect.
__________________
'04 Silverado 1500 4x4 5.3L 3.73 G80
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11-17-2005, 06:22 PM
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#9
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AF Regular
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: charlotte, Michigan
Posts: 425
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didn't we just talk about this a few weeks ago?
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11-18-2005, 06:59 AM
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#10
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AF Enthusiast
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Smyrna, Georgia
Posts: 2,383
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Re: Mythbusters
yep, see my link I posted earlier
__________________
"When I step on the gas, I want people to think the world is coming to an end!" - Homer Simpson
2002 ECSB, Nelson Tune, LS1 electric fans, 145A alternator, K&N FIPK, 160º T-stat, TB coolant bypass, Corvette servo, 4 headlight mod, blue LED gauge cluster |
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'05 6.0L VHO 
