Some Towing Thoughts

[Carol H]

Speaking of aerodynamic's I have noticed a number of people with the tailgate taken off their trucks and when I have asked they have indicated it improves gas milage as the tailgate blocks the wind movement.

An interesting article based on wind tunnel test suggests the opposite is true.

Tailgate Up or Down - Truck Test Digest

[frank_a]

The reason why my tailgates have always been up and closed!

Nothing like truck mythology...

Frank

[Andrew Gibbens]

Originally Posted by honda03842

By the way could you explain the phrase 'double radius' and did your plywood trailer shown earlier in the thread have a name?

Sorry, someone has just pointed out I did talk about 'double the radius'. What that rather scientific graph shows is that a rectangular body with all front corners rounded would have significantly less drag if the radius was about twice as large as it is on a typical egg - about 20% of the body width or height each side, whereas I would guess most are around 10% at most. Note that this is referring only to the front end shape, not the back.