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Old 01-07-2008, 06:20 PM   #4 (permalink)
trebuchet03
MechE
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Bay Area
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The Miata - '01 Mazda MX-5 Miata
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Quote:
Originally Posted by metroschultz View Post
Check with Discovery's Mythbusters, they did a story on the tailgate idea. Real world and wind tunnel testing showed that tailgate up was best for aerodynamics. Real world fuel consumption test showed tailgate up better (marginally) , and tailgate replaced with one of the woven (netting) types better still.

I watch a lot of Discovery, it is the only thing of interest at 2: am. S.
Alas, they only tested one style of pickup.... Changing the length (thus changing Reynolds number) can have a dramatic effect... I'm not saying down is better - just longer vehicles might have different results ...
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