Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin Cooper
A partial tonneau cover, having about 60% of the length of the box, attached at the tailgate and running forward gives the largest drag reduction. Even greater than a full tonneau. This was shown some years ago by GM and was the subject of a patent. Since then, I showed the same behaviour in a full-scale wind tunnel test reported in SAE 2004-01-1146 entitled "Pickup Truck Aerodynamics – Keep Your Tailgate Up".
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Kevin,I wish your paper was available at dealer showrooms! The automakers have been installing faux spoilers on tailgates for a few years now,in hopes that it will promote"tailgate-up" driving.Unfortunately,many truck owners apparently do not "get it",and continue to drive with the gate "down," clinging to intuitive concepts about how the air "must" behave.Some remove the gate altogether,thinking the combined :weight-savings and drag reduction" will save them fuel.Hope you sleep okay knowing what you know.It drives me nuts!