Ford car production ain't what it used to be

Ford is too far behind now to catch up. Baring a miracle which isn't going to happen, Toyota will outsell Ford in the US in 2007. It's a done deal.

So far that hasn't happened. In fact they haven't sold a single car here yet. Regardless of what the Chinese do, Ford is #3 and dropping.

Familiar with both of these retailers. OK if you need something cheap. I wouldn't use Harbor Freight tools to work on my go kart.

Hell, they are buying America thanks to Bush's deficit financing of the disaster in Iraq.

Haven't a clue what you are talking about. If you are referring to something I said on Usenet, please provide a Google Groups link.

Pickups get better mileage with the tailgate up, and no cover. The bed creates a vortex behind the cab that maximizes the aerodynamics. With no tailgate and/or a cover, the vortex cannot form.

---JRE---

Consumer reports debunked that several years ago. They tested a number of different pickups with and without tailgates. The results depended on the truck. Some did better with the tailgates in place, some with them removed. Its not a given that removing the tailgate improves mileage.

From CR Online:

Truck tailgate Q. My neighbor told me to remove the tailgate of my truck for better mileage. What is your take on this matter? A. Several years back, CR said that lowering or removing the tailgate gate made only a marginal difference in gas mileage and in most cases simply does not improve mileage. We are still sticking with that report. Also, the tailgate is part of the structure of the vehicle and when removed, makes the bed of the truck weaker.

You might aslo want to review:

few people know that... i'm impressed.

Image reasons in a prius?

right

Best way to improve mileage when you own a pickup: sell the friggin thing unless you really _need_ a truck and buy a car instead.

It'd be interesting for them to do it with newer trucks, which are more aerodynamic than trucks from "several years ago". While pickups aren't really sold for their fuel efficiency, the better aerodynamics contribute to increased towing capacity and acceleration - things trucks are sold for.

Perhaps if I phrase it this way: pickup trucks are designed to produce less drag with the tailgate up and no cover. That's how they're wind tunnel tested, and if you watch one of those tests, it's pretty easy to see the vortex and resulting slipstream. All things being equal, less drag usually means better mileage.

In reality, it probably has more to do with speed than anything. At highway speeds, you're probably better off with the tailgate up so the vortex/slipstream can form. At slower speeds, it's less likely a vortex will form, so you're probably better off with the tailgate down.

The point being that the OP's assertion that taking the tailgate off or putting a cover on would increase your mileage is more or less a myth.

Speaking of, I'll see your CR and raise you a Mythbusters. :-)

---JRE---

Thanks. I guess if it creates a high enough pressure that it could hold the other airflow in a better pattern. Maybe :-)

on 12/12/2007 6:58 PM still just me said the following:

The best way to decrease pickup turbulence would be to use a torneau cover on the bed that starts from the top of the cab to the top of the tailgate, like a military hummer, making the PU a fastback.